Hi Jenny,

I choose to take mine in the morning, primarily because I also take Zantac for acid reflux. My doctor advised me to take the Zantac either with the Harvoni or 12 hours later, as my acid reflux is worse at night, I choose to take the Harvoni at 7 AM and the Zantac at 7 PM. Monday it will be 2 weeks that I have been taking Harvoni. I have had very few side, I sleep well at night, but I do get up several times a night to pee. Good luck and welcome.

Hi All,

I will be starting Harvoni soon - just got authorization. I'm trying to figure out what time of day will be best to take it since there are advocates for both AM and PM.  It seems that the "PM people"  feel taking it at night helps to avoid experiencing side effects and the "AM people" feel taking it early in the day helps to avoid insomnia. I'm a bit baffled about what to do. I HAVE learned and am prepared to drink A LOT of water. Thank you for that advice!  

I want to give an updated on how my treatment is going.  Today is day 12 of treatment and luckily for me the side effects are minimal.  I have felt crappy a few times, but I have also felt really good too.  I had to travel for work last week and I had some apprehension about traveling with my precious pills and insuring I get enough water.  It turned out to be a non-issue.  I put four pills, which included 1 extra in case I got stranded in a small container in my laptop bag.  Checking through TSA was no problem.  As far as the water, I bought a quart water bottle, which I made sure I drank 4 of.  I travel again next week, but I got this.  Hopefully the side effects will remain minimal.

Thanks for the update, Patrick! You're almost there and with your week 6 undetected result, you'll never see anything but...

Sounds like you have a Hep free future ahead! Woohoo!

It has been since week 1 since I have posted but I have been reading.  I am now in Week 12 day 5.  2 pills left!! The fog lasted 5 weeks and then lifted.  I see the remarks on Water.  YES Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate!!!  My 6 week test show Virus Free and I am Gen4 with over 9Million viral load.  No alcohol at all for the duration.  There is still fatigue when I exercise compared to before treatment.  I will also emphasize proper nutrition and vitamins.  It does make a difference for me on how I feel.  I had to eat more to keep energy but fatty foods made me feel much worse than they did before treatment.  Can't wait for Saturday - Final pill. 

Hey Polo,

Don't be hard on yourself. Many of us packed this Dragon around for decades without knowing it. They didn't even know what Hep C was until 1990. Prior to that it was called Non A-Non B Hepatitis. There was no treatment for it. When they did determine what it was and actually name it Hep C, there was still no treatment until Interferon came along. There might as well have been no treatment where that was concerned, because the rate of success was almost nothing. What it was, was miserable. Sometimes treatment went on for a year or more and the side effects were worse than the disease. Until a few years ago, rates of success were 50%, if you were lucky. We had to go through 6-12 months of horrid treatment, only to hope we had a 50% chance. Many of us went through that same scenario over and over. Treatment has never been better or more successful. Let that lift your spirits!

What's important is knowing you're going to be successful now and there will be many good days ahead. Get some rest, tomorrow is another day. One day closer to your goal of finally being Hep C free. Don't look unkindly on the past, it is what it is. Use your knowledge to make the future better, not only yours, but to advocate for those that can benefit from it. 

Stay strong, Sister....

PS: Thank you  

I'm starting Day 5 soon. I made it through a long work day, begged off a group dinner for a quiet meal in my room. I feel exhausted, so headed to sleep soon. A couple of times today I felt like I was cheated out of a large chunk of my life. I had this disease for ~45 years and no one knew it. I wonder if it would have helped if I had confessed to people how tired I felt and the brain fog. I just barrelled and banged along through it all these years. I have to trust this is the timing for me when I read the issues others have had with earlier treatments. I remind myself of that and then I feel grateful. However, today I found some of the feelings I had the first couple of weeks after learning I had HCV came bubbling up and I felt angry and then sorry for myself. Time to take my Harvoni shortly and sleep. G'night.

Tig/Canuck/JimmyK,

Just back from the work dinner and it was nice to see friends responding to me here. The evening was like magic. (I'm trying to refrain from sharing all my little nuances and anxieties with my spouse, and this support group helps with that) The dinner turned out to be fine. One other guy who I haven't met before was drinking ice tea, and I ordered club soda and no one thought anything was unusual. It turns out that the ice tea drinker is the primary person who I will be working with for the next 2 days, so we left early and walked over for ice cream and then back to hotel. It seems he doesn't drink either, or at least not this evening. The Harvoni Gods are watching over me indeed.

I am trying to relax and enjoy the trip as much as possible, go with the flow. I think I can get through tomorrow, and then say I've got to catch up on email in the evening. I need to live in the moment here. That said, I will be happy to go home, but that is end of week. Next week I work from home except for one day, hooray!

Canuck, I like your expression 'high wired' folks, that nails it. haha..as for my blood draws and labs, my next visit back to the Gastroenterologist is Sept 18th. I had an email from the nurse that she mailed my lab schedule yesterday, but I won't be home until Friday to see it, so will know at that time when I go for labs. Until then its not clear how often I go for that.

I appreciate this space, it happened that I started this treatment in a month when I have to travel 2 weeks. Fortunately, I'm home next week and then the following week gone again, then I'm home again for a couple of weeks or so.

Tig -- I agree, I don't want to pour gasoline on fire, its not worth it. We are talking about my body temple here, and I want to take care of it. This HCV has worked on it for a long time and now I need to be gentle to myself.

Thanks again everyone for being there.

Greetings,

I always like to point out how important hydration is while on treatment. Alcohol dehydrates you and is the last thing you want to drink while on treatment.

JimmyK

Hey Polo,

You're very wise to avoid alcohol. If you will allow me to use an old analogy, drinking with HCV is like pouring gas on a fire. It's a bad idea and is even worse while on treatment. Give it a pass. Alcohol can slow down or eliminate any benefit treatment will provide in the short term. It's important to give your liver every opportunity to recover. We have talked about the use of alcohol many times here and there are several things you have to consider. The use while on treatment should be easy, just don't do it. There use to be a rule some doctors and insurance carriers followed for people on treatment. They tested for drugs and alcohol randomly. If you tested positive during treatment, they stopped it. There are still guidelines to that effect in some insurance circles, but I haven't heard anyone mention that for quite awhile. The feeling is/was, if they're paying $100K+ for several months of medication and care, you better not decrease your odds of success by drinking or doing drugs. 

If you are concerned about questions and your associates are accustomed to you having a drink with them, just tell them you're having some gall bladder trouble and alcohol makes it worse. I was quite a drinker myself at one time and really missed having a cold beer. I found there are some excellent non alcohol beers out there that are better than some real ones. If you're a beer drinker, try a St Paulie Girl NA or a Becks. They're very good. I didn't even drink the fake stuff while on treatment, but have one now and then when everyone is at the bar watching the game or lunch, etc. I have fun just watching how funny everyone gets after several drinks. I'm the designated driver these days and happy to do it. You're really doing yourself a big favor by avoiding it. What you do after this is successfully behind you is something you and your doctor can discuss.

Keep your head up and concentrate on all of the benefits you will experience once you've completed treatment. I understand how you're feeling right now and I invite you to just keep talking about it. It does get better and your commitment to this will get you through. Just stick with it, Polo!

Get some rest, watch something on the tube and don't forget the water! Good luck tomorrow...

It's early days yet polo. First couple weeks on this stuff is (mostly) when people say they feel bagged. Don't push beyond what you can handle. Go to your events only if you need and want to. Adopt a self-safety approach if it feels unnerving - sidle up to the med or lowest key energy person you feel most comfortable in being with in the room, and hover there. Minimize doing the high wired folk if they are draining or contagious. It will probably be fine, you sound like you are experienced at these things.

Down some tasty Shirley Temples, or Virgin Rickies to keep the fluids up.

There is no rule that says, you cannot say you are fighting a "bug" and cannot go, or, have to leave early with a headache or are just feeling "a bit under the weather" if you are not enjoying it! 

Leave enough room for comforting and resting yourself.  C.

BTW - did you say before what your blood draw schedule is, when do you go for all your blood draws during this 12 weeks? 

Slept hard last night and woke up tired today. The murky fog was back in my head until around noon and finally began to burn off leaving a haze in its path. I have a break now and then headed to a dinner with a couple of colleagues to plan for tomorrow. I will be the only person not drinking alcohol at dinner.

Once I knew I had Hep C, I decided over the course of a couple of weeks not to drink. It doesn't seem logical to drink while taking treatment for HCV. I was a moderate drinker, yet it has felt good not  to drink the last few weeks, so I'm sticking with my decision to not imbibe and sip club soda instead.  I read that others have stopped drinking due to this diagnosis.

I'm a little anxious about tomorrow, since I'll be meeting a lot of people and sometimes it gets me pumped and other times it wears me out. I am quite introverted so I can get extremely drained being around jabbering people all day. I have wondered if that will change for me as my head clears.

Thanks Tig and Canuck for your support, appreciate it.

Hey polo,

Really?, you feel less intensely fuzzy-headed than even a week ago? - I am jealous, but, MOST pleased for you! There have been others here that have noticed a good effects like that right away, a real bonus, most encouraging I would think. I had no such luck (right away) during treatment, but my fatigue and fog did lessen, dissipate and improve greatly over time. So, never say never - at this good rate, who knows what new leases on life you are going to be experiencing in short order. You may yet change your mind again about retirement.

Ya - get lost Mr. jittery-ness, right along with your foul friend HCV, we got better things to do. 

Rest up. One day at a time. Steady as she goes. 4 days done!  C.

The brain fog (fuzzy head) is one of the biggest improvements people comment on, after treatment is successful. Many of us discovered after the fact that we were really suffering from a significant neurologic deficit as a result of this disease. Unfortunately, there are times that treatment will exacerbate this, but it usually doesn't last and is sporadic. Just be conscious of it and don't stress over it too much. 

Sounds like you're taking care of yourself and I'm glad you're trying to get the rest you need. Plenty of rest and hydration are so important right now. You need to do whatever it takes to treat your body like a temple during treatment. Give yourself every advantage possible. The drugs will do their part, you do everything you can to keep the temple strong!

I'm cruising to stop 4 today on the  treatment train. Will  be taking day #4 treatment shortly. It was a loooong day with traveling and work and ready to lay down. Today I thought about being cured and then retiring soon. It's time.  Whew!

I've noticed the last few years I get jittery from work stress and have the fuzzy brain, and really hope some of it will go away. I have noticed thus far that the fuzzy brain is not as intense as it has been, even from a week ago.

Those darn Bakeries!! They cause me pain, too. Right around my waistline...

I hope you got the needed rest, Polo. One day at a time! Look at how time flies, you're twice as far along as you were yesterday, woot!  

Like a good gardener, lots of water and pat the seeds gently to bed. Listen to your body, sounds like a wee nap would be just the ticket, a lovely perhaps needed idea. Rest and strolls are good.  C.

Hi -- doing good on day #2. I walked into a new bakery/coffee shop that opened in the neighborhood to see if they sell bread and started getting a headache. I went outside and after outside for 10 minutes or so it went away, so I simply walked home. Grateful it went away, so won't go back to the bakery anytime soon. My calves ache a little this afternoon and feeling a touch tired like I need a nap. I suppose that is what I'll do in a few minutes. My anxiety level continues to be lower than usual for me and enjoying the calmness I feel. I hope to stay on this Harvoni Peace Train! 

Hey Polo and Saludohiker,

So, you are both ... "have work will travel"! 

So, in that case, it will have to be .. "have water will travel"!

Drinking and peeing a lot is a bit of an inconvenience sometimes when travelling (or at home!).

Some people get their water pre-portioned/counted and the pre-planning for it all down to an art, for at home and/or on the move - if you are packing water, try to figure the most convenient ways/containers to do so. The prep and planning for all this water carrying and drinking and peeing, is work - but pre-planning paves the way to ensure you never let yourself get  "accidentally" behind or too dry at any point of the day. 

Some people have set timers, others use visual cues. I used to keep a gal jug of water on my kitchen counter, and knew how well I was doing at a glance! I needed the visual cues, if I did not, I tended to not get enough in. I kept glasses, full of water, all the time all over my house, and refilled them (more visual reminders). It was easy thing NOT to drink enough! But boy, it WAS much better for me to be well-hydrated all the time. Travelling (took some +-5 hours to get to my frequent doc appointments and we would stay over in a motel) I had many appointments with doc and the distance and terrain involved was not terribly convenient for me, not much for services along the way in my neck of the woods, and travelling (in general) I find surprisingly dehydrating anyway! I pre-packed all my water with me for these overnight trips. (I was very grateful tho, for the care I received, so I relished each of these long-distance appointments).

Saludahiker - I missed a post (or some details of a post) that spoke further about "flying" away for your work. I too motelled it like you (but after driving, in my case, and just for the purpose of attending these frequent doc appointments) - but it felt like my new job! I packed my whole bottle of pills with me (but I was required to bring the whole lot with me to the doc for all my appointments) - I too made sure that bottle never left my side when travelling. 

I too had a special piece of paper given to me (just because I lived far away from my doc) for in case of emergencies - lost pills or whatever, a phone number was on that paper too, that I or another doc or a pharmacists anywhere in the country could call for assistance if it was ever required.

That was good you and Tig discussed (and your doc had arranged for you) to carry a script/note regarding your drugs if you are packing them through airport security, etc.

We had one gal here, who very consciencentiously/dutifully with great foresight made SURE she had her precious pill "with her" one day, on a day she when she KNEW she was going to have to be travelling. All organized, she even pulled her vehicle over EXACTLY right on the appointed due time, and then realized she had forgotten her water! Not wanting to delay her dose, she decided to try dry swallowing it - boy did she ever regret it, stuckish and melting away in her gullet (until she got to water), she advised no one to ever try what she did - the "flavour" was unforgettable. 

Polo - As long as you did not run, chase and scare the the delivery guy, then your walk around the block went well! heehee The Friday start dose works out for you then, as a "test run" for timing, to try it on and see how things feel, so to speak. Your doc sounds, well ... methodical! Not a bad thing I guess. You sound, well ... motivated! - and that's a very good thing (and, if that constitutes "going rogue", then "you just go rogue girl"! heehee.

Have a good 'morrow you two. C.

Hi Canuck --- I did nearly snatch the big hard foam box out of the UPS guys hands! I was outside walking up and down the block, because UPS was 4 hours later than usual yesterday....I was at end of block and saw the truck parking across from my house and ran to meet him and said that's mine. You are right about the doc, that must be a convenience for their office to have everyone on same schedule. I suppose I went Rogue on them..but I've had this for ~45 years and they have not and I'm ready to feel better. This way I know how I'm going to feel on Monday because I too have to travel for work next week. Fortunately, I will be driving so have some control over stopping for drinking and releasing water.   I have felt more relaxed today than in a long time, its been a good one. Yes, I will continue to imagine all the Harvoni Magic radiating in my cells! I am grateful tonight. 

Thanks for responding, good to meet you!

Thanks Tig, I kicked my shoes off here in the Club Car and ready for the ride. Thanks for the ticket and water...in a few hours I'll be passing through dragon-slayer at intersection of day 2. 

Hi Canuck,

It's nice to meet you too.  You definitely make me think about including an extra pill.  As far as the cramps go it was only my stomach.  Thank you for the encouragement and information. 

Hi Ro, Hi Tess, 

Geez, everybody is over here! I must not have got the memo! Nice to hear the good updates from you two. 

Hi again Polo,

I met you last night, over in your other start thread. So glad you are feeling some less anxiety about things today! These ARE exciting times (big understatement!). We understand how emotional fraught the "getting to" the start, and, the start is. Puts me to mind of one gal here who near literally snatched the drugs out of the deliveryman's hands the second he arrived at her doorstep, she had been waiting so long. I felt like you too, I was relieved to get that first pill past my lips, and grateful. I keep thinking of that funny thing your doc suggested for all his pts - why start on a Sun?? Sounds like you had a pleasant day, Farmer's Market and all. So glad you are on your way - it IS magic! You said ... "Now that the first pill is dispersing its magic and traveling through the cells of my body I feel relaxed" ... A nice thought. C. 

Hi Saludahiker,

I saw your other thread, and I am happy to meet you here. Glad you joined the forum. It is a nice safe place that has offered me much support, info and fun too!

So with several days under your belt you are an "experienced Harvonian" already! You did the right thing when you experienced the stomache cramps, getting up and dousing it with water. Glad that worked, I expect that was a one off. Some people do notice some stomache or bowel sensations at some point, usually early in the treatment course, but generally these thing are short lived. Was it stomache or bowel, or both? If it was due to the introduction of the harvoni, then you may have already adjusted past that, your gut making an acknowledgement of an initial protest of this new thing.

Do not fret too much about work and travelling, you are more than likely going to be JUST FINE, that hard part will be making sure you find enough loo's everywhere in order to pee out that gal of water a day you need to be drinking. (I find travelling dehydrates me somehow, so be sure to keep your water intake up.) You expressed a concern about travelling with all those expensive drugs, we had a fellow here who was concerned about getting delayed, unable to get home "on time", or locked out of his house!, he had a fail-safe, he had one pill with him at all times (I guess he was never far from home) - I guess he kept it in his pocket in some kind of heat proof container! I thought that a good idea - just to feel reassured. If you did the same, travel with just one in your pocket, then even in the unlikely event of loosing your whole bottle - you would still have a day's grace to arrange a replacement bottle - so no worries - these events rarely ever happen anyway - but back-up plans always make us feel better about things.

Believe me, I am "required" to keep a magnetic lock-box for my spare keys hidden on my vehicle, as I am always locking my keys in the car! My fail-safe back-up plan.

Hope the Zantac timing works out for you, it should - funny the instructions, aren't they? But good you covered that with your doc.

So far so good! You will do well. Keep us posted.  C.

Yes, thanks Tig.  The nurse who is overseeing my treatment wants me to drink at least 100 ounces of water based on my body weight and I have read on here that a gallon of water is what most people are drinking and that is what I am now doing.  As far as the Rx goes the nurse made me a copy to put in my wallet.

"It's the Water"....

We can't emphasize enough how important water is with these medications. People sometimes think we go a bit overboard with our ranting about water, water, water, but we're not kidding! If you're experiencing anything, you should first evaluate your water intake, quantity, etc. Buy a refillable water bottle and use it when possible. They keep it cold and they don't sweat like the disposable bottles. Better for the environment too!

If you're going to travel without your prescription bottle, take a photo of the actual prescription just in case you're asked about loose pills in your carry on. I learned about that once and TSA can be very particular about that!

 I started my treatment this past Tuesday morning 8/1 and on Wednesday morning I was awakened at 4:30 AM with some of the worst stomach cramps I have ever had. I got up and drank some water and the cramps subsided. Since that episode I haven't really had many side effects, just a little fatigued at times. I make sure I get plenty of water.  I'm a little concerned regarding my job, as I travel Monday through Thursday three weeks out of the month and I'm home one week. Luckily I was able to start my treatment on a week I was working from home, but next week and the week after I will be traveling.  I have some anxiety about traveling with my precious pills. I definitely won't be packing them in my gate checked bag.  I am planning on only packing the three pills I will be taking in my laptop bag, which doesn't leave my side and after work Monday evening I will be buying a case of water, as the water is undrinkable where I work.  I am very thankful for the information and support provided on this forum.

-- Edited by saludahiker on Saturday 5th of August 2017 05:40:34 PM

YO Polo!

One day down and it sounds like a total success. Aside from the bathroom trips, which you will adjust to, I'd say you're doing great! 

Take it easy and let the Dragon slaying begin. Grab a seat in the Club Car and get comfortable. The ride will be a memorable one. ALL ABOARD!!

Here comes the Conductor, your ticket is pre-punched. I ordered a large bottle of water, go out into kitchen, it's waiting for you! LOL! 

Wave bye

I'm on board the Harvoni Train!  I took my first Harvoni pill of 12 weeks last night just before bed. I had a touch of insomnia for a few hours and had drank a lot of water so had to get up so much that it kept me awake until around 2am. However, today I feel great! I got up and went to Local Farmer's Market and now home eating breakfast and drinking water. I feel much less anxiety today. Over the last weeks the build up of going to the doctor so much and all these calls about getting Harvoni and then suddenly told it would arrive Friday, whew! Yesterday I waited and watched for UPS so much that I worked myself into a frenzy over it. Now that the first pill is dispersing its magic and traveling through the cells of my body I feel relaxed. I am grateful and thinking my quality of life is going to improve. No more hiding how tired, anxious and brain fogged I am. 

SNOWBIRDS? I live in SW Florida, I know many seasonal residents and wish I could afford to have a place "Up North" where I could get away from the summer heat and rain, sometimes. I've been here for 28 years now, so I'm firmly planted. My Snowbird wings were clipped years ago, lol! 

I would absolutely love to have the chance to visit all those National Parks. There's an Amtrak service (package) that loops through several of them. I think that would be wonderful! You have resparked my interest in doing that. I've also wanted to take that Canadian rail trip from coast to coast through the wilderness. It's supposed to be beautiful. Don't have to drive either! I know you'll have a great time when you're able to juggle life, and grandchildren! I'm still working on that, let me know if you have any suggestions. The Lottery hasn't come through yet, darn it, ha, ha!

Hi Tig,

Yes those kiddies do keep us moving.  We only have 1 granddaughter who will turn 5 the end of June.  She is a trip!  And we love her dearly.

Hubby and I have become snow birds.  We so enjoy the Florida gulf coast and the warm weather...our goal is to eventually travel west...   We are trying to make the most of our senior national parks passes  the only thing slowing us down is stamina....but if I learned anything coping with this disease I learned to persevere....and enjoy every moment

For all  those beginnning this journey, hang in there...the ups outway the downs

Wishing the best for everyone

Ro

Hi Ro,

Wow, this is a great time for reunions! I'm so glad you checked in, what have you been up to? If you're feeling good and enjoying life, what a joy! Tess mentioned she picked golf up again and you're able to get on the road with your husband, and do some traveling. That's excellent and I appreciate both of you checking in and sharing that. We have a lot of Harvoni warriors that are either finished or just getting started and they ask about the length of time it takes to get past some of the treatment aches and difficulties, so your testimony is important. 

Many of us here have grandchildren and there are days I wish I would have had mine first! They are a true joy. Mine are still young, a little princess that will be 3 in July and a new grandson that is 7 months. The three year old is growing horns now, and has increased speed, making it a real workout to keep up. I love it though and it sounds like all of us that are so blessed, enjoy the workout. 

Please check in occasionally as you're traveling the country and let us know how you're coming along. 

Hi all,

I feel this is my "reunion"  A notice popped up in my email in regards to the "Harvoni Train" and I realized how long it has been since I road that train....I wanted to check in  and let all the newbies know there is a light at the end of the tunnel..having gone through so many years of different treatments with horrible results I finally had success with Harvoni.    I started on Harvoni  Nov 7,2014 and have been virus free since Dec 5, 2014! (Dates I will always remember!)

I am feeling better.  The side effects of treatment have subsided.  The toll the virus took on my body is slowly improving...I continue regular follow ups with MD (as I am chirrotic), I pay attention to what I eat, and try to exercise (not something I like, but I try)...I believe age is all that is slowing me down now 

Having retired, my husband and I are doing a little traveling, spending time with our granddaughter (which is the best of times) and planning for a long future...

I am so thankful for everyday AND so very thankful for this forum which had been like a lifeline to me.  You all pulled me through some tough days.

I wish all those beginning this treatment journey only the best results and to those that cleared the virus...continue to take care of yourselves!

Best wishes to all

Ro

Hey Tig!  So glad hear from you!!!  And so glad that treatments are going so well.

LOL, I have taken up golf again, having not played since in my early teens 50 years ago.  I think I'm improving, although there are a lot of aches and pains from age and wear and tear... can't blame HCV for all of it!  I received a "voluntold" supervisory position in my job a few months ago. I think that speaks to the loss of brain fog. So things are good overall, and a lot of it is thanks to clearing HCV.  Best wishes to everyone!  This place was my anchor before, during and after treatment!

Take care

Tess

Hi Tess,

How are you? It's good to hear from you! So glad you checked in. You've got some catching up to do, treatments are really gaining ground now. You were one of the original Harvoni warriors. Your experience has always been helpful for those coming behind you.

I'm pleased to know you're feeling better and your head isn't lost in the Fog! That was a nice improvement for me too. Let us know what's been going on. Take care of yourself 

Best of luck to you, pmc!  The stats are great that you will reach SVR, and you have found a fantastic support group.  I came here a few years ago, having been infected from blood transfusions in 1982, and cleared on Harvoni 2 years ago. The brain fog has definitely lifted, I'm happy to say.  Keep drinking water and keep the faith.  Best wishes to you!

To the group - - I'm sorry to have been absent but other things drew me away.  You guys are the best!!!

I can relate to the ugliness that accompanied Interferon and Ribavirin. I failed the 3X weekly Interferon back in 96 and finally conquered this beast 4 years ago using Peg/Riba and Victrelis. The Victrelis added to the anemia factor and like you, I was on Neupogen 2X week due to a WBC crash. Low rates of success then too, but averaged 60-70% overall, sometimes higher. This time will be better, stay the course and know that this will be the end of Hep C treatment for you. It's very rare to not clear and go on to SVR with these new drugs. 

Yeah the GT4 thing really screwed with local doctors.  I didn't realize the IFN/RIBA was only like 40% success for it when I started.  It did get my VL to 20k at 24 weeks but then went back up to 400K at 48.  I was on extra shots for RBC and WBC counts.  I said I wouldn't do anything again until I started having some side effects from the HepC.  Well, here I am. 

Thanks for the encouragement. 

Hey Patrick,

Welcome! You're one of only a couple GT 4's we've had here. We're here to help my friend. If you need anything or just want to STS, ask and we'll fill your screen with all kinds of trivia and mostly useful facts. Sounds like you've got a good home team and now you've got the best forum to keep you busy. Stay on that water, relax when you can and fight through that fog, it should let up soon. There really isn't much you can do at this point. It's not like the fog we experienced with the Peg and Riba, it lasted for a year! Once you adjust to these new DAA's, your metabolism seems to accept the assault going on and the ride smooths out some. 

Oh and keep in mind, of the 21 people, one failed but that one stopped treatment after the first pill.

Very cool. There was a small trial and all Geno Type 4's were cured. Well 95% but that is fantastic!

Yes

pmcgrew74 wrote:

---

Genotype 4

 

---

 Thanks and you are taking Harvoni?

Genotype 4

Hi there.

Can you confirm your Geno type?

Thanks and Welcome!

JimmyK

One week down!

This forum has helped me get past some of the side effects.  Staying Extra hydrated.  Still foggy.  Almost feels like bad medicine head with some blurred vision. Especially when at work and trying to concentrate on the computer.  Bad fatigue this first week. I had to take a nap after work each day. Take Aleve daily and extra caffeine to get through the day now.  

Little History - I had a transfusion in 1974 in Lebanon so I am Genotype 4 at one day old and found out in 1992 when I donated blood that I had the antibody.  Stupid family doctor said that my results from the Blood bank showed I had fought off the Hep c because I had the antibody. Meet and Married a nurse who knew better in 2000.  Tried Interferon/Ribovirin in 2005 but it failed.  I would never go through that again.  Never had any Liver Scarring and only minimal inflammation. Viral load was always around 2MM until the past 2 years when it doubled and then doubled again.  Lots of joint pain now and early arthritis in hips and hands.  Finally got Harvoni approved and can't wait to get this over with.  I exercise regularly and eat pretty healthy. 

Anybody have a suggestion for the brain fog? Any other suggestions?

-- Edited by pmcgrew74 on Tuesday 30th of May 2017 04:54:02 PM

What a train ride it has been indeed. Well spoken Matt. Our recovery is a forward thing for sure..

JimmyK

Matt so good to hear from you. And yes, this is a powerful thread. On your last post, that last paragraph really choked me up, So true. A powerful statement. 

Hey All

It's been a long time since I started this thread on Oct. 12 2014 

Many of millions of Harvoni pills and dollars have passed through time and space with a very high percentage of cures (SVR) have been had and kept. I am one of many. 

My experience is one of relapse and redemption, not uncommon among Cirrhotics and old time long suffering Hep-C patients that lived with the virus for decades before knowing it.

Through all the tribulations and trials that both the disease and the cure can bring to our life it does realize recovery, redemption and deliverance. 

Harvoni takes away the virus but it also takes away part of us as well, but it can be built back in time and effort. Powerful drugs sometimes have powerful side effects so we need powerful determination to find ourselves again. Our energy our brain power, our core strength, it's not easily done we are older, slower and but not dumber. I am feeling better every month and year that I apply myself. Slow but sure is a great motto and it works for patient types so hang in there the cure is worth it.

matt 

Hey Laz

Welcome to the forum, you have found a great place that can give insightful caring information that's 2nd to none on your Harvoni treatment. It's in the bag if your stay compliant 

matt

Welcome again Laz,

GT 1 Harvoni is a fantastic cure. Easy to treat with.