Thanks to all for your kind words of support and advice. Have Ambien for my insomnia but without it there would be trouble. Took Ribavirin with interferon in the distant past and had no trouble sleeping, however I had plenty of side effects with that to keep me busy. Failed of course. I am a VA patient and my pharmacologist was very nice and all but there was very little discussion of serious lingering side effects - I also have acid reflux (under control at the moment) and the well known fluttering heart. That said I am staying physically active and spirits are good. 12 week blood work results on November 17th. Thanks again.
Greg D said
Nov 15, 2015
Throughout my life I never had sleep issues, could drink coffee at anytime of the day or night and simply go to bed and sleep. During and after my treatment I found that getting to sleep was some how different, just felt mentally awake I guess. I would lay there and think that there was no way I would be able to fall asleep anytime soon so I would get up and read or whatever.
Even to this day, I lay there waiting to sleep thinking that it's not going to happen but next thing I know I'm waking up the next morning. I guess one just has to get through the doubt, and sleep will follow? Just my experience, hope this helps Rick.
Tig said
Nov 15, 2015
Hi Rick,
Welcome! I agree with the crowd, you're most likely experiencing the longer term effects of Ribavirin. If you look back at the trials, the incidence of insomnia from the control groups, VP w/ Riba compared to VP w/o Riba and Placebo, showed double (or greater) the incidence of insomnia. The groups without, showed similarly low rates of insomnia. Since the half life of the VP drugs is relatively short and Ribavirin is quite lengthy, I think you can see who the culprit likely is. It affected me that way as well, so you're not the first to experience the same thing.
Time is the only thing that will deliver the solution you're looking for. You can tell your doctor about it if it's really interfering with your life and they will occasionally prescribe a short term sleep aid. That helped me, as did Melatonin to a lesser degree. I hope you get back on track soon and if we can help in any way, just let us know.
wmlj1960 said
Nov 14, 2015
Hi Rick. I agree with Robert. I had insomnia when I treated with riba last year, and riba takes a good bit of time to leave your system so hopefully you'll get better sleep as more time passes. I still have issues with going to sleep occasionally and melatonin helps me.
That's really great you being UND at 4 weeks post EOT. SVR is next and we'll have a party around here for you. A lot of party's lately and they never get old. Welcome to the forum. We have several knowledgeable members who will be along to welcome you as well and likely have some further ideas for a sleep solution.
robertsamx said
Nov 14, 2015
Hi Rick This is a good place to ask questions, lots of us have experienced insomnia. My self included. IMO I think the Riba is responsiable for the sleep issue. A friend did the Viekira with out Riba and had no sleep issue. I did 16 weeks riba-sof and 8 days into it i couldent fall asleep at all. Your doctor can help you with the insomnia. Get on top of that, it is wicked. Did you have sleep issues during treatment as well?? RC
Gracie said
Nov 14, 2015
If your und week 4 post, you've pretty much got it in the bag. I've had insomnia myself on and off. Now when it happens, I get up and do something. Read or answer emails. I find the more I fight it, the worse it gets. I eventually get tired enough to go to sleep. And I get up at the normal time no matter how tired I am. I think I might have read that that was a side of Vik Pak, if so, should clear up with time.
Fisherking said
Nov 14, 2015
12 weeks post treatment with Viekira and Ribavirin (undetectable at 4 weeks post). Currently waiting on 12 week blood work to come back. Having post treatment side effects (wicked insomnia) and joined forum to get a handle on these post treatment issues. Good luck to all with your treatment.
Thanks to all for your kind words of support and advice. Have Ambien for my insomnia but without it there would be trouble. Took Ribavirin with interferon in the distant past and had no trouble sleeping, however I had plenty of side effects with that to keep me busy. Failed of course. I am a VA patient and my pharmacologist was very nice and all but there was very little discussion of serious lingering side effects - I also have acid reflux (under control at the moment) and the well known fluttering heart. That said I am staying physically active and spirits are good. 12 week blood work results on November 17th. Thanks again.
Throughout my life I never had sleep issues, could drink coffee at anytime of the day or night and simply go to bed and sleep. During and after my treatment I found that getting to sleep was some how different, just felt mentally awake I guess. I would lay there and think that there was no way I would be able to fall asleep anytime soon so I would get up and read or whatever.
Even to this day, I lay there waiting to sleep thinking that it's not going to happen but next thing I know I'm waking up the next morning.
I guess one just has to get through the doubt, and sleep will follow? Just my experience, hope this helps Rick.
Hi Rick,
Welcome! I agree with the crowd, you're most likely experiencing the longer term effects of Ribavirin. If you look back at the trials, the incidence of insomnia from the control groups, VP w/ Riba compared to VP w/o Riba and Placebo, showed double (or greater) the incidence of insomnia. The groups without, showed similarly low rates of insomnia. Since the half life of the VP drugs is relatively short and Ribavirin is quite lengthy, I think you can see who the culprit likely is. It affected me that way as well, so you're not the first to experience the same thing.
Time is the only thing that will deliver the solution you're looking for. You can tell your doctor about it if it's really interfering with your life and they will occasionally prescribe a short term sleep aid. That helped me, as did Melatonin to a lesser degree. I hope you get back on track soon and if we can help in any way, just let us know.
Hi Rick. I agree with Robert. I had insomnia when I treated with riba last year, and riba takes a good bit of time to leave your system so hopefully you'll get better sleep as more time passes. I still have issues with going to sleep occasionally and melatonin helps me.
That's really great you being UND at 4 weeks post EOT. SVR is next and we'll have a party around here for you. A lot of party's lately and they never get old. Welcome to the forum. We have several knowledgeable members who will be along to welcome you as well and likely have some further ideas for a sleep solution.
Hi Rick This is a good place to ask questions, lots of us have experienced insomnia. My self included. IMO I think the Riba is responsiable for the sleep issue. A friend did the Viekira with out Riba and had no sleep issue. I did 16 weeks riba-sof and 8 days into it i couldent fall asleep at all. Your doctor can help you with the insomnia. Get on top of that, it is wicked. Did you have sleep issues during treatment as well?? RC
If your und week 4 post, you've pretty much got it in the bag. I've had insomnia myself on and off. Now when it happens, I get up and do something. Read or answer emails. I find the more I fight it, the worse it gets. I eventually get tired enough to go to sleep. And I get up at the normal time no matter how tired I am. I think I might have read that that was a side of Vik Pak, if so, should clear up with time.
12 weeks post treatment with Viekira and Ribavirin (undetectable at 4 weeks post). Currently waiting on 12 week blood work to come back. Having post treatment side effects (wicked insomnia) and joined forum to get a handle on these post treatment issues. Good luck to all with your treatment.