Welcome to the forum. There certainly isn't as much info on the Viekira experience as there is with Harvoni, but I'm happy to share what I went through.
I started 12 weeks of Viekira Pak/Ribavirin in July 2015. I became anemic and exhaustion was a real problem for me. My doctor cut my riba dose in half, and it was surprising how quickly I felt better. A few weeks later he bumped it back up, but I was able to finish treatment before the severe tiredness returned. I had a dry cough, trouble staying asleep and mild itchiness. But by far my worst side effect was the emotional roller coaster. I felt very negative and gloomy, even though I was on an anti-depressant. Any little thing started me crying; good, bad, didn't matter. I was a wet time bomb!
I finished tx 12 weeks ago and didn't feel better for quite some time. But a couple weeks ago it just sort of hit me that I was feeling pretty good! I rarely feel any of the side effects, and emotionally feel better that I have in a long while. I read the riba can take 6 months to clear, so I'm anxious to see what else will improve. All my best to you.
Penny
wmlj1960 said
Jan 4, 2016
Hello Pixel
When I treated with 24 weeks Ribavirin / Sovaldi last year, ribavirin depression and anemia was certainly an issue for me especially during the last months. After treatment was over the ribavirin side effects went away, but it took some time - about six months for me to feel completely normal again. As far as Viekira Pak, I don't have any experience, but I do wish you well and I suspect being cured of Hep C will make the side effects well worth it for you.
Welcome to the forum. We have a great bunch of very knowledgeable and helpful members here who are always willing to help in any way we can. More of them will be along to welcome you also. So make yourself at home and feel free to ask any questions you have.
Tig said
Jan 4, 2016
Hi Pixel,
Welcome to the forum. If you would like to post some of your history and information in your signature line, it does assist us when replying to questions. There is also a list of abbreviations used here. I'll post a link below. The more information we have, the more responses tend to come in. If you haven't used our search function, try a keyword or two and you'll find previous forum discussion on the topic.
http://ipsite.org/3bb0
mallani said
Jan 4, 2016
Hi Pixel,
I'm on Bribie Island. I'm going to a meeting of Hepatitis Australia in Sydney this weekend, and this is one of the topics.
Good luck with your treatment. If you could post some details, like Geno, VL and Hb it would make it easier to reply. Cheers.
Ari-anna said
Jan 4, 2016
Hi - I completed 24 weeks of Viekera Pak and Ribavirin just 4 weeks ago and would also like to know if there are any long term effects. I'm in NZ where the treatment is only available on compassionate grounds, not many people here even have access to it.
I had a lot of side effects during treatment and found the last month particularly difficult. However I did not get much depression which may be because I continued to take 5HPT throughout - a natural anti-depressant that Abbie Vie advise is ok to take with Viekira Pak. My Gastroenerologist advised me to stop all other natural remedies until a month after treatment in case of inter-reactions.
So far the worst post treatment side effect I have is being exceptionally tired - apparently this is from the Ribavirin, although I don't remember being so tired after 24 weeks on Interferon and Ribavirin. Apart from that and some of the side effects I had during treatment briefly coming and going I feel pretty good and more positive than I have for a long time.
Best wishes for a New Year and a new life clear of the virus
pixel said
Jan 3, 2016
Hello
Has anyone taken the 12 week course of Viekira Pak? I'm on week 10.....2 to go!!!! My side effects have included depression , disturbed sleep patterns, irritability and anaemia (due to the Ribavirin I take with the other drugs in the treatment). My question is this; does anyone know about long term effects?
This treatment is relatively new in Australia and I'm having trouble getting answers to this question. If anyone can help I would be grateful.
Hi Pixel,
Welcome to the forum. There certainly isn't as much info on the Viekira experience as there is with Harvoni, but I'm happy to share what I went through.
I started 12 weeks of Viekira Pak/Ribavirin in July 2015. I became anemic and exhaustion was a real problem for me. My doctor cut my riba dose in half, and it was surprising how quickly I felt better. A few weeks later he bumped it back up, but I was able to finish treatment before the severe tiredness returned. I had a dry cough, trouble staying asleep and mild itchiness. But by far my worst side effect was the emotional roller coaster. I felt very negative and gloomy, even though I was on an anti-depressant. Any little thing started me crying; good, bad, didn't matter. I was a wet time bomb!
I finished tx 12 weeks ago and didn't feel better for quite some time. But a couple weeks ago it just sort of hit me that I was feeling pretty good! I rarely feel any of the side effects, and emotionally feel better that I have in a long while. I read the riba can take 6 months to clear, so I'm anxious to see what else will improve. All my best to you.
Penny
Hello Pixel
When I treated with 24 weeks Ribavirin / Sovaldi last year, ribavirin depression and anemia was certainly an issue for me especially during the last months. After treatment was over the ribavirin side effects went away, but it took some time - about six months for me to feel completely normal again. As far as Viekira Pak, I don't have any experience, but I do wish you well and I suspect being cured of Hep C will make the side effects well worth it for you.
Welcome to the forum. We have a great bunch of very knowledgeable and helpful members here who are always willing to help in any way we can. More of them will be along to welcome you also. So make yourself at home and feel free to ask any questions you have.
Hi Pixel,
Welcome to the forum. If you would like to post some of your history and information in your signature line, it does assist us when replying to questions. There is also a list of abbreviations used here. I'll post a link below. The more information we have, the more responses tend to come in. If you haven't used our search function, try a keyword or two and you'll find previous forum discussion on the topic.
http://ipsite.org/3bb0
Hi Pixel,
I'm on Bribie Island. I'm going to a meeting of Hepatitis Australia in Sydney this weekend, and this is one of the topics.
Good luck with your treatment. If you could post some details, like Geno, VL and Hb it would make it easier to reply. Cheers.
Hi - I completed 24 weeks of Viekera Pak and Ribavirin just 4 weeks ago and would also like to know if there are any long term effects. I'm in NZ where the treatment is only available on compassionate grounds, not many people here even have access to it.
I had a lot of side effects during treatment and found the last month particularly difficult. However I did not get much depression which may be because I continued to take 5HPT throughout - a natural anti-depressant that Abbie Vie advise is ok to take with Viekira Pak. My Gastroenerologist advised me to stop all other natural remedies until a month after treatment in case of inter-reactions.
So far the worst post treatment side effect I have is being exceptionally tired - apparently this is from the Ribavirin, although I don't remember being so tired after 24 weeks on Interferon and Ribavirin. Apart from that and some of the side effects I had during treatment briefly coming and going I feel pretty good and more positive than I have for a long time.
Best wishes for a New Year and a new life clear of the virus
Hello
Has anyone taken the 12 week course of Viekira Pak? I'm on week 10.....2 to go!!!! My side effects have included depression , disturbed sleep patterns, irritability and anaemia (due to the Ribavirin I take with the other drugs in the treatment). My question is this; does anyone know about long term effects?
This treatment is relatively new in Australia and I'm having trouble getting answers to this question. If anyone can help I would be grateful.
Thanks
Pixel