11th day Harvoni & experienced muscle strength tonight!!
Loopy Lisa said
Aug 2, 2016
Hey Awaw5,
I am a little different as I had a partial paralysis in 2005. I had to go through rehabilitation for muscle atrophy after recovery which meant building up muscle, stamina, you get the drift. Muscle loss can cause so many ache and pains, that then leads to other issues and soon it mounts up. Nobody knew I had Hep C at the time, so it was well noted my fatigue and pain problems and was misdiagnosed as having Fibromyalgia. I decided the best way to combat it was to continue training at the gym, build up my energy levels, food and water changes and try to improve things. I did improve a lot by training, but I also allowed myself a power nap every afternoon if I wanted one. In general, I don't know what is normal fatigue or Hep C, I am in my 40's and have had it for years, so I can't compare to anything. I can tell you something that does make a difference in energy levels. NO SUGAR. Sugar acts like alcohol on the liver and is really bad for you. I am pretty weak and give in to chocolate often, but I can go months and my energy levels increase a lot. On treatment I have most days good energy levels, and the odd day I feel tired out. Again, it can be a hectic day, hep C or the drugs. After training I always get that natural boost and it gets me going, until its nap time. I wish I could be more specific, but I am still on treatment and I won't know how I'll feel energy level wise after treatment to compare. :D
Pablito said
Aug 2, 2016
I had a similar boost of energy on sof/vel/vox. I kind of miss that. Lol.
awaw5 said
Aug 2, 2016
Wendyo: Thanks for explaining. I understand better now.
wendyo said
Aug 2, 2016
I have had insomnia for years. It is also a side effect that some people get on harvoni. Some days I feel better than pre treatment and some days about the same. My only issue reaaly hwas fatigue. But due to poor sleep I can still feel that way.
awaw5 said
Aug 2, 2016
WENDYO: From your signature, it seems you were done with Tx by 2016 but by how you replied to me, it sounds as if you don't have that much improvement from Tx?? Or is only because insomnia is an unrelated issue than HCV?
LOOPY LISA: You say you're back to "full training". Do you attribute that to your current Tx or were you at "full training" mode even before Sof/Dak?
TIG56: I did not feel very energetic, I couldn't exercise for any longer than usual. I would describe myself as being "generally tired" while exercising last night. I felt stronger strictly ONLY in the muscles in my legs. It felt like a new experience to me (tho I think I've felt it before a few times in my life...)
I guess I was asking about the liver function of stored glycogen that is supposed to be ready for use for muscles when needed & possibly the Harvoni is eradicating some of the HCV theoretically enabling my liver to store & release glycogen more efficiently??
I was hoping it was a known improvement from treatment... But I guess i'll just have to wait & see. Everyone's probably different.
Thanks all!
wendyo said
Aug 2, 2016
NICE! Very glad to hear this and that you are keeping up with the exercise. I work out 4-5 times a week and during treatment tried to stick to that regime but due to the insomnia, sometimes I had to drop to 3 or 4 times a week. Just listen top your body and if you feel weak or tired rest. And of course drink your water. I think the exercise and sweating also helped keep things circulating and sweating it out is good. Now that I am off TX I do get bursts of that feeling (had it last week in cycle class) and other days I tire easily especially if I didn't sleep well or much.
You are doing great!
Loopy Lisa said
Aug 2, 2016
It is a fantastic thing that you are exercising. It can cause pain by lack of activity - muscle atrophy. I gave myself a couple of weeks inactivity adjusting to the medications, and now I am back full into training. I do think it helps with every aspect of health combined with a healthy diet - states she that dribbles over chocolate like a rabid animal.
Good luck with treatment, it is showing great results. :D
Tig said
Aug 1, 2016
Hello,
You're not alone! This is a commonly mentioned side effect from Harvoni. Some people that take it at night often mention trouble sleeping because of that boost in energy. You may experience your own reactions to it and time will tell. One thing mentioned all the time is vivid dreams and deep sleep. The first few weeks will prove to be an adjustment period for you and things may settle down a bit. I hope the new found energy lasts forever, but it's likely you getting adjusted to the medication.
awaw5 said
Aug 1, 2016
I thought I'd post some good news... I'm on my 11th day of Harvoni and when I walked on the treadmill tonight I experienced... drum roll... muscle strength!! I'm so excited & hope it has to do with Harvoni arresting some of my HCV enabling my liver to handle glycogen stores better for my muscles. Do you think?!
I'm a regular exerciser, viewing it as an investment that i force myself to do to enable me to have some energy for a couple hours afterwards, whereas otherwise I would be "shot". I typically only exercise 10 min minimum to up to 30 min.
I don't over-exercise but I feel like i can NEVER IMPROVE in strength! Frequently it's very difficult for me to go up more than one flight of stairs as I my muscles burn real badly. But then maybe the very next day - I'm absolutely fine walking up those same stairs. So it's not my muscle weakness per se, it's something else.
I'm always careful to vary my exercise. I do fast walking with 30 second bursts jogging, an exercise bike, rebounder, free weights, rubber band weight machine, stepper machine or treadmill.
HOWEVER tonight as I walked 5 min on the treadmill, I said to myself, "I can stop & use the bike now" out of habit, thinking that might be all I can do, but I felt this new strange sensation, clearly strong feelings in my legs & I really liked the feeling & then I COULDN'T STOP because of how different it felt!! Mind you - i was NOT experiencing runner's high. I stopped after 10 min - but I just had to share this new feeling that i hope happens again someday! Is it a glimpse of the new me?! This isn't even asking a lot - to be able to do moderate exercise and gradually feel stronger, is it? (I'm getting teary...)
Has anyone else experience increased muscle strength from treatment?
Hey Awaw5,
I am a little different as I had a partial paralysis in 2005. I had to go through rehabilitation for muscle atrophy after recovery which meant building up muscle, stamina, you get the drift. Muscle loss can cause so many ache and pains, that then leads to other issues and soon it mounts up. Nobody knew I had Hep C at the time, so it was well noted my fatigue and pain problems and was misdiagnosed as having Fibromyalgia. I decided the best way to combat it was to continue training at the gym, build up my energy levels, food and water changes and try to improve things. I did improve a lot by training, but I also allowed myself a power nap every afternoon if I wanted one. In general, I don't know what is normal fatigue or Hep C, I am in my 40's and have had it for years, so I can't compare to anything. I can tell you something that does make a difference in energy levels. NO SUGAR. Sugar acts like alcohol on the liver and is really bad for you. I am pretty weak and give in to chocolate often, but I can go months and my energy levels increase a lot. On treatment I have most days good energy levels, and the odd day I feel tired out. Again, it can be a hectic day, hep C or the drugs. After training I always get that natural boost and it gets me going, until its nap time. I wish I could be more specific, but I am still on treatment and I won't know how I'll feel energy level wise after treatment to compare. :D
I had a similar boost of energy on sof/vel/vox. I kind of miss that. Lol.
Wendyo: Thanks for explaining. I understand better now.
I have had insomnia for years. It is also a side effect that some people get on harvoni. Some days I feel better than pre treatment and some days about the same. My only issue reaaly hwas fatigue. But due to poor sleep I can still feel that way.
WENDYO: From your signature, it seems you were done with Tx by 2016 but by how you replied to me, it sounds as if you don't have that much improvement from Tx?? Or is only because insomnia is an unrelated issue than HCV?
LOOPY LISA: You say you're back to "full training". Do you attribute that to your current Tx or were you at "full training" mode even before Sof/Dak?
TIG56: I did not feel very energetic, I couldn't exercise for any longer than usual. I would describe myself as being "generally tired" while exercising last night. I felt stronger strictly ONLY in the muscles in my legs. It felt like a new experience to me (tho I think I've felt it before a few times in my life...)
I guess I was asking about the liver function of stored glycogen that is supposed to be ready for use for muscles when needed & possibly the Harvoni is eradicating some of the HCV theoretically enabling my liver to store & release glycogen more efficiently??
I was hoping it was a known improvement from treatment... But I guess i'll just have to wait & see. Everyone's probably different.
Thanks all!
NICE! Very glad to hear this and that you are keeping up with the exercise. I work out 4-5 times a week and during treatment tried to stick to that regime but due to the insomnia, sometimes I had to drop to 3 or 4 times a week. Just listen top your body and if you feel weak or tired rest. And of course drink your water. I think the exercise and sweating also helped keep things circulating and sweating it out is good. Now that I am off TX I do get bursts of that feeling (had it last week in cycle class) and other days I tire easily especially if I didn't sleep well or much.
You are doing great!
It is a fantastic thing that you are exercising. It can cause pain by lack of activity - muscle atrophy. I gave myself a couple of weeks inactivity adjusting to the medications, and now I am back full into training. I do think it helps with every aspect of health combined with a healthy diet - states she that dribbles over chocolate like a rabid animal.
Good luck with treatment, it is showing great results. :D
Hello,
You're not alone! This is a commonly mentioned side effect from Harvoni. Some people that take it at night often mention trouble sleeping because of that boost in energy. You may experience your own reactions to it and time will tell. One thing mentioned all the time is vivid dreams and deep sleep. The first few weeks will prove to be an adjustment period for you and things may settle down a bit. I hope the new found energy lasts forever, but it's likely you getting adjusted to the medication.
I thought I'd post some good news... I'm on my 11th day of Harvoni and when I walked on the treadmill tonight I experienced... drum roll... muscle strength!! I'm so excited & hope it has to do with Harvoni arresting some of my HCV enabling my liver to handle glycogen stores better for my muscles. Do you think?!
I'm a regular exerciser, viewing it as an investment that i force myself to do to enable me to have some energy for a couple hours afterwards, whereas otherwise I would be "shot". I typically only exercise 10 min minimum to up to 30 min.
I don't over-exercise but I feel like i can NEVER IMPROVE in strength! Frequently it's very difficult for me to go up more than one flight of stairs as I my muscles burn real badly. But then maybe the very next day - I'm absolutely fine walking up those same stairs. So it's not my muscle weakness per se, it's something else.
I'm always careful to vary my exercise. I do fast walking with 30 second bursts jogging, an exercise bike, rebounder, free weights, rubber band weight machine, stepper machine or treadmill.
HOWEVER tonight as I walked 5 min on the treadmill, I said to myself, "I can stop & use the bike now" out of habit, thinking that might be all I can do, but I felt this new strange sensation, clearly strong feelings in my legs & I really liked the feeling & then I COULDN'T STOP because of how different it felt!! Mind you - i was NOT experiencing runner's high. I stopped after 10 min - but I just had to share this new feeling that i hope happens again someday! Is it a glimpse of the new me?! This isn't even asking a lot - to be able to do moderate exercise and gradually feel stronger, is it? (I'm getting teary...)
Has anyone else experience increased muscle strength from treatment?