Hi Julie,

I said hi over in the other thread, and now will write more here.

Glad to see you here!

How did your day one go!!??

I am betting that you, like many other lucky people to receive Harvoni, will not have much trouble at all.

Great you are getting treatment! I hope you did not have to wait too long to get it.

When you can, please do try to share a bit more about yourself, just what you are comfortable with. It helps to have some basic details at a glance on your sig line, as Tig mentioned, when folk are conversing back and forth. It does makes things easier.

This is a good place to be if you are nervous and have questions. You already noted Jimmy's good information here, things to be cognitive of when starting Harvoni. Don't be too nervous, sometimes the hardest part is before you start!

For now it does not really matter for us to know whether you are a GT1a or a GT1b, it is just interesting info to have knowledge of, and just for yourself, to know whether your "sub-type" is a or b. If you ask your nurse or doc they can tell you, or if you recieve copies of all your tests, some of your very first HCV diagnostic tests often show the GT and subtype right on it.

Nowadays, with all the newest DAA's, many people are virtually sailing through easy-to-tolerate treatments, and the treatment lengths are now so short compared to the old days. We are the lucky ones.

We don't know how long you have had HCV or the condition of your liver (this is where a bit more info as far as history and labs comes in handy in your sig line and bio), but, you did mention having "gut" trouble and not feeling well, and questions about diet?

Be assurred, getting treated and getting rid of this HCV is one of the very best things you could do for yourself and your health (and your gut included). No one should have to be dragging this damaging hep hitchhiker around. 

They probably already told you about not adding ANY new drugs or herbal remedies (that your hep doc does not already know you are taking) while on Harvoni, that is an important thing to discuss with them first, should you be thinking of taking something.

As far as diet, if you have been having troubles prior, you likely already know what makes things worse, and what you tolerate better. There are not really ANY dietary changes "required", at all, for harvoni, in your case then, maybe just easy to digest, nutritious foods you can tolerate, in a consistent rhythm, and of course the VERY important LOTS of water. Harvoni can be taken with or without food, but never WITHOUT lots of water tho. The other important bit is sticking with the same time of day you have chosen for each daily dose, and of course drinking LOTS of WATER!, just in case we hadn't mentioned water!! heehee. You can use the "search function" at top, to search about nutrition, or anything really.

Fire away for questions. For you, and JenMc and VIK85, there are a lot of folk here who will try to help as best they can.

Sorry you  have not been feeling well and have had gut trouble. After your cure, maybe MANY things will be improving for you! Good things to look forward to!.  C.

Hi Julie,

Welcome to the forum! We're out here and will be here to discuss your treatment and follow your progress. Please let us know your concerns and if you have any questions, do ask.

Harvoni is a fairly easy course of treatment, so you shouldn't experience much in the way of side effects. The first couple of weeks take some adjustment as your metabolism gets used to the medication. You may notice some fatigue and headaches to begin with. You can avoid most of these issues by simply increasing your water intake to at least 1 gallon per day. That's very important. There is a lot of information on the forum regarding everything Harvoni. There are links earlier in this section that will help.

I wish you lots of luck, but already know you'll do fine. These new treatments are excellent, so don't worry. Let me know how you're feeling through the day, I'll check in on you! If you would set up your signature with some information, it helps when replying without having to search for specifics. We all do it, most anyway! There are instructions available via the link in mine.

Hi Jen:  I was wondering how your feeling. I read your post and gathered that you should have started your treatment. I will be starting mine today.  Nervous and Hopeful Julie 

Hello JimmyK:  Thank you for your informative post.  I am starting Harvoni Today, guess I'd better start drinking lots of water. I am genotype 1, not sure about a or b.  My fibroscan I tested at an F1.  My guts already make me miserable everyday. Is harvoni going to make it worse, Julie oh and I am 54 and tired of feeling sick and worsening

Hi Vic85,

Welcome here. Glad you posted, and glad to hear you too will be starting in soon on your treatment! We always like to hear this good news.

Nice that both you and JenMc who posted here, are nice and young and getting treatment now!, no better time than when you have youth on your side and to your favour!! 

Let us know a bit more about your details, and fire away for questions. So many are doing are doing so well on Harvoni these days, I am sure both you gals will too!  C. 

Hi Victoria,

Welcome to the forum! You're going to find a lot of information on the forum threads, as well as directly from the members that are or have treated with Harvoni. I want to direct you to a few areas that will help you get better informed. Please feel free to start your own thread in the New Member area. Instructions on that are HERE. 

You shouldn't worry about the side effects from Harvoni. It is one of the newest antivirals and the side effects profile is very minimal. Matter of fact, the easiest way to avoid them is to simply drink an ample supply of water, every day. They recommend a gallon of water (3-4L) over the course of the day and that's in addition to everything else you drink. Avoid a lot of sugary drinks, coffee is good! Overwhelmingly, people that don't follow those guidelines experience more fatigue and severe headaches. As soon as they followed the recommendation, the problems stopped. You may have a week or two in the beginning when your metabolism adjusts to treatment, but it's generally mild and short lived. 

Here's some extra info if you didn't see the links in the earlier posts. Let me know if you need anything. You're among a great group of people that are here to assure you that this isn't something to fear. It's not like the treatment I experienced, that God for that. Those are often the stories you hear when people think of Hep C treatment. The new stuff, Harvoni, Epclusa and others are nothing like it. Just commit to compliance and following the DAA golden rule, HYDRATE! 

Harvoni Train

On Treatment

Hi! Im going to start Harvoni next month. Have you started your dose yet? How are you feeling? Any suggestions?

Victoria 

Hi JenMc,

Welcome here.

I am glad you are soon to be starting on your Harvoni. Congratulations on your soon-to-be cure.

I hope your journey to get to treatment was not too arduous or long.

I found out for myself (and through others here) that sometimes the "waiting" CAN be the toughest part.

I note your young age, a good thing!, to be treated now, early.

It is a wonderful thing for you and your health to be rid of this damaging virus.

WATER - lots of it, as mentioned, is a big part of the good advice you have received thus far!

Do not fret about "sides" that you may not ever experience!

Lucky we are, indeed, to have the access nowadays, to these new DAA's like Harvoni.  C.

Welcome Jen,

I really cannot add to the great advice already given before me but I will emphasis one thing. Do not be afraid to start treatment. We all had some anxiety of course but quickly realized, for the most part, we could go on with our life just as before treatment. There is just nothing terrible that is going to happen. Drink that water and visit here often and lets us share your journey with you until you finally say, I'm cured. You will.

SF

Hi Jen,

I'd like to welcome you to the group, too! Jimmy's right, we're a family here and I hope you stick around to enjoy the place and people. I can't add much to the good advice you got already, so I'll add a few thoughts. First, since you're about to get started, you should check out our On Treatment section. I'll leave a couple links below to two of many discussions we've had. The On Treatment section lists the various topics, which open up to further discussion. Do some reading, I think you'll be amazed at the strength and determination of your new family here.

If I can be of help, don't hesitate to ask me or any of the other "Warriors" on the site. We'll do our best! One other thing, please set up your signature line. There is a link to set up instructions in my signature, just click and go....

Harvoni Train

On Treatment

Greetings and Welcome to the Family!

Harvoni is a fantastic treatment and among the most successful in treating Hep C.

There are two keys that I absolutely stand by as being the most important while on treatment.

1) Water and I mean quite a bit. About a Gallon over the corse of the day. Sounds like a lot and it is if you are not used to high volume hydration, let alone daily for 12 weeks to End of Treatment. Then for the next 8 weeks or so you should slowly get back to your normal routine. Doing this will vastly reduce any side effects that you may see associated with and during treatment. Kind of like a hangover. Most folks don't realize that a hangover is a side effect of alcohol and dehydration. The fact is dehydration is disabling and out right painful. Harvoni as well as all the other DAA's affect ones hydration level and THAT is where the side affects come in so you can eliminate them through added hydration.

2) SET A TIME that you will take the meds daily FOR THE ENTIRE 12 WEEKS. This in my mind is extremely important. Staying consistent as to when you will take your pill ensures the blood level of the Drugs remains level throughout treatment. This is in my mind the definition of remaining "Compliant" throughout treatment. Most treatment failures are a result of NOT staying complaint, and compliant includes consistently following your protocol. I am known as the 5:55 AM guy here. That was the time I chose for both myself and my wife to dose and without fail, each of us took our Meds at exactly 5:55 AM for 84 days without fail. We are both cured and due to the fact each of us take Omeprozol we are considered hard to treat with Harvoni. Again the key there was consistency and we faithfully took both Meds at the same exact time throughout treatment. 

3) Lastly and believe it or not, make this place your home for the duration of treatment. There will be questions, concerns or just the need to reach out to someone who understands. Doubt of success will cross your mind because it is hard to believe that the cure is actually so simple. That is normal and we get it so get and stay involved here and you will not believe how quickly you will find yourself cured.

Roughly four weeks after your first pill you will repeat a HCV RNA Count and when you get the results you will most likely hear that your virus is undetected, gone, <12. That is normal and would then stay throughout treatment. Do not be tempted to stop at that time thinking you are cured. Follow the complete regiment. DO NOT TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENTS while on treatment. None. Do not chance interactions. Supplements are generally thought of as a good thing and probably are, but NOT while on treatment.

Now how about you tell us a bit more about yourself? Viral load, FScore, Geno Type (which is likely a 1a or 1b due to Harvoni.

Oh and by the way, welcome from a Fellow Lone Star traveler!

JimmyK

Hello everyone, my name is Jenna. I'm 31 and I should be getting my shipment any day now. Does anyone have any advice for me while on Harvoni, or could you share your experience on it and side effects? Thank you! :)