Scare D Cat,

Ya, I used to be a terrible eater and non-water drinker too! Could starve myself for food and water all day, and then gorge with gusto and impunity at night, always kinda chronically dehydrated! In recent years (as I aged) I got a bit better at diet, meals and water intake, but not great. But, it was not until HCV treatment did I truly physically learn more impressive personal (not just theoretical) lessons about how good and useful water is for a body. I regret, now, all those decades I had deprived myself of this natural life force (water) not just because being dehydrated is so bad for a body, but mostly, because I really did know better!! But I really learned the lesson while on treatment, not enough water intake is such an easy thing to do, I paid the penalty while on treatment (when I did not drink enough). So, make your water plan, and figure out your best tactics in how to guarantee you get that gal in. In the end, when all this is done and over with (and you are happily cured!), you may just find you have developed a new-found appreciation for water and a new good habit! My water intake has now improved permanently I am happy to say.

I am of the firm belief, that you have just been handed your health on a golden platter!! Welcome it unreservedly. All the DAA's are "new" (of recent invention), thank God!, and yes, Epclusa is one of the newest ones (and one of the best IMO)! You are very lucky indeed to get it. Velpa and all of the new DAA's will save so many of our lives and prevent untold hardships and unspeakable suffering, all with a short simple treatment. Where you NEVER want to go to is to the dire land of consequence of untreated HCV, now THAT is a world that WOULD haunt you. The only suspected neg consequence of the new DAA's, that has surfaced, has been small incidences of hep b re-activations for those people who harboour chronic hep b, which has already been easily addresed, by everyone routinely being screened for chronic hep b now and identified, before they are treated for their hep c. 

For me it was a no-brainer, when i read and weighed the likely and realistic odds of what would happen to me without epclusa, I had to fight for it too!, to get myself the very best treatment drugs! I thank my lucky stars (everyday) that I managed, against all odds, to just squeak in, to win a seat and get myself into my epclusa/vox trial.

I think you are very lucky indeed to be getting epclusa, it is the best possible thing you could be doing for yourself and your future health. 

If this helps at all, you might re-draft something like this for a signature line. You can always add, as info becomes available. C.

... F, 63, GT2 (a or b?), Contracted HCV following transfusion for ruptured ectopic pregnacy 1985, Dx (year?), will be starting Epclusa 12 weeks, SOT (June 26?), EOT (date?), pre-treatment tests done (fibroscan? biopsy? U/S?), Fscore?, ALT?/AST?/Bili?, VL? ...

You keep thinking those positive thoughts, this will turn out right, I promise! You should be putting yourself first, there comes a time when our health has to be a priority. You can't be there for anyone else if you aren't around to do it. You'll find that people are very supportive. The old drugs used to make us so blasted sick, you could barely get out of bed some days. It has been 4 years for me and I remember how unpleasant that 7+ months were. Epclusa is a breeze...

All you need to do is take a single pill each day, drink a gallon of water and 12 weeks later, you're done. Few side effects and no more virus. What's not to like? Don't sweat it, it's easy and you're going to achieve what you set out to do. Commit to it and go get it. The whole thing will go by fast and we'll walk the path with you. 

I am praying about this all of it my biggest challenge right now is putting myself first and working up to that gallon of water a day.You don't know how much I appreciate each and everyone of you.

I'm glad to hear you are working on your water intake. I can't begin to say how important the one gallon per day requirement is. People that fail to do that frequently express how poorly they feel compared to those that do. Do everything in your power to meet that goal.

We all have considered what these medications might do down the road. It's a common question. The treatments for everything are new in some respects. The old Interferon and Ribavirin protocols were all we had for decades. I can tell you from experience, they were horrid on mind and body. They also had very low rates of success and were up to a year long. Half the time, or more, they failed and made further treatment doubly hard. Be very glad you don't have to take those treatments. The new drugs have been trialed and approved after years of research. They are extremely effective, fast and easy to tolerate. Nothing is certain, but from my vantage point, these new treatments shouldn't be avoided based on your concern of what they might do hypothetically. If you should postpone treatment for the next drug in line, you'll have to consider those same issues again. If you don't treat, I guarantee your liver disease will progress and cause it's own set of possibilities.

As far as Velpatasvir is concerned, it is combined with Sovaldi (Sofosbuvir) to make Epclusa. Ledipasvir is combined with Sovaldi to make Harvoni. They are both extremely effective when used according to directions. There are other medications that are highly effective. Don't let your mind go to the dark side and avoid listening to second and third hand stories related to adverse effects. Discuss your concerns here and with your doctor. We'll do our best to give you accurate information without all the fluff.

Well I have 2 weeks to figure out the water thing I have gotten up to a half gallon a day still pushing to drink more. I have really bad eating and drinking habits I most times have 1 cup of coffee in the morning and then because I don't have much of a appetite go all day without eating until dinner or drinking many liquids so my getting a half a gallon down so far is a big step for me. I will try to find some fruity drinks that don't take sugar like Tig suggested. The one thing that still haunts me is that Epclusa is a new drug and they have no idea what that drug may do to us later in life I think it is the velpatasvir that is the new addition to this drug combination. Anyone else consider that before taking this drug?

Hi Scared E Cat,

Tig is right, the time of day dosing is really up to your personal life circumstances/routine, YOUR choice, YOUR judgement - try to pick a "for sure" time, as THEE most important thing is the  CONSISTENT same time of day dosing. Same time every day.

Pick a tme of day that you will NEVER be likely overwhelmed with any extraneous events occuring, which might cause you to be delayed in taking your dose, or to forget to take a dose (yes, forgetting can happen!).

Epclusa can be taken with or without food - I generally take any med, with food (when I have a choice, when not contra-indicated), and, of course, with LOTS of water! - If you are very consistent with meal times, you can land your pill dosing time with breakfast, lunch or supper, if that makes it easier for you.

Some people who were afraid of experiencing "sides", debated whether they should take their dose in the morning before they went off to their day job, or, to take it when they finished work, when at home for the afternoon, evening and could go to bed and "sleep" through any possible sides. 

Just take into consideration your normal, predictable routines and work with them, to choose a time of day dose.

I was very much having altered sleeping and eating times, prior to treatment (sleeping long periods, meals not on time), so, when I entered my trial I had no choice but to pick lunch time as the safest/most reliable time of day to take my pill (my trial drugs, dif than yours, included another drug, which dictated that I HAD to take my meds with food). You do not have to take your pill with food, but it may help keep you "on time" if you pair the dosing with a regular timed meal.

Had i been on epclusa only, I might have opted for that evening dosing, but, I really don't know whether that would make any dif for anyone as far as addressing a fear of sides. You will have the epclusa in your bloodstream, all day, every day, for 12 weeks anyway. This is what the treatment is all about, keeping your body saturated with consistently timed/supplied dosings to keep the blood levels of the drug in you at their max. Being late for for a dose will allow the blood level of the drug in your body to drop below ideal for a while. Strive utmost to be on time.

Plain ole water is best, but yes, you can gussy up/flavour water any way you wish, as long as you get that gal a day in - the flushing of your system while on these drugs is the kindest thing you can do for yourself as far as feeling blah or preventing headaches (should you get any), you are helping your kidneys and body to excrete the wasted metabolized by-producst of the drug. Coffee and sugary drinks definitely do not count as much as good ole plain water does.

Just pick the safest/most reliable time of day that suits you, and stick with it. Have pre-counted portable containers of your fluids to take with you to work, so you do not fall down on the daily water intake. Plan for frequent pee-breaks.

That's very good, lucky you, that your work schedule is very flexible - that always helps. It is quite possible that you may not feel improved while on treatment, but then again, you might not feel any dif or worse than you are feeling right now! I am hoping you will feel as kick-ass as Jaggles did when she got on epclusa!  C.

Hey don't be scared e cat  I'm 17 days left of my 12 week Epclusa ride, its been a doddle. The water thing works....I drink approx 5 litres a day I have had no side effects....I've recently got back to the gym...loving life again. I'm so happy for you...it's gonna be all good! You got this . I was undetected as early as week 2 and everybody couldn't believe how well I looked ....I been with Hep since 1982 but didn't know till I got chronic...life is good again and you will feel better quickly.....best wishes 

J xxx

ps I take mine at 7.55 am just before I walk dogs and then go to work

-- Edited by Jaggles on Saturday 10th of June 2017 06:33:40 PM

Epclusa will destroy geno 2, it has been one of the easy (like any of it is easy?) genotypes to cure. I must say though, all genotypes are easily treated and cured with these new drugs.

I don't understand why so many people hate drinking water. It's good for you, boring but good, lol! Avoid sugary drinks though, they place additional strain on your metabolism. Try fruit infused water, you can make it at home. Slice up oranges, lemons, strawberries, etc., and put them in a pitcher. You can put some in a reuseable water bottle to take with you. I used those little squirt bottles, like MIO. That made it easy. If you like watermelon, eat lots of it, it's full of water and good for you. Try drinking small amounts all day long. Whatever it takes! 

When you take it is really a judgement call. You can take it anytime you want, but you have to take it at the same time everyday. 7AM or 7PM works for many, it depends what works best for your schedule. The first couple of weeks seem to be a period of adjustment for many. Fatigue and headache seem to be the most common complaint, while others experience very little. They can be avoided by drinking that necessary gallon of water each day! Once started, you can adjust the time by an hour either way, but only one hour. These drug treatments rely on constant exposure, that's why a consistent schedule is so important. 

I have Genotype 2 I meet with my Dr. on June 26 and will get my lab test results and will give you more information then. I just need to start drinking more water I am really bad at that cause I don't like water so I guess I will stock up on cool-aid and drink a gallon of that a day. I work part time and have to keep my jobs I work as a merchandiser so the times I work is very flexible. Right now if I don't feel good I just wait till it passes then I either go to work later in the day or the next day.

So what is the best time of day to take the medication to avoid any side effects just in case there are some?

I really appreciate all your feed back it really means alot to have someone to talk to.

Hi Scared E Cat,

I love your name, that's what i used to call my kitty! 

I am so glad you have come here, and I am thrilled to bits you got epclusa! 

Do you happen to be a GT3 like me? Epclusa is very pan (GT 1-6), but I was very well cured with epclusa (and another drug added) in only 8 weeks (I was in a trial). 

Tig is always right (on all counts) - about the new DAA's, and the water advice is of utmost of importance, and about poking around searching the site for info. Setting up a signature line with more of your Tests done, Labs/GT, VL, Fscore, etc.,  will be ever so helpful for conversations.

Tips? - get your water supply ready ahead of time. Clear the path so you are stress and obligation free during treatment. Pick a time of day for your dose. Make sure you and your doc have covered your immunity to hep a/b, and/or immunization for anything else he may recommend for you. Try to find out what your blood testing schedule will be (and what your doc visit schedule will be) and mark them out on calendar. Simple as that - and, of course, prepare to be cured! Energy/fatigue! - many here know of what you speak - and, many of us have experienced improvements (of all sorts) including energy after treatment, search Jaggles for example of energy improving even when on treatment! Others have had NO discernable sides during treatment, one actually wondered if they had been given a placebo by mistake! It's different for everyone.

Fire away for burning questions. We will all try to help. C.

Good Morning and welcome to the forum, Frances! Epclusa is the real deal and you'll have a smooth ride on it. The new DAA's are so effective and the side effects are very manageable, if you experience anything that is. You're right, water seems to be the solution (no pun intended) to keeping them at bay. One gallon per day, without fail!

If you can, please tell us about the lab tests you've had completed. Genotype, fibrosis stage and the liver profile (ALT/AST) help us when replying. Place it in your signature line and it will accompany your future posts. There are instructions in mine, use the red link.

Use our search function and search Epclusa, it will provide you with lots of discussion and information here on the forum. Others will be along to welcome you soon!

I have been living with Hep C that I received in 1985 from a blood transfusion due to an eptopic pregnancy that ruptured. I am excited yet scared to death to start treatment which will begin on June 26. I guess what I have read so far on this forum is that drinking a ton of water is the best way to combat the potential fatigue and headaches that seem to be the 2 most talked about side effects. Any other helpful hints before I begin this journey would be helpful. I will be 64 this year and would love to have my energy back once I am Hep C free which is possible after treatment but not a guarantee.