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Hep C Discussion Forum -> New Members Area -> Just started Harvoni yesterday
Post Info TOPIC: Just started Harvoni yesterday
Mamabear


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RE: Just started Harvoni yesterday
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Thanks again for the welcome Scotu and Groupgetter. I am reading your stories and others and will be holding them in my mind and heart. 

I've attempted the signature. If it needs correcting, let me know. 

Day 3 on Harvoni and feeling better than yesterday. I'm thankful.

Blessings on you all.



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53 with gen 1a (i think), DX 2006 after daughter's birth, HVL 6-7 mil, AST 34, ALT 42, CMP normal. CBC normal, SOT 6/29/2015-Harvoni. SX- heartburn, edema, headache, fatigue.  Asthma, GERD, thyroid disease
scotu


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Best wishes to you Mamabear!  Fight the good fight cause it's worth it in the end.  I know you are going to beat this thing.

Side effects were minimal for me, maybe because I've grown use to them.  But in the end it's worth it when you reach SVR.

I've been on many drug trial studies for HVC trying to beat this thing, since 1999.

I'm on my second go-round with Sofosbuvir, first time was just Sofosbuvir (the main drug in Harvoni) and Ribavirin. 48 weeks of treatment and all clear from day 3 until week 24 post treatment.  Almost a year and a half clear of virus, then the beast came back.

Next (and it's going to be the LAST) go round was Harvoni (Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir) and Ribavirin.  This was a 24 week study, clear at week one and still clear at week 12 post treatment.

Kind of nervous, waiting for August 28th, cause that'll be week 24 post treatment.

The medical science of HCV treatment has come a long way.

Harvoni really seems to be the Silver Bullet for many, many people... And I'm praying that it will be for you and I, and many, many others! 

Best Wishes, ScotU.



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ScotU - Age 61, Geno 1A, Diagnosed 1999. Cirrhosis (so no more biospy's), but decent MELD score.  Too many studies, trials, and treatments to remember!  24 Week Harvoni (w/ Ribavirin) Trial - SVR @ 24 Post - 8/28/15
Groupergetter


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Welcome mamabear, hopefully you'll get through this with few problems.   Headaches are common.  Glad to hear you've started the train ride.  Please keep us posted on how you're doing.  Great group of folks here.  Caring, compassionate and very knowledgeable in things related to HCV.  Hope you and family have a happy and safe 4th of July.    Be well 



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1b  Int/Riba relapse @ 48 weeks.  Stop tx Peg Int/Riba 12 weeks ill. Relapse S/O 6/23/14 :(   Started Harvoni 11/12/14  EOT 4/28/15.  EOT+4 UND :)  SVR! 8/4/15  :)     Thankful for every morning.
Mamabear


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Thanks to everyone for your post!!

I am excited to look up all the links and get my information on the bottom. It might take me a bit as I have two kids on summer break! 

I do feel the genuine care and concern here from you all and I deeply appreciate that. 

I have had lots of edema yesterday in my legs so I will increase the water intake. And the heartburn last night was not very fun..But all in all, I have to say this is an easy train ride!



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53 with gen 1a (i think), DX 2006 after daughter's birth, HVL 6-7 mil, AST 34, ALT 42, CMP normal. CBC normal, SOT 6/29/2015-Harvoni. SX- heartburn, edema, headache, fatigue.  Asthma, GERD, thyroid disease
wmlj1960


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 Welcome to you both mamabear and Redbird. Mamabear, more information on creating your signature, as Redbird suggested can be found HERE. Also, some of the abbreviations you'll see are unique to this forum. For a list of those click on THIS LINK and scoll down to the bottom post by mallani.

You'll both find an abundance of knowledgable, helpful and caring members here so make yourself at home and good luck with your treatment. smile



-- Edited by wmlj1960 on Tuesday 30th of June 2015 08:45:21 PM

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60 yo, geno 1a, Dx 1994 HCV-HIV co-inf, Dx 2013 decompensated cirrhosis
Tx #1 - 24wks Sov+Riba /SOT 7-24-2014/UND@EOT/DETECTED@EOT+16 wks
Tx #2 - 24wks Harvoni /SOT 7-25-2015/UND@EOT,+12,+24,+52 = SVR

Mike

How To Create Your Signature / Forum Abbreviation Definitions

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Cinnamon Girl


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Hi there Mamabear, welcome!

I`m glad you found us, this is a very friendly and supportive forum, as you`ve already seen.

Congrats on starting your Harvoni treatment, you`ll be in the company of many others here who have experience of the same treatment and we`re seeing some excellent results coming through. 

We have a Harvoni thread, the `Harvoni Treatment Train`, and you might like to have a read through, I`m sure there`s a seat waiting for you there!  Here`s the link....

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t58762824/all-aboard-for-the-harvoni-treatment-train-enjoy-the-ride-fo/?w_r=1413218986#lastPostAnchor

As Redbird mentioned, you should speak to you doctor about any medicines and supplements you`re currently taking, if you haven`t already done so.  The usual advice is to refrain from taking any supplements, especially herbal products, during your treatment. 

Most people find Harvoni very easy to tolerate, with few if any side effects.  As Redbird has already mentioned, keeping yourself well hydrated is important for keeping side effects to a minimum.  Here`s a link to the fact sheet on the importance of drinking water, that Coolheat mentioned.  The amount you need to drink varies according to your own requirements...

http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/SEM_water.pdf

Best of luck to you, please feel free to ask any questions and to join in the discussions. 

Looking forward to following  your progress!  smile

 

 

 



-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Tuesday 30th of June 2015 06:14:28 PM

__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
coolheat


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Welcome Robin and Mamabear, glad you found this Train. Super helpful, takes the fear away and replaces with joy, laughter, hope, and hope for all the others with this dragon on their backs. After a couple of weeks, I felt better, and then more better, and I just started 4th week and feel even more better. In the beginning, I was drinking too much water, Jill has a really good post on water intake. Cut back and felt a lot better. Happy for U ! CH

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65 YO F, GT 1a1b, ast 14 alt 21, fibrosis 3/4 DX 1968 non a or b, TX 12 wks Harvoni, SOT 6.1.15, 1st bld wk: detected unquantifiable EOT 8.28.15 detected unquantifiable, 3 mo.EOT mid Nov.~SVR 12: ) UNDETECTED
Redbird29


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Hi Mamabear!

    I too just started Harvoni on June 26th so we will walking through this together! For the side effects - headache etc I read to drink LOTS of water. Some said to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day. I have been doing just that and so far so good. I had a bit of headache on day 1 with slight nausea, day two had heartburn but feel it was something I ate and since then have had no side effects to speak of and am now on day 6.

  A  suggestion that was made to me that I will pass on is to give some info on yourself so that people can address your condition individually. If you look at the bottom of my post you will see the info. You can add yours to the "signature" section of your profile.

  I would if I were you check to make sure that anything you are taking - supplements etc are not contraindicated with Harvoni. I found this link that may be helpful for drug classes~

http://www.hep-druginteractions.org/interactions.aspx

Here a few links for supplements ~

http://blogs.hepmag.com/lucindakporter/2014/10/harvoni_what_you_nee.html

http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/caution-herbs-and-nutritional-supplements.html

   Welcome to the Harvoni treatment train and I look forward to this ride with you to SVR!

Robin

 



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GT 1A Tx Naive Harvoni 8 WK

SOT 6/25/15 VL 468,000 AST 44 ALT 56 

EOT 8/25/15 VL - UND AST 21 ALT 30

ONE YEAR POST TX - UND AST 20 ALT 22
Mamabear


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Hello everyone,

I just stumbled upon your forum and enjoyed reading your posts with each other. It's so nice to see such support.

I am 53 years old and the mom of two young kids. I had them in my 40's and had such fatigue after my daughter that the doc ran an arbitrary liver panel. That's how they found HCV in 2006. No idea of how I was exposed as I don't fit any of the criteria.  I've been taking Liver specific chinese medicine since then and have been in generally good health  considering I also have asthma, thyroid disease and many food intolerances.  I had a biopsy showing very little inflammation and no chirrosis a year ago, thankfully.

About the same time as I was diagnosed with HCV in 2006, I developed a throat clearing issue that continued to get worse and became intolerable this year. It has just been diagnosed this year as esophagitis. I went to every doctor trying to figure out why i have so much mucous and a feeling of closure in the throat. I decided to take the naturopathic approach (increase acid to facilitate valve closures) and have been taking Betaine HCL. The gastro wanted me to take an antacid but, from all I've read and learned, it's the opposite that is often needed.

 Back in 2006, my gastro told me to wait for better treatments for HCV, so I did.  I was just approved for Harvoni last week and started yesterday! I'm on the 8-week schedule. I'm so excited at the possibility of being virus free. It's hard to believe.

I had a headache and fatigue right away so am wondering how people are dealing with their side effects.  Any feedback on how best to pass through this next 8 weeks? I'm normally a very active person. I bike, hike and own a fitness/movement studio. I'd love to hear how people have taken care of themselves while in treatment.

Thanks for listening and best wishes to all,

Mamabear



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53 with gen 1a (i think), DX 2006 after daughter's birth, HVL 6-7 mil, AST 34, ALT 42, CMP normal. CBC normal, SOT 6/29/2015-Harvoni. SX- heartburn, edema, headache, fatigue.  Asthma, GERD, thyroid disease
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