Harvoni side effects at 4th week

[SpiderGypsy]

I found this place and read quite a few posts that others have placed. So I joined. I should have kept a journal starting on day one of taking the Harvoni, but I didn't. My fault.
One of the biggest problems I've had with taking Harvoni is the spaciness. I'm 57 this year and I thought being spacy was just cuz I'm getting older. NOPE ! Harvoni is causing me to forget constantly. I walk into a room and cannot remember why I'm there, or be talking to someone and completely loose the thread of the conversation. That's on top of the fatigue (all I want to do is sleep), headache (hadn't had one in 6 yrs) and aching worse than I then I ever have before. Here I thought that the arthritis, fibromyalgia and various pain and problems from multiple surgery's was bad enough. One of the main problems I have had from Hep C is the fact I have to take water pills like crazy. Partly from Hep C side effects (liver not making the right stuff to get my kidneys to work well) and bad veins in my legs, my legs and waist balloon with pounds and pounds of water. And my liver Dr. told me to quit taking it for now, so I am forced to lay in bed a lot. Luckily we have a Craftmatic Adjustable Bed, so I can raise my feet above my heart and get as much water out of my lower half as I can.
In 1988 when I got Hep C (blood from a hysterectomy) I didn't know I had it (famous last words) But I didn't find out till I dislocated my hip in 1996 and the rumatologist asked me about my symptoms and tested me for Hep C. So, I ran to U of WA, (who was the leader for Hep C research then) got talked into a biopsy without pain meds (WRONG) and they came back and told me that I had the liver of an 80yr old alcoholic (I didn't and don't drink) and if I didn't get a transplant ASAP I had 6 months to live. I didn't have health ins. then, so I started researching for myself. I started on a good diet, lots of vitamins and Milk Thistle (which I know kept me alive all this time). I searched for years to get on a clinical trials, but the only thing they wanted to get me on was the Interferon (No way was I gonna do THAT after I lost 3 friends to it). So now they finally come out with this new medicine that almost guarantees (95%) that the Hep C will be gone in 12 weeks and now that I have ins. I'm able to take it.
I go to Seattle on Wed. (My 4th week) to get a blood draw to see how the Harvoni is working on the Hep C. To tell you the truth, I'm scared to death. Everything I have tried to do to take care of myself has been an up hill battle to end all battles. I'm sure we all have looked in the mirror (after starting this) and wondered if "I'll" be one of the 5% that it doesn't work for. Like my hubby says "It's like a cancer patient who suddenly gets a magic pill", it's just too hard to believe.
So, now that you know a bit about me and what I am going thru right now. PLEASE please plz does anyone have any suggestions ? or idea's for handling these side effects ? I'll appreciate any and all replies. Hope you all had a Gr8 Holiday and I that we ALL are in the 95% category.
Thank you,
SpiderGypsy

[Rbeth]

LOL Linda!! I agree(feels lazy/wrong) I didn't listen to that advice until wk 9.... got maybe 3 hrs sleep daily.....

Now back in real time, work, commitments, etc it's been a challenge to change circadian rhythm. :-o

I'm glad, tho, you feel rested!! How is Riba going?

Thinking of you, of course....Ran

[hepcandme]

Great advice Randy!

from the woman who just laid down for a little bit at 6:30 PM and just woke up now - after midnight

In our normal world, it just feels lazy to sleep so much, I guess, and so even though I can completely understand why it would be best to do so, I have a hard time complying

I feel rested now though...

[Rbeth]

Hi Zzanna & welcome to forum!
Some people have no side effects at all, some have headaches, some have fatigue, some have insomnia, some have weird spaced out feeling, some have forgetfulness, some have elevation of blood pressure, some have mouth ulcers, some have body aches(cramps) & again, some have none of the above!! I tell you that so you do not feel alone ;-) I had many above mentioned SFX and they were all pretty short in duration & abated on there own.
Of interest for me, my spaciness & strange vision seemed to be directly proportionate with fatigue, which I didn't realize, sleep window gone & developed insomnia= not enough sleep= forgetfulness & a bit out of it. I did Harvoni 12. A person on forum told me to sleep whenever I felt that way( before iPad dropped out of my hands) and so I did & everything got much better. Even if I napped at 6 PM, I could still sleep at night. So hydrate like crazy & sleep when ever you can! Sleep is important for your body to heal. Listen to your your body & try not to worry. As Dee & other's said, (not like old Tx's) but still very powerful meds, it really is a comparatively EASY Tx. You will begin to feel quite okay, for sure! Blame it on the Tx meds(Harvoni) & drink water & sleep. Sounds like Tx is working lol
All blessings to SVR
Randy

[hepcandme]

I take my Harvoni in the evening

If I am sleeping soundly (ah, sleeping soundly) in the morning, I don't want to be woken to take my pill. I have my beloved Riba to take in the morning but it is not so strict on same time every day thing so I take them at 10 in the morning and at 10 at night (more or less)

Also, if the Harvoni makes you a little spacey, better to be spacey at home than during an important meeting

But, whatever works for you. People are all over the map here and the pharmacist says that they don't really care - as long as you take Harvoni at the same time each day

Good luck on your treatment!

[virt111]

FYI, here's a detailed PDF file for your reference:

http://www.gilead.ca/pdf/ca/harvoni_pm_english.pdf

[Livelife777]

Only your Doc can give you a heads up on contraindications between the 2 meds.  You need to make sure that both of these heavy duty meds don't contradict the other.
Best to you
......Kim