Harvoni And Confusion, Depression, Acid Reflux Side Effects
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Curious, I've started my 5th week of treatment and am wondering if anyone has experienced similar side effects as me: Confusion, depression, crazy acid reflux, and mood swings...3 weeks left to go.

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REPORT

I want to join a class action law suit against Gilliad. I have so many issues it's impossible for me to get them down. I twitch and cringe so much because of the pain I'm in I can't sit long enough to send out my side effects. I would love to talk to an attorney.

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Re: bill (# 44)

Had my final bloodwork done several weeks ago, 6-months post-treatment. The HCV is gone, undetectable. Have suffered stomach issues since beginning treatment which has worsened somewhat since then. Have been advised by my Gastro to undergo a Colonoscopy which will be done next-week. Initially, he wanted to perform the Colonoscopy before I began the Harvoni. When I returned to see him regarding the continued bowel-issues 2-weeks after my final bloodwork, he told me that he suspect's possible colon-cancer. He added that the Harvoni worsens bowel cancer which is why he recommended the Colonoscopy first. Unfortunately, he never mentioned that to me when originally suggesting the Colonoscopy. My wife believes that it's his attempt to 'rattle-my-cage' for not taking his advice initially. I know one way or the other by the end of next-week...

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Re: Scared Mom (# 5)

Hate to say, but I know people (post treatment with Harvoni) who have had suicidal thoughts, and others who have succeeded. Take it seriously. Sorry.

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Joe P
Yes, many of us have experienced those very-same side effects from Harvoni. Try to increase your water intake as it will help to alleviate them. Maintaining hydration is extremely important during treatment, which I found out late in my treatment. I was also losing handfull's of hair, which almost caused me to quit prematurely. Best of luck in your effort to regain your liver health and stay positive.

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I did go through confusion ( has continued) and problems with stomach. I did start getting headaches which has continued as well. The one that has been the most bothersome is being tired. That has continued as well. I feel fortunate that I was cleared of HCV, I have found the continued side effects to be an issue.

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Re: shorty (# 8)

Yes. I did expirience heart palpitations, high pulse rate-92 bits and BP up to 171! But my sideeffects started on day 1 of week 9. Please, be very careful with Harvoni.

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Re: Jeff (# 40)

you may have the resistant strain,,,epclusa will probably be the next drug, I hope you did not have the severe side effects some of us have had

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Re: John (# 20)

I took meds fasting at 7am along with my reflux meds. After 30 minutes I have coffee and about 20 minutes later I’m in the bathroom completely cleared out, lol. Lost about 8 lbs but now on my 8th week with 4 more to go. Some minor headaches and hair loss but feel good.

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I completed my 12 week therapy of Harvoni in late September but rather than scheduling my final Bloodwork in three-months as is recommended, my Physician scheduled mine to be done six-months later. So I won't know if the treatment has been successful for me or not. I'll post again once the final Bloodwork results are in, to share my success or failure to clear it once and for-all. I will not be treating again in the future, so hopefully it's done what it's been marketed to do...

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Re: Jeff (# 40)

Hi Jeff. I failed the Olysio/Sovaldi 12-wk tx. It came out just before Harvoni. They put me on Harvoni, right after FDA approval, but for 24 wks. I've been clear for coming up on 3 yrs. My liver was in 4th stage and my doc said that's probably why I failed the first tx. Don't give up hope. I'd suggest, try again, only for longer. Good luck.

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Re: bill r (# 28)

IM CURRENTLY ON WEEK7 OF HARVONI. NO STOMACH PROBLEMS. THE VIRAL LOAD CAME BACK 51 AFP 52 AFT ON LIVER 4 WEEK CHECK! TUMOR FP 6.6 GOOD! DEVELOPED MINIMAL MUSCLE PAIN IN LEFT LOWER LEG. NOT TO BAD YET PLAN ON CONTINUING THROUGH 12 WEEKS. I TAKE MY PILLS IN THE MORNING AND STAY ACTIVE LOTS OF WATER NO HEADACHES! NEED TO STAY ACTIVE LETTING STAY STATIONARY IN STOMACH WHILE SLEEPING COULD BE CAUSING EXCESSIVE REFLUX!

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

Hi im on my eighth week and am very cranky..muscle weakness no energy and a cold chill near constantly.

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Well I went through 8 weeks of Harvoni and tested clear for several months. I had a blood workup and it had reactive on HCV test. I am not sure what to do at this point except to retest. Hopefully it was a bad test, will find out. If so can I go back on Harvoni, or what are my choices?

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To all of us that had *HARVONI TREATMENT, If you were given 12 weeks or 8 weeks, I was cured of hepatitis in 36 days of my 12 week treatment. Those that get their blood work done every 4 weeks, once you find out that like I did that there wasn't any sign to suggest that there were no hepatitis antibodies showing after 36 days of treatment, just remain on the course of 9 weeks. I can say this - that most of us are already cured and should ask your Liver Specialist if you can move on ~ Have your tc-scan which you have to get a 3D SCAN using 'Radioactive Fluid put into your vein to show how your liver looks like, meaning 'Cancer cells that may have developed while talking *HARVONI TREATMENT ~ I got good news ~ I'm cured and took another blood test and will see my DR. Again in 1YR, I know everyone responded differently, but have faith. I'm 64 and still have cirrhosis, but if you keep away from drinking alcohol and illicit drugs your liver will repair itself. What ever damage you've done over the year's drinking and doing illicit drugs is in the past now you have a new chance in life to start healing and live your life to the fullest ~GOD Bless to you all, your life matters! J.W.C.

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BURNING IN STOMACH WHILE TAKING HARVONI? I AM ON 6TH WEEK OF TREATMENT! I TAKE GARDEN OF LIFE 85BILLION RAW PROBIOTIC WITH 1 YOGURT DAILY NO MORE BURNING !

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Lana A,

Thanks for the push, I intend on hanging in there for the last 4-weeks. I'd have a hard-time forgiving myself if I quit after 8 weeks and the HCV returned. If I can't clear it this time, I'll take it to the grave with me. As for post treatment side-effects, I can only hope that it does no permanent damage. But if it does, I'd hope that the survivor's of the percentage that suffer them gather the required documentation in order to file a legal suit. This way at least our loved ones and survivor's can be compensated for the manufacturers lack of transparency regarding it's dangers. Currently they're only claiming 4 serious consequences; Previous HBV, taking specific medications during treatment and two others which I don't currently remember. Best Wishes for a hep-C free life...

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Coma,
My GI told me that my 4-week bloodwork showed no HCV. I received my last 28 pills in the mail today, and I intend on continuing through my 12-week course of treatment unless I become exceptionally ill. The reasoning behind my choice is due to my desire to regain my health as I'll turn 60 one week after my final bloodwork (3-month post treatment). Over the last two days I haven't noticed any of the bad side effects, which I don't understand but am grateful for. I feel as though this is my last chance to rid myself of this disease, and want to give myself the best opportunity available. I have no cirrosis and only moderate fibrosis, so am hoping these last 4 weeks provide less discomfort than the previous 8 weeks. Best Wishes...

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Hi Bill. Please think long and hard before deciding to stop Harvoni tx. I left a post on this thread earlier tonight about my experience with a 12 wk. Olysio/Sovaldi tx, that failed at 3 mos., and subsequent 24 wk. Harvoni tx, complete with my side effects, many due, not to Harvoni, but to my 4th stage liver failure. Confusion might be from advanced liver disease, and not Harvoni. You'll need to talk to a competent liver specialist. This is your life you're talking about. I had Hep C for about 48 yrs, tx 2 1/2 yrs ago, cleared of the virus, and liver is repairing itself. No cancer. Everyone is different. The best of luck to you, no matter what you decide. Peace

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Hi Joe. My experience with Harvoni was different than most. First of all, I was at stage 4 liver disease, and was dying, & had never had tx. I contracted HepC 48 yrs. ago. When Olysio/Solvaldi tx was approved, I went on it for 12 wks. Virus was gone for 3 mos., then returned. Within a week of the approval of Harvoni, I was put on it for 24 wks. Why? Because I failed the tx with Olysio/Sovaldi, and my liver was so far gone. I'll talk about the side effects shortly. The 24 wks. of tx, did the trick. I've been cleared of the virus for 2 1/2 yrs. A miracle for me, considering I'd already made peace with dying, and had begun putting my affairs in order. The side effects I experienced were: Headaches, about 4 of them. Confusion, I was already confused as I had hepatic encepholapathy (sp?), due the 4th stage range of issues. Chronic grumpiness, oh my God, I'm surprised my poor husband put up with my crappy behavior. I just wasn't able to control what came out of my mouth, when he asked "stupid questions." It was like, "are you freaking kidding?" I spent so much time saying, "I'm sorry, that was a mean thing to say," I can't believe it. I'm a really nice person, and just don't lose control of my temper like that, usually. Those were the sum total of my "side effects." My liver is slowly beginning to repair itself, no more hair loss, chronic "b****iness," is getting better, and the only time I get headaches is when I don't drink enough water. Low-sodium diet really sucks, fluid retention makes eating difficult if we go out. But, I'm alive and the sweetness of life is slowly returning. The strange thing is, after I'd made peace with dying, and had a plan in place to help my family with the details, I got depressed and angry. The only thing I can attribute it to, was I was looking forward to getting out of this body that had been sick for so long, and going home. My plan got changed. Lol! Wasn't much to do about that. Hope some of this helps, if not you, others. Peace.

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Hi-Ed,

You've asked how I was making out after taking the harvoni 12 week treatment. Well actually I was asking about my viral load, dr. Said I didn't have any detection of the virus in my blood. That's after 36 days, but dr. Said finish off the course of 12 weeks. I stopped after 9 weeks. Hey, I've read on another thread about the pro's & con's that there were people that only had 8 weeks of treatment but were cleared within 6 weeks of treatment. So as I read a lot of people were saying that most of us were over treated with harvoni, and as to those that have post treatment problems like pain in their joints and heart problems, also a lot of anxiety with depression and so on. But now I go in on august 16th to view a 3-d scan of my liver. I had a ct-scan and had to drink some 2 pts of white s***, then 2hrs. Later had a scan with this 'radioactive fluid put into my vein to show how my liver was doing, checking especially for any cancerous tumors that may have developed with this treatment. So~ good luck. Also you may be free of the 'virus, but be very careful out in this 'world ~ God bless! For this treatment -J.W.C.?

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