Harvoni Side Effects (Page 26) (Top voted first)

I have been taking Harvoni for 3 months now and am having nerve pain in my legs and lower back pain. Is anyone else taking Harvoni having any of these same side effects as me? Please help if you are able. Thank you

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Good Morning,

I'm following this thread still. I HAVE taken Harvoni and completed a 3 month dose on Jan 25, 2016. I worked 40 hours a week the entire time. I was kind of scared initially, but took it anyway as I had developed some cirrhosis. The goal is to cure the Hep C so I could stop continuous damage to my liver. Side effects involved weird short term headache and fatigue most afternoons. I took the pill at bedtime along with klonopin, a med I've used for anxiety for years. I also noticed my vision got fuzzy sometimes. I spent most days just going to bed early. I drank allot of water as that seemed reasonable. I did gain like 8 pounds, which also seemed reasonable as I didn't eat well and had been quite thin for years, due to having Hep. So it's been nearly 4 months since I've finished Harvoni. I've had many tests to monitor effects from liver damage. I'm good so far. I had been so concerned with having Hep C that I did not understand what cirrhosis was doing to me. Yes you can live with Hep C. I have for 35 years. No problem. Apparently I can't live very long or well with cirrhosis however. So I felt the need to stop the Hep C under those conditions. I understand the fear of this drug. But people with HIV have been taking similar types of drugs for years for that virus. We don't hear much about that anymore. At this time, I'm still dealing with a sinus and allergy problem, which seems to be more of a problem currently. But it is related to a deviated septum and allergy I've always had. Some people haven't been happy with Harvoni and suffered ill effects. Others have no problem at all. I'd say it's like most meds, some people can take it with minimal sides, and some can't. Like I can't deal with Prednisone or Sudafed. They make me crazy sick. Most people have no trouble with theses meds. The idea is to stop the progression of liver damage and cirrhosis. So far, there is not a medical treatment or any cure for cirrhosis. That will kill a person, in a bad way. No doubt. If you're not developing cirrhosis yet, you are good and have time to consider options. Have a good day!

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@NewDay: I had good insurance for over 25 years but when we moved to California and were both (husband and me) unemployed for awhile, we qualified for MediCal, which is like Medicaid I think. I quickly figured out that the doctors who accept MediCal are generally bottom of the barrel. I am now using my VA health benefits instead. I lost faith in the U.S. medical community years ago. My aunt is in the medical field, and now teaches at Rutgers. She is not thrilled with the training of MD's. My theory is that big pharma and private insurance companies have too much influence. When did drugs go from temporary to permanent use for most conditions? MD's typically only take one class in nutrition, and are not encouraged to think outside the box. They look at eastern medicine as voodoo or old wives tales. Depending on where you live, I encourage you to look for physicians who are certified in integrative medicine in addition to their traditional medical license. The only thing about these MD's is that once they learn how the body really works and responds, they move toward less traditional treatments and cannot accept insurance payments anymore because these treatments are not covered. As for other nontraditional practitioners, like naturopaths, I've had trouble finding someone with extensive experience with Hep C. It's very frustrating, which is why so many of us end up self treating.

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As for other nontraditional practitioners, like naturopaths, I've had trouble finding someone with extensive experience with Hep C. It's very frustrating, that was stated a few post back.said by someone else my response is .............I would try people that has experience in herbs and natural items. Try the Chinese consulate in DC and other agencies of countries that has this type of nat. medicine.

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I once went to see a non-traditional practitioner for my Hep C. He gave me his own mixture of herbs (can't remember the name). They seemed to make me feel worse and I then saw another acupuncturist who was referred by doctor. This Acupuncturist told me that the herbs were damaging my liver and that I should not take them. I later obtained a list of dangerous herbs from the Liver Transplant Center. There are quite a few listed

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Im curious if you had Any of that back & joint pain prior to Harvoni? I have horrible back & neck pain that heavy narcs cant touch. Does Harvoni make that worse??

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So, I have started a regimen of a few different medicinal mushrooms along with schisandra and ginseng. Some mushrooms have been researched extensively for antiviral and immune enhancing properties. I've read that because mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are available as supplements, the pharmaceutical industry is not interested in researching them. Basically, they would have trouble getting patents, therefore no big profits. Anyway, I will give updates on my self treatment even if it is not effective. I went to my GI appt with the VA yesterday. Was surprised that the dr. automatically assumed I would take the Harvoni. And, he said that they'll give me an 8 week supply, "see you back here in two months." No monitoring and fibroscan scheduled but not before I start taking the drug. What? Isn't that backward? I insisted on the fibroscan first, before starting the drug. Honestly, if my liver has minimal fibrosis, I will probably hold out for the next generation of drugs.

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Forgot to say that the dr. was surprised at my low viral count and seemed convinced that I would easily be cured within 8 weeks. I can't help but wonder if all of the complementary alternative medicinals (CAM) that I've used over the years, along with a very healthy diet, has had an effect on viral load and my liver health. Or, is it genetics and I'm just lucky? I also forgot to mention another part of my new Del treatment protocol. I am sauna detoxing 3 times a week. Very good for the lymphatic system.

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Correction: should say self treatment, not Del.

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depression also adds to your pain. a lot of Drs dont tell u that . but try to stay in good spirts. that will help.

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Jane- I wonder if it just varies. Before I realized I qualified for VA health benefits, I had gone to a private hepatologist. He ordered blood work as well as a fibroscan as his first step, before seeking approval from the insurance company. He also reviewed 4 different drug protocols in addition to Harvoni with me. He said I'd have to have at least a level 2 for approval. I never went for that fibroscan because I started going to the VA. The VA did an ultrasound and all of the blood work. In the past, like 10 and 5 years ago, I've had biopsies. No fibrosis then. I did read that with little to no fibrosis, the fibroscan can be less accurate than with advance fibrosis or cirrhosis.

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Smoking does work. I also smoke and they just started giving me dronabinol which has thc but not the well being. They took out the high effect so they say, but it does help with eating and i smoke on top of it just for the peacefulness that i get from also smoking.

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I AM TAKING AQUWA ZIEAD 12.5 & ECOSPRIN 75. HOW MANY DAYS CAN I TAKE THESE TABLETS FOR & ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

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I am presently on Suboxone, I have been for 7 years no longer for Cravings but to control pain. I am supposed to start harvoni in 2 weeks and I am reading all of these reviews and I am scared now that I'm going to be sick and have to live with pain and symptoms that I presently don't have. I am also diagnosed as being clinically depressed and having PTSD and I am wondering what kind of effect harvoni is going to have on me. I was not scared about this before until reading all of these reviews. My VA doctor has told me that none of these things are true that I won't feel this way at all that these are isolated incidents. I really hope that there some doctors out there that will at least tell me how true it is that I will be feeling the side effects and that they may be permanent. That is another fear of mine. All I'm looking to do is be healthy I didn't get hep C from doing drugs but I have none the less. Now I'm scared that I'm going to get all these other side effects and I can't live like that because I live alone and I am afraid that if these are the symptoms that I will be experiencing I might as well just hang it up before I start it. Please any real help and real suggestions would be totally appreciated. I am really afraid, then when you add into the equation that my healthcare provider is the VA, not known for care of Veterans or even good healthcare for us Veterans, I am wondering if I will regret doing this. My viral count is high, but I have no signs of cirrhosis of the liver which in itself is good but again I am so worried that my depression and anxiety and PTSD are getting the better of me. Please help with any known facts, please

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@Jim, I have a similar profile. My viral count was high but doc told me don't go by viral count it changes every day. If you are stable physically and your other labs are within range I wouldn't go near this med. I will tell u why. The drug company sits like seething vultures waiting each month for their checks to roll in. This month stocks is predicted lower position why? VA payments and NEW patients is DOWN! The b-:s!! Read about it if u don't believe me. I am guessing u must b in your 60s? If you are stable and have had this virus 20 plus years you can wait another year or so to see if NEWER drugs come out and less expensive. Why open a hornets nest? See the PUSH like u have to treat this TODAY! That's the problem they must b getting some kickbacks or reward to sign ppl in its all about the stock NOT US! One more thing u r in pain meds as was I. They will not tell u until you are in the VA like in combat position feeling like u want to choke your doc they are NOT honest. This chews through your pain med as it revealed up your metabolism your painted will wear off in a few hours! Hello making you cranky mood swings and reenact your PTSD. When u r in the office wondering what the heck is going on the response will be... Oh would you like me to increase your pain med we did have to adjust some of the other patients. WTF? You tell us this now as we are going through possible withdrawal? Or the med might interact with the pain meds and you will become a black box walking warning. I can promise one thing it WILL and DOES make pain med ware off in half time and that's just jumping in cold. That's what you do K ow God knows what you do t know.

No one is going to be more crazy then you if at day 4 or 5 you are trying to get an appt. and they say remain on it and drink lots of water! Really, what about b/p? U have PTSD? Friend it's going to increase this stuff revs us up so much by the end of the day we want to collapse between the pain meds wearing off, nerve damage tinnitus. And weakness did I answer your questions? I wouldn't go NEAR it. It like the virus will still be here next year see if new sides are REPORTED or dismissed. Docs put us on this crap then when we complain post, pre or mid treatment we get a blank stare and told the same stock answer, "gee you are the ONLY one who has these sides, everyone else tolerated it well"

Your choice but if you feel pressured another BAD sign, remember the company's hard sell tactics are behind it. Google the company, the projected sales, the legal suits, the new CEO, it's all about brainwashing us and making money for them. Only reason I see to go on it is if you are in late stage liver disease or facing transplant or scaring between 2-3 other then that I would HOLD OFF, the devil you know is better then the new dragon that lurks. I am off 4 months have never been feeling sicker and getting the run around from ALL my docs. Blood labs lost? Really for cancer OMG you can't make this up its been 3 weeks and they can't find my labs! This is a new hospital not the one that screwed me. The ball is in your court we or I can only share what I know.

Keep us posted there IS a remote possibility you will fare well, if you have nothing else to do but take that chance. My decision would be based on how hard they try and make you go on it. That was a red flag for me looking back. I said no. I said no and was promised the world. It was like candy. They ASSURED me I wouldn't know I was on it. Translation, they didn't give a damn what HAPPENED ONCE I was on it. They can and do blame it on PTSD. Then say oh I'm so sorry, would u like to see a PSYCHIATRIST? I said yes (knowing my ins wouldn't pay for one). Good luck, keep us posted buddy.

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I forgot to mention this. Another factor in my decision process is my age and gender. I am 54 and in early peri menopause. Here is a quote from a research article: "Poor outcome response to hepatitis c virus, including higher viral load, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cirrhosis, is more associated with men and post menopausal women than with premenopausal women and women receiving hormone replacement therapy..." Response to antiviral treatment is improved for post menopausal women who do hormone replacement therapy. I don't want to take hormones, which means I probably should treat sooner than later.

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Hi Sherry
Love that a doctor actually felt you should prepare for treatment. I am 16 months post treatment and suffering with daily pain, feet and hands and headaches. Please can you tell me more about metabolic syndrome?

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That's what the docs and the big pharma are doing and it infuriates me. It's emotional blackmail to use scare tactics like somehow do it now or....or the price will go DOWN! They HAVE to pay for treatment the insurance companies in most states have been sued even for inmate population. This is a politically plugged in company that is going to make sure they get their money even if it means cutting off your head to do it. I let my doc scare me the same way and I think it's reckless to say the least. They are not doing you the favor more drugs are coming out they want your MONEY if you keep that in front of your mind you can sit back, have a cup of tea and make a rational decision. This PUSH like we were so lucky I was told how ungrateful I was that third world countries don't have the options. First this is USA and socialized med like Germany, Canada pay about $3.00 per pill like in Egypt do NOT fall for it! I never want to see that doc again I still don't know what I have I do have every symptom of full blown hepatitis now and I never did.
To think I was told ZERO, NO sides GUARANTEED! You should never tell a patient that. They head cha Ching ca Ching a cash register that's what they heard not me or my cries for help.
Wow sorry if I sound angry my b/p goes sky high when I hear this broken record. These are scare tactics u can hear us or not but we did NOT have a good experience and I so far am very ill I was NOT ill prior to this God awful med!

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As much as I hate to, I might go forward with treating with Harvoni. My Fibroscan score the other day was 7.6, so F2 fibrosis stage. I am 54, with menopause around the corner. With that comes the possibility of a lower SVR, according to real studies. I have done so much to stay healthy, but I continued to drink wine on weekends, dumb. I know that all I have done with diet, exercise, supplements, and other alternative treatments have kept my liver from becoming cirrhosis. So, in preparation for taking this awful drug, I have added methylated B vitamins, a good mineral complex, increased healthy fats intake, decreased simple carbs intake, Acetyl L-Carnitine, and possibly Nicotinamide Riboside. I ordered a pack of nitric oxide saliva strips to monitor my levels and will have L-Arginine on hand if levels drop. I will continue with my current supplement regimen of Omega 3 fish oil, iron free multi, vitamin c, probiotics, alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10, Silymarin, and medicinal mushrooms. My daily smoothie has blueberries, apples, almonds, ground flax, avocado, fresh ginger, kale, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, whey protein powder, and almond milk.
I will continue to exercise and will sauna detox twice weekly (doing it 3X right now). If I get headaches, I'll try acupuncture, no NSAIDs. Lots of water, too.

I am very nervous about taking Harvoni, it's on my mind day and night. If anyone knows of problems with supplements I am or will be taking, please share.

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Sherri, with everything you are doing. i would think you would be the healthiest person alive. U take such good care of yourself and that will help. but i hope you are in control and not the disease. I took Harvoni and have been cured. the only side effect i had was with thirst. was very thirsty all the time. I don't see Harvoni as a problem but IT IS the cure. Have you people every think that all the drugs you are mixing in your body is not changing your body chemistry? You could try say for a week of being additive free. Just take med prescribed only and see how that works. If what u are doing doesn't work...then change plans. Good luck I do worry about so many people that against this drug. It worked for me . so i really don't know what to so but keep trying and enjoy what life you have. We have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and fight to enjoy the life we have. God Bless

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I just walked out of cardiology and my new PC. As you all know I only did 2 weeks of Harvoni bit ache all over. So far my RA is quite high now it's off to rheumatology and neurologist. Just what I need. I am exhausted that awful med must have reinacted the hepatitis and left me with RA or some awful inflammatory issues and thyroid. ALL this was normal pre Harvoni.
Just know that you know what you have you don't know if you are going to feel like a wrecking ball hit you over the head and took your life.
Big pharma is in your docs pocket some more then others. Be careful VA, teaching hospitals and/ or other greedy culprits. I would be livid if I were not so weak. There are bad docs and dumb ones bit they are all motivated by $$ some more then others.
Be well and do your homework I should have never gone against my instinct.

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