Harvoni and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dip...
• July 10, 2016

For Hepatitis C "59-year-old female. I've had hep C for 39 years. Genotype 1, cleared the virus 11 years ago, after taking interferon and ribavirin. Relapsed after 6 months. Viral load of 2,000,000 now. Am now in my 2nd week of Harvoni, and am hopeful. So far, my side effects are irritability, fatigue, and insomnia, with occasional night sweats. Feels like menopause, but I know it's not. So it must be the Harvoni. Hope side effects will diminish."

• Cle...
• April 1, 2017

For Hepatitis C "First off, thank you to all of the users who posted on this. I was really nervous starting Harvoni and read all of the entries on this post. So helpful! 25 years of Hep C wiped out in 8 weeks! Just unbelievable. I've had a couple of other things going on (broken foot that kept me from work, which was distressing) and gastritis. Maybe my insomnia was stress-related? I had a few headaches initially and some mild fatigue (or was I just tired from fretting over my inability to work and dragging myself up and down stairs?) Whatever has gone on, it's nothing at all because I am clear! I don't have to stare 'it' in the face anymore! Grateful? Thankful? Somewhere way beyond the limits of those words."

• Hep...
• June 12, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I was on Harvoni treatment for 8 weeks. At the end of week 4, the virus was undetected. I was very scared to take this medicine, as I read horrible things about Harvoni on the Internet. I am so happy that I decided to take it. I had only minor side effects, such as fatigue. I had no problems with stomach, insomnia, or weight gain. I was working as usual while being on treatment."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I contracted the Hep C virus about 30 years ago. I tried the treatment to kill it about 20 years ago, and the side effects were way too much for me, so I had to quit. I have been without symptoms for all these years. However, in the back of my mind, I knew I had Hep C, and it bothered me. About 6 months ago, I started having pain in the area of my liver. Thank God I went to see my old liver doctor a few weeks ago because I was worried. He informed me I had gallstones and that my liver looked great. The best thing he told me was all about Harvoni! I started taking Harvoni two weeks ago. I noticed fatigue on days 5 and 6, but now it's gone. I seriously feel better now than I have in years. Thank you, Harvoni creators and staff!"

• Nod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I'm 16 doses into a 12-week regimen. I take the drug at 5 pm, I eat about 4 hours before. If I don't, extreme stomach cramps and diarrhea, this will last for about 2 hours. Soreness in legs, armpits, and arms, foggy, and fatigue easily. I will get my first blood work results on Monday. Sleepy in about 2 hours after I take it, and I have insomnia. I do not have a great appetite anymore. I'm 65 years old and retired. I don't work, so I have the luxury of taking it easy. I don't know how I got it. It's been ticking in me for about 20 years that I know of. I will let you know about my blood work. Good luck everyone and hang in there because it does work."

• Min...
• November 19, 2016

For Hepatitis C "6 days into 8 weeks. So far, no side effects. Nothing worse than what I've been experiencing for the past few years without treatment. Fatigue, moody, I had no appetite = no energy. The fact that I can actually eat breakfast is wonderful to me. My family has been concerned about my poor appetite for the past 5 years. I actually have a more positive outlook on the future. Now that this journey has begun, it's the best feeling!"

• des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I took Harvoni for genotype 1a over a year ago. During treatment, I had an increase in fatigue, not much else for side effects. But after two months, I felt my vision was worsening, and so I stopped treatment after 9 1/2 weeks. (I was in the cohort for which 8 weeks was deemed OK.) Shortly after stopping treatment, I had a marked increase in fatigue, and shortly after that began to have severe low back pain, which persists a year later. The pain appears to be due to a lactic acid buildup due to mitochondrial dysfunction. I am at this point quite disabled due to chronic pain and fatigue, and wish I had just lived with the hep C."

• Ela...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I had Hepatitis C 1A at a level 2. I was not experiencing many effects except becoming fatigued occasionally. I had limited side effect of being somewhat tired and forgetfulness during my work. It was not extreme. I am very happy to be cured."

• Cap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Male, 68 yrs old. Have had Hep C for 40 yrs, known and felt its effects for over 20 yrs. Positive lifestyle changes in 2015 with wife's cancer brought better health to me, unfortunately, not to her. She died at the end of 2016. Eight weeks of Harvoni in 2018 was all that was needed to end my nightmare with Hep C. After the first week, I immediately began to see results. No more periods of extreme fatigue. Cloudy confusion began to clear. Depression, of course. Hair loss, you bet. Anger, why not? Plenty of other stuff can be added, but I will not blame this drug that has ended my anxious outlook on the future. There were too many other things going on in my life that contributed to that aspect. One thing is for certain, though. I don't have to be concerned anymore about what this virus is doing to my organs. I am confident that I will die of something else. Thanks, Harvoni. Hep C free for one year."

• Tha...
• July 6, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I am not sure when I contacted HCV - I found out I had it through a life insurance screening in 2009. I was 38 at the time, and having genotype 1, I was very discouraged about having any treatment options. It took some time to get Harvoni approved through my insurance, but I am so very thankful I was finally accepted. I am currently on day 34 of 84, just found out that my last blood work showed NOT DETECTED!!! As far as side effects, I have had insomnia, which I have been taking a sleep aid for, and I am very, very fatigued... all I can do to get out of bed and work some days. I have found that taking a midday nap has helped a bunch. So thankful for Harvoni!!!"

• hap...
• March 12, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I got Hep C while I was at Bible school in 1978, and so I never really found out how I got it. I did give blood for money in Bible school. Anyways, I did the Pegasus Interferon and Ribavirin combo, and I was so ill it took me years to feel better. I did clear the virus, but it came back with a vengeance. I was really sick at that point. I did have some mild side effects with the Harvoni, like fatigue. I got my three-month clear. My doctor feels that I will not have to deal with this again. I do have cirrhosis of the liver even though I have been a health nut all these years. I am thankful that the pharma industry gave us a cure. Thank you."

• Wal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2016

For Hepatitis C "After 18 of 24 weeks on Harvoni, I had to stop treatment. Had a second gastric bleed due to the required reduction of Protonix meds. My kidneys declined steadily for 5 months to alarming 4b status. New rounds of fatigue and painful joints & muscle cramps. After 2 weeks, I'm finally having more good than bad days, and mental clarity is improving. I only hope my next test still shows remission."

• Nul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2015

For Hepatitis C "22 years old and started Harvoni a few weeks ago and so far just a little fatigue and extremely, extremely vivid weird dreams, which is not normal for me because I never dream. That doesn't mean the dreams are a bad thing, though, just different. I'd deal with a lot worse than this if it means I will be cured of hepatitis C."

• Jar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2016

For Hepatitis C "The most amazing drug! Very little side effects. I am 32 years old and was fatigued when I first started, but that lasted less than a week, and I went on to complete 3 months of therapy with no side effects, and it's been over a year now since I've been cured! Thank God for this miracle drug. I had hepatitis C genotype 1 for 14 years."

• lea...
• August 21, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I took the peginterferon/ribavirin therapy in 2008 unsuccessfully. After 4 weeks of Harvoni, I am virus-free with little side effects. A few mild headaches and some fatigue. I'll finish the 12 weeks of therapy with gusto!"

• zen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2015

For Hepatitis C "First, I'd like to say that I appreciate the opportunity to be able to take the drug Harvoni to cease the continuous growth of hep C cells in my body. I am grateful. Nonetheless, the side effects are sometimes debilitating. I have had a pain in my lower back for four days now. I don't want to take any other medicine, so I've been putting a heating pad on my back. I can't sleep, my nose runs most of the time. I don't have an appetite, and the headaches are really bad. I have constant back and joint pain, and I'm so tired all the time. Yet, there is much consolation in knowing that there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

• Mot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I began treatment April 27 and am almost done. If I had known how severe the side effects would be, I would have opted for another treatment. I have had debilitating headaches, nausea, vomiting, and extreme fatigue and can't get my blood pressure under control. It has been dangerously high. The doctors prescribe this medication and then are not equipped to help you with the side effects or have not done their homework, and so you're on your own. Too much to say for this text. I would not recommend it."

• Min...
• January 2, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Six weeks into 8-week treatment. Experienced no side effects in the beginning. I do not like water and slowly stopped drinking it as much. Later (in 5 weeks), side effects increased (flu-like symptoms, nausea, fatigue, moody). Always uncomfortable, I was forced to get back into the habit of drinking water. It actually helped with the discomfort of the side effects. The same day I started back again, drinking lots of water, I noticed a big difference."

• Gui...
• March 10, 2017

For Hepatitis C "On my 8th week with Harvoni, headaches, fatigue, and stomach pain, but light, very tolerable. Had the virus for 40 years, 13 million when I started, now not detected. Too good to be true! But it is!!! Got it in the army!!"

• Lov...
• April 26, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Started taking Harvoni Feb 3rd, 2016. I was scared to death and very apprehensive. My gastro and his assistant really helped to answer all my questions. Few more pills to go and soon I'll find out if it worked. Diagnosed 2002, G type 1a. Probably had it for years and never knew about it. Life changer, no doubt! Very minimal side effects include slight headaches, tummy aches once in a while. Fatigue minimal, but I don't seem to have the insomnia part. I've been more sleepy than I ever have prior. The bloating just started a few weeks ago. Best advice: drink lots of water, eat healthy food throughout the day. I work full-time, walk a lot, keep really busy, it takes my mind off the pills and helps me stay positive about everything."

• She...
• March 24, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I had Hepatitis C for 20 years. I took Harvoni for six months with no side effects even worth mentioning. I usually get every side effect mentioned when it comes to man-made drugs, so Harvoni was an absolute miracle drug in eradicating the Hep C virus. My biggest shock was I gained 20 lbs in two weeks after the completion of Harvoni and lost all motivation to do anything. Over three years later, I barely have the energy to wash my face or brush my teeth. Absolute deep chronic depression, worse than anything I ever suffered in my life. I suffered from depression for a good part of my life, but nothing like this. Everything I used to do without even thinking about it overwhelms me so much I just want to shut down."

• Dou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I think I picked up Hep C during employment in Saudi or during dental treatment during one of my home visits to Minding. Tried Interferon treatment but lasted 3 months due to severe side effects. Now on the start of 3 weeks with Harvoni treatment. Side effects: fatigue, headache, occasional loose bowel, and now aches and pains to various parts of the body. Feels similar to the time I had the Hong Kong flu during military service. To date, so much improved from prior treatment. Support excellent from Raigmore Hospital specialist nurses and local village pharmacy here in Ardersier, Scotland. Lovely coastal village outside Inverness."

• Tim...
• June 19, 2016

For Hepatitis C "2 weeks now. Hep C 38 yrs, geno 1, 1/2 fibrosis. Felt great the first 5 days, now very tired, fatigue constant. But will see it through. I had moments of true vibrancy at first, have not felt that good in 38 years, the world looked like I remembered it before the virus, but that has faded to my old tired, depressed self. I think I will get back to the good place in time. I sleep well, no stomach problems, no skin problems, no high blood pressure, just fatigue and irritability now and then. This drug is so new I'm sure long-term will be the test on any kind of permanent problems, so it's a gamble I'm willing to take to be free of this nasty virus."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I am 22 years old, and I have had the virus since 2015. I started Harvoni in February. After 2 months of taking the pill once a day, the virus was not detected, but I continued with the 3rd month of medication, and now I will do the final blood test. I am really hoping that I will be cured because I really want to put this behind me. My symptoms are fatigue, nausea, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, but I don't care because the result was amazing. Don't be discouraged, you never know how strong you are until you go through it, so good luck, everyone."

• Rau...
• July 8, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I was diagnosed with geno 1A in 2011 by accident at age 40. It was determined I most likely contracted it as a child in 1971 from blood transfusions needed for a blood disorder. I opted not to be treated with the meds at the time because of all the known side effects, and at the time, I was otherwise healthy. My doctor told me about new drugs on the horizon that sounded promising. I started Harvoni on Feb 2, 2016. After 4 weeks, blood work showed it undetectable. The first few weeks, I did have headaches, fatigue, and insomnia. I took it in the morning on an empty stomach and had to crush it and eat it in yogurt because I can't swallow pills. Blood work after 12 weeks is still undetectable, and I go next week for the 12-week follow-up."