Harvoni and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ike...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Finished 12-week Harvoni 6 days ago on 3/20/19. While doing treatment, my heart rate was slower than normal, I couldn't urinate for 3 days. Then I had 2 more kidney infections. Hair loss still. Weight gain without a change in diet. Minor headaches during treatment. On 3/22/19, two days after the completion of treatment, never missed a dose, never took a pill more than a couple minutes late, always at bedtime, my BP rose to 185/105 & 179/110. As if this is not bad enough that I have developed a life-threatening disease worse than HepC, I now have knots in the back of my calf with severe leg pain and stabbing headaches. Extremely tired and shortness of breath. I felt so good the last 2 weeks of treatment. I really thought I was getting my life back. Now, my life is in MORE danger than before Harvoni. Disappointed and afraid. Would never recommend this treatment for anyone."

• 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."

• Mal...
• February 8, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I've completed a 12-week course of Harvoni successfully at the end of 2016. The pills have worked a treat for me, and I only had a slight upset stomach for the first 2 days. After that, I was feeling very tired and would run out of energy in the early afternoons at work. A side effect that seems common, but is not mentioned, however, is WEIGHT GAIN!!! I didn't change my diet but have somehow managed to gain a solid 10 kgs!!! I still haven't worked out a way to lose the weight, it almost seems as if my metabolism has changed altogether. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm fit and active, run half marathons, but the weight is sticking to me like the plague. Though in saying all that, thank goodness for Harvoni - it saves lives!!!"

• flj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I've had Hep C for 13 years. I am 34 now and finally got approved for Harvoni. I have 20 days/pills left on my last 28 days refill. I wasn't thinking of side effects when going into this since my doctor said nothing worth worrying about. Well, had I known, I would have timed this differently. Since day one, I have had no energy. At one point in my first 28 days, I could no longer work since I couldn't make it up and down the stairs. Also, to strongly note, my vision has been way worse to the point I can't make out words on the TV. My body hurts, and I have sharp pains in my liver. I will be 100% okay with all this, though, if I'm cured at the end. My point, though, is plan correctly, you might be like me, living paycheck to paycheck, so missing money isn't an option. I am alive, though, so everything is in relation. I had a friend who did the interferon treatment for hepatitis C in 2004 for 9 months. It did not work. He went through hell too. So I am grateful for this drug."

• Sno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Was diagnosed with Hep C in 2015 and started Harvoni a few months later... Shortly after starting, I experienced hair loss, severe depression... skin issues, severe dehydration even though I was drinking tons of water, also memory issues. When I reported this, I was told these were not reported side effects, but if they were, would clear up after treatment was over. Well, it has been a year, and I still have terribly dry skin and feel terrible, muscle aches, tiredness, and I was doing half marathons and felt great before. My skin has aged terribly, memory issues, still feel dried out all the time, all of which I never had before treatment. Although I am cleared of the virus, I wish I had never taken Harvoni. I feel it has ruined my life."

• tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I was extremely tired, also, after finishing the dose, I began getting excruciating pain, especially when laying down, deep in my long bones in my legs and arms. Also, now I've finished my 24 weeks, I am getting pain in the liver area again, with nausea. My doctor has said my blood levels have gotten better, yet ordered an ultrasound. I also have severe feet, legs, hands, and thigh edema and cirrhosis. My other doctor said the pain began when I started the Harvoni."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Been taking Harvoni for nearly 8 weeks. Stage 4 liver cirrhosis. Was really very sick, and many doctors just didn't know why. I had tested for Hep C two times in the last 10 years and was negative. Dr. says no way would do that much damage to my liver unless I had like 10 years. Hard to say if side effects from Harvoni or liver damage side effects, as similar. But tired and occasional nausea and headaches. BUT. This week had blood done myself, and AST/ALT down from high 100's to 35/45, which is the normal range. Had been as high as 487 just 20 months ago. So it feels like a miracle to me. But many people have stated they got cancer from the drug, so we have to see. My quality of life was dismal, and so the risk is equal to my feeling. See Dr. again in 2 weeks."

• Kta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2018

For Hepatitis C "In 1 week (yes, 1), my loads went from 5 million to just 30! Doctor said he never heard of such a thing. Did labs again 3 weeks in, and I am hep C free. I no longer live with the uncertainty of hep C, lol! I felt exhausted that first week and slightly nauseous, but now I have so much more energy and feel great!"

• But...
• July 18, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I was cured in 4 weeks but had to take it 8 weeks because that was their protocol, and I believe taking it for that long altered my autoimmune system. I have been getting hives, swelling eyes, lips swelling, face, joint pain, swelling, and red hands, which oftentimes hurt at the fingertips, and the tips turn very red, and also tiredness. I have gone to several types of doctors and have taken several tests over the last 18 months. One doctor believed I had hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV), but the biopsy turned out inconclusive, and I was recently told by a doctor at Johns Hopkins that Black people did not get HUV. So, the only thing that keeps these symptoms at bay is prednisone. I put a complaint in with the FDA regarding how I felt about the length of time I was on this drug and what has happened to me since taking it."

• SuC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I had Hep C for 32 years before starting Harvoni. I waited for treatment because I didn't want to stick needles in my belly every day. Started Harvoni in 2017. My viral load qualified me to take the 8-week course of treatment. After reading some of the comments about depression and lack of interest in things, I'm kind of feeling like this is from the Harvoni. I used to walk every day and don't, have lost interest in other hobbies. Some of my eyelashes fell out and haven't grown back in. I have gallstones now I didn't have before. I'm just as tired as I was before treatment but not every day. I'm not sorry for taking it, I just want my life back. Taking $60,000 worth of medicine, there has to be some side effects from it you'd think. I quit wearing mascara because my eyelashes are too short. That's okay though. Good luck to everyone taking."

• ins...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I am very sensitive to medications. However, I needed to take Harvoni because I didn't want Hep C anymore. One side effect was the first few days. I was tired and dizzy. After that, I struggled with stomach upset. I have acid reflux, and I couldn't use any heartburn medication at all. Harvoni works with stomach acid. I took my pills every day at the same time. I was only late once in the whole 12 weeks. The end result was no more Hep C. I did gain weight afterward. I am guessing because I am not sick anymore. I was around people in public and my children. I never got sick from being around others."

• Mot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2017

For Hepatitis C "My doctor didn't really stay in touch with me through this medication. As a 25-year-old with no prior health issues, I was a little scared. I did have headaches, and I suppose the occasional tiredness, but nothing unbearable. For my headaches, I'd still take the occasional Tylenol because they did get bad at times. I was on an 8-week treatment, and it worked! Here I am 6 months later, completely cured."

• Pin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I was able to receive Harvoni treatment free because I was unemployed. I took it for 12 weeks in 2015, at age 63. My doctor told me I probably had it for years. I had three blood transfusions years ago, back before blood was tested. My doctor told me the Harvoni might cause headaches, so I should drink lots of water. I did drink lots of water, and when I got a headache, I would drink more water. The headaches were occasional. I did feel a bit more tired than usual, but for the most part, I had very few side effects. I had my doctor do a full viral load blood test last year, and I am still HEP-C free. I haven't noticed any late side effects yet. What I do know is that, for me, Harvoni cured my HEP-C, and I am grateful, who warned me that I could get it again if I carelessly exposed myself to it."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2021

For Hepatitis C "Mild side effects for me, some gas, heartburn, and frequent headaches. I have felt tired at times but have been going to the gym 4-5 days a week and haven't missed a workout. Viral load was less than 450, no tests yet, but I'll update when that happens."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2024

For Hepatitis C "I was put on Harvoni right after they let the doctors prescribe it to patients who had been diagnosed with hepatitis C. I still have to take migraine pills, and I am always tired. I have dementia. I do believe this drug is the reason this is happening to me. It was many years ago, but I have had these symptoms for years."

• rak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2015

For Hepatitis C "First of all, I want to thank the V.A. Without it, I would not have access to this miracle medicine. I have been on Harvoni for the last 33 days. A little tired but no big deal. Will keep you posted."

• Blu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Incredible medication. Virus-free in 8 weeks. On a 24-week program. Almost side-effect free. Occasional minor tiredness, minor headaches. Wonderful new energy levels."

• Sir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Very tired, a problem with my kidneys, but my blood work is excellent. Thank God for this miracle."

• Van...
• February 28, 2016

For Hepatitis C "This drug has a myriad of side effects, mostly headache, lethargy, and insomnia."

• LP2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I'm 20 years old. Today is the fourth day of my treatment. I easily felt tired, slight headache, and even dizzy from these days. Hope those side effects could be reduced soon."