Ledipasvir / sofosbuvir and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ang...
• September 13, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I found out I had hepatitis C, and when I went to the doctor, I was put on a free clinical trial of Harvoni. I had no liver damage and had only been exposed a year before this. I was told it had little to no side effects and would cure my hep C, which was true. This was back in 2015, it is now September of 2019. I've had two back surgeries. Unbelievable pain every day. I am so unhappy and wish I had never taken this medicine. I've had chronic pain in my joints and muscle aches, especially in my back. I just want people to understand that there is very little known about the long-term side effects of this medication and yes, it will cure your hepatitis C, but I believe that it also has some side effects that may or may not affect certain people. Two years post-treatment, I'm dealing with a lot of pain every day, depression, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, pressure and fullness in my chest, headaches, and overall my quality of life is terrible. I have never felt this bad, and I know it's because of this poison."

• 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."

• Aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Well, I was very nervous and scared to take this drug - Harvoni. BUT! Guess what? I’m only on day 4 and I feel and look so much better. No more nausea, no more side pain. My face is even clearer than it was. My sense of smell is back. When I had the virus, all my senses were compromised. This drug is very powerful. You have to be positive when going into treatment. Think of this as saving your life from liver cancer and that it’s going to make you feel so much better! Thank you, HARVONI, for saving my life! By the way, TAKE THIS MEDICINE AT NIGHT! Two hours before bed! Do not take this during the day, you will experience the side effects! I take it two hours before bed and feel great during the day. No headaches, nothing. So thankful and blessed. Don’t listen to other people complaining or claiming the drug causes cancer. Hep C causes cancer! Not Harvoni!"

• 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."

• Hun...
• June 1, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Almost completed Rx, 6 tablets to go of 12 weeks. Occasionally I have a burst of energy, but the effect is so subtle, probably imagination. Very few side effects, but headache related to an increased BP, mood very flat at about 8 weeks into Rx. Mitraxepam prescribed, took 1 at night which helped, will cease these next week. BP meds also increased, which lowered BP, this doing away with headache. How blessed are we in having a government that cares to allow us a cure for free."

• Hol...
• May 10, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Just finishing Harvoni. Got 6 days left of 84 pills. Side effect is headache and a little itchy in ankles, but feeling so much better. Had blood test at 4 weeks. Still had a small amount of hep C, then at 8 weeks non-detectable. Can't wait to see what I'm at in 6 months. I asked to have a drink or glass of wine at a wedding I was going to, and the doctor said okay. Well, I have had 6 drinks during treatment, and I am non-detectable, but I am eating healthy, a lot of green vegetables."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I have been on Harvoni for 13 days now and wanted to give an update on how I feel. First, my viral load is 5,200,000 and I am a stage 2 and have hep C for 45 years and just found out I had it on Oct. 16. I am taking Harvoni for 8 weeks. Overall, I have been feeling OK. I am still working and was concerned if the medication would affect me and my ability to work. It has been no problem. I have experienced a dull headache, but not enough to take anything for it. It comes and goes, but doesn't seem to last very long. Before medication, I slept about 7 hours, now, it seems like it is about 5 to 6, but the funny thing is I don't seem to be tired. I will check in again to update."

• Zan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Is there a chat group to talk to others regarding side effects, please! [Yes, on drugs.com type 'Harvoni,' then scroll down to 'Harvoni Support Group.'] I have been taking Harvoni for 5 weeks. After the second week, I started getting the worst headaches, which might be migraines as I never had them before. The sunlight makes me sick to my stomach, and now I am becoming emotionally unstable. I’ve had Hep C for 49 years with no problem, and this medication is giving me many problems. I am awaiting my first blood test, if there is no good news, I will stop taking it as it is changing who I am, as I can’t take this pain."

• sha...
• April 29, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I have been on Harvoni for 8 weeks now. The first set of blood work was negative, fingers crossed tomorrow when I do the second set. Four more weeks to go. I am stage 3-4, genotype 1a. I've been on two different treatments, both failed. I have had side effects: headaches, mood swings, depression, and fatigue. But it is worth it if I am clear of Hep C. I am very grateful, I fought my insurance company for a year to get Harvoni."

• shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2016

For Hepatitis C "an amazing medicine. I don't know how long I had had HCV. I knew that I had it in September 2015 and began taking it in March 2016. Now I'm only 6 days from finishing the 12 weeks treatment, and I had an amazing experience. Side effects that I experienced were a slight headache after the 1st 10 days and then gone. Only the major one from my side was hair falling, which I am not sure is because of the medicine, as I just gave birth to my second baby 5 months ago and stopped all vitamins to take the medicine. So in overview, it is an amazing medicine. I had genotype 1 and done PCR after 6 weeks from taking it, and it was not detected. Thank God for knowing about the medicine at the correct time."

• C...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I just started Harvoni days ago and was feeling very fatigued and have a slight headache, but I am used to feeling fatigued due to the Hep C. I read some people's experiences on here, and some said that it was fine to drink a glass of wine a day while on the treatment. Come to find out through two doctors that there is a good chance that the alcohol will weaken the effect of the Harvoni and it is possible that it won't work. In lieu of that, I am not taking another sip of wine or any other alcohol for the remainder of the three months. I mean, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as my out-of-pocket and $6,000 deductible have been met this year, and I don't foresee that happening again, at least I hope not. It was due to hospitalization."

• Chi...
• October 9, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I'm on day 11 of 84 (3-month treatment)... I take Harvoni at 6 pm religiously and find that I sleep through most of the symptoms. First 3 days were hard... nausea, restless legs, fatigue, weakness, and headaches... couldn't finish any gym sessions. But days 4-6 were 'miracle days'... I think my viral load dropped dramatically (will find out viral load in week 4 and week 12 and at 6 months). Zero viral load means the Hep C is non-active... which is as much as being cured as we can get. I have heard that a lot of patients are non-active in week 12 but are relapsing 6+ months after treatment. To prevent a relapse... I'm taking Spirulina, vitamin C & B complex, banana, and a handful of nuts and seeds every day. http://www.realnatural.org/chlorella-found-to-improve-hepatitis-c-infections/"

• BEN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I started a 12-week Harvoni/ribavirin treatment 5 weeks ago. 2 years ago, after 6 months of the triple treatment (Incivek), my Hep C came back! Compared to the triple treatment, this is a breeze. Headaches for the first week or two, loose stools, muscle aches, and slight insomnia. I've actually gained a couple of lbs!? I feel the side effects so little it makes me wonder if it's working? The triple treatment is SO harsh it 'feels' like it's working. Maybe I'm just feeling guilt, I'm not in more pain this time."

• Tec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I was told in 2004 that I tested positive for Hep C. Nothing was done about it. My liver enzymes were always off the scale, but no civilian doctor made much effort to diagnose the problem. Some seem to think I may have contracted it through a blood transfusion in 1985. Who knows? The VA convinced me to be put on a 12-week program of Harvoni. So, as it turns out, I'm a Genotype 1a with a viral load of over 1.4 million. The first week of drug therapy, I had trivial side effects, but no big deal, mostly headaches subsided by drinking more water. I had insomnia already, so I can't say the Harvoni affected it. Now, 34 days later, my blood tests show my viral load below 15. It definitely works."

• tbo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Next Monday, 5/22, makes 4 weeks on Harvoni. The first 4 days, I felt zero side effects. However, day 5, 6, 7, no sleep, and on day 7, the worst headache in my life lasted all day. Since then, the side effects have started to diminish. This morning, I do not have a headache and finally started sleeping again. I am up to 8 hours."

• Too...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I took my first pill today. I was happy when it arrived to start treatment. Although I have been reading material, independent studies, and message boards, I became scared. Having led a healthy lifestyle, I had no idea about Hep C. I have nausea so badly I couldn’t move, dehydrated from diarrhea and vomiting. Every muscle hurts, I can’t get comfortable, I'm dizzy and feel like I’m in a fog, crazy headache. I know my body, this med is too strong and hasn’t been out long enough to determine what or if the long-term effects are. My day was awful, and I couldn’t go to my doctor's appointment today, and this is day one! I know when I call tomorrow they will ask me to switch to nighttime, but I can’t take this for another day. This drug was pushed out and jammed down people's throats too soon. I was told nothing would affect me like that because of my low count and healthy lifestyle!"

• 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."

• wom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I have just done 8 weeks, and I'm on a 24-week course. I'm 54. My enzymes have come down to 51 and the other 19. I'm having monthly bloods done, and my liver function is normal now. I had slight pain under my ribs probably 8 times over a 3-week period, but it has gone now, maybe my liver adapting to the change. Mild headaches, dizzy. I was on interferon and ribavirin, but relapsed. I'm hoping this works."

• Fin...
• November 8, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Well, I was diagnosed with Hep C 5 years ago. I was way too scared to do interferon, so I never went for treatment! Now that Harvoni came out, I decided to give it a try, and it's been 11 days, and the only side effects I'm experiencing are headaches! Headaches all day, every day! It's horrible, but I guess it could be worse! I am trying to drink plenty of water, keeping my fingers crossed!"

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I took this medication for 8 weeks. The first 2 nights I had headaches, but nothing I couldn't deal with. That is the ONLY time I could even tell I was on the medication. There is no trace of the virus in my blood work. This medication is FABULOUS, it worked for me, and I would recommend it to anyone. There is a newer drug out now where you don't even have to go get blood work throughout the process. Science is awesome."

• Hep...
• June 3, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Been carrying the virus around for 40 years. Starting week 9 of a 12-week treatment. Drug is easy to use, take a pill once a day, that is it. Side effects for me have been: exhaustive tiredness, reduced motivation, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, pain, flatulence, some nausea, a few headaches, blurry vision, inflammatory flares of the GI tract, tinnitus during the flares, bouts of depression, feeling not so much sick as just feeling really low. Can only eat very small portions of anything; also have constipation. Oh, and must mention the weird heightened sense of smell. Symptoms have gradually increased as weeks go by. At first sporadic but now almost daily. I suppose because of the med buildup in my body. It's not a cakewalk, but it's what we've got. Counting down the days until I can begin restoring and healing. Thinking about time at a spa resort to jump-start things, massage, some chiropractic adjustments, etc. as I begin to build back stamina and strength. Good luck and take care!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2017

For Hepatitis C "In week ten and getting through it, but the side effects are difficult. Fatigue and cloudy-minded, as well as headaches and nausea. It's worth it though. I fought my insurance company for 2 years and finally bought it overseas myself for 1100."

• Rid...
• May 5, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Started Harvoni 6 days ago, so far, no side effects, or maybe a little concentration problem at times (brain fog). Not sure if that's part of it or just because I'm an old fart, LOL. 3 weeks in, and the only side effects are a headache and feeling flushed at times. I go in next week for the 4th tests, I'm praying there is improvement."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Today I took the number 28, and tomorrow a visit with the doctor, and analysis of blood and urine to see how it works ... I'll tell you how it is. Side effects: only headache one day and two days of nausea, but all very light."