Ledipasvir / sofosbuvir and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Jam...
• March 18, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I am on a 24-week regimen and into my 12th week. Some increased fatigue, way too much gas, increased appetite, and some insomnia are my current side effects. These are nothing compared to Interferon/Ribavirin. My only disappointment is my doctor told me that my fatigue might not improve due to the fact that I have cirrhosis, but my blood work (low platelets, liver enzymes, and viral count) is all normal. She told me that some of the fog associated with Hep C will be gone. I am very happy with the medication and course of treatment."

• joe...
• March 12, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Just completed 12 weeks of Harvoni two days ago. Had many side effects while on it, sudden sky-high blood pressure which I never had before. Dizziness, vertigo, severe insomnia. However, now that I have completed the medicine, I feel incredible. Like I've been born again. Overall, I would say if you can get through the side effects and stress of dealing with insurance, then go for it. I will have to see in 3 months if they killed the hep C completely, but in the meantime, I am going to enjoy every healthy, beautiful new day."

• Gat...
• March 2, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Been taking Harvoni thirteen days now. I never realized how bad I was till I started taking Harvoni. I feel ten years younger and have much more energy. Hard to go to sleep at night but not tired. My aches and pains in my wrist and hand have disappeared. I feel like I have a new life in front of me. I am 72 years old. Had Hep C since 1980 from transfusion. Good luck to all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I'm still in shock. No relapse this time. This was my fourth try at getting rid of Hep C. Harvoni was by far the easiest in terms of side effects. I took it for 12 weeks, trouble sleeping and headaches were my mild reactions to the drug. I was diagnosed in 2001. I suspect I was infected in the mid-'70s. This disease has been a constant reminder of my poor choices in my youth. I hope the guilt and shame I sometimes feel will abate. I did not want to die from this, leaving my family the knowledge I died of a self-administered disease. I quit drinking (30 years February 1, 2016) and believe this helped keep me healthy until this medical miracle. Peace, Mark"

• Bob...
• July 20, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Well, I can't say that it was easy. The thing that bothered me most was lack of sleep. Being tired all the time didn't help either. I have 1 pill left and I'm glad it is over. I am 63 years old and retired 5 years ago because of Hep C. At week 4, it was undetectable. Had to take it for 12 weeks. I am a Vietnam era vet, so that is probably where I caught it. If I am truly cured, then the first thing I am going to do is go back to work. Retirement is very boring, and now that I have all of this energy, I am sure that I would go nuts. Some people had no side effects, as you can see, I was not among the lucky ones. It was worth the torment to be free of Hep C."

• MNM...
• February 5, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Contracted Hep C in late teens. No symptoms until in my 50s (year 2000). Went on Interferon & Ribavirin for all of 2001. Brutal drug regimen with daily shots to go with it. Lost 40 pounds while eating 3 times my usual calorie intake. Basically like having the flu accompanied with diarrhea and bizarre emotional effects. Anxiously awaited a drug that could cure Genotype 4 and would be paid by my insurance. My excellent liver specialist and his care team pushed hard and got me approved. Started taking Harvoni 1st week at 5 pm in case I had a bad reaction, didn't want to be sick during the work day. Experienced increased insomnia, but no other side effects, so switched to mid-morning break time with food and the problem gone. I am extremely grateful!!"

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Remarkable! Have had Hep C for over 30 years. Asymptomatic. Started an 8-week course of Harvoni about 7 weeks ago. Viral load went from 2 million down to UNDETECTABLE! After just 28 days. Wow! Side effects are annoying but manageable. Have had headaches, fatigue, bloating, insomnia, and body aches. But I just rest when I need to. Don't give up hope!"

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

For Hepatitis C "It's 10 months post-Harvoni. Trust me when I say I felt better when I had Hep C, like 100% better taking my supplements, minerals, vitamins, herbs, spices. Never once in 15 years did my viral load reach over 40,000. I felt fine, to be honest. Yes, I said 40,000, nothing really for Gen type 1a. Now, 10 months post-Harvoni, it's over-the-top anxiety, really bad eyesight, itching 24/7, depression, vertigo, dizziness, head fog is constant, as is insomnia. I feel like I'm going nuts. There are plenty of sites on the net with folk in the same situation as me, if not worse. People are getting sick taking this toxic stuff."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Day 15 slight headache and insomnia. Other than that, no side effects. Helps if I drink plenty of water. I have severe panic attacks and was nervous about taking Harvoni, but taking the first pill was the hard part. Been a breeze, very excited to complete all meds. Update: just completed day 28, labs came back virus-free. Yay! Dr. said take for one more month and done. Sleeping much better, very excited. If you can't get meds covered, call the manufacturer for the medicine assistance program."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I have had Hep C for over 15 years and never treated. Genotype 4. I took Harvoni with Ribavirin for 12 weeks, and after the first 8, my viral load was negative. It feels good. After the first month, my skin tone came back to olive and not pasty white like before. I had diarrhea and insomnia, with nausea and very tired. It was well worth the symptoms to be free of this virus. I go back for my blood work in 2 1/2 months to see if I have been cured, but I am positive the results will be excellent. This is a miracle cure, and I feel very grateful to be able to receive it."

• Sha...
• August 28, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I contracted Hep C 1a thirty years ago. I am 53 years old and have stage 4 fibrosis. Started taking Harvoni one month ago and have had various side effects, including headaches, nausea, insomnia, and fatigue. Nothing I can't handle. On the upside, my red palms are fading to white, my spider nevi on my legs and chest are also fading and disappearing. I felt like a different person after 3 days on Harvoni. My brain fog started to clear, and my moods stabilized. I'm not saying that I don't have bad days, I do. The side effects are transitory, so hang in there. I have my first blood work due in two days' time. Hoping to see a significant drop in my viral load and hoping that my liver is recovering somewhat."

• jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Thanks so much for sharing your stories. Glad to hear I am not the only one with sides and appear to be all over the place with most people and alleviate here and there. So there is hope yet. Into my second day and feel ghastly. Threw up today 4 hours after taking the pill. The nausea got me. If this occurs within 5 hours of taking a pill, you are supposed to take another one. Not this chick! Sides kicked in first day. Muscle/joint pain, yuk taste in mouth, no appetite, insomnia, nausea, mild headache, exhaustion, weakness. I've been languishing in bed for 1 and 1/2 days. Am female Australian, 65 years old, 55 kg and 5 feet tall. I believe the smaller you are the harder treatment is or else I am just super sensitive...jilly"

• Beb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I'm 4 weeks into an 8-week course of Harvoni. The only side effect was one night of insomnia, followed by the occasional light headache. Amazingly, my scalp condition, which was very itchy and quite painful at times, began to clear within days. I was told a long time ago it was a side effect of the virus, which is genotype 1A. I'm a 52-year-old male, I go to the gym every other day, and life has resumed as normal. Looking forward to blood results next week. I will be back with information ASAP. Can't express my thanks enough for the help and the people who made it possible."

• hap...
• September 25, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Day 19, just received my first viral count, it is undetectable. Thank you, Lord, for Gilead. I still experience some fatigue and insomnia, but it does not bother me at all. I have about eight and a half more weeks to go, my doctor said I have to finish the treatments. I am truly happy!"

• myn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I have had fatigue, headache, insomnia, and nausea. It is still much better than the interferon and ribavirin meds. My doctor had hoped it would work, and I am now hep C free. His words, the only thing I am trying to do is to keep your liver from having cancer. He prescribed 6 months of Harvoni. My liver is eaten up with cirrhosis and will always have trouble with that. That will never go away, but now I at least have a fighting chance of it not getting any worse."

• Par...
• February 27, 2017

For Hepatitis C "The first week I took this med, it kicked my butt. My symptoms were fatigue, nausea, headache, and insomnia. I then started to drink a lot of water, and I was feeling so much better (fatigue here and there), but nothing you can't handle. Totally worth it!! Drink lots of water to stay hydrated!!!"

• MsN...
• February 13, 2017

For Hepatitis C "One month post-treatment of 8 weeks. I had quite a few side effects, the mood swings, insomnia, and depression were the worst. However, it was well worth it. My side effects wore off 2 weeks ago. I CAN'T STRESS IT ENOUGH, A WHOLE LOT OF WATER MINIMIZES THOSE SIDES. This was especially hard for me because, actually, I don't like water, but I had to drink plenty, and it worked 95% of the time. Unlike others, I actually lost weight due to the loss of appetite. Before treatment, I had the same problem. I said that to say it's different for some people. Just in case you happen to experience the side effects. Don't be discouraged, you never know how strong you are until you go through it. IT'S WORTH IT, I'M NEGATIVE FOR THE VIRUS."

• 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."

• 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."

• wis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I had interferon with ribavirin in 1993 with failed results, so when I heard about Harvoni, I was interested but skeptical. The cure rates made me try it since my insurance would cover it for 12 weeks. At the end, I'm glad it was over because I wasn't getting any sleep and going to work was getting harder for 10 hours a day. I took both 6 ribavirin and 1 Harvoni daily, and the last 4 weeks I took 4 ribavirin. It didn't matter, I still couldn't sleep. I waited 12 weeks, and the cure was in, but the nurse made it clear to stay off alcohol and watch out for being around blood. I had this virus for 36 years, so you know I'm very happy with the results."

• 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!!!"

• Int...
• March 23, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Finished the treatment. Killed the virus, but I lost all motivation. I was very active and athletic before treatment, but lost all motivation after treatment. Experienced insomnia during and after treatment. I had the feeling of being malnourished despite eating a very healthy diet during treatment and somewhat still. I finished my treatment almost a year ago. Not totally happy with this drug."

• Lbl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2016

For Hepatitis C "This is day 3 for me, I just found out I had Hep C about a year or so ago. I have had it for about 30 years. I never had any problems due to this virus, never even thought to be tested for it. I found many of my old friends on Facebook and was informed I better get checked. Well, I did, and I have it. It took me about 6 months to be approved by my insurance. I have only had slight headaches, and today had diarrhea. I already have problems sleeping, so I do use a sleep aid. I would like to thank everyone who has shared their story! I am on an eight-week program, and reading such positive outcomes really helps. I am hoping I do not get any more side effects, however, even if I do, it is so worth it! I am only 52, and I love life!"

• Jef...
• April 1, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I started my first Harvoni pill on 2/15 for my HEP-C genotype 1b (AST-55), which has been with me since 1969 through a blood transfusion. I believe. The virus was undetectable after the 4th week's blood test (AST-22) on 3/14. Minor side effects including bearable headache, stomach ache, and insomnia."