Sofosbuvir / velpatasvir for Hepatitis C User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2021

"I am a 46-year-old woman, and I have had Hep C genotype 4A for 29 years, with thankfully very little liver damage so far (it probably helps that I quit drinking 25 years ago). Tonight is my sixth night since starting the Epclusa—I had bizarrely dry lips the first two days despite drinking copious amounts of water (so dry they sort of tingled), but that seems to have passed. My main side effects so far are terribly raging mood swings and tiredness. But also I have a 16-month-old toddler, and we are living in a pandemic, and I work a pretty taxing job, so... who knows! I also just got a Covid vaccine three days ago, and there is definitely no data whether that might also be contributing. No other side effects so far, which is great because I was very worried about headaches and nausea. Feeling very grateful we all get to try this rather than the horrors of interferon. Will report back whether anything changes with the moodiness/fatigue."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2021

"I found out in December 2020 that I have hep C - I know I had to have gotten it within the past 3 to 4 years! I just started taking Epclusa yesterday on 4/13/21. I decided to start taking it in the middle of the afternoon in case the side effects were bad. Last night, about 8 or 9 hours after taking it, I started feeling pain on the inside of my ankle joints and felt my feet start feeling tingly - it would be okay while walking around, but the moment I sat or laid down, I started feeling it. It helped to elevate my feet. I didn't have that feeling this morning, but a few hours after taking it, the feeling started happening again and this time I am also getting the pain in my left elbow joint. I hope and pray that it doesn't get worse, but I am expecting to feel worse before I feel better! I hope and pray everyone with hep C can get through treatment, be cured, and never get it again! I will update again if side effects worsen."

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2019

"On my 8th day now. I get what everyone says about the brain fog and a few mild headaches, but it is manageable. If it stays like it has, then it's well worth the feeling a bit rough for a while - I think. Good luck to anyone else who's on Epclusa. I hope it works for you all."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2019

"I am on day 24 of taking Epclusa and so far just some headaches and brain fogginess, staying positive and nervous for the end result. Almost seems too good to be true to be cured from Hep C after 19 years with it. I have a 2-year-old to raise, so I really need it to work. My liver hurts every once in a while, but trying not to overanalyze if the medicine is working by my body aches. Lol."

• Cen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2017

"I am halfway through my 12 weeks. The side effects I've had are headaches almost daily, mainly in the evening. Most of my joints have discomfort/pain in my upper body. These issues are tolerable by all means. I do get exhausted easily. I did my first blood test last week, and it appears that the virus is gone. I am getting anemia according to the test as well. So far, none of these side effects are horrible, just annoying. Keeping the prayers going for us. Will update more later."

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

"I'm 51 F Hep C type 2. I just started taking the Epclusa. I'm 8 days in. I was expecting to be sick from it, but NO!! First day, I felt less fatigue. Less pain. Not having any bad side effects, a little more gas, and I feel a little irritated. Not to be gross, but I noticed my stool looked dark green. I'm very pleased with the lack of side effects and hope it continues to be the same through treatment and, of course, that it's working and rids my body of this horrible virus. I pray for all of us every night that we get cured. I'll update when I do my blood work on week 4. God bless everyone."

• Xju...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2018

"I have hep C genotype 2b, viral load over 10 million. I started Epclusa 4 days ago. I was really excited, as for the first two days I had absolutely no side effects. Now, relentless overproduction of stomach acid. My stomach is on fire, and I feel like I want to throw up all the time. I pray this goes away. I was an IV drug user for over 20 years and an alcoholic. I walked away from both of those deadly habits. Now I just want to get rid of this horrible virus."

• H j...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2017

"I did the 12-week treatment of Epclusa. I am genotype 2. I started with 12,000,000 million, I am now hep C free. I have one more blood test left at the 3-month blood test. Anyway, here lately I have been feeling bad headaches, a rash, nauseated, and I'm just not sure what could be going on. Has anyone else had side effects even after taking the meds? During the treatment, it wasn't terribly bad, and I had some really good days as well."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2018

"Let me say when I was first put on Mavyret. Within 3 days, I had the first psychotic episode of my life.....side effects they don't mention. Epclusa was fantastic, though. Day 1, I could feel the medicine hit, and I could also feel when it was metabolized a few hours later. I felt high day 1, but after that, not really. Honestly, maybe some mild relaxing effect. My first bloodwork came back viral load undetected and subsequent tests the same. I am done with the medicine now. Overall, I had such mild side effects it is hard to say that they even were side effects. I felt really tired for about 3 days after completing the medicine. Maybe a few slight headaches. I made sure to drink 90 oz of water a day and took the meds with food in the evening. These definitely helped curb side effects. If you feel sick at all, drink more pure water and take the meds with food."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

"Started taking the drug a month ago. Mild headache, a bit hard to sleep for a couple of weeks. Felt very emotional for about a week, but that went away. All in all, very little side effects compared to interferon, which I had to stop prematurely due to anger from the drug. Really gotta drink a bunch of water on this one. Dry mouth is helped with OTC Biotene mouthwash. When I wake up, I swish with that and it helps. Cheers!"

• Jew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2017

"I was diagnosed in May of last year, only because my Dr. wanted to 'rule out' HepC, but instead, I was one of the many 'unlucky' baby boomers that tested positive. I have Type 4, and I have/had no symptoms or indication of the virus except the positive blood test. I was also diagnosed with MALT lymphoma at the same time. I completed radiation therapy for the cancer in Dec 2016 and waited for the HepC treatment until the effects of radiation had passed. I started Epclusa 2 weeks ago, and I've had 0, none, nada side effects. In fact, I'm feeling pretty darn good! I've been worried that it's not working since I'm feeling nothing, but seeing that several people on this forum have had no side effects and a complete cure makes me very happy!"

• Mar...
• February 22, 2017

"I have hep C genotype 1, and I've had it for many years, I assume. Found out 13 years ago, but suspect I have had it for over 20. I have wanted treatment for many years, but raising a family and homeschooling my children, I just couldn't imagine feeling like I have the flu for a year. I'm so thankful for this medicine. I've had headaches and tiredness, some nausea, but I also have many great days with lots of energy. I have 29 more days to go, and I'm so thankful and excited about having this wonderful opportunity to get rid of this and only having to pay a $5 copayment. I am 53. Today is 2/22/17."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2018

"Wanted to update my first post. The Epclusa for me has been awesome. Some fatigue and I have ringing in my ears (tinnitus?), but this has been mild. I have 18 days left to go, my numbers are good with no sign of hepatitis C. :) I knew I had it for a long time but was not insured, and the price was prohibitive, so I just lived with it. I had no idea how much of a mental burden that was until it was lifted. I am feeling healthy and free. If this is available to you and you're on the fence, just do it! To the people who are struggling, God bless and do not give up!"

• Joe...
• March 1, 2017

"I finished taking Epclusa in November 2016 after it was found that I still had hepatitis C genotype 3, even after I was treated in 2005 on an interferon ribavirin regimen for 26 weeks. Just two days ago, I received the news from my infectious disease doctor that Epclusa did not work, that I still have been found positive with the hepatitis C virus. For my wife and me, this is very sad news, and we are at a loss now as to what to do. My doctor is at a loss, and he has no clue on what to do next. I am reaching out to anyone that is reading this if they have known anybody that has taken this new drug and it has failed them, what were the next steps that they took."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2019

"I've had hep C since 1994, and in 2010, I did the interferon, and it damn near killed me. Then, two years ago, I did the Vicaire pack, and it made my body swell up so bad that I had to be admitted into the hospital five different times for five days at a time. So I just started the Epclusa, I am two months into it, and I am undetected. At first, the only side effect I had was nausea, but now I'm extremely tired, and I'm having a lot of pain around where my liver sits, at the front side to back. But other than that, the medication is working great. I think I got about a month and a week left, something like that, I'll be done with my treatment March 1st. I've been on it since the end of November. I would highly recommend this medication for Hep C patients, this is the third one that I've tried and the only one that I've had success with so far."

• Kei...
• April 25, 2024

"Had type 1A. Just finished 3 weeks ago. Why they wanted to take Epclusa and not Mavyret, I have no idea. They both cure type 1A. I had no problems and no side effects. It was a piece of cake. This is a miracle since I have cancer too and take a chemo pill for years. Maybe it toughened me up ahead of time. I was with no viral load after the first month. Will take a test in June to make sure it's gone for good."

• Han...
• July 31, 2019

"I just finished my first month. Although I haven’t gotten my blood work yet, I’ll share side effects. I wasn’t really coached on a lot and was told that the time of day you take it, day or night, doesn’t matter. Well, it does. Dr. said a lot of people have more problems if taking it at night. Did for me at least. I ended up in the ER on night three from uncontrollable vomiting, ear ringing, and migraines that woke me in the dead of night (all 3 nights). I switched to morning and had to be put on Zofran for nausea, and ibuprofen is an everyday thing. My liver aches randomly and never did before. The only symptoms I have now are migraines and tiredness. I must also note I am tapering off methadone, so I’m more moody, anxious already, and everything is heightened. Didn’t really consider the effect it’d have on me doing both, but my GI doctor wouldn’t stop pushing treatment on me. But also, I’m happy I did it and hopeful. The beginning was just a little tough."

• Sto...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2019

"After 3 weeks on Epclusa and no Hep C virus detected. First 4 days had brain fog, mild headaches, and muscle cramping. I'm in the 9th week, I feel pretty good. Ringing in the ears has started. I go to the gym to help with cramping. Eat every few hours and drink plenty of water."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

"Week 2 of Epclusa. Severe headaches that do not go away no matter how much water I drink. Tired a lot. Have to work, so I'm doing my best. Avoiding caffeine helps, but I'm still dizzy and weak. Having strange dreams and mood swings. But I want to be cured, so I'm keeping in close contact with my doctor and praying it gets better."

• Ski...
• December 7, 2016

"It's been ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE!!! The first week, whole body shaking. Had to start anxiety medicines. Headaches. Urinary tract pain, bladder pain since day 3, it is going on week 7 with this pain. Will be glad when it is over!!!"

• Any...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2025

"Just wanted to update my prior post from December. Since completing treatment, my viral load came back at zero. It had been at 20 at my midpoint check-up. I’ve had no side effects or issues since completing treatment in January. Please take this medication if you need it. Not worrying about hep C every day has been wonderful!"

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2023

"I was sent to prison in 2016. I was diagnosed with hep C in 1995, and I estimated I had it for 20 years at that point. I was given Epclusa while incarcerated, one pill a day for 85 days. Genotype 3. I experienced no side effects, and I was cleared of my hep C. I was released in 2018, as of now, I am cleared of hep C and very grateful."

• Sai...
• June 15, 2018

"Had hep C 2b, viral load 6 million. From the first day through the 12-week regimen, I had no side effects. Actually felt great the whole time, before starting, was tired all the time, lost weight, and just felt bad all the time. Took my last dose May 2nd, will take another blood test in August, am praying it will be negative!"

• Fre...
• September 8, 2017

"I was diagnosed with Hep C and chronic cirrhosis stage 3 a day after my 62nd birthday. I have been in recovery from alcohol and drugs for over 32 years but was an IV user in 1974. Total surprise and shock. I felt fatigue this last year, had some discomfort in my stomach area, and some nosebleeds, as well as headaches. I have always been healthy, and this was out of the ordinary for me. I have been on Epclusa for 6 weeks and feel so much better. Very minimal side effects of headache and joint pain, as well as sweating, especially when in direct sunlight. I am so pleased with this treatment and thankful every day when I take the medication. Co-pay of $5.00 is amazing."

• Ilo...
• April 5, 2017

"I've had Hep C for 42 years, unknown to me. Had an ocular migraine and ended up in the hospital to find I had low platelets, which led to Hep C diagnosis. First month sick as can be: nausea, headache, fatigue, and insomnia. But after 4 weeks, no Hep C detected! I'm almost done with my second month, and symptoms wax and wane-mostly nausea and fatigue. Hoping that after the next month, my results are still perfect and that I am cured."