now my typing is slurring... (LOL) * doing not ding.

I have had what I consider an easy-peasy tx with Harvoni. I did 2 failed txs with IFN/riba as well as Teleprevir.

I have been a full-time caregiver to my mother for the last 2 months as she battled terminal cancer. I started Harvoni on Halloween. I have had a couple of headaches. Very manageable & attributed them to stress from the emotional roller coaster I've been on. I sleep better than I have in decades & sleep longer but I feel much more well rested. I have always had constipation issues. I am now more regular but a regular person might find the side to be mild diarrhea.

My 2nd month meds will arrive Nov. 26. It will be over so quick. I am hopeful it is working! Won't know how I'm doing until my doc sends me for labs. I'm calling him Mon. now that I am back home.

Take heart. It is NOTHING like the old tx meds!!!! Best of luck. Hope everyone who needs this med gets it without additional delays.

AAL - your "sides" sound exactly like what i experienced on S&O.

My sleep has remained EXCELLENT even after stopping but i have returned to being less regular. Oh well...all good things...

Sorry for your loss and very happy you are BOTH on your way to cure.

Thatwhich - it's a 3mo tx (right) and before you know it you will be cured and it will all be a memory!

It's amazing for think I USED TO HAVE HCV!!

We started the same day, Alla! I'm also in a similar situation and am caregiving to 2 elderly folks through this. No doubt it's adding stress. Fortunately, the headaches have been mild. I'm pretty tired, though.

And Thanks, Warrior- just 8 weeks thank goodness!

I was prepared for the worst (peg/rib/sol), so I am quite grateful for Harvoni. I think part of the situation is that many people who are/have taken Harvoni perhaps compare the new side effects to the worst of what was and so report very little or mild side effects. I've not done any TX before so these effects are all spankin' new to me.

Also, it could be that with further progressed disease, there's more relief from overall symptoms of HCV as the Harvoni does its magic.

1/3 of the way through treatment. Brain fog is presenting now. Short term memory is s'not. Thought I started the dishwasher but didn't -started to put away dirty dishes-- doh. Milk & butter boiled over on the stove because I simply forgot it was on. Tears...

But I'm hanging on. This is temporary.

Good News! It's working!

"Component 6/26/2014 11/13/2014
HCV RNA SER PCR QN 317022 (H) 30 (H)
HCV RNA PCR QN 5.50 1.48

"Your viral load has decreased rapidly after starting treatment."

YAY!

So glad it is working for you thatwhich... 8 weeks is nothing.... really! So sorry you have side effects though.

I get labs done tomorrow. Wk 3 of 12. No side effects. Truly remarkable! Feel better. Convinced this is working & not just placebo effect or something. Follow-up with GI Thanksgiving week & I think I'll have so much to be thankful for.

what does placebo effect mean ??

TH-A placebo is anything that seems to be a "real" medical treatment -- but isn't. It could be a pill, a shot, or some other type of "fake" treatment. What all placebos have in common is that they do not contain an active substance meant to affect health. Therefore, if a person feels better on a placebo it is called placebo effect.

hmm never heard that...thanks ALLAB I will have to re read that one...

I'm reposting this here from my journal:

So... a place to find out more detailed info on Harvoni side effects is on the Sovaldi websites. However, finding information on ledipasvir is a more difficult challenge. I have noticed that with each passing day there seems to be more Harvoni information posted on the web at the various medical & support websites.

This is the drug insert for Harvoni- http://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_pi.pdf ... it only lists the 5 most common side effects: Fatigue, Headache, Nausea, Diarrhea, Insomnia.

Here is one of the many websites for Sovaldi: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/sovaldi-side-effects.html

For the Consumer

Applies to sofosbuvir: oral tablet: As well as its needed effects, sofosbuvir (the active ingredient contained in Sovaldi) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

If any of the following side effects occur while taking sofosbuvir, check with your doctor immediately:

More common
chills, fever, lower back or side pain
pale skin
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare
Changes in behavior
discouragement
feeling sad or empty
loss of interest or pleasure
thoughts of killing oneself
trouble concentrating

Some sofosbuvir side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

More common
Decreased appetite
diarrhea
difficulty with moving
fatigue
headache
irritability
lack or loss of strength
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pains or stiffness
nausea
rash or itching skin
trouble sleeping
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had a headache last night & had more aches & pains than is usual for me. I worked all day around the house & doing laundry. Nothing super heavy but I was busy & didn't hydrate as well as I usually do. I think that played a part in the Solvadi headache. Harvoni may have some side effects but so far the headache & 2 bouts of diarrhea have been easily managed. Feeling pretty good this morning.

thanks ALLAB take care of you ... you also have grief and family to settle all the issuesr with the loss of mom...be kind to you...get fresh air...breathe...in through the nose out through the mouth...oxgen i'n caron out...10x but will make you dizzy...sit down with this exercise
find peaceful moments and totally welcome them

i too am experiencing severe constipation, hot flashes which were over with last year, chills, gas so uncomfortable,my belly looks like im pregnant, also the flu like symtoms even the FDA complete file on Harvoni did not include the above sides accept flu like symptoms,i trying to find out why harvoni causes headaches,im on a low dose of zoloft,every morning im getting an episode of brain zaps, too many that iv'e ever experienced before, just as im arising from sleep,there has to be a connection

in reading your research on the sofobuvir, yes feeling down, irratibility, worse in morning i'd say about 12 of the common ones, there goes another pharmacutical F--CK up to the consumer.i've been on Har since june 12th,i feel the sides are getting worse,the last three days , i;ve been in bed,my energy goes down quickly,so i tell myself, its only temporary, i had breast cancer with chemo and 5yrs of those toxic meds, and the pegulated treatment,ones body can do all sorts of side effects from being compromised to begin with......spashsoul