It is AWESOME!!! I also am a Harvoni Success story... UNDETECTIVE is a good thing

Good for you. I have the Harvoni in hand but cannot start until Dec 4th. After 4 previous tries at old fashion treatment this should be a breeze. looking forward to starting and then finishing. Hope to get the same sleep results. Also was hoping it would clear up a skin rash that is probably a manifestation of the Hep C.

I have been reporting no side effects & compared to my other treatments this is true. However, I have had 2 minor headaches, a couple bouts of diarrhea easily managed and some heartburn. I don't take antacids but the Harvoni package insert says if you do take antacids take them at least 4 hours prior to taking Harvoni. All in all the side effects were minimal & have totally resolved. I just started month 2 on Thanksgiving. Still feeling great. The proof will be SVR 12.

@Conolpsaro. Some people report more fatigue with Harvoni but I sleep better than ever & wake up rested. I hope you have that result as well. I felt a difference within the first week. After you start keep us posted on the skin rash. It will be interesting to know if it clears. People tell me I look great, my skin "glows" & my eyes shine. I don't have a dog-tired look anymore. I bruised like a ripe peach & I've noticed if I do get bruised I heal quickly. It is remarkable! Congrats. So glad you have a start date!

Thank you Allabout for sharing your experience. I can totally relate to the "dog tired" look and all the sides with hep c. You are inspiring and we will continue to follow your progress. We are your biggest fans.

Best wishes on your journey to healing!

They found something that worked for you, AAL!!! I'm pretty positive that it would have worked for your late hubby, may he rest in peace.

If not antacids, can you take prilosec or zantac??? Would be good to know, I suppose.

It is so encouraging to know that sleep is much better and a healthy glow returns most definitely for my mother. Hell, for me too, lol. I never looked this tired or had so many skin problems (blemishes mostly) 7 years ago when the symptoms finally showed.

I will have to downright push my mother into tx. And after this Thanksgiving that she hosted sick as a dog with a nasty cold (low-grade fever) that came with laryngitis plus some hacking, hollow cough that I am pretty sure Big Foot would mistake as a mating call and appear, she better get on the horn and find out if she can get Harvoni. God willing.

She may never get rid of her peripheral neuropathy. Her legs look like C and D with an occasional "breakout" of A in the link below.

http://www.intechopen.com/source/html/44874/media/image1.png

Plus, she has Raynaud's when the temps go as low as 45-50 degrees F and lower.

http://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/4453/4453-4463-5538-12771.jpg

I was going to ask about healing bruises and cuts after the virus is being killed or gone, because I also bruise easily and my cuts/scraps/acne do not heal fast at all. Even leaving marks long after they are gone. Sigh.

Love, the rash or skin issues that are leaving scars may be what I have. The dermatologist calls it Lichen Plannuse. Google it to see,if might be what you have. It appears mostly around the wrist, hands, ankles, feet, and does appear to be like acne.

Thanks, Conolpsaro, I will look that up. It may very well be version of it.

I am so glad you have Harvoni ready to go on the 4th (sounds like you delayed tx to combat any ins mishaps. Good for you.) and looks like the "fifth time's the charm" for you!

@ Leo. Please pursue Harvoni for both you & your mom. You won't believe the difference in how you'll both look & feel.

Any geno 1s still waiting to do tx. Gilead & the right doc working with insurance will help ensure that everyone who needs Harvoni will get the right tx. Support Path offers solid assistance & will help both the patient & their doc with the process.

@AAL

I am grateful for the sentiment most definitely. My mother is stubborn and I think she likes playing the martyr with a hefty dose of guilt served to me when I go to any sort of doc. Specifically saying, "What a waste of time. Really. Have they done ANYTHING for you? What did that psychologist do for you each week when I had to sit out in the car or waiting room babysitting your kid and trying to keep him busy? What is the chiropractor doing for you now?? Is your dizziness any better?....."

Yada, yada, yada. I, for one, want the medicine and I have told her the great things about the new stuff, but she has done nothing to pursue it cause.......ya know......."what has that hepatologist done for me except cost me gas money and take blood in the 4 visits that I have been to her?"....ya know, stuff like that.

However, I did get a note from hep staff relaying what doc feels about my gallbladder removal, as I was wondering if I should do it before treatment or after? Basically, she said that the gallstones didn't appear to be in dire need of removing, but my surgeon and I can decide. And, that I can have the surgery whenever as she is unclear when I will be able to get the meds cause I have no known advanced fibrosis and the wait on ins for that may be awhile.

I just have to contend with this thorn in my side......oh....yeah, and my gallbladder ;))

@ Leo. I have gallstones as well. I opted against surgery. I was told when/if I have gallbladder "attacks" I will know it & we can address the issue then. As for getting tx. If your doc will prescribe it & your ins. denies it then appeals the decision & it is denied again the folks at Gilead will send you the meds free as long as your income is under $100,000. I don't have cirrhosis. I did have high ALT/AST & with no liver biopsy they are assuming my stage is stage 0-1. The 2 failed txs played a part as well as my symptoms. I hope you get tx & maybe then more real world stats will prove how much of a magic bullet Harvoni is & without side effects how much it will work for your mother.

Alright. Alright, AAL, you "twisted" my arm LOL. I know that since it is FDA approved that that should make it easier to acquire, but you know the routine. And, I would certainly hope that after 2 denials that Gilead would get me the much needed medicine. Kinda ironic that the manufacturer of the medicine will give it to you, but yet the insurance is denying people, so that they can keep the money.....

It's like having a headache and THEY are holding all the Excedrin!!!!! "Nope, not you. Not yet. Your headache isn't bad enough." Pfft....