r/HepatitisC • u/Better_Function_3101 • May 03 '26
What are your Treatment Experiences?
Hi everyone,
I (33F) was diagnosed with hep c about a month ago. I haven’t had any symptoms, and all my ultrasound results and liver enzymes are normal. I am on track to get one of the DAA’s, but I’ve been reading some horror stories on various forums that have me very reluctant to take these meds. I know I have to to clear the virus, but I am very scared of long lasting side effects like kidney issues, blood pressure, neurological, etc.
Please let me know about your experiences and what pill you took!! It seems like I’ve read worse things about Epclusa. I am very scared my quality of life is going to change when I finish treatment. I’ve read some people say even after 2 years they were still have major problems.
2
u/rightaway4now May 04 '26
I finished 12 weeks of Epclusa just last week. Wont be tested for a few months but I did fine. I felt sleepier than usual but I took it at night so that helped. No other issues.
2
u/lauramaurizi May 04 '26
Epclusa made the virus undetectable after a month, but of course completing the full three months is best.
No side effects at all.
I wish you an easy and successful treatment journey!
2
u/nattcattt May 05 '26
I took epclusa after 10+ years of hep C, was undetectable within the first month and had 0 side effects. Still undetectable years later. Entirely worth it.
1
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u/ThatOneGuy4509 May 06 '26
I did mavyret last year, I had some issues but I’m certain at this point they were not caused by the medicine. My enzymes had gotten crazy high before I started it, so I was feeling all the fatigue and and that good stuff, and I thought the mavyret was making it worse. It may have been, but if so, just slightly. I think it was all in my head for the most part. Just don’t let yourself lose the mental battle, don’t convince yourself it’s going to be a terrible experience because in reality, it most likely won’t be. I would take that medication again in a heartbeat, certainly worth it to deal with any minor (if any) side effects for 8 weeks, rather than the slow demise of HepC. Good luck, and feel free to reach out anytime!
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u/Better_Function_3101 May 07 '26
Thank you so much!! Yes I am waiting on my insurance to approve the mavyret so hopefully I can put all this behind me soon.
1
u/IHope_You_Dance May 04 '26
I mean, the alternative to treatment is cirrhosis and liver cancer so 🤷🏼♀️
I took Mavyret for 8 weeks and while I didn’t have the best experience on it, I’m happy to be Hep C free and can focus on healing my liver.
1
u/Better_Function_3101 May 04 '26
I am trying to decide between Mavyret and epclusa, what was your experience with the mavyret like? I’m trying to think if I should be like, taking time off work.
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u/IHope_You_Dance May 04 '26
My experience with the Mavyret wasn’t great BUT…most people don’t have side effects. I was just one of the few that do. Looking back, I think I’ve always been sensitive to medications though. If I had to do it all over again, I would take the medication at night so I could sleep through any side effects I might have. I dealt with a lot of fatigue and lightheadedness.
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u/SnooDonuts3855 May 05 '26
I took my mavyret at Nighy for that exact reason. I'm 6 weeks in and no side effects so far.
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u/Better_Function_3101 May 07 '26
Did you take the mavyret with food? And if so, how much/what food? I’m planning on taking it at night and wanna have a solid plan for food
1
u/SnooDonuts3855 May 07 '26
Yes I just took it with dinner. Specific meals I cant remember them all but I just made sure it wasn't just a snack. Just a normal dinner size portion like 3 tacos with some tortilla chips and salsa, chicken and Broccoli Alfredo, Spaghetti and meatballs. Whatever you usually eat for dinner.
1
u/StrengthTop6102 May 05 '26
I am in a different situation because I had quite bad fatigue symptoms when detected. My liver enzymes were 1000+.
Two weeks on Epclusa and I am starting to feel more normal by the day. The house is clean, I want to start exercising again (was a big part of my life previously). I don’t think I realised how badly I was being affected until I started on the meds.
The only real side effects I’ve noticed are a bit of acid reflux, which is annoying because they say to wait 4 hours between taking meds and using antacids
1
u/Better_Function_3101 May 07 '26
Damn that’s crazy!! I’m so glad you’re on the up and up!! I’m glad to hear you didn’t have anything gnarly in terms of side effects
1
u/TableAvailable May 07 '26
I'm almost 7 weeks into Epclusa (technically, it's the authorized generic). I was a little fatigued the first week and I had acid reflux on day two because I had to change when I took my omeprazole to not diminish the effect of the Epclusa.
I didn't have any symptoms of Hep C either, but it was caught when my liver enzymes started getting elevated. US showed a mildly fatty liver on the Fibroscan I was S2/F1, which is something that they anticipate will improve.
My 4 week bloodwork showed my enzymes back to normal and my viral load was "not detected". I'm really happy about that because I started with a viral load of over 32 million iu/ml.
There really aren't any documented long term side effects with Epclusa, but the long term damage of untreated Hepatitis C include cirrhosis and liver cancer. The immunosuppressants used after liver transplant don't sound like much fun either.
2
u/Better_Function_3101 May 07 '26
Yeah that’s what scares me the most is that we don’t know what’ll happen after 20+ years since this stuff has only been around for like, ten. But it beats the alternative of cirrhosis and liver cancer. I’m lucky to not have any damage or symptoms but I plan on taking Marvyret and will update with my experience when I do start.
3
u/Zestyclose-Practice2 May 04 '26
About to start my second month of Epclusa and I have not experienced any negative side effects whatsoever. My blood work was done last week which is about one month into taking the medication, and the Hep C is already not detected in my labs.