Epclusa for Hepatitis C User Reviews (Page 3)

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

"I have been taking Epclusa now for 4 weeks, and the main side effects are as they say: nausea (but haven’t actually thrown up, just a strong feeling) and extreme tiredness (you’ll sleep for a couple of days if you're not on a schedule). Your fluid intake needs to double with this medication!! I’ve been having diarrhea, and it is very easy to get dehydrated, which can cause other problems. Other side effects have been tolerable. I have genotype 1a chronic hepatitis C. And before taking this medicine, I was very weak, and the brain fog was so extreme it had me depressed. Now the cloud is starting to clear, and my strength is coming back too. I too was nervous about taking it, as we all are, but it is worth it to me so I can have a fresh start. Good luck!!!"

• DoT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2022

"I started taking Epclusa about a year and a half ago, and the symptoms have still not gone away. I have this horrible dysphoric restlessness in my legs, which causes me to rapidly cross and uncross my legs while crying out, “Oh God, please take it away” over and over again. Plus, my stomach feels funny, and I’m nauseous all the time. My hands and feet feel tingly, and I’m extremely depressed all the time. It feels as though my hormones are unbalanced, and the restlessness in my leg feels like I am withdrawing off of opiates or benzos x10. The doctors just say that Epclusa couldn’t have caused this. I feel as though I’m doomed for life."

• Rvc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2022

"I am a male 64 years old. I contracted hep C when I was 19. If I had not been as young as I was, it would have been fatal. I passed on all the treatments, like interferon, etc. In 2005, I had a liver biopsy, and it showed mild fibrosis. In 2017, my gastroenterologist ran tests and a CT scan and determined F4 fibrosis. After further testing, he recommended Epclusa, it had none of the problems interferon had. So, in May 2017, I started my 90-day $72,000 journey to a place that was not told to me. Yes, I am virus-free, but in 4.5 years of no virus, I went from stage 4 fibrosis to stage 4 cirrhosis and liver cancer... it took 40 years to get to stage 4 fibrosis and only 4 years after Epclusa to full-blown cirrhosis and cancer, all for a mere $72,000. The thing not told is that once the virus is gone, all the long, slow-moving damage accelerated because the virus was keeping itself in check, when the liver did not have to fend off the virus anymore, the damage grew by 10."

• Gra...
• September 20, 2019

"I’m on my fourth day. So far, no side effects, no headache, fatigue, nausea, insomnia, or diarrhea, nothing. I put this off after my trip thinking I was going to feel terrible after reading all the reviews. Maybe it’s too soon to tell, I’ll update later."

• Hpa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2020

"I was tired before with Hep C, but on Epclusa this is exhausting to a whole new level. I've had migraines, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. For a month of taking it, it was causing asthma exacerbation along with thrush. The thrush was horrible. I have five weeks left, and I am looking forward to feeling better. My color came back, and during the second month, I have had good days where I've had energy. I didn't have that before. I also broke out in a rash like shingles and scabies mixed on my neck and arms. I refuse to stop taking it though. The shortness of breath is better than the first month. I have ringing in the ears a lot. My blood pressure is higher than usual. My body is usually aching. The exhaustion from it is the worst because I have never felt so tired in my whole life."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

"I took my last dose of Epclusa on Aug. 13, 2019. I had hep C/geno 3. Last tested to see if I was still carrying the virus was negative. I did very well on this medication. I'm still having an upset stomach, but my energy has returned, my bruising and the overall color of my skin are great. I do feel much better. I was very anxious throughout taking the medication, and I'm still worried about it returning or some side effect attacking my body. I believe I should have been on a nerve pill as I did have trouble sleeping with racing thoughts and being worried. But happy about being negative. Very much recommended."

• Anonymous
• July 2, 2020

"I have now completed Epclusa! I am 2 months post treatment! I am still NEGATIVE! So it does work! I wanted to share my experience because some of you who are concerned about the side effects should be! Yes, I am treated, but now the COVID is going around. I have been left with near to no immune system to fight anything else off! I don't know for sure the Epclusa did this. But I got a yeast infection during treatment, probably from the Epclusa, and fought for 2 months to get rid of it. I ended up at my doctor after test results from the past 3 months of blood work from 3 different docs. I have found out my WBC is down to a 4 and has remained there since I completed treatment. I am now susceptible to catching basically anything and having no immune system left to fight it off. During treatment, I did not sleep for 3 months! I lost 20 pounds, was left with migraines every night, night sweats, and the list goes on. I am still weak every day in my arms and legs!"

• Bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2017

"I just started my Hep C treatment. I have genotype 2, and I'm going on my second week taking Epclusa. I contracted Hep C using drugs intravenously and have been infected for 48 years. All the time I've had it, I never felt fatigue or had any other symptoms of Hep C. I'm 67 years old, anyway, I haven't had any side effects. I don't want to talk too quickly, but I feel better. I do a little exercise to keep myself strong. So far, I feel much better."

• Rei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

"I was really scared to take the treatment at first but got into it. I have tiredness every day and a few headaches, but manageable. I took it every morning at 9 am for the 12 weeks. I was lucky, I had a very good nurse and pharmacist on my team. Hope I get the all clear on my last blood test in Dec 2019, things are looking good so far. I hope you all have a good journey. Good luck to all."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

"Three months after finishing Epclusa medication, blisters on body, aches and pains worse. Headaches too. I personally am scared out of my mind. I might be cured of hep C, but Epclusa has caused other issues, and getting well from side effects is another thing. I will update after the last blood test in two weeks, if they let me. I hope you all recovered after the cure."

• Sex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

"I’m a 37-year-old female. I have been on Epclusa for 5 days, and I have missed almost every day I’ve had to work. I have literally slept the whole time. I really hope this sleepy and nauseous feeling goes away! I’m going to lose my job as I’m so tired I can hardly write this! I’ve been drinking tons of water. I’ll let everyone know how I am later if I’m awake to tell you."

• Skp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2018

"Ruined my life, feel like I'm dying every day. Don't believe all these miracle stories you read. It's been over a year for me now, and I'm getting worse every day. Even the people that had no side effects when taking it are now showing up down the road."

• Tha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2018

"I am on day 4, and I feel GREAT! I had to check right back in because I haven't felt like this in years! The medication makes me tired, but not as bad as my Hep C. I am genotype 1 and don't know my viral load. I am so thankful for Gilead's scientists for developing this LIFESAVING medicine. Words cannot express how grateful I am for being able to finally get this medication. Yesterday, I was able to finally take my grandchildren to the store and buy them a present. Before the medication, I could not even leave my house, and yesterday was a gift. THANK YOU! I hope and pray everyone with Hep C is given this opportunity to receive this lifesaving medication. Hopefully, the cost will go down so everyone can have a new lease on life. I will check in after my first blood test. Good luck to everyone, I am truly THANKFUL! And thank everyone for your feedback, especially the drinking water part, it truly helps!"

• Gyp...
• February 13, 2019

"I was diagnosed with Hep C on 12/19/18. My healthcare provider was just as shocked as I was, no history of INDU or IVDU, no blood transfusions. Never had any blood work with elevated liver numbers or anything to cause concern. Several tattoos and piercings done in my youth could be a source, and shared grooming tools with an ex-partner. Specialist said I’ve most likely been infected 5-10 years. I have genotype 1A, a viral load of 1.5 million. I’ve been taking Epclusa for 7 days. I read most of the user reviews on this blog and was somewhat skeptical about starting. The success rate of being cured far outweighs any doubt I have. The only side effects thus far have been nausea (waves within an hour), headache (I then followed the increased water intake advice, which seems to help), and unusual tiredness (increases each day), and the strangest effect: I have lost my sense of taste! It’s maddening. All of these symptoms/effects are tolerable."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2016

"I am on week 11 of 12. Almost done! I have genotype 3a. I have only had hep C for two years, but it's been a rough two years. I already have stage two liver fibrosis, as well as fatty liver disease, not to mention my liver enzymes had consistently stayed around 90 and 200. I learned that genotype 3 can be very aggressive. Even though my doctor told me this medicine should work great for me, I was still worried it wouldn't work for me. The first couple of weeks taking Epclusa, I was more fatigued than usual, but that side effect subsided. I haven't really had any other side effects at all! Since six weeks in, my viral load is undetectable, and my liver enzymes are back to normal levels for the first time in two years!"

• ama...
• February 26, 2023

"I'm on my last 27 days of this medicine. I was told no side effects except for maybe headaches. The longer I've been on it, the worse it's gotten. I cry every day I have to take it, have migraines daily, can't sleep, and when I do, I get awful nightmares. I also am having bad abdominal pains, feeling freezing cold, muscle aches, weakness, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and feeling tired all the time and irritable, feel depressed, and emotionally unstable. I wasn't expecting this. I got blood work done today since the side effects have doubled just this last month. Had no issues feeling sick with my Hepatitis C prior, but my levels were elevated, so I decided to treat it. I think I made a grave mistake."

• Mr ...
• May 11, 2021

"Took Epclusa mid-2018, had no Hep C symptoms, went to the doctor for a stomach ache. Test showed Hep C, no liver damage. Felt sick every day taking Epclusa, my side effects are nausea, headache, fatigue, body aches. Doctor said keep taking it. Hep C was cleared, but now, three years later, I am so ill. I am in so much pain all over, it hurts to move. I also have nausea, weight loss, sleep issues, the list goes on. I was not sick like this before Epclusa, but it's been like this since I took this medication. Been told I have fibromyalgia. All I know is this medication has ruined my life, and I live with extreme pain every day. If I could go back, I would never have taken it."

• Fiz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2017

"I am into day 36 of 84-day (12 weeks) treatment. An hour after taking my first dose, I could definitely feel the medication coursing through my body. The first 14 days were the worst. Some headache, slight depression. I started feeling much better after 3 weeks. I had blood work done after 30 days, and ALT and AST are way down. I feel much better, and the incredible burning itches I had before treatment started have stopped. It can tire you, but a nap can really help. My appetite has gone through the roof, which is a good thing for me. I am really optimistic about beating this. I have had HCV since the mid-1980s. Here's hoping that the rest of my treatment goes well. Good luck to everyone!"

• Tw ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2024

"Contracted Hep C in 1991, am a lab technician, took Interferon in 1992 for 6 months. The only side effects I had while taking it was a really bad feeling of the flu for the first month. Didn't work. Have lived a very healthy life, but my doctor and family members talked me into taking Epclusa for fear that later in life the Hep C might start causing me problems. The first week I started having fatigue, brain fog which has never left, anxiety, loss of appetite. I was working a full-time job and had to quit because I didn't have the energy to get up in the morning and get ready, nor the energy to sit at a desk for 8 hours. Now I have started having irregular heartbeats that I never had before and still no energy. My Epclusa cost $91,000 for a 3-month supply. My Hep C is gone but if I had to do it over again, I would NOT take it."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2017

"Follow-up to 2/13/17 post. I am 3/4 of the way through my 12-week treatment for Hep C Genotype 3 with Epclusa, and only 2 weeks into the treatment, my blood work was already showing the virus as 'undetectable,' and all my numbers back in normal ranges. I've been back for blood work twice since the first blood work, and the virus is still undetectable, and all #'s excellent! Less than 4 weeks to go, and hoping for the best! Good luck to all!"

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2019

"I'm 7 weeks into my 12-week course of Epclusa after having Hep C genotype 3A for about 10 years, and I'm 44. I had not been aware of my Hep C until a month before I started Epclusa and had some aggravating symptoms: lethargy, general malaise, sore eyes, slight memory lapses, and reduced motivation. Since starting my course, I was initially much more energetic, which subsidized to what I consider feeling normal after a week or so. I have been having mild sleeping issues, almost like very light sleeping. My eyes are nearly back to normal again. I have tinnitus, which can be annoying, but is generally bearable. 60% of the time I wake feeling unrested and find it difficult to get out of bed, but a quick strong coffee cures that. I take my medication at 9:30 a.m. sharp, which works for me. In general, I feel much better, I am back at the gym 6 days a week and haven't felt the desire to skip gym days through feeling tired or unwell at all. Highly recommended."

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2021

"Day 5 on generic Epclusa. Haven't experienced any side effects. Sleeping very sound at night, which I haven't done in over a year. My liver feels tender at times, I think it's because it's been working so hard over the last few years and is trying to heal. I've been clean for 3 years and currently taking Suboxone. Extremely grateful there is a cure and will chime in again after my treatment is completed. Idk what stage my liver is in, haven't seen my doctor since I had my liver ultrasound and fibro scan. Will ask these questions at my next appointment."

• Lig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2019

"I completed Epclusa treatment in August 2018 and was cleared hep C free in September. During treatment, I didn't have any major physical side effects except for tinnitus, but I was very moody, depressed, short-tempered, and had anxiety. Nine months on, I still have tinnitus, but that's the least of my worries. I have allergies, which I never had before, and I am always sick now. I now have leaky gut syndrome and have some food intolerances. The most challenging thing is having depression and anxiety. Some days, I feel a burst of sadness and depression where I would be affected the entire day, and it has become frequent, but I'm lucky to have a very supportive partner who's there for me. I have absolutely nothing to be depressed about, but I get these feelings. I refuse to fall victim to taking big pharma's antidepressants. Epclusa has maybe saved my life, which I am very grateful for, but I am annoyed that it's priced at 80K for treatment! I no longer have hep C, but it did come at a price. Time to detox."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2019

"I was diagnosed with Hep C in February 2019. 56-year-old male. Started Epclusa April 22nd. After 31 days, had blood work. No signs of virus. I will finish the 90 days in July. Only real side effect: tiredness and fatigue about 2–3 PM each day. One pill daily at 7 AM. Miracle drug! Very happy. My insurance covers it all!"

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2018

"I’m 61, and I’ve had Hep C for over 30 years. My viral load was almost 2 million. It went down to 0 within my first month, with no negative side effects, and my enzymes are normal. I’ve got 8 more weeks to go. Hope it stays away forever... God bless!"