Epclusa and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 2)

• UK ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Diagnosed 1 yr ago, Gen type 3, after other issues were being investigated. Now into my second week of treatment, no side effects to report, except tiredness and fatigue, which I was already experiencing for many years. I was also suffering from aches and pains, liver pain, and dare I say it, but I think I can already feel improvement, 'touch wood.' I have also been diagnosed with liver disease, not sure if the Hep C has caused this or my social drinking. I am now obviously abstaining. I go back for my first meds/blood check in a few days, I will keep you guys up to date, best wishes to you all. Thank you, Gilead and the UK NHS, without either, I suspect I would be on my way to the Grand Lodge Above."

• Fag...
• January 9, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I finished Epclusa 3 weeks ago. No virus showed in my last blood test. I had Hep C genotype 2. I am 65 years old and retired, so I was able to relax in bed when needed. I did have side effects that came and went. I drank 64 oz. of water as advised and ate small meals several times a day. My side effects were fatigue and what I called 'going under,' which seemed to happen around 4 to 5 hours after the pill. It felt like a hangover, not a headache. All I could do was go to bed and wait for it to pass, which it did in 1 to 2 hours. At night, I was totally tired. Now I am done, and I thought I'd be 100% better. Well, I still have bouts of tiredness, and my hair has thinned. I cannot complain. I am cured!!!! It was worth it, and I am grateful."

• sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I am thirty years old and have had hep C for about eight years. I was a very heavy IV drug user. After several years of abuse and horrible situations, I decided to get clean. I started Epclusa in February. Genotype 3a, the more aggressive one, and I did blood work after three weeks, and there is no indication of any hepatitis left. In either test. I will continue to take the medicine for the rest of the twelve weeks. And I had some side effects, in the first three weeks, it was worse: headaches, body aches, nausea, and fatigue. But now it's a lot better. Still some side effects, but they're not as prevalent. Definitely worth it in the whole scheme of things. Excited for a new chance in life."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I was on Epclusa, started Nov 24. I went from mild fatigue to not being able to function, weakness, fatigue about 3rd month, then hepatic and splenic swelling, then paralyzed stomach, colon spasms, GERD. It was a horrible last month. I am done with the pills finally, and being 65 years, I feel like I am at my end, no energy left, so now I have to recover slowly. So beware."

• cv2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Epclusa cured my chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1b, so it works. I took it for 3 months. Side effects were negligible: nausea, heartburn, fatigue. After therapy, HCV RNA negative, after 3 months, negative, and after 6 months, still negative."

• Non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Just took my last pill yesterday. Three months of Epclusa brought varying side effects monthly. First month— a crushing depression would come on approximately one hour after my dose. My mood would go from bright to dark like clockwork. If this happens to you, start dosing RIGHT BEFORE BEDTIME so you can sleep through the blues. It’s weird and rare, but IS a side effect. Second month- diarrhea, but my skin brightened and so did my eyes. Third month—fatigue. Some days I had to take three naps. And I’m usually manic/anxious and can go all day without ever sitting down. Not on Epclusa, though. It made me tired the last month. That being said, it was all bearable and controllable. I’m undetectable now and am also blessed because of this medicine."

• Bon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I took Epclusa about 5 years ago after being diagnosed with Hep C. I had gone to the doctor about lack of energy, I just knew something was not right. I got it about 30 years ago from sharing needles (not proud but honest), so I got on 3 months of Epclusa. It was horrible: headaches, bones hurt, irritable. Got clean from Hep C, but now osteoporosis, my legs hurt, I fatigue, hoping Hep C isn't back. I think my bones are deteriorating because of Epclusa. Started taking inflammatory, which helps."

• raa...
• September 7, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I have had Hep C for 20 plus years, maybe longer. Ten years ago, the procrit and interferon ten-month torture did nothing other than make me sicker than I have ever been for longer than I have ever been. Ten months of God knows what, tired, extreme flu-like symptoms, fatigue, diminished brain function, divorce, etc., etc., etc. Did not get rid of the virus and took at least six months to recover to 80% of my physical and mental capabilities. Ten years later, I am on my fourth week of Epclusa. Although the long-term effects of taking this are still unknown, I can say my side effects so far are minimal. A tolerable headache - less headache the more water I drink - fatigue, but manageable. Sleep just fine. No noticeable joint pain. No additional depression. So if this is all I will endure for the next eight weeks and it kills the virus with no long-term side effects, then this is truly a marvel of modern science."

• Fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I am on day 18. I had fatigue the first 4 days but have been feeling great since. They won't test my blood for 3 months after I finish the treatment, so I won't know until December. I figure I have had Hep C for 13 years. I was getting sick even though 2 top specialists said that my symptoms weren't from the Hep C. I knew they were, so now I know I was right all along. Trying to tell me I was crazy. I am hopeful for this treatment."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I am a 65-year-old female, type 2 with Hep C for the past 20+ years. Was treated last fall with Sovaldi and ribavirin. I lost 12 lbs, was always fatigued. All my blood tests were great, but the 3 months after treatment blood work indicated the virus was still there. Just started Epclusa 4 days ago and hope this will work. Have been fatigued with joint pain, but today I experienced a severe type of fatigue. Woke up this morning feeling okay, so I decided to mow both the back and front yards (and pull up weeds in the front). Our backyard is shady, but the front is 100% sun. After 30 minutes or so pushing the lawnmower through thick grass, I was overcome by severe fatigue and could barely walk to the garage. My hubby said it was too hot (93) and reminded me that my body is dealing with a strong medication. After resting for an hour, my energy returned, but I must be careful not to undertake strenuous activity for a while."

• rma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I have taken Epclusa for 12 weeks. The side effects were unbelievable: nausea, stomach cramps, irritability, sleep apnea, burning skin sensations, sore joints, headache, zero energy. I've been off the pill for 1 week and still feel awful, hoping this will pass. Docs said the only side effects I would have would be headache and fatigue - boy, were they mistaken. I am grateful for the opportunity I was given, but may have given it a second thought if I knew what I was going to go through. Now I'm just hoping my blood test comes back negative."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I'm 54, and I've had genotype 3 for about 17 years from heavy drug use. The first 4 weeks of starting Epclusa, I had headaches on a daily basis, and I'm not a headache person. Along with that was fatigue, tiredness, and a gassy tummy. I take my dose about 1 hour before bed, and I sleep extremely well. I have 2 weeks to go, and now I'm starting to feel extremely nauseated off and on. It also caused me to have sensitivity to the sun and tan very easily. I had to take allergy meds for it, as it caused a rash. It all sounds bad, but it's a small price to pay for what I have put myself through, and I have a lot of faith that I will be cured. My doctor says he will do blood work 3 months after I have been off to get an accurate reading."

• Man...
• June 20, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I am on week 7 of my treatment, and I have had severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fatigue. My doctor says she doesn't understand why I'm having these side effects and doesn't seem to want to do anything to help alleviate them. I'm going through a clinic that has helped me get my medication for FREE through the Gilead Support Path Program. The people who work for this program are so helpful and wonderful! It took me a couple of months from the first doctor's appointment until the medication finally arrived at my doorstep (yes, they actually deliver it to my house!) But it was well worth the wait. I don't know how well I'm responding to treatment yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The side effects have been awful for me, but I know that it's all worth it in the long run! Thank goodness for the Support Path Program! Without it, I would've never been able to afford treatment."

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Day 30, only side effect is fatigue. I hope this works. Back in 1976 when I was diagnosed with Hep C, my doctor. Fast forward to last year, started getting Hep C and B mixed up, so got tested and found out I had it. From 1976 to 2009, I drank and partied my arse off. I have also been on Vicodin since 2000, and for a few years exceeded the daily recommended dosage of acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage. Early stage of cirrhosis, doctor says not a big deal. Strange, never felt any Hep C effects since 1976."

• kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I was diagnosed with depression, have been treated for the past 5 years. The Epclusa has intensified it. My doctor upped my antidepressant, which has helped a lot. I’m 64, have had the virus for 15 years. Been on the Epclusa for three weeks. Experiencing headache, fatigue, body aches (ibuprofen helps) and mood swings. The worst part is the side effects come and go throughout the day and vary in intensity. It’s very hard to get a grip on how to deal with it because of that, it’s disorienting. So far, my sleep hasn’t changed, nor my appetite. The very worst is being tired all the time! It makes me angry. I usually drink tea but had a half cup of coffee this morning. I will not be doing that again. I almost had to scream into a pillow. After losing my marbles for a couple of hours, I ate, had an extra bottle of water, and felt much better. Nine more weeks to go."

• kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2023

For Hepatitis C "Been taking Epclusa for 4 weeks. The first 2 weeks, no side effects, then the 3rd week, it started. High blood pressure, muscle aches and pains, tingling in hands and feet, severe fatigue, no energy. I feel horrible and pray this goes away. Right now, I wish I never started this medication."

• Tan...
• June 30, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I am a 30-year-old female without severe liver damage, and I am on my last bottle of Epclusa (6/30/2021)! I have 4 more pills/days left before treatment will be done! I couldn't be more excited, and I am so SO thankful to God and Jesus that 1. I found out I had Hep C, and 2. that I was able to get funding for the medication. Leading up to 4/7/2021, when I got my first bottle, I was very VERY nervous. I had a few days where I was searching the internet and reading everything I could find about side effects and tried to get an idea of how my next 12 weeks were going to go! Through this process, the only thing I have noticed is that I have to take a nap during the day. That is nothing though compared to the horrible fatigue before. I have also noticed that my hair has gotten thicker and looks healthier, my nails are stronger and growing longer."

• sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I am thirty years old and have had hep C for about eight years. I was a very heavy IV drug user. After several years of abuse and horrible situations, I decided to get clean. I started Epclusa in February. Genotype 3a, the more aggressive one, and I did blood work after three weeks, and there is no indication of any hepatitis left. In either test. I will continue to take the medicine for the rest of the twelve weeks. I had some side effects, in the first three weeks, it was worse: headaches, body aches, nausea, and fatigue. But now it's a lot better. Still some side effects, but they're not as prevalent. Definitely worth it in the whole scheme of things. Excited for a new chance in life."

• Ind...
• February 12, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Just started Epclusa a week ago for genotype 3 Hep C, which I was diagnosed with a year ago, that's why I only gave it a 5-rating. It's been a rough first week, with fatigue, headaches, and nausea. I'm trying to remain positive after reading all the success stories below. I go for my first blood test in another week and will post follow-up with results. Fingers crossed I'll be another success story!"

• PSA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I am halfway through the 12-week course of Epclusa. I had mild to moderate headaches the first couple of weeks, but now the headaches are rare. The biggest side effect I have is fatigue. The fatigue started early on, and at this point, it's pretty intense. I can do normal activities such as shopping and housework, but there's definitely a limit to how much activity I can do each day, then I'm exhausted. The great news is that after one month of treatment, the virus is already undetectable in my blood work. So it's worth the side effects! Hang in there and take the super negative reviews with a grain of salt. Your main goal is to cure Hep C, and this medicine does that!"

• Gin...
• October 11, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Hep C, GT 3, age 52, Hep C for 30 years. I did Interferon - it was the devil himself and did nothing but raise my levels after a year - that was 20 years ago. I did a 'trial' a few years ago of the Harvoni w/Ribavirin that I again failed miserably. I started Epclusa 13 weeks ago. Promised no side effects. I went to sleep & woke up in an 80-year-old body, it was/is causing muscle wasting, extreme muscle/joint pain. Everything else is hardly noticeable comparatively. Includes: ringing of the ears, headaches, fatigue, bland taste buds. Raised ALT & AST and of course, the levels of CK are well over 560 weekly, severe skin rash that grows daily and has now moved to my face/arms. BUT SHOWING NEGATIVE!! Let's see what 3 months says, fingers crossed!"

• Stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I was diagnosed with Hep C, genotype 2 this spring. Not sure exactly how I contracted it, but I've likely had it for 48 years since I was in a long ago term, high-risk activity group. Fortunately, my fibrosis is stage one only. I do also have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to work on. I'm in week 11 using Epclusa. It amplifies all my pre-existing conditions (joint pain, post-nasal drip, fatigue, ocular migraine occurring, mild depression), plus I have gotten added visual issues that (sun and glare sensitivity) occur, and rare dizziness events, and have experienced chest tightness and cough, but these side effects have lessened during the last few weeks. I hope the Epclusa regimen works because I don't want to experience these side effects again."

• Lea...
• November 30, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I have 10 days left of treatment. It has been a struggle for me, joint pain mostly in my fingers and toes like it hurts to bend them, headaches, fatigue, tiredness, bad bland metallic taste in my mouth. I have gained almost twenty pounds but feel nausea at times and lack of energy. I am grateful to have received the funding all paid for from the Support Path Program. I am hoping and praying this works."

• Lea...
• November 30, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I have 10 days left of treatment. It has been a struggle for me, joint pain mostly in my fingers and toes like it hurts to bend them, headaches, fatigue, tiredness, bad bland metallic taste in my mouth. I have gained almost twenty pounds but feel nausea at times and lack of energy. I am grateful to have received the funding all paid for from the Support Path Program. I am hoping and praying this works."

• Sma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Today was my 4th day of taking the pill. Side effects I’ve experienced are as follows: day one, I was sluggish within two hours of taking it, slept good; day two, experienced more fatigue to the point I had to take an hour-long nap about 6 hours after taking it, had a mild headache but slept soundly; day three and four, I’ve eaten everything in sight, and I’m craving stuff like a pregnant woman does, so not good. Been tired but still trucking on. I pray we all get cured from this horrible thing. Trying to stay positive and upbeat, but it’s a struggle!"