Sovaldi and Fatigue: What Users Say

• bro...
• August 31, 2014

For Hepatitis C "I had Hep C genotype 2, and I am on week 9 of the 12-week treatment, and my labs came back last week, and the hepatitis virus was not detected. The treatment is working! I tested negative for Hep C! Wahoooooo! I repeat, the virus was not detected in my blood work. I'm taking Sovaldi and ribavirin, and the side effects for me were manageable... headaches, fatigue, and that vague, flu-like ache in the joints, but I am able to work 40 hours a week, and I gladly suffer the mild to medium side effects because I'm cured. I'm cured. The worst part about all this is my insurance only covers 80% of my extensive blood work/labs, so I'm on the hook for around $1000 so far, but I only pay $15 for doctors per visit, and $15 a month for meds."

• Ble...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2014

For Hepatitis C "I am a 52-year-old female. After giving birth to my first son in 1982, I required blood due to complications from my son's birth, I was 21 years old. Last year, around October 2013, I went for a colonoscopy because I had been feeling very tired and just a generalized sick feeling to the point of feeling like I was dying. I have been taking Enbrel for RA since 2002, and with all the side effects and warnings, I was convinced I most probably had some form of cancer. I found out I had been infected with the Hep C virus when I received the blood transfusions in '82, and although I have a liver panel blood workup every three months since starting Enbrel, my liver panels all came back normal. I started Olysio and Sovaldi, cleared the virus in 27 days."

• Lar...
• May 23, 2014

For Hepatitis C "I've been on Sovaldi, Interferon, and Ribavirin treatment for 5 weeks. My doctor says my viral load is ZERO! I still need to take it for 7 more weeks, but I am EXTREMELY happy! Yes, I am wiped out, I can't work, but the reward is HUGE!"

• ill...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2015

For Hepatitis C "My husband took the Sovaldi/ribavirin combination. He is free of hepatitis C now but is having major side effects still. My husband feels worse now than before treatment. He has severe bone and joint pain throughout his body. He has itchy, rashy skin, 30 lb weight gain, his thyroid is messed up and is now having to take medication for it, chronic fatigue, and has to nap daily. He has severe depression, difficulty dealing with people, explosive personality, difficulty concentrating, and more. He is unable to work due to the pain, inability to fill out paperwork or anything due to concentration issues. He has lost interest in things he loved to do. He naps several hours a day. We have been to different doctors with no one able to help..."

• Ang...
• November 19, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I was unsuccessfully treated five years ago with Pegasys, interferon, and ribavirin for genotype 3a. I never recovered from the multiple side effects, both physical and cognitive and emotional. I am now on week 9 of the Sovaldi/Daklinza treatment combination. I took my first dose in the evening, and when I awoke and for the next three days, I felt unbelievably wonderful. Clarity of mind, natural optimism, and energy returned to the level of my pre-treatment days. I was stoked! However, this did not last, and since those early days, I have had muscle/joint aches, fatigue, a low mood, itchy face, unsatisfying sleep, and severe neuropathy of the hands/feet (including during the day). I will update at the end of treatment."

• Zig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I did Harvoni for 12 weeks, and viral load was up 2 weeks after I completed. Harvoni made me very sick. Fatigue, diarrhea, it was kind of awful... and it failed me. I am 1a type. I also have cirrhosis F4. Next, I did Sovaldi/Olysio for 24 weeks. This time, the only side effect was fatigue, but not as bad as Harvoni. The good news is I am SVR 12 weeks post-tx, although my liver function numbers have begun to rise slightly after being normal during treatment for the first time in 30 years. But here's the real problem. I am more fatigued now than during treatment. It's been 5 months, and it's not getting any better. I get up early, exercise, have a healthy breakfast, and I'm ready to get back into bed. It really sucks. Anyone else experiencing this?"

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I've read a lot of forums about the Sovaldi treatment, but my experience after my 3rd week went south: difficult moving, loss of strength, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, no appetite, different muscle pains, back and side aches. At first, I said this is a cakewalk compared to the interferon. But I'm still thankful and had a clear test, one more month to go, and I'm very grateful!"

• Jo1...
• December 12, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I received this treatment, and as far as I could tell, there were no side effects except for fatigue and some pain. I am not sure if it was really any worse than usual because I have chronic pain anyhow. It did get rid of the Hep C, though, so it did what it was meant to do."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I am a 59-year-old woman who has successfully cured my Hep C for 2 1/2 years. I had contracted Hep C from a blood transfusion in 1985. My acute phase I was fluish, fatigued, and very nauseous. Fast forward 25 years and the chronic phase began with nausea, extreme rashes, and terrible fatigue. I felt 80 years old. I was Genotype 1 with liver stage 3 and viral load off the chart. I waited for the new medicine to be approved and started my 12-week treatment. I took Sovaldi, ribavirin, and Interferon. I was very sick from the shots. I got C-diff, it lasted 1 month. I did not respond to the antibiotics. Then I developed multiple blood clots in my legs. It was a hard 12 weeks. But today I feel like I have a new life! Life is good."

• Me...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2021

For Hepatitis C "Both HCV geno 3 and treated with Sovaldi/Ribavirin for 24 weeks. Worked every day, although toward the end they almost took me off it due to anemia. SVR still six years out, but downhill decline in health for both my identical twin brother and me. Joint stiffness and pain, fatigue, temperature sensitivity, light sensitivity, no appetite, poor digestion, RUQ pain, itching, memory and concentration issues, Fibro, and on oxygen at night, heart issue, AVN both hips, etc. We both got the COVID vaccine and had a severe reaction. Swelling and weeping clear serum rash resembling a lupus rash and swollen toes and fingertips turned purple, painful burning with petechiae. Lasted two weeks. Went away for five days and reoccurred to a lesser extent, still ongoing. The ER called it hives, while I have photos of the day by day and symptoms were present at the visit. Ever see hives with petechiae? The biggest challenge is to find a doc who listens and reads. Feel like it’s almost over here for me. No regrets."