Hi RockHard,
You are right that it can be overwhelming but you are really working through this to get the best option for you.
I took Ribavirin for 24 weeks so I thought I'd share my experience. My G1 Hep C was particularly difficult to treat . Initially I had 12 weeks of Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir followed by 12 weeks of Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir. A few weeks after the end of treatment I relapsed. Only a very very small percentage of people relapse and the treatment options have increased over the last few years.
Pretty much straight away I went onto 24 weeks of the Viekira Pak with Ribavirin. Even though I could have probably stopped the Ribavirin earlier I wanted to make sure that I hit the virus with everything. In comparison to the minimal side effects that I experienced with the first treatment I did have a few more with the Ribavirin. More headaches, disrupted sleep, tiredness, dry hair, dry skin and general blah. However the long term effects of having the virus were mixed in there somewhere so it was hard to separate them. I don't think I had the Riba Rage - no-one has mentioned it anyway.
For me it was unpleasant but manageable and I kept my eye on the end goal. I know that everyone is different and that you have had side effects with the Epclusa however my unscientific advice would be to take the Riba, even halfway through, for the extra SAS troops it puts into the fight and for your own peace of mind.
I am coming up to my two year anniversary of being Hep C free and it is the gift that keeps giving.
I really wish you well. Let us know how you are travelling.
Coral