TOPIC: Side effects for sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir combo.

I'm on day 10 of Sof/Dac and am having trouble with headaches. I got one after taking the first dose, and get one most evenings after taking the pills. Yesterday I was sidelined by an all day headache. Although during the 1st week, I had very good days. But now the headaches are starting to stick. I wonder if anyone takes Advil. I mean, I'm in the habit of not adding loads to the liver by adding pain relievers, it's starting to get tempting.
I have rarely had a headache before. Glad to hear some people have their sides fade.

I only had a couple of bad headaches during the first few weeks of Tx but have had a dull "pressure" effect on my forehead often thoughout. I find this improves when I up my water intake and get enough sleep.

Headaches are the equal most common side along with fatigue at 14% each according to BMS

packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_daklinza.pdf

Advil is Ibuprofen so no interactions with Sof/Dac according to the charts and apparently is mostly metabolised outside the liver (but can be toxic in high or extended doses) and as you say, anything that adds load is best avoided where possible. So maybe increase your water intake and only use Advil when you really need to? Unless someone can suggest a more suitable headache medication?

Thanks Gaj, I really appreciate it. I will try more water.

I use aspirin. Always worked good for me.

LondonGirl wrote: Yeah, LG the very basics in my home 'first aid' kit were lavender and Tea Tree oils, I studied Aromatherapy, among other things, and have a much bigger collection of essential oils now. I like the pre-mix blends, especially at night, then I can add others to it. I have been insomnic since I was a child and worse in recent years from Carpal Tunnel and Peripheral Neuropathy, so I started using a diffuser at night because it goes for about 7 hours, greatly improved my sleep especially trying to fall asleep initially.

I have begun Week 4 and like you MTGoat, in my 2nd week I started getting headaches a sharp, stabbing pain in the back of my skull, usually in late arvo/evenings, on and off. I didn't take anything because I have to be careful with painkillers, I can't take NSAID's, e.g. Ibuprofen, because of Reflux and Duodenitis, I have read before they aren't good on the liver either, but 'here' it's been said they're ok.
I did end up with a violent migraine though that lasted a few days - had to treat that. I can't use aspirin, again stomach issues and 'bleeding easily'.
The intermittent stabbing pain has lessened though. I have arthritis in my TMJ and the pain is excruciating, I tried my 'oils' but too close to my eyes, I now use 'Voltaren Emulgel', rubbed in my upper cheekbones and temples, also on the back of my neck, this is very effective for pain from inflammation.

As for other sx, I had a lot of energy the 1st 2 weeks but would be fatigued in the arvo, started to feel clear-headed, less 'brain-fog' but that has changed. Despite being very exhausted at night I still couldn't fall asleep before 11 - 11:30 pm; I was taking my Magic Pills in the morning and by 3pm I was trashed, to the point of dozing at the wheel while driving - very scary. I moved the time to around 10:30 am but still very fatigued early, sometimes I have forgotten and taken them at 1 pm and I'm up 'til midnight! So, I've settled on around 11- 11:30 am.

I no longer feel 'energetic', I'm fatigued every day, just worse in arvo and evening.
I have emotional moodswings but recover quickly from short-fused outbursts.
I no longer have the persistent low grade anxiety and agitation I have always had, therefore less 'compulsive' behaviours to deal with.
I do still suffer high anxiety episodes some days.
Appetite is normal to low but sometimes craving things I never normally eat - e.g. sweet things.
Sweating profusely, several showers a day.
Some days clear mind and others very foggy and confused.
Bloated abdomen, not painful, GI problems - pale floating stools; trouble digesting things e.g. meat.
When I do fall asleep I'm sleeping soundly for about 5-6 hrs and then my dog wakes me, I take her out and then come back and sleep soundly for about 2 hrs.
I am becoming more motivated though and getting more done during the day than before, so energy must have improved just not like start of Tx.
Complete body aching comes and goes.
Skin has improved and psoriasis is clearing too.
I have been suffering blurred vision, even with my glasses on sometimes I can't read, see clearly what's in front of me - this also is frightening because I can't drive like this - it comes and goes too.

It is reassuring to read others having the same sort of issues, so I'm not worried and know that some things will resolve themselves.
Thank God for this site - well actually Thank Doc for this site

I am now in my 8 week Tx. At week 6 I experienced a pounding crazy head feeling & confused state. I had been feeling ok up until this point and it is unknown why things changed. My BP was up and so was my heart rate. I have adjusted BP meds to suit and have withdrawn from work to rest. I have experienced transient headaches all through treatment so far. It may be that there was a reaction to a fruit or a vegetable. I am vegetarian and am aware of the foods to avoid on Tx. On advise I reduced my dac dose down to 1/2 for one day and this seems to have rebooted my system. Today I have resumed full dosage. Having said that I previously I experienced chronic joint pain and hepc affected my nervous system. These symptoms are mostly gone. I am feeling much better but I keep in mind LG's and Ariel's good advice - moderation in everything and to take good care of yourself. Thank you Dr James Freeman

Hi Pat,

Thanks for posting your experience. Sorry to hear of your problems but glad to hear that you are receiving expert advice which seems to be working. Hoping it was just a small glitch and the rest of your Tx is trouble free and successful.

Just like to list some of my side effects & progress thru the weeks
Now 10 day left to complete treatment.
Pre treatment liver tests below normal range very healthy diet helped & low stress life required as low thyroid activity (allergic to thyroid treatments) with symptoms of depression anxiety & over emotional reactions to small stresses was taking st John's Wort & St Mary's Thistle for.
Both had to be ceased prior to commencing treatment.

First 3 days ok re side effects mainly trouble falling & staying asleep & dizziness or spinning out effect.
Over first weeks very fatigued & weak muscles & a little breathlessness on usual exercise very sleepy, extremely teary easily watching even slightly sad shows or hearing news & easily annoyed or stressed (could be reacting from ceasing St John's Wort).
Increased urge to urinate & thirst , headaches at the back of head & neck lasted till week 3.
These seem to all educe with the weeks.
Prior to week 8 became extremely stressed to almost breakdown point when specialist doctor refused to authorize viral load test even if I paid for it !@#%&
Finally by week 9 after 3 visits to GP & many phone calls I got the test approval & results were virus not detected !
Now on week 11 no muscle weakness & less fatigue & tiredness.
Emotional reactions reduced & blood tests show most liver function improved & back or almost normal function.
Also showed Thyroid was almost normal too.
So feeling positive that perhaps many of these issued resolved in time now virus presence gone hopefully for good.
Not sure if my stress/anxiety/depression will also resolve as much stems from childhood abuse but I now have hope it does !
Also Hope this info may help others with similar effects. cheers

Just wanted to say yes I have had these symptoms too
"I have emotional mood swings but recover quickly from short-fused outbursts."
These are what distresses me most but nothing compared to the extreme reaction or side effects when I was tried on Thyroid medication that gave me nearly 3 full pages of possible side effects & nearly killed me in just 3 wks.
So I now think you are right, most of these hopefully will resolve in time & recovery.

Emma wrote:
Thank you so much Emma for taking the time to record your story. I don't understand how your doctor could not approve a viral load test! That is disgraceful behaviour by a medical professional. Good news for you in the end though.

I have similar sx as described by you however they have strangely reappeared at 8 weeks just when I thought I was beginning to feel really good. I have been taking meds in the morning but now I am planning to take them in the evening. Maybe I can sleep through the sides. Every day is a different day.

Only 10 days to go - how wonderful for you. I wish you the very best post treatment

Great to hear from you Emma, I certainly relate to your sx. Interesting the Headache from neck, back of skull is the same, I'm not getting a generalised all over headache.
Hope the rest of your Tx goes better.

I too have a GP who has refused to do blood tests for me - I only requested usual LFT's and qualitative VL - but because the Specialist at the Public Hospital she spoke to told her she 'wasn't qualified to monitor someone on these DAA's.' He wanted her to send me to him instead, even though he promised a script but didn't give it, I went through GP2U. But he wants to gather the data from me, he knows it's too far for me to travel and that I had previously arranged with my GP to monitor me and him see me at 12 weeks.

My previous GP moved away 6 m ago, he was my Doc for 8 yrs, he's on 'leave', during weekdays for the rest of the month, but I managed to get an appointment with him on a Sunday -14th - I'll be getting my bloodwork done at about 5-6 weeks mark.

I'm interested in those results, not so much on the VL, but Full Blood work and LFT's, mainly because of my 'symptoms/sides.'
All the best to everyone

Great to hear everyone's experiences as they navigate through treatment. Particularly interesting that some have felt tiredness/fatigue returning after an initial boost of energy - this was my experience too, from about the 4 week mark. Until then I really felt "Wow, this is what being 'normal' feels like?" lol. Don't get the daily full-on crushing fatigue I used to, thankfully! But most afternoons feel I have to crash for a while.

Headaches definitely lessened with time (and water) but my abdominal symptoms have returned a bit...including significant constipation - has anyone else come across this as a side effect? Not sure if I should be concerned, but I'd rather not take anything chemical while on tx.

Overall though, I've had a remarkably symptom-free journey, for which I feel very fortunate. Ever grateful to Dr James and those who helped make it possible.

Ive been getting really bad heartburn last 10 days - its more or less gone now-- I am just about to start 6th and final month of sof/dac

feel out of sorts-- very sensitive to certain things ,emotionally that is - feel inadequate -- not like me at all..

Hope all here are doing well
from Bob in ireland

Chejai wrote: Chejai, that's a symptom of high blood sugar. Pretty sure on that one.

P.

Please have this looked into. Glaucoma and Diabetes could be the cause and there are others. Vision changes dictate urgent action. Sent you a PM.