TOPIC:

So I finished the Harvoni yesterday, and I have a slightly horrible Harvoni rash, and feeling a bit toxic.
How long should I wait before I take liver herbs?
I know this has been asked before but buggered if I could find it.

Hi Flyingfox66

Before taking any sort of dietary supplement or herb, please watch the recent 4 Corners episode (broadcast on Mon May 2016, and available to be viewed in ABC's iview until 31 May). It may change your mind ... here's the link:

iview.abc.net.au/programs/four-corners/NC1604H016S00

I watched that when it aired. I don't use that kind of supplement and I am very careful about my herb sourcing (all organic and local trusted suppliers). I make my own capsules so I know exactly whats in them.
I agree that people should not waste their time with Big Nature or supplements, but my use of herbs is quite different.

Thanks Flyingfox66

You sound fully informed. I'm a firm believer of the KISS principle (Keep it simple stupid). Not being a dietician, and only having a normal person's understanding of these matters, I simply eat a healthy diet ... with herbs & vegies grown in my backyard (the herbs are mainly for flavour, not medicinal).

I'm sure there will be someone else with a better understanding of liver herbs that will be able to advise you.

I hope that the rash doesn't get worse and you start feeling better soon.

Cheers
GT2

I try to do that too GT2 but after three months of poisoning myself with these meds, I really feel the need for some liver support to regain my equilibrium. Living in the inner city means hard to grow much and poor air quality. Need to get back into good health (like I basically was before I started tx), so I can get on with renovating my life.

Hi FF,

I tend to the 'wait until SVR' school of thought myself but with so many different herbs advocated rightly or wrongly as "liver herbs" it may help someone to provide an answer if you specify which ones and what doses.

......and congratulations on reaching EOT!

Hi Flyingfox66

I'm on a different DAA combo of SOF + DCV. Luckily, these meds are having a completely different affect on me ... they are not poisoning me at all ... quite the opposite ... I feel as though they are cleansing me ... can't remember the last time I felt this good. I think that I'm just lucky.

My luck doesn't help you though. Maybe someone else can offer their advice on dealing with Harvoni side effects.

I think someone else has posted advise on using an inexpensive, but very effective, cream for rashes ... I'll see if I can find it for you.

GT2

Thanks GT2 , I'd be curious to know what people use, but over the years I've found topical stuff is hopeless for rashes caused by liver toxins. Eating Turmeric paste helps and I have to admit, I was driven to that in the last two days. I think it will be gone pretty soon anyway.
Basically I'll be taking Ashwagandha, Astragalus and Chanca Piedra. All of which I've used before with good effect. They are mild and helpful herbs. I'm no masochist and have learned the hard way to stay well clear of extracts etc.

I have heard Sof/Dac is a much easier combo. I wish now I'd taken that instead. But it hasn't been *that* bad.
I do feel better in many ways, especially quality of sleep. Really looking forward to clearing the last of the toxins so I can enjoy the new clear day

Hi ff66,
I have no real experience with herbal treatments ... like GT2 says, you seem pretty knowledgeable about it yo'sef. I am however, currently treating with generic Harvoni and am curious about side fx or potential ones and what others have found to help or hinder so, thanks for this topic and ditto what Gaj said, congrats on EOT!

Thanks guys. I must say there were a few times I was very tempted to stop, but one thing about Harvoni sx, they don't last too long. Its a carousel of change.
First two weeks...spacy and ungrounded, restless. Best to avoid taxing situations that require mechanical skill. Decided at that point cannabis needed to be ditched. Combined very badly. Strange yucky throat feeling helped by salt water gargles with peppermint and clove oil. Never got any flu like many do.
Mid section...a lot of exhaustion. Rash that started at about two or three weeks with a wierd figure of eight welt on inner thigh, became a bit unbearable for a few days. 4 week bloods showed a significant loss of sodium from drinking too much water due to dehydration. Pulled back on that and started to drink salt in my water and rash subsided. Though strange prickly, electrical sensations persisted. Maybe due to my insistence on swimming (it helped) in the sunshine. Though there wasn't a marked worsening on exposure.
Last third of tx...rash expanded to upper inner arms and left the thighs largely. Exhaustion not such a problem though I was happy to take it easy. Feeling of toxicity quite strong. Great relief on finishing!
Decided to take it easy on the herbs for a while and just take turmeric.
Rash is now less of an issue...though still there.
Exhausted this morning and not sleeping as soundly as I did on tx. The ease of sleep really made the whole thing bearable.

Hi again ff66,
I've only just finished week one of tx but only fx so far, has been minor headaches on & off and that pleasant sleep time I wasn't experiencing before tx ... not complaining about that at all Did feel a bit queezy initially but only for a brief while.
Hope you continue clearing from having to deal with side fx ... Onward to SVR4 / 12 ...........
Thanks again for sharing.