Hi all
I’m interested to know if anyone else has had this experience.
My specialist doctor refused to give his authority for the viral load test at 4 weeks or even 8 weeks or 12 wks if willing to pay for?
But instead wanted me to wait for the 12 week post treatment test ONLY.
Had no compassion for my need to know if Harvoni working for me & a heap of side effects to deal with.
Prior to treatment I had no current VL test results. or even a fiberscan which were recommended..
My Viral load was 300,000 in 07 prior to treatment so no idea.
My fantastic GP spent hours getting tests for me to alleviate my anxiety & distress.
So Far so good & many of my symptoms & side effects fading now with 10 days left.

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

Hi
I have suffered extreme chronic anxiety/panic/depression complet stress intolerance for years
which I found St John’s Wort worked really well for me to counter effects & double dose under stress situations.
BUT cannot be taken with Harvoni or other HCV treatment.
I found I was going down rapidly when I stopped St Johns’ & started treatment.
This became extreme with any stress & especially when my treating specialist doctor refused the authority form to get a viral load check done at 8 weeks to see if working so I could reduce my anxiety & perhaps recommence St John’s when treatment completed
Or if needed further weeks of treatment to plan to limit my activities & reduce anything which may cause me stress.
Finally with GP’s help managed to get a viral load test at 9 weeks & my stress has reduced & other symptoms subsided somewhat,
Now only 10 days to finish & so far no virus detected., I found my stress reduced .
I also had Hypothyroid condition which blood tests show has almost resolved itself.
So hoping the anxiety stress & brain fog all improve or resolve once treatment complete & make waiting for the 12 week post treatment test to see if showing negative for antibodies. alot less stressful.
Things that helped were Magnesium supplement & vit D. Also Pain medication is OK on treatment which I take for arthritis & recently shattered wrist & it also has calming effect & helps to assist sleep.
I would recommend starting as I’m sure alot of your symptoms like mine will be helped or resolved by treatment.
Maybe your GP can suggest a temporary stand by if you need it . Just 12 weeks to get through & you may be a new you ! Good Luck