Post Harvoni Reduced Immunity (Top voted first)

I finished 8 weeks of Harvoni on April 8 and labs said HCV is undetected. My question is has anyone heard of "post-Harvoni reduced immunity" I came down with a bad case of the flu and doc thinks Harvoni may have caused reduced immunity. Any insights?

REPLY

REPORT

I would like to know what the HARVONI is killing besides the virus. I'm clean after 3 weeks of Harvoni. Told I still have to take for 2 more months....HOWEVER....again, if it killed 19 million viral load, what else is it doing to me?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 9

My Doctor just told me yesterday that this Harvoni (which I am in my 2nd month of, with no virus detected) causes Heart Problems!!!!! The immunity issues are from having to stop all my supplements and vitamins while taking it. My question still has not been answered and I guess we will never know till it becomes "1-800 bad drug"

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

I know this is an older thread, but sharing new info just in case someone still looks here. There are now cases of liver cancer post Harvoni. Most of these cases occur in people who previously had liver cancer, but not all. Researchers have stated that they think the reason may be indirectly connected to Harvoni's rapid depletion of the hep c virus. They think that the immune system might shut down too much too quickly after Harvoni treatment, reducing it's protective effects against cancer. I don't know if I buy this explanation, though. I just completed 8 weeks of Harvoni and had a terrible systemic reaction to poison oak. I have reacted before, but at the normal level, just at contact locations of the body. This time, according to my doctor, it was systemic and I had to take steroids. I then looked into it briefly and it seems that the immune system can go into overdrive during Harvoni treatment. This makes total sense in my case, but goes against the cause of cancer theory.

Also, I refused to stop taking certain supplements during treatment. I did stop any herbal supplements, though. The ones I took during treatment were a multivitamin, mineral complex, methylated b-complex, alpha-lipoic acid, fish oil (Omega 3), vitamin c powder (in morning smoothie) and a probiotic. The virus was not found at my 4 week labs. I just had my 8 week labs taken so will see if I am still in the clear. I took all supplements in the morning and the Harvoni at night. My side effects were minimal compared to what many others have reported.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

You mentioned Harvoni bring your Immune System down. I know when I checked all of the symptoms of taking Harvoni I honestly do not think it mentioned that. However it did say that you may get Flu Like symptoms. Perhaps go to the Harvoni Site or just ask on whatever Website you use. Type in Symptoms of taking Harvoni.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I finished my harvoni treatment in May 2016 an 8 week treatment. In January and July 2017 I had some strange form of stomach flu. Bad left side pain for one day followed by high fever 102-104 for 3 days then diarrhea for 3 more. I was down 10 days!! Never had this before!! In between these I had a virus in February 2017. and in April 2017 I woke up one morning with sudden hearing loss, vertigo and ringing in my right ear!! Now thyroid issues!! I am in my 50's but curious about all this happening so fast!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I am at the half way mark on Harvoni treatment. i haven't noticed any side effects at all.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I am curious about this myself. My husband finished his Harvoni treatment last April as well. He has always been extremely healthy and fit, but 4 days ago came down with the flu virus and has been flat on his back since. He never got the flu in previous years. Although I am very greatful that the Hep C is gone I am just concerned his immune system was tanked by the treatment.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Sb409us (# 5)


It was interesting to read about your reaction to poison oak while on Harvoni. I had a similar exaggerated reaction to a few ordinary mosquito bites a few weeks into my treatment. It was the same severity as a bad case of poison ivy, which I've had a few times. I had huge welts on my legs and feet where I was bitten and itching so severe that I called a hospital emergency line. (It happened on a weekend). The doctor on call (who was not a dermatologist and who didn't see the bites) said I must have a case of contact dermatitis and didn't believe that it could be caused by the Harvoni. I am certain that it was because I knew that I had not come into contact with anything that could have caused it and I've never had a serious reaction to mosquito bites. I was absolutely miserable for nearly a week. The problem with drug/immune reactions like these is that if the caretaker doesn't take you seriously, the problem never gets reported.

I hope you see this since it's been a while since your post, but maybe the info will be useful to someone else.

Hope you're in good health!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I finished my 12 week Harvoni treatment over 2 years ago and have always had a strong immune system and never even got cold and rarely ever sick. Since finishing Harvoni I have some strange symptoms. Mosquitoes bite me now and they never did before. I got severe folliculitis of my scalp for unknown reason and had to take antibiotics. I was just diagnosed with microscopic colts which is an inflammatory bowel disorder and I have never had any intestinal problems before. Today I was just diagnosed with a chronic inflammation of my external private parts that I have never had and have to use a strong prescription cream. My eyes are red and irritated and the ophthalmologist said they are very dry and I am hardly producing tears and my tear ducts are very small. I am just saying that my body seems to just be inflamed all over. I also have two small red, raised patches of skin on my torso that will not go away with cortisone cream. I used to be able to brag how I never even got a cold and that mosquitoes never bit me, but that has changed since the Harvoni. My GYN who treated my external groin inflammation commented that drugs like Harvoni mess with your immune system but it is hard to find any real clinical literature. All these problems would not have stopped me from taking the Harvoni though. I think the Hep C is much worse than all of these more minor issues.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hi Sam,

I have yet to come across any specific details on post-Harvoni immunity. However, in order to reach an accurate conclusion one must also take into consideration some other things that can impact one's level of immune function, such as: environmental factors, diet, mental/emotional health, etc, during and after the time frame of treatment.

Not sure if Harvoni is available in inj. form like similar medications are, but just as a side note - there was a study done by Rockefeller University, suggesting that the act of administering these types of medications via inj. reportedly increases what they call your "immune activation response" or chronic inflammation that is directly associated with "accelerated aging, cardiovascular, renal and liver disease as well as CNS dysfunction" - All of which sound like conditions that are directly related to a damaged/hindered immune system.

Ref: clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02347345

So depending on how Harvoni was being administered, that may be something to take into consideration as well.

Hope this helps!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I don't know exactly but I can say that for 2 years after being cured with Harvoni, I suffered from several shingles outbreaks and simple cuts would get seriously infected. My immune system seems to be recovering slowly after 2 1/2 years. I did see someone post about ringing in their ears. I have had this since tx but never connected the two assuming that something else caused it. However, I wouldn't change my decision to take Harvoni..some many other things have gotten better.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Since I finished the Harvoni treatment last year I've come down with the flu 3 times and each time it's been devastating. Really sick for a real long time. I'm getting sick with nobody else around me is.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello,
I just started harvoni 2 weeks ago and at the beginning everything was going okay but my children are in school and they came home with some kind of virus which then transferred to me and after having a virus that kept me in bed for 3 days it then turned into pneumonia. I have not been sick in 20 years and I do now know that harvoni lowers your immune system significantly and I am just hoping that I don't have to deal with this much longer ....... but you have to take the good with the bad, if you want to get rid of hep C then I guess I have to be sick for a few weeks and I can take that it's just difficult because I have to run our family business and take care of 4 children which makes this very difficult. I am still hopeful and positive that I will get through this with flying colors! I have not noticed any additional side effects as of yet and will definitely post back once I get my results of my first viral load.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Sb409us (# 5)

I just finished my last tablet of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir 90 mg/400 mg, today, Hooray!!! My labs show my liver enzymes all within normal ranges and I will be checking my viral load next week. I also took probiotics and similar supplements and my side effects were pretty minimal :) I have had multiple outbreaks of shingles during my treatment, more than usual, but it has been worth it!!! The next treatment I take will be for the Shingles.

I was unable to afford the USA Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir 90 mg/400 mg (Harvoni), so I purchased my medication from Care Exim, in India: 28 pills @ $300 vs $1,125 per pill. Gilead has allowed India to produce Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir 90 mg/400 mg at a fraction of the cost and!!! I communicated through email, as it was hard to understand them, but they were great to work with :) I highly recommend the treatment and also using Care Exim, in India, if the cost is high in the USA :)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Hazel (# 10)

My thyroid is going hyperthyroidism, I have sore tongue, all my joints hurt, starting to not be able to walk because of foot pain. I'm having rashes and blisters on the bottom of my feet. I can't sleep. Almost 19 months post Harvoni. My body is feeling bad.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had to stop harvoni at 7 and a half weeks. Started out well. Felt great for 5 weeks in, but at 6 weeks in I became dizzy and started having brain fog with personality changes. Depression went into overdrive, and I started having a fever. At the 7 and one half week mark, I had a high fever that put me in bed for over 12 hours. I stopped taking harvoni at that point. The doctor isn't very sympathetic. I carried a low grade fever for most of that week, but the next week was a pure nightmare! The fever kept getting higher each day. I think the highest I recorded was 104. And after 6 days of debilitating fever, it broke, and I felt better than I have in years! Still, I kinda wish I had never taken this drug. I don't know what happened to my body from this drug, because my body kinda feels numb. I don't get sick. I don't get fevers. The last time I had flu was 1985, and before that was 1967. Harvoni has done something to me, and it's just a matter of time before I find out what it did to me. I know my viral load cannot be found at this point, but my next blood evaluation will tell the tale. My blood pressure is normal, and has been since the fever went away, so I havent had to take my blood pressure medication in about a week now. I still feel pretty good though. I hope it lasts.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I successfully completed treatment December 2016. In the last year I have had the flu 3 times in which I ran high fevers. I am just on the tail end of the 3rd where I ran a 102.7 temp. Prior to treatment, I have had the flu maybe 3 times in 15 years. I also had a severe reaction to mosquito bites this summer. Large welts. I found this site because I was looking to see if others have had the same issues.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

No you aren't the only one who experienced reduced immunity from Harvoni. I did too. Got sick twice. Both times were bad. I also had additional sides such as: intensified back pain, terrible insomnia, new muscle spasms and nerve pain, as well as one 2 month long migraine that never let up. BTW, my thyroid is now very high, was always normal before. My primary agrees there's a connection between my immune problems and Harvoni, but I have no support from my GI. He just says: NOPE, NOPE, NOPE, NO WAY JOSE!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Oh, and I finished Harvoni 3 mos. ago. I have strange pains through the wrists also as a side note. I know we who experience these weird sides are of a minority, but should not be discounted as coo coos.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kim (# 14)

I can relate to you. My thyroid is very high, in the hypothyroidism category, so I was glad to find someone else who has this. My thyroid was normal before Harvoni, so there's a connection. While my primary agrees, my does not, and won't support me, and I don't know how to go about finding the help I need.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I get fatigue and brain fog but not nearly as severe as with hep and less frequent also itching all over continues inter...

15 REPLIES

Having a big problem with weight gain, post Olysio/Solvaldi 12-wk. tx, and 26-wk Harvoni tx. Clear for two years. Is any...

8 REPLIES

Shortly after treatment with harvoni I noticed a clear mucous leaking from my but ## I also have had a clear slimy mucou...

4 REPLIES

I'm done now and finished 12 week tx 4/14/15 and I can say back pain, neck pain and pain in the legs is now a part o...

4 REPLIES

I am going crazy. I have never felt right on this. I was 24 weeks on Harvoni, and had been bedridden since then due to m...

3 REPLIES

I did 12 weeks of Harvoni and cleared the virus, finished treatment June 7th 2015. During treatment had some edema of fe...

2 REPLIES

Hi my three year old son gets viral nd cold cough very frequently. dis time the duration was 20 days. he is now sufferin...

1 REPLY

There is a sign that a person must wear gloves and masks before entering a patient's room. There is a name for it bu...

5 REPLIES

I have been taking Harvoni for 3 months now and am having nerve pain in my legs and lower back pain. Is anyone else taki...

717 REPLIES

Hi my wife has just started harvoni - about 9 days or so now - and she is getting swelling in left leg and also feels li...

59 REPLIES