hep c geno 1 cirrhosis

[vickijov]

Help swallowing Solvaldi 400 mg only size ok to cut in half? Very stressed feel very tired anxiety about treatment.  This is non alcoholic beginning cirrhosis. Need to connect to others as myself. Thanks

[Dee1956]

Hey there KOKO is so right,  I love what she wrote. It make me feel much better, we have HCV we are not the virus. really good.
I remember how huge the Incivek was, 3 of them 3 times a day was awful.

KOKO, so happy you are SVR, that is such a good thing to share :)

I came back to say that I saw another person who was having problems swallowing pills, she said to drink something before trying to swallow pills as it opens up your throat in preparation for the pill.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I wouldn't worry about it. Those pills are huge. I snapped them in half with my fingers. Then I took them with water. It didn't affect my cure status. The pill is too huge to hassle with. They make you gag . I remember feeling them stuck in my throat for a couple hours each day even after I snapped them in half . I'd drink tons of water to flush them down and ate yogurt to push them down but it only helped a little. Just remember this: you have a disease---You are not a disease. Take control of your thoughts and derail that thinking that you are worthless. It's ok to be scared. Hep C is scary. Just the virus alone plays havoc on body functions, nevermind the damage it does to the liver etc. Tell yourself each day "down the hatch". Another day of dosing done. Keep going. Just remembering back when I was on tx makes me nauseous. It was like I was carrying around a ton of rocks and everything tasted like cardboard at week 4 through 6.5.

[ejoli]

Yogurt works well too...

[Dee1956]

Hi I am so sorry for what you are going through.  I can definitely sympathize.  When you can move you gain weight.  No one here is going to think you have cirrhosis from drinking.  Just having the HCV is enough to give you cirrhosis.
Many of us are like you, we did not find out that we had HCV for 20 30 or even 40 years, by then we had cirrhosis.
There are so many people just like you that you would not believe it.  HCV is very isolating.  Thank God the treatment is much easier than it used to be.  You will get through this and come out the other side stronger than you ever thought you could be.  If you can call the pharmacy where you get you Sovaldi and ask them if you can cut or crush the pill.  You have to get it down somehow.  You can do it.  I know how hard it is to swallow pills.  I always had trouble doing it.  I really had to concentrate.  I used milk because it was thicker but applesauce sounds even better.
There are many many helpful caring people here and everyone is more than willing to reach out.
Take Care
Dee

[AWorriedMom]

Touting = Routing

[AWorriedMom]

(((((Vickijov))))) That is a cyber hug for you. I've been where you are with the frustration, fear, sadness, etc. it will pass eventually. The people here are mostly kind, caring and loving people. We are all here for you. Please try the applesauce. It works for my mom who cannot swallow large pills either. She just gulps it down. And remember the darn pill costs $1000 so it better go down, right???? And if you haven't started yet, wait to talk to Gilead and find out if you can cut or crush it. Good luck, sweetie. We are touting for you.

[Stronglady14]

Be careful with the tomato juice they tend to have a lot of sodium ,you don't need swelling on top of all your other issues. I would go with the applesauce. With all the issues have you been told to watch your iron. Mine was barely over the limit and now I read everything to see how much there is since I cut back I have more energy.

[vickijov]

thank you for your response is an idea I am just an absolute panic I don't want to cut it in half I know it will not go down my throat that is the Solvaldi.  I am in absolute panic wondering if I will ever get well I was neglected by my doctors and it got to this status I do not drink it is not cirrhosis alcohol related I was in an accident and took a lot of drugs for pain and it sent my liver over the edge which already had Hep C. gaining weight from no exercise due to the accident even made it worse so now there's a fatty liver I am just beside myself and my moods are disgusting and my attitude is horrible and I'm short and irritable and I hate myself right now

[Dee1956]

Hi, Patra has a good idea.  I try to take larger pills with something thick, never thought of tomato juice.
WM's suggestion sound good too
Good luck
Dee

[AWorriedMom]

YOu can try burying it in a spoonful of applesauce. I wouldn't cut it without permission from treating doc or gilead.

[patra_]

Vicki:  Welcome to the Forum.

Another method: a friend with a 'big pill' swllowing problem, swears by tomato juice.  My Husband has the same problem and the thick consistency of the Tomato juice seems to work well.

No information on cutting the pill in half.  Have you called Gilead?  You can find the phone number at Gilead.com. I am not sure bit they may have an 'Ask a Nurse' connection listed there.

Good luck and good treating!  Pat

[Dee1956]

Hello, welcome to the forum.  I can understand having a hard time swallowing pills.  I have always had a problem  Have you tried drinking with milk, for some reason that helps me.  Not appetizing I know.
As for cutting them in half, I just don't know about that as I don't know if they are time released.  If I were you I would ask your doctor or even call the manufacturer and see what they say.
You can check your insert to see what the most common side effects are.  I will try to find more information and I am sure others will be along very soon.
Hang in there
Dee