weight gain

[dbmarie]

has anyone takeing Solvadi or Ribavarin experienced weight gain?

[patra_]

Marie:  : -)

Glad I was able to offer info so you can feel better.  By the time you start your tx, you will be an old hand at the info - which is a good thing.  I did the same thing, came on to the Forum, read ALL of the entries, even the old ones, and asked questions.  Everyone was so incredibly helpful and supportive!

My doctor was impressed with how much I had learned and the questions I could ask as a result.  Also, he liked the fact that I was hightly motivated - got the support for that from here, too - which he believes helped me to do as well as I have.

Also, having done everything I can, IF I do relapse (praying I do not, but 8 more weeks befor Blood Work to test for Week12EOT) I will know that is was not because of any behavior on my part.  I also started the hydration and liver friendly diet as soon as I found out about it (mentioned that before) even though Dr said no special diet was required.  As I said above, hey, can't hurt and might help and is certainly helping in other areas.

Take good care of yourself and I am praying that you will have a VERY Healthy, Happy, Prosperous, SVR New year!  (see my big smile!)

I am praying for that same thing for every single person on the forum! :  -)

Pat

[dbmarie]

Thank you and yes It does help. I like to hear positive because all i was reading about on the internet was negativity and I got so scared because of my other ailments that i would not be able to tolerate the treatments. But thank you for the advice and suggestions its much appreciated. I do need to lose weight But didnt want to gain weight because of treatments so im glad theres good news with that respect.

[patra_]

My experience is similiar to Deb's.  as I mentioned on your other thread, I am Gt3, so did 24 wks Sol/Riba.  I have lost 23 lbs so far - am trying to continue to lose weight as I was overweight to begin with.  

I at at least a small meal with each set of pills and chose liver friendly foods. Thar kind of filled me up to the point I was only hungry 1/2 way in between - about 6 hrs.  Then I chose, again fresh or cooked veggies, fish ir chicken, or eggs, nuts. Every meal I tried to have a little 'good' fat - see Sandi's list above, protein, and veggies and or fruit.  I cut out candy altogether, cut as much other sugar out of my diet as I could, wasn't a big salt eater anyway but quit adding any salt to my diet, and drank LOTS of water - purified, like Sandi.  I did ocassionally have a 'cup of coffee', - 1 part coffee to 2 parts skimmed milk- and also ocassionally, a cup of Red Zinger (herbal) tea and that was pretty much it.  That is why the weight came off.   I am continuing that diet as a lifrstyle change so that my liver doesn't have to work any harder than necessary.

Did I eat a couple of pieces of pie and ice cream during the holidays?  Sure, but really watched the amount and frequency.  I really want this treatment to work AND want my liver to have every chance to improve (Biopsy in Jan and have Fibrosis F-3, stage A0-A1, and I really DON'T want this going on to Cirrhosis.

Sorry, I always get carried away.  Point is, if you eat the liver friendly things, when you should and snack on healthy stuff, you should not have a problem with weight gain, and MAY, if you weigh too much, lose some without stressing yourself.

Even if you are not on meds yet, It wouldn't hurt to start drinking sufficient water, purified or spring or filtered, and eating a liver friendly diet - can't hurt and might help!

Hope this helps.  Pat

[hepc4Sandi]

I stayed the same weight throughout. I lost 25 lbs before Tx. I found that eating small amounts of food through the day helped with my fatigue, and slight stomach upset, in addition to drinking 80-90 oz of water a day. I drank distilled water as I found it was easier for me to drink. Nuts, dried fruit, cheese sticks, gingersnaps, yogurt, were all good snacks to eat. The Tx (especially Riba) burns a lot of calories I think. It is not a time to try to lose weight.

[dbmarie]

I haven't started treatment yet just getting all my info together so I know what tovexpect. I hope I don't gain. This disease has been making me gain already. My liver is good no scarring doc. Doesn't want to treat but I do. I want it gone.

[Sarah1949]

I do envy you Deb. I'm on week 13 of Sovaldi and Olysio and refuse to say how much I've gained. Okay, let's just say it's over 20 lbs. I'm eating normally now but starting around week 4 and through week 10 or so I could not stop eating. I was like a binge eater without the throwing up. My craving for sugar was insane but now that also is normal.

Good luck to you DBMarie.

[Ekkiemom]

Hi DB- Welcome to the community, happy you reached out!  I am taking same Tx except 24 wks. At first I couldn't get enough carbs and that bugged me a lot. But for me as the weeks went on I found that my taste had changed dramatically and I found not being able to eat anything but raw/cooked veggies, raw juices, couldn't stand the taste of sugar or substitutes, however I did find that "Ice" sparkling drinks were tasty. This was around week 4-5 and has continued thru to date, and I have lost 39 lbs so far. Don't be too concerned with the weight for now you are going to need all the calories you can get. I'm not sure what stage your liver is in but its probably better to stay away from red meat with hormones which puts more stress on the liver which you really don't want to do.  Drink spring water and stay hydrated.
This is just my experience and yours may be something very different.
Good Luck with the Tx
Peace
Deb