heart palpitations?

[supertex]

This is my first post on this forum.  Was diagnosed with hep c 3a in April 2010.  I am also HIV+.  I am in week 11 of tx with Pegintron and Ribavirin.  I had an RVR at week 3 and still undetectable at week 8.  Just had blood drawn again on Tuesday so waiting for latest lab results.  I am experiencing a number of the side effects -- fatigue, irritability, depression, hair thinning, insomnia, etc.  I am managing these the best I can.  But the thing that is bothering me the most is heart palpitations.  I can hear and feel my heart pounding a lot of the time.  My heart isn't racing -- it is still beating at the same rate but it feels like it is beating MUCH harder.  It's kind of scary and very distracting.  Makes it hard to concentrate on anything else.  I told my gastro about this on Tuesday and he didn't seem to take it very seriously.  Asked me if I was drinking enough water and getting enough salt in my diet.  Has anyone else experienced this?  If so, how have you dealt with it?  I welcome any advice or thoughts.  Thank you.

[willbb]

Sorry... meant to say  "she"

WILL

[willbb]

He may be having the Hyperthyroid condition as wk11 is fairly close to the start of treatment ..when it is overactive and then it may become Hypo.
Certainly agree when heart is palpitating a check from the DR. is warranted.

WILL

[nygirl7]

Yes it's on there but at week 11 I am having difficulty thinking that the meds have caused a thyroid problem that fast......thats why I'd have the doctor check it out. Just because I dont remember having them is no reason that someone else couldn't, maybe I did and just dont remember it was so long ago.

[willbb]

Common symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidis
Palpitations
Heat intolerance
Nervousness
Insomnia
Breathlessness
Increased bowel movements
Light or absent menstrual periods
Fatigue
Fast heart rate
Trembling hands
Weight loss
Muscle weakness
Warm moist skin
Hair loss
Staring gaze


Palpitations is one of the most prevelant symptoms of hyperthyroid condition

[nygirl7]

PS My thyroid never came back to life it went quite hyper and then hypo but I dont really remember anyone ever saying that they had palpitations because of it. I'm not sure if that is even one of the side effecrts of thyroid disease.    
    
Side effects for Graves disease:
Graves' disease are identical to the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, a condition that can be caused by Graves' disease. Classic symptoms include an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), nervousness, heat intolerance, weight loss, sweating, diarrhea, tremors, palpitations and exophthalmos (swelling of the tissue behind the eyeballs causing protrusion of the eyeball).

Graves' disease can also manifest with any or all of the following:



Shortness of breath

Weakness

Fatigue

Pretibial myxedema (lumpy, reddish-colored thickening of the skin, usually on the shins)

Double vision

Muscle wasting

Increased eye tearing

Infrequent or absent menstrual periods

Abnormal breast enlargement (men)

Increased hair loss

Diminished sex drive

Brittle nails

Even if you were to have a 'thyroid storm' I believe that is rapid heart beats not palpitations (and certainly I dont think you are having that at this time).

[nygirl7]

You should really ask your doctor to check it out.  it's nice to guess why this might be happening but your hemo isn't really that low and I do remember before I treated they did heart tests- so while its probably nothing it would be best to have the doctor aware.