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.

[Diane12855]

I'm on week 39 and the heart beating in my ears, as well as the constant ringing and this other thing that cycles loud and soft in my ears. I kind of got used to it but I am really looking forward to the silence when I get done with tx in 9 weeks. My hgb has been in the 10s since week 3.

You can do this... it is amazing what we can get used to.

Diane

[bowyer2002]

As my HGB dropped I noticed the same heart beat symptom of it being overly strong.
I have just learned to live with it - and not overly exert myself in cycling, lifting weights, etc.
This is a side effect of the medicine - be sure tp listen to your body!
Good luck!

[medicmommy]

No problem! And, yes, by the 6th month after finishing treatment, my thyroid issues had leveled out and everything else was great as well. Currently my AST is 14 and ALT is 15 and, for the most part, I feel pretty good.
Beware of the "brain fog" that gets worse with anemia! -It can sneak up on you..I recall once that I was on the freeway and forgot for a moment that I was driving! (I only drove very short distances at slower speeds after that...) Hang in there! ((((HUGZ))) ~MM

[supertex]

Thanks MM!  Really appreciate your input.  I had my blood drawn last week and have e-mailed my doctor letting him know that I want him to look at my thyroid levels.  Did your issues resolve completely after you finished treatment?  Congrats on your SVR!  Fantastic.  Hope I can get there, too.  It's nice to meet another 3A.  There don't seem to be many 3As at the liver clinic I'm going to -- the doctors, NPs and nurses always look at me like a novelty when I tell them I'm a 3a!  Thanks again.

[medicmommy]

Hello!
I went through the same thing -I even had chest pains and shortness of breath that freaked me out a bit...Week #10 is when it started big time, and by week 12, I had full-blown thyroiditis (causes hyperthyroid reaction) and I was put on Atenolol -a beta blocker that slows the heart rate. My HCT leveled off at 26.5 and my HGB at 8.5 (no rescue drugs for me!) when the meds began to slow the heart rate issue. Apparently, the accelerated heart rate also accelerates the hemolytic anemia....-Get your thyroid levels checked! -It may make the difference between successfully finishing treatment or not...(BTW, I'm a 3A also and a successful SVR for 2 1/2 years and counting!) ~MM

[GSDgirl]

I get palpations  myself and what works for me is metroplpl, without bit my heat is pounding.    As far as the hemoglobin..............mine droped to 9.4 without any rescue drugs.    Good Luck

Denise