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.

[James10500]

Sounds familiar I am in week 22. Zoloft, and Ambien.  I look forward to getting off those too !  But they help big time.  My heart does fell like it's pounding a bit hard sometimes but my heart rate isn't increased just uncomfortable, followed by a slight numbness in my left arm.  My HGB went in the low 12's too but now has popped up to 13.1.  

Hang in there it's working !

[supertex]

one other thing -- my Hgb has dropped 4 pts since starting tx but it's only at 12...the doctor said he can't treat it with procrit unless it gets down to 10 so we will see what it is on the latest labs

[supertex]

thanks for the encouragement.  really helps to hear it from someone who has been through this.  my motivation was high the first couple of weeks but now i'm in the valley.  I have moments when i don't think i can finish but each friday night i give the shot one more time and hope for the best.  thanks for the tips on managing side effects.  the doctor gave me Celexa for the mood swings which seems to be helping.  I'm also taking ambien cr for sleep.  i'm not a pill-taker by nature but you gotta do what you gotta do in this situation! am looking forward to my latest lab results and hope i'm still undetectable.  Thanks!!!

[Kristina538]

oops - and Welcome to the site!!  I also forgot to mention that panadol (tylenol) became my wonder-drug - I've never used it when not on tx, but during tx, it helped me eat meals when I wasn't hungry, and get through some of the other nerve wracking or painful moments.

[Kristina538]

Well done on getting to week 11;  it sounds as though your response is excellent!!

I relate to the fatigue, irritability, depression: (forcing yourself to eat, drink lots of water, exercise - even a walk around the block with a friend - all these things really help short term plus discussing a course of anti-depressants - some doctors won't let you treat without anti-D's).

Hair-thinning - that started about week 11 for me; it didn't all fall out but it seemed as though it was going to by the rate that was coming off in the shower.

Insomnia - I got meds to help me sleep;  insomnia can be worse if your thyroid is dipping (which mine did early because of a pre-existing condition).  The lack of sleep hit me at about week 4.

Strong heart beat - Have you checked your Hgb?  I'm not sure whether a low hgb makes your heartbeat feel louder;  it does make you more breathless.

Hopefully others will chime in.   From a lab perspective your RVR at 3 weeks is FANTASTIC, and if you're at 11 weeks, you've done a lot of the hard stuff already.  Take it easy and do your best to eat well, drink lots and demand what you need to complete!!