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.

[Trish77]

Just that I've heard men nicknamed "Tex" but not women, nothing to do with status of women issues.  Just norms.

[nygirl7]

That's what made me think so too. Silly really when we're supposed to be independent women these days!

[medicmommy]

Hi,
I think the thing that separated the symptoms of anemia-related heart pounding from treatment and the symptoms of the hyperthyroid/thyroiditis/ palpitations was that my resting heart rate (just laying in bed or reading) was running between 100-120/ min (normal is 60-80/min). I guess it was the consistently elevated rate that accelerated the hemolytic anemia (more wear and tear on the red blood cells?)
The interferon (Pegsys) ramps up your immune system while the ribavirin suppresses the replication of any viral invaders, and if you happen to have an undetected thyroid problem or contract thyroiditis, your immune system can begin an attack on your thyroid and make it inflamed. An unhappy thyroid goes into overdrive and turns up the speed on your entire body -heart rate, blood pressure, bowel movements, etc. -sometimes to dangerous levels. Thus why any signs of thyroid issues (palpitations) should be monitored...~MM

[Trish77]

I thought a man too .. the name "supertex" made me think man however I guess a woman can be a supertex too apparently!! :)

[Trish77]

Actually thyroid was the FIRST thing that came to mind when I read "heart palpitations".  When I went hyperthyroid, I felt like an jetplane always revving up to take off.  Doesn't matter WHEN that is happening, when symptoms indicate it could be hyperthyroid it is smart and vigilant to investigate and rule it in our out.

[nygirl7]

Yes especially since it is a woman (I apologize I had thought it was a man too for some reason) it would be more common to have an autoimmune problem.  I was hyper then went hypo myself - but it was worth getting to SVR in the long run.

Definitely needs bloodwork done, I think (think meaning trying to think) that they commonly start doing the TSH around week 24 - I dont know why but mine did not do it before then.  I dont think that is that uncommon judging by when people usually find out it's happened. That is a good question what week did you find out - that could be useful for helping determine it for others.

[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.

[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

[meakea]

Yes, supertex, I know what you mean about the reassurance of knowing you aren't alone with the side effects.  I will encourage you to also continue to do what you already did...tell your doctor of all side effects even if your doc shrugs them off.  Keep up the great progress with your treatment.

[supertex]

Thanks meakea -- it makes me feel better that others have experienced this side effect and that things went back to normal...

[meakea]

supertex...  I had all of the same symptoms you mention including the palpitations.  I must say that I was glad to know my heart was beating but it was very annoying to HEAR it beating all the time, especially when I was trying to sleep.  I found that when I laid on my left side it helped with make the noise less.  In addition to the noise, I had a much faster heart rate also...usually 100 or more.  Once treatment was done, my heart rate gradually got back to my baseline (60ish) and the noise went away.  I have read of others having this side effect during treatment also.  I believe it has to do with the anemia which is brought on by treatment.

[supertex]

i feel the numbness in my extremities at times, too....so weird.  glad to know i'm not the only one!  congrats on making it to week 22...
My HgB was about 16 when I started then dropped to 12 in the first 3 weeks, then stayed at 12 through week 8 so they couldn't really treat it.  I'm anxious to see what it is this time.
Thanks for advice and encouragement.  Much appreciated.

[supertex]

Thanks, Will.  I will ask the doctor about my thyroid levels in my latest labs.  I appreciate the recommendation.

[willbb]

Congrats on your great early results!

As far as your heart palpitations...very often(especially early on in tx.) the thyroid gland goes  hyperthyrioid (overactive) and palpitations is a very common symptom off that.

Have you had your thyroid levels checked thru tx.? ..if not may be a good idea tos see if that could be the problem

All the best

WILL