9 weeks of tx, leg cramps, headaches

9th week of tx: 1200 ribavirin daily 180 pegasys.
Started having severe headaches last Wed, mostly in late afternoon and lasting most of the night. Also leg cramps and dizziness.
RBC 3.92
Hemo 11.5
hemocrit 34
Platelets 117
WBC 1.8
Doctor thinks things are OK just part of tx. Any advise?

[NYgirl]

I get the leg cramps too - I think it's from the dehydration that we experience. No matter how much water we drink it can't hydrate us properly. I don't know what it's all "really" caused by but unfortunately you are having problems from tx and it is OK - as unbelievably as that sounds.

While your hemo isn't THAT bad it's still low and definitely can cause the dizziness.  No doubt.

Keep an eye on it - when it gets to about 10 they will let you do Procrit to raise it but personally I haven't been out of the 10 area in the past 18 months.  Your body will adjust to these changes it is going through - you just have to hang on.

It's all treatment. No fun but doable is the truth.

[mkeela]

I had bad leg cramps, and bone pain. Seemed like they were worse when I slacked off the water. About mid-way through tx I'd forget to drink what I was supposed to...blamed it on the brain fog lol. DRINK THE WATER! :)

[Pdilly]

Leg cramps are usually dehydration.  Drink more water.  I know sometimes you will feel like a fish but its not forever.  I get headaches too every now and then.  Take a tylenol or two that day. It seems to do the trick.

[tomofficial]

Thanks all, I'll pay more attention to how much i drink and keep on keepin on!

[aquarius64]

sorry to hear about your sx. i just started tx but i can relate to the severe headaches. tylenol did nothing. nygirl suggested a couple of advil, and that helped more. advil always worked better for me before tx. i just never know which one to take with all the controversy. hope you feel better real soon!

[Imagine]

Sorry to hear of your sx's. The headache was a common occurrence for me as well. As far as the leg cramps I would think the dehydration would be a factor. You could talk to your Doc about it and ask him maybe to include electrolyte tests with your cbc bloodwork to see if there is a problem there.