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Avatar universal

Can't get warm while on tx.

I live in California with nice weather, but since I started tx 2 weeks ago, I can't seem to get warm.  I can put on layers of sweaters, be under a heavy blanket, plus have the heating pad on high and I am still shivering.  Is this what the literature means when they say sides include "flue-like symptoms?"  

If so, have any of you had this sx and if so what did you do about it and how long did it last for you.  Thanks for any responses.
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1420486 tn?1384793153
Try hot bath's, followed by wood stove or layers and or heating blankets. Good-luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I stayed cold during the entire 88 wks. of my first treatment.  I went to Florida and spent both winters just to get warm and did my labs and meds by mail.  Now, this time, I am on a trial and....COLD.  I can't leave though because with the trial I have to be available.  So I have a heater going at my feet as I write.  Are you petite too?  Good luck to you.  Beyondmwd
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

I'm 6 months post treatment. I found this thread when I searched for reasons I am cold all the time. I don't remember having that problem while on tx.

I'm wondering of there are any cases of people developing hypothyroidism because of the tx.

Lastly, I would be cautious about hot water baths and showers. One of the worst side effects I had was the constant itching. It wasn't even like real itching. It was more like being stung by ants. Now I have scars because of how badly I tore up my skin scratching. The doctor said it was caused by the drugs drying out my skin. She had me cut out soap, and told me hot water showers will make it worse.

After that I only took lukewarm oatmeal baths. It helped some, but not enough to keep me from scratching. I still have itching problems, though not near as bad as when on tx..

We well my fellows
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Portann for the laugh with your husband's "warm-up" visual.  I really needed that today.  

And for the rest, thanks for your responses, they help me greatly.  I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with me.  I have been continually cold since my first shot as well as a pain under my right breast.  Between the two, as well as others sx, I was getting a little discouraged.  And, only 46 more weeks to go!  What a wis!!!  I have now discovered that that pain is my liver.  Ouch!  Well, thanks for all your advise and I will try some of your suggestions.  Thanks for encouraging me.  It really helps to know others have succeeded with this.  I can do it too!!!  

Hope you guys will feel well enough to enjoy this Easter weekend.

Jaz
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Avatar universal
I had bad chills every week for a couple of days after my shot.  The rest of the time it alternated between chills and sweats.  Just could not regulate my body temp at all.  Hot showers helped a lot, and I kept a down throw close at hand for when the chills hit hard.  That body to body thing also works well.

Hope you feel better soon.
Helpful - 0
9648 tn?1290091207
I was very cold too. Not just after shots but all the time. I bought an electric throw and an electric blanket. I wore my Uggs constantly. I took hot showers and hot baths. (I also live in CA, BTW--on the central coast.)
Helpful - 0
1051313 tn?1284780795
Hi
I had the same problem.  I think that it was really bad through the winter and I live in So. California!
It helped me to go out in the sun and sit.  People thought I was crazy, but I would like to sit in my car in the sun with the windows up!!
Moving around helped, and dressing in layers.
  I really never got my hands or feet warm.
We had all that great snow but the thought of taking my kids up just to watch them made me shiver!.
I think that it probably is the anemia.  I added vit D also and still take it. Also I lived on Vitamin "I", Ibuprofen!
Try to get out when you can and move a bit.  I know it's easy and better to lie under the covers a lot.  But I think it I always felt better when I got out.
It goes away, and for me wasn't constant.
Hope you warm up!
Vic
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I got trembling cold and shivery with my first shot.

For several weeks after that first shot, I took Tylenol as a pre-emptive measure about twenty minutes before my weekly interferon shot. That possibly ramped down my reactions after that because that malaria-like feeling pretty much disappeared for me.

Have you tried drinking something hot (watch out for sensitive mouth) and wearing a thick wool cap (most of your body heat is lost through the head)?

My husband offered to warm me up, body to body, but boy, did that idea turn me off at the time. :)  It may have worked, though.

My side effects changed from week to week and just when I'd problem-solved for one thing, another would pop up to keep me miserably occupied.

Best of luck and hang in there. It's tough feeling cold in sunny California with spring so beautifully in the air. Soon enough, this will all be behind you and you'll barely remember it.

Susan
Helpful - 0
956931 tn?1271636169
Hi Jazz,
What you are describing is a common side effect for many on treatment. I have heard of some who just can't get warm the entire time they are treating, others get very hot and can't seem to cool off. I had violent shaking with my first shot that lasted for hours, followed by hours of vomiting. For me the "mild to moderate" flu like symptoms was a huge understatement with shot one. Shot 2 was not nearly as bad (thank God!). Now only 46 to go, and for all I know each one may hit me differently. Good luck to you, hope you "warm up". :)
~Pos.
Helpful - 0
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