HCV triple tx with INC ~ Coughing

Another Question.    GT 1a , currently 9th week of triple tx with inc.    I have had a bone breaker dry cough for about 3 weeks now.  In the morning I wake up and my nasal & sinus's are so dry.   The first thing I do is wash out with saline solution for about 3 minutes until I have some drainage, which usually my sinus's are packed.   Then I start the coughing ritual for about 10 minutes.   Bone breaking coughing!    And at night time when I lay down for bed I will wheeze & am constantly coughing all night.    Anyone else with these symptoms ?    Is it the interferon, riba or Inc ?  Or all ?????  

[BigDaddy_59]

I have never had these sx's but make sure you are drinking lotsa lotsa lotsa water.
I always put out a gallon in the morning and make sure I drink at least that much.
I found that easier than trying to remember how much I have drank.
Also, in the cold weather, the air can hold less water and it is drier, so use a humidifier, especially at night.
Hope this helps!
Chris

[BigDaddy_59]

I have never had these sx's but make sure you are drinking lotsa lotsa lotsa water.
I always put out a gallon in the morning and make sure I drink at least that much.
I found that easier than trying to remember how much I have drank.
Also, in the cold weather, the air can hold less water and it is drier, so use a humidifier, especially at night.
Hope this helps!
Chris

[Livinontheedge]

Thanks Chris,   I was thinking it would be a good idea to get the humidifier out too !    And yes, good point,  more water I am sure is the key.  I am at a 100 ounces right now a day and I hate it !  But know i have to do it.   Will increase intake :)

[pooh55811]

I also have a bad cough, and it gets a lot worse at night. I think it does help to stay hydrated but I also think it is just a side effect of the treatment. One of the most common side effects of Ribavirin is cough.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/ribavirin-side-effects.html

Ribavirin

"Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ribavirin:

Cough; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; hair loss; joint pain; loss of appetite; mild headache, nausea, or vomiting; mild stomach pain; sinus problems; tiredness; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; weakness or fatigue."

It is getting pretty annoying for me and also my abdominal muscles are hurting from coughing. I may talk with the doctor about it on Monday.

[JasmineT]

I have added 1 or 2 Glaceu VitaminWater zero or regular to my fluid intake a day.  Some flavors include zinc and vitamin c which may help with the cough.  Or may not.  Certainly helps my electrolytes and sometimes I just can't tolerate too much pure water.  I still drink my water, but this breaks it up.  The pharmacist said the vitamin water was ok.

There is also a product called Zicam Cold Remedy that contains zinc, cherry tablets that dissolve in your mouth, found in the cold remedy over the counter section. My pharmacist told me it was ok to take.  I do see reports of too much for too long potentially causing taste or smell problems so would use this lightly but I do think zinc MAY help you.  I have used it on occasion.

You may wish to take a tablet at night and see if it helps and add in some of the vitamin water and see if it helps.

Hope you find a way to manage this symptom.

[starshine1ca]

I, too have some (very dry) coughing and wheezing at night and my nasal passages are soo dry.  I got my humidifier out yesterday and let it run all night and this morning I am noticing a big difference. I am only on week 5 and JUST started VIC so it is definitely the ribavirin or interferon causing it.  Hope you can get some relief! :-(  But I really recommend the humidifier, as Big Daddy said.

[sandysf]

Riba cough is a well known sx.   I had it non stop for nearly 15 weeks,  then when they reduced my riba.. it went away!  or my body got used to the drugs.  They doc recommended Zyrtec, but it didn't really help.  I found that I coughed less when I didn't talk or go outside.. humidity tended to make it worse for me.  

[flcyclist]

Also have the cough, but not a problem when laying down to sleep.  Like sandysf, the more I talk, the worse it gets.  Antihistamines, such as Claritin and Benadryl taken for the itchies seem to help the cough a little too.  Drinking more water helps also.  Not a major problem for me, just irritating.

[R Glass]

  I hate to be the Prophet of Doom but I notice a lot of the sx that people are experiencing on triple tx, are the same ones we went through on SOC. It’s good to think positive but don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Triple tx does is not causing a lot of these sx.

[R Glass]

"Triple tx is not causing a lot of these sx."

[flcyclist]

Yep, I'll vouch for that since I'm on SOC.  I believe it's the Riba.  You should get a star for that observation  :o)

[willbb]

+1 R Glass

Very common reported sx. suspected to be caused by Riba.
Will

http://www.docguide.com/chronic-cough-associated-interferon-ribavirin-therapy-hepatitis-c?tsid=5

Previous studies have observed that cough occurs more commonly in patients receiving the combination of interferon and ribavirin compared to interferon alone, thus implicating ribavirin as the causal agent. Our data demonstrate that it does so by reversible enhancement of cough reflex sensitivity. Clinicians should be aware of this potential treatment-related effect, so as to avoid unnecessary and costly diagnostic evaluations seeking an alternative aetiology of cough.

[Dee1956]

Hi I have heard of people getting a cough from the riba that could be part of it.  I have also noticed a lot more congestion at 10 weeks, leaves?  Hard to say.  I have been taking decongestants and they seem to help
Good luck
Dee

[aj7538]

I too have developed a dry hacking cough. I too notice if I talk too long it acts.up. Dr said.it was a sys. Have been using cough drops, but stiill have it