HCV treatment problems

[Barb in California]

The entire time I was on Peg/Riba treatment I had a burning/pain in the back of my head/top of spine, that was like a headache lurking.  This eventually turned into massive, unrelenting tension migraine that forced me off treatment at 11 weeks.  It took 2 weeks of treatment with Valium, Maxalt and heat pads (after stopping treatment) to resolve.  Has anyone experienced this and have a clue what could be causing it?  I want to try treatment again as I was responding, but am afraid of these headaches.  I was so miserable. Looking for success....and survival.

[suntanman]

wow ..hope it works for all of you..i was a Guinea pig for this stuff before it was given to the public...ill never do it again   ??unless Im dying...wow it was the worst time of my life...my pain and fatigue where worsened ten fold...but some people react different...im fighting with it right now..was taking percs and i was in heaven(not because i was high) because i go work....play with my kids....side jobs...work on the house...ect....but then i abused the meds..so im off them and wow im crying that twenty four hour aday pain and tiredness is back...i forgot all about it...can u belive that..it never crossed my mind now that *&^%#$$$ back..and i know its gonna be tough dont think i can live through that again..god give me strength for i wont deal will it for years on years again...i just wont....god thats sad..hope  all have better luck

[Kalio1]

That experience sounds painful and miserable, sorry you had to go through that. I too had bizarre painful migraines from this stuff, that seemed to originate where my spine meets my noggin, then they wrapped themselves around my whole head eventually. I was able to tame them some with pain meds, maybe you could try some or take some as soon as it starts again, IF it does. You might not have it happen again, the sides are so unpredictable. I can well understand your fear, those headaches are the single thing that has brought me to the point of wanting to stop treating, the unrelenting gripping pain is just too much to bear.

I have been on this stuff nearly two years and the headaches did not last the whole treatment time if that's any comfort. I'd take the above advice and be sure you are hydrated and also eat right. I'd also use pain meds and try to "nip them in the bud" so to speak as I found the headaches seem to get worse and worse if I don't act fast to try to quell them. Maybe your doc could also get you on some of the new migraine meds or order you some in case the headaches return.

One other suggestion, I found that mine definately had a muscle component because when they were really bad I was desperate and dug around in my med. cabinet and found some old muscle relaxants I had left over from some previous issue with my back and they REALLY helped. They didn't end the headaches but at least I could lift my head and exit a dark room!

Arm yourself with "combat" meds and hope the headaches do not return! It could be you will not have the same thing happen again.
Best of luck to you!

[GrandmaA]

DRINK MORE WATER. The only time I had a headache on tx was when I didn't drink enough water BEFORE and AFTER my shot. I had a terrible headache all day and night that time.  I'm on pegintron/riba. I'm on 36 weeks of 51.

[nygirl7]

I'm sorry I've had migraines like that all of my life so I'm of no help except to say I'm sorry - nothing in the world is worse than a migraine can be.

I do however think it might be more common than you think and hopefully someone will have good advice for you!