Sudden Extreme Fatigue on Treatment!!!

I'm in week 6 of triple with incivek.... I was doing really well physically but all of a sudden this past week I became really lethargic and dizzy and weak... I get easily winded, I'm unable to drive, I haven't been able to work, my muscles feel like they ran a marathon after little use and my head feels like a "bobble-head" that weighs 100 lbs!!!!  Is this because of treatment? Is this common?  If so is this gonna last the remainder of my treatment?  I am a single mother of a very active 4 year old who goes to preschool and I have a good support network, however, I haven't been able to do much of anything with her suddenly this week and I don't know how long I can depend on everyone else.... Any advice would be so much appreciated!!!  Thanks everyone!!!!

[willbb]

Sorry to hear about the crappy way you are currently feeling. Very often about 4 or 5 weeks in the HGB. can drop as the meds hit there maximum levels and the result can be exactly what you are feeling. When was you HGB. last checked and have you talked to you doctor about possible intervention with procrit to help out in case it"s needed?

Will

[willbb]

Sorry to hear about the crappy way you are currently feeling. Very often about 4 or 5 weeks in the HGB. can drop as the meds hit there maximum levels and the result can be exactly what you are feeling. When was you HGB. last checked and have you talked to you doctor about possible intervention with procrit to help out in case it"s needed?

Will

[flcyclist]

Are they running your cbc's to keep an eye on your Hgb and other levels?  If so, you know where you're at?  Each week can be different, but the cumulative affects of the triple are catching up with you.  Hopefully this levels out some for you and your body will adjust to the meds some.  

You have your 4 week PCR back yet?  This can give you a big boost is the news is good.   Hang in there.  The weeks will begin to click on by.  Good luck to you.

[scoleman]

I've had the extreme fatigue, dizziness and muscle weekness for over a week now.  It started the middle of my 3rd week. Luckily it comes and goes.  Some days I'm only awake for 5 or 6 hours and some days I'm better.  I'm certainly more fatigued than I was pretreatment.  I keep telling myself that this is temporary and all I have to do is get through treatment.  I think/hope it'll get better after I'm through with the Incevik.  Good luck, you're not alone.

Sherry

[shanro]

They are running my CBCs and my appointment is this coming Tuesday to go over them... I had my blood work done on aug 31st and wasn't feeling this way then... so it prob won't show up in the results for tuesday... But I will def mention to my dr. about how I've been doing and go from there... I have read about Procrit.... if my CBCs are low, does the Procrit help you feel better???

And yes!!! Regardless of how I feel, I had fabulous results that are sure to keep me going!!!  I started treatment with a viral load of over 69,000,000... at four weeks my viral load was down to under 1,000 (822)!!!!!  Super Excited!!!!!!

[willbb]

wow....that is some drop at wk4!!  Yes hang on to that when you have a tough time getting your face off the carpet  :)

If the Hemoglobin(HGB) in particular is low then yes this carries the oxygen in the blood...if there is not enough the feeling like you describe can occur .  especially if it is <10gm/dl


If it is low procrit should bring it up and help you to feel better...however it can take about 2 or 3 weeks to take full effect.....so it is always a good idea to speskk with your doctor about a  it ahead of time.....

Hang in...you are half way done your Inci...and just stopping that should make you feel better also...
Will

[shanro]

Thanks so much!!!  Knowing that this is all temporary and for a much greater cause helps me to keep positive... I can very easily get emotional especially on this so all hope shots are always welcome!!!  It also helps that I have a huge support network between my mom, my daughter's friends' mothers, and my friends/network I found through the NA fellowship!!!  And now all of your support in this forum!!!

[nygirl7]

Yes many of us know that bobble head feeling very well........I never thought to put it that way but it made me laugh it's so perfect a description.

I hope they get you on the procrit soon, that really will help you big time. You'll still be extremely lethargic BUT you'll be able to make it through it - it's completely different once you get your hemo back up even a tiny bit.

[shanro]

lol!!!  It is like bobblehead isn't it???? lolol!!!

[working dog]

i couldn't even pick my head up from about the end of the second week to the end  of the fifth week..my anemia was awful...got on procrit..within 2 weeks i was getting better and after 3 weeks way better...i have lots of sx but none like that...i could only say a word or two at a time...my doctor told me that they never saw anyone as bad as me still on tx out of hundreds...be careful...it can get bad...demand rescue drugs ....good luck...billy

[butter4]

My first attempt at treatment my hemoglobin count went down to 4 at about 11 weeks. That was just riba and peg. My doc.never even mention procrit when it was going down. they just said drink more water. When I showed up at the e.r. ( feeling as if I was having a heart attack) the dr said I was pumping cool aid. They gave me 5 units of blood and procrit. spent the day in the hospital but made it to a gig the next day. Start new 3x treatment tomorrow with new dr. ( wonder why?) and he knows about procrit.  stay strong.   live long and prosper

[crossroadsec]

Good thread here.... The fatigue can be so overwhelming. I actually hold onto furniture acme  times. I'm gonna hope my Drs n Rx Drs come lto agreement on procrit, transfusion, ot promacta. Ny girl - when i get sooo tired at work I remember rradin how you lain ur head down on ur desk.
Shanro, this will change you forever. I'm so independent and I've had to ask for help. And I've also had to let a lot go. We're having to adapt so many areas! Hang in there. It's gonna be worth it! Karen :)

[shanro]

I woke up today with more energy than I had in the past week (which was in no way like having energy by a normal/healthy not on tx person's standards) so I took advantage of it and got some things done around the house... I went to a friend's baby shower and while I was there I kept getting really dizzy and nauseous and feeling as if the room was spinning... I almost fell down a couple times losing my balance and footing... Maybe I overdid it this morning???  Now I'm back on the couch with a pounding headache... I feel like I have a hangover from my college days.... Ugh... How long does it take to get blood count results?  I'm thinking of asking my doc tomorrow if she could write me up a lab slip... but if I had blood drawn tomorrow would it be ready for my appt on Tuesday??  And does this sound like it's most likely the problem???

[working dog]

get blood done tomorrow...you should be able to get the results in an hour or two...you really have to take it easy...maybe lay down most of the time...my mistake is over doing when i feel ok..then i suffer later..you can cause yourself a heart attack if your anemic and you over do...be careful and get that blood test in the morning....billy

[shanro]

working dog - thanks billy, i will do that first thing in the am... i've already called in to work tomorrow which was supposed to be my last day... i can't imagine even standing for longer than 15 mins at this point... i will keep you all updated with the results...

butter4 - wow!!! that's some scary experience!!!  i'm really glad you're using a different doctor this time!!!

all - thanks again everyone!!!  and thanks for sharing your experiences... this sounds like some serious stuff that i prob would have ignored...