any suggestions

[amberryan]

Im on my 5th week of reb and pegy . Is it usual to feel so lousy? I have constant stomach pains  back pain and joint pain. I get terrible headaches. I cant even eat a meaL without having extreme gas  pains and have to move my bowels within 15 min. The first 4 weeks were not like this. Ive cut out fat sugar caffeiene all red meat for the past 5 weeks but still get terrible stomach aches. Also I had lazer surgerry over 6months ago and now my vision is sort of blurred at times. I get short of breath also on days after my injection. Any advice??? Its so uncomfortable. I work weekend 12hr shifts and its getting rough to manage. Ill take any any suggestions. Id rather know this comes from the meds than cancerr someewhere that I dont knoow about. Thanks to all

[Rain6866]

Rain you do NOT want to take antacids within a few hours of taking our ribavirin as it can take away its efficacy.


Im so beginning to think my doc and NP is crazy.

[IMstacie]

I make a very small amount of oatmeal with half & half in the morning.  Oatmeal is great for coating your stomach.  I eat half & take my pill, eat the other half.  I was miserable, had all the symptoms you described plus for the first 3 months - I wasn't even sure I could do this!  Now, I'm mostly just tired trying to keep my HB & ANC up (18 weeks to go after tonight).  I also take Yakult, it's a small yogurt drink with about 8 billion exclusive probiotics supposed to keep your body in balance.

I still can't see, using reading glasses.  I read where that improves after treatment.  It has got to be tough on you working 12 hr shifts.  Hang in there, rest as often as you can and hopefully you will level out soon.  

-stacie
Keep drinking that water.

[nygirl7]

rolaids soft chews


Rain you do NOT want to take antacids within a few hours of taking our ribavirin as it can take away its efficacy.  Giving up Tums was one of the hardest things I had to do on treatment - please wait for a couple of HOURS before you take anything like this (Malox, Tums, Rolaids etc).

Also same with fiber products and Iron in vitamins. Those are all the no no's on treatments that I can think of right now that you definitely need to be aware of.

[winner727]

also ,sounds like you may not have enough coating in your stomach . for me I like ,a bannana & glass of milk w riba in the morning . now that I eat all day ,small amounts ,I have less nausea . but most nights ,when wife brings the plates ,I TAKE THREE BITS & EXCUSE MYSELF !    saltines , warm ginger ale , lemon drops , chinese ginger candy ,or ginger drops ,also help your queasyness       you can do it !!   hang tough !      hope you feel better next week        bob

[winner727]

those were my tough wks also. I have the reverse ,on the gastro issues. after 13 wks Im going thru the tummy problems . mine ,and possibly your "taste buds " changed along the line . you really have to drink h2o like crazy ! I know everyone says it ,but theres a reason ,{it works }  I pushed up to 4 liters per day! I weigh 204 . dont wait on shot nite to take 2 tylenols . for me I get a jump on it . on the other days ,try to hold back on tyl ,unless you need it . selzter water is a good diversion from water . but water should be the lions share !  I also enjoy wet fruits , straw berrys ,cherrys , watermelon , etc  I will say again ,things started to even out w the symptoms further on down the line . yes my vision has gone blurry ,Ive heard others blame meds , this is most likely true   keep your chin up !           bob

[Lynno711]

Hi Amber:  I'm on week 37 of tx.  The first 8 weeks or so were very hard on my stomach too!  Those symptoms seem to have resolved themselves.  Like everyone says drink lots and lots of water.  I've started drinking mine with Crystal Light, don't know if thats a good idea, but its nice to have some new flavours.  Keep posting, this forum has been wonderful, everyone so helpful.  Sometimes it just helps to talk about it!

Good Luck - Lynne

[Rain6866]

Stomach issues! *Raises hand*

My stomach about killed me the first 6 or 7 weeks of treatment. My gastro said it was all the meds. Are you taking Ibuprofen? Thats so hard on your stomach. Im on it. I take it VERY sparingly. Try to always eat something before taking your pills and I grabbed some of the rolaids soft chews. Wild cherry. They taste really good (since I crave fruit flavors since starting TX) Help my tummy and help with the gas.
It seems that with every shot (Im on #12 of 24) something new happens. This week I am nauseous so eating very little and waiting over an hour before taking my meds. I dont want to throw up my riba.
You learn how to cope. ALWAYS ask your doc before taking anything new though. Just give them a call and dont let them make you feel you are bothering them. Thats what they get paid for. Post questions you have here. The people on this forum are great. It seems I have became a rambling rose but they are always here to help me.

Oh, I never thought I would say this but WATER WATER WATER... It helped my headaches and many other things.. and I HATE water! lol
Good luck and hope you feel better.

[annieCinMD]

With the exception of the stomach issues and the gas, you are describing how I feel. It's definitely the meds. I have trouble focusing my eyes, am short of breath all the time, and have headaches almost every day. I had the diarrhea 1 time, went out and bought Immodium, and haven't needed it since. My heart goes out to you with those 12 hour shifts. 8 is plenty for me! You should ask your doctor for some other meds to relieve some of your symptoms. I have a prescription for my headaches and another one for Xanax. I think that helps with more than one of my issues plus helps me sleep good. I try not to take it all the time, but if push comes to shove, I will and deal with quitting it when treatments over. Someone will probably chime in with suggestions for the stomach issues. I'm really grateful that I didn't get that one. My appetite isn't as good, but I do eat and do get hungry. Good luck, and keep us posted.

[choprchk]

Forgot to mention this, drink the heck out of water too!  that will help with the back pain and joint aches!

[choprchk]

Yes Amber, the shortness of breath, feeling lousy, gastro issues, and headaches are a big part of it. Your headaches may also be caused by caffeine withdrawals which lasted about 2weeks for me.  Usually the bottom will drop out of my bloodwork around the 4th week....so if you probably need to make sure your dr checks your hemoglobin, to make sure you are not becoming anemic...happens to me everytime.  Just try not to let dr reduce the riba/inf if at all possible.  Procrit works wonders for energy levels and shortness of breath.  Hang in there!