dizziness and treatment.

[Summer333]

Anyone else get very dizzy out of the blue? Im on Riba and pegintron. I can barely even walk straight right nopw.

[Bill1954]

Hi Elaine—

You are now in what; week 11 or so? This is more than adequate time to develop anemia from the ribavirin; although it might be related to something else as well. Make sure you call the doctor ASAP in the morning, and ask what your last hemoglobin result was. If it has been more than a week since your last blood test, it might be a good idea to submit for another CBC.

Hemoglobin is in part responsible for the delivery of oxygen to your body’s tissues; you might feel out of breath as well? If your hemoglobin is less than 10 g/dL, they will probably need to intervene with either Procrit of even possibly a transfusion, if the levels are low enough.

Talk to the doc’s office in the morning, and if things get to rough tonight, you can go to ER.

Hang in there—

Bill

[Tippyclubb]

Awww the dizziness I remember it all too well.  There were times when I was walking like a drunk and had nothing to drink.  I tx for six months and the fifth month was really bad with dizzy spells.  Plenty of days I thought I would pass out.

I am a smoker and I did notice when I didn't smoke they weren't as bad, but still there.  Smoking decreases your oxygen, along with the Riba.  If you smoke maybe you could cut down and see if that helps.

Good advice from Bill1954.

[lapis]

Yep.  Dizziness, and it was associated with low Hgb.  I did not get procrit cause I was in a study and for a while we were checking my Hgb weekly.  Sometimes that's necessary, because even when we decreased my Riba dose, it took 3-4 wks for my Hgb to come back up, in fact, it continued to drop for a couple of weeks due to the long half-life of the Riba.

Let us know what you find out!

Lapis

[FlGuy]

Several people have reported that the dizziness or lightheadedness is sometimes accompanied by ringing in the ears.

[chevyelcam79]

I also had dizziness on tx.  My hemo dropped big time and also my blood pressure would go pretty darn low somedays.  

Shari

[epiphiny]

I also experienced dizziness, and stumbling, walking as if drunk etc.  Definately to do with my Hb levels and it was more pronounced when my levels were actually dropping.  Bill's advice is spot on.  All the best

Epi :)

[jonney4141]

i experienced this the other morning out of the blue, woke up and the room was spinning, i thought maybe i had some sort of head infection or inner ear problem, but now realize it's probably my blood getting low again, which means they will stop the riba or send me to mcv in richmond to talk to dr.shiffman. i don't want to stop the riba because the virus is undetectable, and i want to be done with this, i only have 24 more weeks to go. will let you all know outcome.... i sure am glad to have this place to come to.
jonney

[Lynno711]

I always got dizzy after injecting myself, cleared up after a few hours.

About week 40 my Hg. started to drop, dizzy all the time.  I know what you mean about not being able to walk straight.  Dr. dropped my Riba, helped a little.

If you are really concerned (frightened) get some Medical advice.  If you need to go to the hosp. don't forget to take your meds. with you.

Good Luck and this too shall pass. Lynne

[Summer333]

Thanks to all....i am feeling  a bit better. I think its also that I am sensitive to the heat and sunlight right now. My eyes are killing me! Thank you all again.

[GSDgirl]

Oh yea, dizziness, couldn't walk without holding on to something, even had hallucinations (good ones I might add)  Hubby had to carry me to the car and wheelchair me into the ER.  I didn't know about the low hgb at that time but they gave me 2 bags of IV fluids and sent me home.  I walked like a drunk- minus the booze.  

Just take it easy as some people have actually passed out and hit the ground / floor.

Denise

[chevyelcam79]

I too couldnt stand the heat when treating.  And my eyes also bothered me.  They just ached like H@*l!  Went to the eye doc, she said that since the tx caused muscle aches, it too could affect my eyes.  The muscles in the eyes could just ache also.  Good news is that it did get better over time.  Ibuprofen helped somewhat.

Good luck!
Shari

[14cheri]

I have also had some dizziness and ringing in the ears. I guess its just part of it. overall my sz have not been that bad at all

[Himmy]

Hi all ... im on week 19 and have had many side effects such a dizzy spells (after I would sneeze) tiredness , bad headaches , cankers on my mouth , cant sleep ,  can't eat and more :) I was hep c free after week 4 , my doctor called it a rapid responder ....anyone else out there have the same response to treatment ?

[Lindaz]

I found that when I layed down to go to bed......that was a time when I would get dizzy and when I got out of bed.  It wasn't a constant problem but it did happen especially when my hb levels were low.
take care
Linda x