side affects from pegatron and ribliviron

has anyone experienced shortness of breath while on treatment.  also, has anyone ever heard of any deaths related to treatment?  please let me know?  thank you,   Seabreze

[Fubarcat]

I have had shortness of breath, but only when going up steps, or walking too fast or too far a distance.  Generally not while just sitting or laying around.  If it is enough to bother you, you need to contact your MD and get an appointment.  There are some rare cases that the meds can cause heart problems which in turn lead to shortness of breath, so you need to get it checked out.  DO NOT PANIC!  It may be nothing at all, but you need to find out from your doctor.  Good luck.

[mikesimon]

Anemia, which is a side of tx will cause shortness of breath upon mild exertion. The tx can result in a low hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBCs and that will definitely casue a shortness of breath. Hemoglobin under 10 in men and probably slightly lower in women may make us short of breath with silght exertion. It can be addressed with Procrit if it becomes serious enough. Just make sure your labs are being watched carefully for this side. Mike

[lookin-up]

I think you should call your Dr --- ASAP!!  At the beginning of my treatment, (now I'm at 30/48, pegintron & rebetol)  I became so fatigued, I completely wore myself out taking a quick shower.  I learned I was very anemic.  My hemoglobin level was at 8.5 and I was told that if it was any lower, I'd need a blood transfusion.  In that condition, your body cannot recover on it's own.  They immediately put me on Procrit once a week and I've needed it since.  I felt so much better, right away, and was so thankful that I hadn't waited any longer to see the Dr.(actually, her practitioner, Erin who helps to keep me smiling on this journey)

I hope this helps - be a squeeky wheel & as my 'nurse-niece' tells me --- you can never ask too many questions.

God bless you & keep you in His grip!
Penny

[hopiangel]

Yeah, I sure did have shortness of breath, a lot!  You should report any extreme sides to your doctor.  They told me it was part of the sides and I was especially weak.  I had blood cell problems  of all kinds and that made me weaker.  So, just to be sure, I'd let them know how bad it gets.  Hang in there, this too will pass and you are not alone.......**Hopiangel**

[honey1616]

haha My feelings exactly!!  I have sooooo many things I want and need to do and each day...start them but...run out of steam and say tomorrow is a new day!  Uggghhhh..its driving me crazy as we love to run and do so much.  Weather is getting pretty here and we are usually out on boat or somewhere but not home hanging close to couch/bed!  lol  So I'm laughing at the snoring because that is me!!  awwww :((((

[hopiangel]

Hang in there, you are doing great by keeping that attitude.  So much of this is dealt with by keeping as "up" as you can and mainly so determined to finish tx.  You are a winner! Keep us posted on your progress.  Keep it up..it's hell some days, but, ....you are not alone.......**Hopiangel**

[Magnum]

From what my gastro told me, it's the Ribavirin that robs you of your oxygen, and causes more of the side effects than the Intron. As hard as it may be and as much as you may feel like you're going to pass out, you should exercise throughout your treatment. That was another very helpful suggestion by my gastro. Obviously you don't want to push yourself to the point of passing out, but on the same hand, you don't want to be passive and sedintary either. Look into Sam-E, Folic Acid and Amino Fuel (liquid). Ask your gastro what he thinks of those. My ALT and AST are the lowest they've been in 10 years. Could some of the abovementioned be a factor? Ask your gastro and best of luck. We will all be victorious and cured. It's just a matter of time....

Magnum

[MajNeni]

OK:  this is a time to let gravity work for you.  When you have something you have to do, put it on top of the pile.  The pile might grow, but the really important things you need to do will rise to the top.  If there's stuff getting burried and you're still alilve, then it couldn't have been too important... or it will wait for you to finish tx.  (Exception:  have a 3rd party notified before they turn off your utilities...)

I'm trying to say: don't sweat the small stuff, and don't hold yourself to the same standards of housekeeping, community participation, etc. as when you're "normal".  A lot of us have found tx a time when we learned about our priorities; learned to let go of small stuff; and learned what and who is important in our lives.

Maj Neni

[Bigbird]

I went through 2 treatments 1) iterferon, then 2)rebatron
my doctor said i was down to zero count, but the next visit he said they have re-calabtated the test and i tested higher.
He would not tell me where zero falls in the new base line
He wants me to try the new treatment.  although i worked everyday before i was sooooooooo tired, blue, & depressed.
Now he wants me to go thru it all again w/pegatron.
Its been 2 1/2 yrs I still don't have my muscle mass, or all my hair back. i uderstand the new drug is more constant, without the peaks and lows. Undecided & scared
     Doesn't the HCV-RNA tell how bad the virus is (viral load in the blood stream), so the lower the less active or prolific?   maybe the cure does more harm the virus? Yes/No?

[colpete]

Hi, my husband and I are from Australia.  My husband started on pegatron treatment 3 months ago.  The side effects are getting worse, not better.  We just wanted to know if anyone has ever dropped their dosage of ribavarin down and still had a positive outcome at the end of their treatment. He doesn't want to stop altogether but he can't go on the way he is.

[Med Help]

.

[slivers]

I've been on this drug for 3 months.  The first month felt very sorry for myself (this results from a misspent youth of 30 years ago - have been a citizen ever since - don't even smoke dope)  My results were good - not many side effects except for the aches and depression after injection.  Now - I'm getting rashes on my legs, hair patching and very extreme ups and downs.  Does it get better?

[slivers]

I've been on this drug for 3 months.  The first month felt very sorry for myself (this results from a misspent youth of 30 years ago - have been a citizen ever since - don't even smoke dope)  My results were good - not many side effects except for the aches and depression after injection.  Now - I'm getting rashes on my legs, hair patching and very extreme ups and downs.  Does it get better?

[cuteus]

try posting your question in the recent threads. You probably found this thread thru the web search, it said it was closed to new postings and you probably won't know it did get through, If you read this answer, try re posting the question
GL to you

[Showboat]

hahahahahahahah....now, that is funny, Chev>>>>>>  :>)

[Showboat]

Too Funny, Honey!!!!! Yes, and if we can figure it out...we can keep "posting" this post too!!!!! hheeeee heeeee...... ..and when we sit here during the next "blue moon" maybe we will have "blue hair" toooooo!!!!!!!!!!!  Now, you got me started...we will have to wear blue too.  Blue fingernails, etc.....only eat blue food on that day/night (blue cotton candy)...(now I am turning blue from laughing) Heck you guys are invited to my place for a Blue Moon PJ party!!!!!!!!  You can bring your Dudes with you, and we will let the guys go do some Guy Thing...and we can eat and talk, eat and talk, eat and talk...the Girl Things.......I love it. I wrote it on my calendar already!!!!!!!! (smiling)

[honey1616]

hahahaha You two!!  Don't even get me started!!  LOL  I just now saw this way down here and am cracking up again!!  I wonder if 2007,,next blue moon,,,if we all will be jabbering about how we have things to do and no energy!!  Please,,,,NOOOOOO!!!  The ladies at Medhelp that never left,,,,hahaha

[Showboat]

You got it.....I would be honored to "re_live my existence" or would that be "re-validate my existence"..hmmmmm, okay, I will REPEAT my existence with both you and Honey....hahahahaha .. .I love the fact that you HAD to look at the post again....ahahahah(oppsss...I am laughing at myself...HELP...I CANNOT GET OUT!!!)
tee hee

[Showboat]

Hey, you are one clever chickie-dee!!!!!!  

WARNING::: Blue Moon may cause Blue Mood, (this may cause confusion and may cause some Dejavue and Time Warping)  but may be eliminated by laughing, eating, talking.  Results are better when good friends are added!!!!!   :>)

Blinkin' Showboat

[honey1616]

lololol  Just got back to house and took a peek way down here and you guys are priceless,,,,,I want to meet on the blue moon!! Wouldn't that be fun!!

Blue Moon, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
You dream maker
You heartbreaker
Wherever you're going
I'm going your way

Three drifters off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end
Waitin' round the bend
My Huckleberry friends
Blue Moon and me

haha  Thanks for being my good friends and making me laugh!!
Winkin' Honey

[Showboat]

Geeeee....I love this "area" for posting, and I will cry "blue tears" when we fill this up to the "thread full" notice. :>)

Honey:::: I was hoping you were going to "check in" down yonder here.....this is my second visit down here in "Blue Haven" today....one would think that I do not have a life..hahahahahhaha...it is a good thing I am off to my exercise class soon, it will force me out the door today........BUT I KNOW I WILL HAVE TO CHECK IN AGAIN TONIGHT AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME BEFORE I GO OFF TO SLEEP...........Yeah, Honey, I think we really should have a Blue Moon Partae' too..................................................

You guys remember the show "Golden Girls".....well, you know where I am going with this...ahahahahaha......well, I am off to get "black and BLUE" at my exercise class.

[Showboat]

Honey....that is a good one....tee hee....I guess it could happen....(being that it is the "Blue Moon" Thread it MAY never end) hahhahahahahahah......
I survived my Jazzercise class.....it was soooo hot and humid I was seeing blue....or maybe I just looked blue.....but it helped me not to feel blue... :>)  Hey, weird, I am eating a blue-raspberry popcicle right now....(music now playing the "Twilight Zone" theme) LOL

[honey1616]

Hey Showboat,,,,at least you are exercising!  LOL  I would say that is a big step for mankind since I haven't done much of it lately! LOL  hahahaha We act like we are only ones checking the blue room down "under" LOL   Ohhhh yeahhh,,,Love Golden Girls!! Love the Blue Moon Partae,,,,Partae,,,,Partae!!!  Just a thought,,,,but maybe since this is blue moon thread,,,,it won't end....ROFL,,,,Chev will probably enter soon and say something to do with hmmmmmm,,,,,Could it be #4,,,#4,,,,#4

[honey1616]

hahaha I see that Befudd has found herself way down under at "Blue Moon Tea Room" LOL   Hey,,,I'm surprised Cuteus hasn't been down on this thread!  She doesn't miss a "Q" haha  Maybe she is "stuck" on time warp up at top of thread and forgot.  Okkkkk Show,,,are you passing out blue popsicles to all of us??  LOL

[lizardking]

does anyone want to help me with my fiancée? she will be going through pegatron treatment and I am scared to find myself inadequate to help her appropriately.

[Bill1954]

Hi Lizardking,

There are lots of folks here that have walked the treatment walk, and would be glad to help your fiancée through this. Have her start a new post by going to the top of this page and clicking on the green ‘post a question’ button; this is an old thread, and most of us will miss you here.

Bill

[astrick]

I've hep c for almost 10 years now with no treatment and I'm an alcoholic.I'm terrified to gop to the Dr. For fear he will tell me I've done too much damage and I'm gpoing to die. I dnt have insurance and can't afford the treatment. I'm mostly afraid of the biopsy and the pain and the sickkness from interferon. Anyone have any advice for me

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear of your predicament. If you do nothing else for yourself, go to AA or somehow stop drinking; this will help immensely, and you can begin to address the Hep C after that.

Doctors won’t treat the disease if you’re using/drinking.

Bill

[Vic1967]

Hi astrick,
we were all afraid of the virus and of the treatment, but you have to come to a point that you decide to do something.  It doesn't mean your fears will go away, but knowledge and action help and put you in a better direction./  
Bill is right about the drinking.  Many have said that drinking with hep c is like throwing gas on a fire.  if you want to do anything at all you need to stop drinking.
There are a lot of people with advanced liver damage who have treated successfully.  Everyone handles treatment differently, some do fine, most have some side effects but manage.
There are programs available to those without Insurance that will help with the cost, but again, you have to stop drinking completely first.
You will find a lot of good advice and support here.
I wish you well and hope you make good choices for yourself.
Take care,
Vicky

[a823]

I was able to get insurance through my state, social services department.

I haven't had treatment, but I was able to be seen and have levels taken. I was referred to a G.I.
In our state it was only for 21 and under, but under Obama's new laws, we now have it for anyone who meets the guidelines.If you make too much, there is still one that is offered for little money a month. (less than 50)
Good luck!

[mj6000]

I also had been drinking for quite a few years and was afraid of my biopsy results. I was surprised that I only was at stage 1. Your's may not be as bad as you think too.

[ashflash]

I went through the entire Pegatron treatment for 6 months and completely got rid of my Hep C. Lost 25 lbs. but gained all of it back plus 10 lbs. more.If you just hang in there it will be all wrth it. I feel great and its been 5 years since I ended the treatment and I'm healthy as can be....Hope that helps......Ashflash

[blesschildofgod]

i was told i had hepititis (hepatitis) c back in 2008,i was started on the pegatron and the ribavirin and all it did for me was,lose of memory of what i was doing,poor performence at my job,lost over 40lbs itching like crazy had dizzyness, irritable,always feeling agitated,had difficulties breathing,eyesite worsened,i was told that it realld does not work on african americans but what did have to lose i was in a stage 2-3 at that time i was on my job from 2005 to 2010 ,they cant tell how i got it ,how long ive had it,i dont remember getting stuck ,i did not do needles drugs ,i lost my job, my insurance and now im fighting to get help to save my life no insuranse no helpi use to work with a hospice company i loved my job, i got this and they turned there back on me the company my unemployment was denied several times i feel like they gave me a death sentance ,but i appreceate the docters that gave me the treatments they did there best they were out of texas ,now im in my home town fighting for my life in kansas,do not turn the treatment down it did not help me but it might help you,im a strong woman god has not givin up on me and i refuse to give up on him im 49 years old i have 3 of my own and 6 grandkids that i will see grow up ,thank you ablessedchildofgodiam

[James10500]

Telaprevir increases success rates to 62% from 25% for African Americans

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20101103/Combining-telaprevir-regimen-with-standard-therapy-improves-SVR-rate-in-hepatitis-C.aspx