Fever, sinus trouble and swollen lips

[loosenup]

Hi all.  You all post some great questions and answers here.  Anyway, I'm in week 4 with pegasys 180 /riba 1000mg.  For over a week I've had this fever, when it spikes up tylenol brings it back down to 99+.  During this past week I now have sinus problems and my bottom lip is swollen and quite pink.  (Hey, I always wanted bigger lips and no need for lip stick now)   I live in a small town in Idaho and there is only one hep doctor here.  I've met him twice for a total of 10 minutes and my next appointment is at12 weeks.  I am genotype 1a, grade 4.  When I eat it bothers my lip to the point of almost hurting, I constantly put on chap stick and that does give relief for a few minutes.  I know what will happen if I call his office tomorrow....his nurse will just say these are side affects.  I have had the regular blood tests and next one is due this coming Friday and I would suspect if anything were wrong I'd receive a call?   If anyone has any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.  I feel so frickin' miserable, live alone with not much family support.  I still work........have to.  Thanks to all and I do wish the rest of you the best.  What a roller coaster ride, huh?
Diana

[alagirl]

My mouth probs have resolved, but it was very bad at the time, even touching liquid to my tongue.  I had forgotten about the magic mouthwash.  A LOT of people have posted about having good luck with it.  Definitely if my symptoms come back I'll be asking my doc about it.  My fever is worse the first half of each week right after my shot.  And I take tylenol too.  With codeine... ;))

Unfortunately, everyone goes through tx differently, and with some side effects worse than others.  Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and its nice to know someone else on the same tx protocol and same week as me.

[copyman]

make sure included in that bloodwork friday is a pcr. this is perhaps the most important viral load test you will have during tx. best of luck

[loosenup]

Thanks for your advice.  I rarely have nausea (thank God).  My first week I was drinking so much water that I wet the bed !!!  Twice !!!  I quit drinking after 6pm now.  This sinus problem and swollen lips are nagging the heck out of me.  But yours did go away?  My fever goes up to 104, but I can bring it down with tylenol.  It just sucks though........even the hair on my arm seems to hurt.  It's nice having someone on the same timeline with tx, perhaps we can compare notes.  Anyway, thanks again.  Diana

[wyntre9]

Lip and mouth issues are common on TX.

I've had terrible corner-of-the-mouth sores that finally cleared up when an NP prescribed ertazco.

Some people on forum have had good success with something called 'Magic Mouth Wash":  (I forget the official name).

It's important to drink lots of water as hydration or lack of can cause and/or heal skin issues.

I posted on the other side that, surprisingly, as a long time sinus sufferer, mine have actually been BETTER the past 11 months on TX.

I haven't had many fever issues except for after my twice-monthly neupogen injections.

wyntre

[alagirl]

p.s. you and I are on identical tx protocols.

[alagirl]

Umm yeah.  I've never left much in the hands of my physicians.  Probably just my skeptical nature.  I get a copy of all of my bloodwork faxed to me.  If I see a problem, I call THEM even if they haven't called me.  This after being told not to worry about my anemia for so many years that it actually permanently altered my eeg.  

That said, I am in the same week of tx as you and I have a 101 degree fever right now and I have a fever for the first three days or so after every pegasys shot.  Also, I spent the first three or so weeks with a mouth full of ulcers and could barely stand liquid to touch my tongue.  Those are common side effects.  That is evening out for me a little now, but I am having some pretty stout nausea.

I am insisting on more than the normal number of visits with my doc.  Hey.  He is my doc and I pay him and by God he can pay attention to me.  Regardless of what my nurse says.  So if you have concerns, schedule an earlier appt or insist on talking to your doc.