Low B.P. headaches, supplements

[NancyPF]

Hello everybody,

I'm in my third week of TX and I actually have three questions:

1)  Has anyone experienced very low blood pressure while on TX?  Mine today was 94/61.  I'm usually on the high side  Is there any danger in this?  And is this why I'm so tired all the time?

2)  What supplements are others taking while on TX?  I'm taking a ton of stuff and am just wondering how necessary it is as I'm getting a little tired of taking 30-40 pills a day.

3)  Has anyone else been suffering with headaches?  My nurse says she thinks it's from the Interferon but wants me to go see my primary doctor to rule other things out.  Just another doctor bill.  If it's just from the TX, I'll just grin and bear it.  Any ideas on something that can ease the headaches other than Tylenol?  It takes the edge off, but I can't take enough to really take care of the problem without doing further damage to my liver.

Thanks for any info you can provide.  This site is great.  When I'm feeling down I just come in here and get my humor fix for the day.  There are some very witty people in this site.  I love you!!!!

Nancy

[Wilful1]

I drink water all day and night, and pretty much live in the "ladies room." lol  I'm ready for an IV and catherder (I don't know how to spell that).  I'm also beginning to have terrible nightmares like when I was a child--maybe the anxiety or meds???  I'm eating mostly lean meats and fish and the occasional steak; it's whatever I can get down and keep down, so I'm following Rockerforlife's plan but trying my best to eat as healthy as possible--lots of veggies, fruits, protein drinks (yuk), sometimes ice cream or sherbert, peanut butter-my great stand-by, and whole grain breads and cereals.  No supplements yet because I can't seem to find the brain power to study up on everything; it all happened so fast from dx to tx.  This forum  was like falling into a cotton cloud for me--a very soft place to land.  People are so wonderful, helpful, bright, knowlegeable, articulate and it goes on and on!!!!!!  As does this tx  : )
Warmly,
Wilful

[Rockerforlife]

Eat what ever you want.

[RJGCEDARS]

Steak
My case nurse was pretty adamant about not having the red meat while on treatment.
So I dont.
RJG

[Fl_Gator]

Honestly...since I started tx...I haven't worried about what I am eating.  My HGB did a nose dive now I crave steak...I have had it 3 times this week. My Doc didn't tell me to stay away from it either.

I don't know what stage your liver is...I'm stage one....I guess all things in moderation are ok. Just check with your Doc.

.

[NancyPF]

Steak!!!!  I thought we weren't supposed to eat red meat.  And I've been depriving myself for almost five months!!!  Please tell me I can eat steak again.  Even just a little bit...

I've actually had fairly mild sx so far other than the headaches, so I guess I shouldn't complain.  It could be much worse.  I actually thought it would be a lot worse, but it's bearable.

Thanks for the info everybody.

Nancy

[Fl_Gator]

The headaches should lighten up after the first couple of weeks...I had a couple of really bad ones but not so much now. I still get them but usually day after shot and not so much the rest of the week.

I am in week 8 this week I took my shot at 7:30 in the am instead of late afternoon...I had oatmeal with butter and real sugar and soy milk flax seed toast and mangos for breakfast...for lunch I had a steak and potatos...dinner was pizza...I only ate this way because I read some posts about eating rich foods helped diminish sx....I felt better this weekend then I have since starting tx.

Gator

[Bill1954]

Hi Nancy,

HR (aka Hepatitis Reasercher) is apparently an MD/researcher based in Los Angeles. He has been vetted by Medhelp, and has offered this forum invaluable advise over the last couple of years. He only posts when time allows, but is very interesting and open minded. There is a link for some of his archived comments in the right hand margin of this page under ‘Most Viewed Health Pages’. Here is the addy:

http://tinyurl.com/5q4d55

you can also use the ‘search people’ function in Medhelp to find additional threads.  Very intelligent person. He also has a Fibroscan device in Los Angeles (only one on the West coast, I believe), and some of our forum members have been scanned there.

Here’s wishing you better times to come—

Bill

[Isobella]

I'm a total newbie in my first week of tx, but I noticed right off the bat a slight nagging headache.  

It seems alot worse in the morning-I'm thinking because I'm not drinking water in my sleep (go figure) only every second of every waking hour.

Ok, not every second, but it sure seems that way!  I'm drinking about a gallon to a gallon and a half a day.

Hope you-and Wilful-get a break on the sx!

Isobella

[NancyPF]

Boy, I've really used up my quota because I asked four questions just today.  Guess I'll have to stay off the site for the rest of the week.  (Smile)

Thanks Bill.  Appreciate the info.  I think I'm going to simplify my pill taking a bit.  It's getting old fast and I'm only in my third week!!!

So who is this HR I've been hearing so much about?

Nancy

[Bill1954]

"I'm in my third week of TX and I actually have three questions:"

That's good; you're only allowed one qusetion a week in here :o). I really can't answer your questions regarding blood pressure or headaches; I never had personal experience with them.

My doctor recommended zinc, omega three fish oil, and a simple multi-vitamin w/o iron. Others in here have far more knowlege than I do regarding supplements; they might chime in with more info soon.

Bill

[NancyPF]

Hey, thank you.  I'm sorry you're suffering also.  My doctor actually thought it might be migraines.  before treatment I used to get squiggly things in my vision and tunnel vision, but it never turned into a headache, so maybe it's just gotten worse.  I have actually been limiting my caffeine as it seems to make me more gittery than usual.  My doctor said that everything that you already have gets worse on tx.  So I guess that's the truth.  How much water do you drink?  I've been drinking at least 100 oz. a day, and usually more like 120 oz.  Is that enough?

Yes, we have to take it one day at a time.  I've heard it gets easier after the first month.  Let's keep in touch and let each other know how we're doing since we're on the same schedule, okay?

Thanks for the info.

Nancy

[Wilful1]

Hi Nancy,
  I'm in my third week of tx also and suffer from migraines.  The headaches have been waking me up at 3 or 4 in the morning (when I do sleep).  I have been living with migraines for fifteen years now, however, they are much worse now.  I also drink an amazing amount of water and it helps.  Caffeine helps me in the mornings, but I keep it to one cup a day and I have pain meds for the migraines.  My bp was very low the day before yesterday and I stopped my high blood pressure meds and will talk to the doc about it on Thursday.  Glad you asked these two questions because I'm feeling it too.  I am in awe of people who have been txing for many weeks and I'm hanging on after three.  One day at a time I guess.
Best wishes,
Wilful

[jdwithhcv]

I've had very low blood pressure throughout tx, had to discontinue my bp meds.

I take NO supplements, on my doctor's advice.

Water helps me with the headaches, also I take the occasional Ativan for tension/anxiety related headaches.

Good luck with tx, its horrible but there is an end to it.  Hang in there, you'll be so glad you did!

jd