Extreme dizziness. Anyone had this?

[GTBill]

Last night I woke up not feeling well (4:00am). I got up to go to the bathroom, took two steps and fell into the wall. I was so dizzy I couldn't walk without holding onto the wall. When I laid back down I was dizzy but it wasn't room spinning dizzy (like being drunk for those of you have been there). Right now, 5 hours later, the dizziness has mostly subsided but I've decided not to go to work even though it is a critical day for me to be there.  I haven't taken my riba. My doctor doesn't get in until 10:00am. I know that dizziness is a normal reaction but there is dizziness and there is falling down, unable to walk dizziness and they don't say what to expect.

Q: Has anyone had a reaction like this? I have a hunch that this may NOT be tx related because I had an episode just like this about 10 to 15 years ago and I wasn't on any treatment. However, I have low blood platelets (88,000) and really feel like garbage this a.m.

[GTBill]

Oops. I'm in my 6th DAY! But this is the third time I've tried TX in the last 13 years. Never had this problem. Don't know about my hemoglobin but I'm scheduled for blood work (CBC etc) every week starting Friday. In 15 minutes I'll call my Doc. Thanks for the input.

[portann]

xoxo

[jmjm530]

I  missed the last paragraph, ie that you're week 46. If you're treating 48 weeks then adding Procrit at this point may be academic since it can take 2-4 weeks to kick in. Depending on your stats and tx history, I don't see why you couldn't back off the riba some at this point if things point to anemia being the cause. You should still see the doc to get bp checked and any other tests they may want to run

[jmjm530]

Of course call your doctor right away. Do you know your current hemoglobin and what it was pre-treatment. A CBC seems in order and the helper drug Procrit if it turns out that the problem is anemia. A sudden drop in blood pressure can also account for the symptons you describe. There could also be other reasons. You haven't given us too many particulars as to what week tx you're in, etc but definitely get it checked out.

-- Jim

[portann]

I wouldn't skip my ribavirin. I'd take it as usual and then talk to my doctor as soon as possible about the dizziness. You should have it checked out by him.

Feeling dizzy for me during tx is somewhat routine. I don't know what it means but I made the decision to live with it and adhere to my meds. So far, I've survived 46 weeks on tx. Although there was a dramatic scene where I lost consciousness in a public place, I keep rolling along. It's hardest at the beginning, when it's a novelty!