rapid heart rate

[brianmo]

I am doing triple, with Victrelis  and I noticed in about a half hour of taking my Victrelis pills my heart rate goes up to where it beats rather fast and hard. Last about 15 min. Then goes away and can come back one or two times before next dose. Anyone else have this issue and its not every day. I would have called a local doctor, (my clinic I go to out of town takes about 4 days to return calls), on Friday but I felt fine that day now today I wish I would have. I guess Monday morning I start the calling to my doctors office.

Thanks,   Mo

[frijole]

I am in week 7 of tx, with dropping HGB but not to 10 yet

Brian, even the 10s will make you feel hammered and could cause the blood pressure spikes.   What was your hemoglobin pre treatment?  It has as much to do with the drop in HGB as the actual number.  When I treated the first time I begged for Procrit when HGB got in the 10s and we were able to keep it in the 10s and 11s throughout treatment.  However with the Victrelis added I was already in the 9s at week 9 - far before I dropped first tx.

I have to say I picked the Victrelis over the Incevik in part because I knew what the anemia was like and thought I could handle it.  However, I never anticipated how fast it would come on.  It is making this a much harder treatment than first time.  I took the first shot of Procrit last Wednesday and hope it kicks in fast.

My guess is that your HGB has dropped since your last CBC. Ask your doc for orders for a CBC.

frijole

[brianmo]

And sandysf, yes, I agree with both of you. I have been getting CBC done every two weeks but will try to get one tomorrow which would be a week. I have been taking it easy, little work and have become one with net flicks. The most I do is get my dogs out for walks. The rest has been put on the back burner.  I, also get concerned about long term effects of low hgb but can,t worry about that now.  Thanks for you help, will keep you posted afters tomorrow's blood draw.

[working dog]

i worry about you pushing it too far...too much exercise....i have seen many come into tx with little sx only to push it and have big problems...i hope your doing cbcs every week to keep a close eye on things...like sandy said your hgb can tank fast...for me once it starts it's hard to stop on a dime...i was very active and this tx has me so far down i feel like a punk ball....i also had heart rate stuff going on...still do...but no heart trouble...no chest pain...i also check my blood pressure and pulse often...my bp has been fine but my pulse went up to 80 for a while...now its back in the 60s/low 70s...normally my pulse is 42 to 48....be real careful....take it easy..i can see thats gonna be tough for you...good luck....billy

[sandysf]

Brianmo,

Remember your HGB can drop rapidly, how often are you getting it checked?  I am also on Vic and had very bad chest pain, rapid heart rate when HGB gets below 9.5.  I had to reduce riba.   I am betting your hgb is dropping and that is the problem.   My doc said some people can get down into the 8's and not have heart, chest pain issues.. that is not the case with me, my body is very sensitive.  I had an ekg a couple of weeks ago to check and all was okay, but doc is concerned about heart damage with anemia.   You might want to get a quick blood draw.  

[brianmo]

Thanks, there isn't anything I can do until monday morning and I also went to Vic web site and saw to call a doctor immediately if rapid heart rate. I also get  dizziness but doctor said that I needed to drink more water. I looked back over past forum post and this seems to be a more common problem than I thought but will still call Doctor. I have her cell phone, I am going to use it. I call it my life line. LOL

I am in week 7 of tx, with dropping HGB but not to 10 yet.

[pooh55811]

I think I would call a doctor, preferably a doctor that knows about you and the triple med treatment, as soon as possible to be on the safe side. I was looking at the Victrelis side effects and it does say to call a doctor if you develop rapid heart rate.

"Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Victrelis:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark, tarry, or bloody stools; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling cold, especially in the hands or feet; fever, chills, or sore throat; pale skin; severe or persistent dizziness; shortness of breath; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness."

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/victrelis-side-effects.html

I have had this happen 3 times so far over a 6 week period of time (I am on Incivek). I am also on Wellbutrin (which can contribute). In addition, I already had the problem, which, for me, is a benign problem that I have had since I was 18. Mine only lasts about a minute or two, sometimes only seconds, and then stops. If yours is new since starting Victrelis, then, in my opinion and if it was me, I would definitely contact my doctor.