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Author Topic: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP  (Read 8894 times)

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Offline Raney

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  • Posts: 67
  • Love one another, but most of all...Love YOURSELF
I was wondering if anyone else experiences any kind of shortness of breath, or jaw tightness? I started tx Saturday and after taking the 3 Riba last night, I had tightness in my chest, I couldn't catch my breath. I am thinking that it would be too soon for these symptoms to start...and maybe it is just panic from when I was freaked out after reading the side effects before?

Anyone have weird first couple of day symptoms?  I also get freezing cold after a little bit after I take the meds, it goes away though in about an hour.

Please share any early tx symptoms that you can remember..maybe this is normal.

I go for my first labs on June 24. Not sure I want to wait until then if these symptoms aren't normal. If it happens again, maybe I will go to the er since my gastro hasn't called me back to tell me anything. ugh.  HELP? ADVICE?
45yo/F
Dx:  Dec 2014  
GT: 2b
F2

April 30, 2016 labs (without Tx):
ALT   15
AST  17
VL  1,546 IU/ml  (Mar '15 vl 20,000 / Nov '15 vl 306 / Mar '16 vl 40,306)

June 11, 2016:  Started 12 weeks Riba / Sov
July 9, 2016: 4 week labs = UNDETECTED & all else In Range

Offline KimInTheForest

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  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2016, 01:37:48 pm »
I was wondering if anyone else experiences any kind of shortness of breath, or jaw tightness? I started tx Saturday and after taking the 3 Riba last night, I had tightness in my chest, I couldn't catch my breath. I am thinking that it would be too soon for these symptoms to start...and maybe it is just panic from when I was freaked out after reading the side effects before?

Anyone have weird first couple of day symptoms?  I also get freezing cold after a little bit after I take the meds, it goes away though in about an hour.

Please share any early tx symptoms that you can remember..maybe this is normal.

I go for my first labs on June 24. Not sure I want to wait until then if these symptoms aren't normal. If it happens again, maybe I will go to the er since my gastro hasn't called me back to tell me anything. ugh.  HELP? ADVICE?

Hi raney. I think it might just be panic/anxiety causing these reactions so early on. But everyone does truly react differently to this drugs, as we have all noticed from the information shared on these forums. So I don't want to dismiss or invalidate what you are experiencing.

I certainly experienced severe shortness of breath and jaw tightening/clenching (I was afraid I was going to crack a molar!) on my 12 weeks of Harvoni+ribavirin. But for me, that didn't happen until several weeks in, after my body was saturated with ribavirin, and the anemia had set in.

Some people do get a script for anti-anxiety meds while on treatment. Maybe you could try that, and if your symptoms are still there, then maybe it is not anxiety causing it after all.

Good luck and do let us know what happens!

kim
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline Raney

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  • Posts: 67
  • Love one another, but most of all...Love YOURSELF
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2016, 01:43:34 pm »
Thank you KimInTheForest...
45yo/F
Dx:  Dec 2014  
GT: 2b
F2

April 30, 2016 labs (without Tx):
ALT   15
AST  17
VL  1,546 IU/ml  (Mar '15 vl 20,000 / Nov '15 vl 306 / Mar '16 vl 40,306)

June 11, 2016:  Started 12 weeks Riba / Sov
July 9, 2016: 4 week labs = UNDETECTED & all else In Range

Offline lporterrn

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  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2016, 06:47:09 pm »
It is hard to tell. Although it may be anxiety, if the reaction comes at about the same time after taking ribavirin (one to 2 hours after), it may be med-related. If it persists, and if you can take an anti-anxiety med, talk to your doc. 
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline Raney

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  • Posts: 67
  • Love one another, but most of all...Love YOURSELF
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2016, 07:35:48 pm »
Iporterrn:  Thank you for the input. I truly appreciate it. These forums are my hopeand sometimes, sanity,  right now.

I am 4 years clean after 20 years. Narcoticsand pills terrify me. Is it possible that there are non narcotic anxiety meds? I will never say yes to anything narcotic.  Its even documented with all my Drs.

It starts about half hour after and lasts off and on for awhile.  Coronary issues run in both sides of my family. I'm hoping it is just anxiety. I am 45 years old.
45yo/F
Dx:  Dec 2014  
GT: 2b
F2

April 30, 2016 labs (without Tx):
ALT   15
AST  17
VL  1,546 IU/ml  (Mar '15 vl 20,000 / Nov '15 vl 306 / Mar '16 vl 40,306)

June 11, 2016:  Started 12 weeks Riba / Sov
July 9, 2016: 4 week labs = UNDETECTED & all else In Range

Offline AussieRosa

  • Member
  • Posts: 226
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2016, 09:06:28 pm »
I don't think shortness of breath and tightness in the chest should ever be dismissed without immediate investigation by a doctor. It's just too dangerous to not take seriously. Please see a doctor as soon as you can regarding these symptoms. Then you can put your mind at rest if it's just anxiety. As far as non-addictive anti-anxiety meds: a mild SSRI antidepressant can be used effectively in such circumstances. Best of luck with your treatment.
Gt 1a
contracted 1983
Fibroscan 6.1
Treatment naive
VL 2.97M
ALT 38
AST 47
Started Viekira Pak + Ribavirin Tues 19th Jan 2016
Week 4: VL Undetected!
March 5th Ribavirin dose reduction to 800mg from 1000mg
EOT April 11th 2016. VL Not Detected
12 Weeks post EOT: SVR12. Cured with a capital C!!
6 months post EOT: Undetected :-)

Offline lporterrn

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  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2016, 10:00:46 am »
AussieRosa is right. Although its likely nothing, better to be safe than sorry.

My doctor gave me hydroxyzine (Atarax) which is an antihistamine. It helps with anxiety and sleep. I took half the lowest dose since I hate to be drowsy, and I built up gradually. It worked well.

If you are in recovery, stay close to your posse.
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline Raney

  • Member
  • Posts: 67
  • Love one another, but most of all...Love YOURSELF
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2016, 10:50:23 am »
I took AussieRosa's suggestion. My Dr also advised me to go to the er, but I was already there. I went yesterday and they ran a bunch of tests. Even for a heart attack. I now need to follow up with a cardiologist.

On another note. Day 4 of tx and aside from that .. No side effects. Yay. Hope this continues and I can look back and wonder what I was so afraid of.  I have my "Eyes on the prize"

Thank you . . and I will ask about that antihistamine.
45yo/F
Dx:  Dec 2014  
GT: 2b
F2

April 30, 2016 labs (without Tx):
ALT   15
AST  17
VL  1,546 IU/ml  (Mar '15 vl 20,000 / Nov '15 vl 306 / Mar '16 vl 40,306)

June 11, 2016:  Started 12 weeks Riba / Sov
July 9, 2016: 4 week labs = UNDETECTED & all else In Range

Offline AussieRosa

  • Member
  • Posts: 226
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2016, 09:14:34 pm »
Wishing you a smooth and easy treatment, Raney. Keep us updated.
Rosa
Gt 1a
contracted 1983
Fibroscan 6.1
Treatment naive
VL 2.97M
ALT 38
AST 47
Started Viekira Pak + Ribavirin Tues 19th Jan 2016
Week 4: VL Undetected!
March 5th Ribavirin dose reduction to 800mg from 1000mg
EOT April 11th 2016. VL Not Detected
12 Weeks post EOT: SVR12. Cured with a capital C!!
6 months post EOT: Undetected :-)

Offline Raney

  • Member
  • Posts: 67
  • Love one another, but most of all...Love YOURSELF
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2016, 04:38:29 pm »
Thank you AussieRosa & everyone..

I have started another topic " My Sov / Riba 12 week journey" to give a bit of hope to those that were as terrified as I was.  I am on Day 7.. so far I am ok  :)
45yo/F
Dx:  Dec 2014  
GT: 2b
F2

April 30, 2016 labs (without Tx):
ALT   15
AST  17
VL  1,546 IU/ml  (Mar '15 vl 20,000 / Nov '15 vl 306 / Mar '16 vl 40,306)

June 11, 2016:  Started 12 weeks Riba / Sov
July 9, 2016: 4 week labs = UNDETECTED & all else In Range

Offline Determined

  • Member
  • Posts: 44
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #10 on: June 17, 2016, 07:01:57 pm »
Good job Raney.  I completely agree with AussieRosa.  When we are on treatment, it's easy to think that every health issue is related to treatment. Assuming that could be a big mistake.  There is so much anxiety around treatment.   Ribavirin can compound it, big time.  I'm glad you took care of yourself and saw a doc. Support is great.  Data is key. 

Keep up the good work, and keep asking questions!  One day this will all be part of an old story.

Offline Raney

  • Member
  • Posts: 67
  • Love one another, but most of all...Love YOURSELF
Re: Sovaldi / Riba tx Panic Attacks? / Early tx symptoms? / HELP
« Reply #11 on: June 24, 2016, 09:27:07 pm »

I just left the gym. Couldn't finish my workout (Zumba) Short of breath again. I am just hoping its stress. I'm telling my mind that because I k ow these drugs can induce issues with other areas and organs of the body. I got a referral to cardiologist but my primary is so slow. I told them today I would be switching primary doctors.

The stress I believe is that my mom's been staying with me for a month. Her house a.c. went out .. Her and I have never got along. Ever. She's very negative. She's on 24 hour oxygen and her heart only works at 25%. She says she wants to die and argues. I refuse to argue with her but that is when my chest gets tight and I get short of breath. Ugh.
45yo/F
Dx:  Dec 2014  
GT: 2b
F2

April 30, 2016 labs (without Tx):
ALT   15
AST  17
VL  1,546 IU/ml  (Mar '15 vl 20,000 / Nov '15 vl 306 / Mar '16 vl 40,306)

June 11, 2016:  Started 12 weeks Riba / Sov
July 9, 2016: 4 week labs = UNDETECTED & all else In Range

 


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