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Struggling with overwhelming fatigue

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Posted 2/6/2015 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
TGIF !
I have about 4 weeks of my 12 week Rib/Solv treatment. The majority of the treatment was accompanied by the bizarre flu sweeping the country. I now feel better from the flu, but have at least 1 work day where the fatigue knocks me down. I had to leave work early Wednesday (1 hr). An hour commute & was in bed sleeping by 5:30, until the next morning @ 5 p.m. Yesterday, I stayed home & slept off and on all day. I called my hepatologist nurse - she said just drink lots and lots of water. She didn't have much to suggest for the unrelenting headaches either. I already drink almost 3 liters of water each day. Tylenol doesn't even make a dent in the headaches. So.... I was told to go to Urgent Care if the headaches don't stop !
I spend my weekends lying on the couch, resting. I wonder - after I'm off meds, will the fatigue still continue ?
*Sand Dollar*
Posted 2/6/2015 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Riba. So sorry you are having the icky sides, Sand Dollar. My husband had a rough time on his 2nd treatment that was 24 weeks. I wish I had some magic to offer up for this.

The water should be 1/2 your body weight in oz. of water, per day. So you are doing what you can there already.

The headache: Tylenol was their suggestion, but like you...it did not help much.

As for how long after? Riba tends to stick around and gradually wash out over 6 months we were told. And that was pretty much the case. But by month 2 after the end of treatment, rashes were gone, most of the fatigue was, as well. Insomnia gone. Remember, themister did have cirrhosis and had ESLD, so he was already a sick fellow.

Watch for riba-rage. Hope you are lucky with this shorter treatment and don't have this one. But if you find you are snapping at others and you can not stop your rage-y behavior, you can speak to the doctor about adding an anti-depressant. Many report insomnia, rash, anxiety....but this is a short treatment with a wonderful outcome. It would be difficult to work feeling so punk. Keep pushing to do what you can, and know the cure is just weeks away! Big Hugs
Posted 2/7/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sand Dollar- I am right with you on the Sov/Riba, also with a 12 wk treatment and having completed 5 weeks this weekend. (Awaiting return of viral load numbers). Like you I have been suffering from significant fatigue and headaches. Fortunately, those are my only side effects.
Headaches were worse the first few weeks and after several really bad days of headaches I decided to give in (did not want to take more medicine then necessary) to take medicine at first sign of headache. Since I have had migraines before the medicine I have a prescription for imitrex and am permitted to take it with the Sov and Riba. It works for me. Tylenol will not put a dent in my headaches. Also, at the insistence of a friend, I also started acupuncture once a week. I don't know how or why but my headaches have been much, much less frequent after 2-3 sessions. My doctor's nurse practitioner was interested in following my progress with the acupuncture. I will keep going through treatment since it seems to help.
The fatigue is just like you have experienced. Just had one mth checkup and thought I might be anemic but my hemoglobin was 13-- low but in normal range--so they will keep me on full riba dose. Like you also fatigue set in really badly about 1 mth into medicine. Haven't found anything to help with fatigue other then resting whenever I can and not making plans.
Lets stay in touch. Thanks for posting. It helps me to know that what I am feeling seems "normal" when taking this medicine. In meantime, hoping you have a nice weekend and can rest.
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