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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> shortness of breath
Post Info TOPIC: shortness of breath
news


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RE: shortness of breath
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Hello, Marky. Well said, sir. And good questions. I am convinced your good cardio condition has helped you a lot. It did for me, too. But treatment has gradually worn me down. I can't imagine what it would be like if I came in already beat up, tired, overweight, etc. The regular trips to the gym (post Incivek), and the snowboarding trips (during Incivek), along with other activities have helped stave off the blahs. But the tired feeling and shortness of breath are seemingly unavoidable. I also worried about the effects of all this poison for the long term. All I can say is that at week 33, including 12 weeks of Incivek, I see no beginnings of real damage. I have 'possum hair, snake skin and a gaunt appearance, but these are known to improve once I stop taking all this medicine. Getting kicked all the way down the mountainside is unavoidable. But with your attitude, the climb back up may actually be fun. Hope so. Alan

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Geno 1A  Started Pegasys/Ribavirin/Incivek Nov. 20, 2011 .  Completed July 28, 2012 (36 weeks). For a treatment history, see:  https://jshare.johnshopkins.edu/xythoswfs/webview/_xy-9921874_1

SVR on January 14, 2013!!
Marky


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I'm very short of breath sometimes.  To the point, during conversations with my wife, I've had to stop half way through my thought and finish our converation later.  To put this in perspective for me, I'm 50 years old and in the last 3 years, I've ran 6 full marathons --- for those that don't know, a marathon is 42.2km (26.6 m) --- with a personal best time of 3:33  and 1 half marathon in 1:36.  I used to wake up in the morning with a resting heart rate in the low 40's.  This complete cardio breakdown is super frustrating to me.  And to think I was so naive before starting treatment, I thought I could keep running --- just have to lower my expectations and slow down.  Was I in for a rude awakening.  My hemoblobin has dropped from 147 to 101 and I now understand why the nurse asked my a few times if I was expericencing and chest pains (no) or unusual sweating (no).  I wonder if my pre-treatment cardio fitness level is helping the meds fight the virus?  Although I don't feel any heart related side effects (other than 33% less oxygen in my blood), with each passing day, my breath is shorter and my energy level is dropping.  I'm sure the 12-14Ibs I've gained (thanks Incevik) isn't helping either.  I liken this process to being on top of a mountain, falling off a cliff and being kicked the whole way down and I can't do anything about it.  I can't wait to get to the bottom so I can't stand up, brush myself off and begin my journey back up the mountain.  But I wonder about two things.  How much damage these drugs are doing to my body?  How much better will I feel without the HCV virus in my body?



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Scout


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A good doctor, np, etc will monitor your thyroid closely during this process. That's why it is so important to have a medical team that treats the whole patient not just a liver on legs.



-- Edited by Scout on Sunday 1st of July 2012 04:35:46 PM

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Geno 1a, Viral load at 2 4, 8, 12 and 16  weeks, UND, Triple therapy Incevek done,   Peg & Riba Done, UND and making plans for the future!!
Uval951


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Another reason for breath shortness could be thyroid gland damage, that happened very often in Interf/Rib therapy. Be sure, that your TSH in bloodwork is in the range (0.45-4.5).



-- Edited by Uval951 on Sunday 1st of July 2012 04:09:56 PM

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Gen. 1b. 1st Tx in 2003 Rib/Peg. Biopsy F3-F4; 2nd Tx started 2/28/12, Pegasys+RibaPak+Victrelis for 48 weeks. VL: 260,000 (starting), 125,600 (4 weeks), UND-weeks 6-45.EOT 1/7/13 after 45 full weeks. Post Tx 4,12,24 weeks -UND  SVR!
hrsetrdr


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Scout wrote:

I have shortness of breath but I try to push through it. If I feel like lying down, I do, if I feel like exercising I'll do that to but I moderate it. I'm on week 17 with 7 more shots to go. I can put off any marathons until then.

 +1.    I just do what I can do, and try to accept that some things will have to wait post tx.



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"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
Sunrise747


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So true about the stairs or anything uphill.  I'm fine on a flat surface but those stairs leave me panting!



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Geno 1B Relapser 2001. Started Incivek 12-16-11. 57 yr old male.  Last biopsy 2000 -stage 3 fibrosis. UND Wk4, 12, 18, 26.  Did 34 weeks.  Still UND at 12-wks post.
Scout


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I have shortness of breath but I try to push through it. If I feel like lying down, I do, if I feel like exercising I'll do that to but I moderate it. I'm on week 17 with 7 more shots to go. I can put off any marathons until then.



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Geno 1a, Viral load at 2 4, 8, 12 and 16  weeks, UND, Triple therapy Incevek done,   Peg & Riba Done, UND and making plans for the future!!
Margo


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Low hemoglobin causes shortness of breath, this is why you are experiencing that. I also have mild anemia and it wears me out just by walking up the steps.

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Geno 1b, relapsed in 2009 a week before my treatment was to be over. Started triple therapy on April 28th, 2012. UND at week 4,8,12,24,3 months post tx.
teri2


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I am in my 9th week. Have just been taken off the incivek because it kept lowering my hemoglobin. I have had two transfusions already- 5 units needed.

Yesterday I started feeling shortness of breath and I find it scary. Am on 135 interferon and 800 ribavarin.



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Terry
news


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It happens to me all the time. I can walk a mile, pedal on flat ground for hours, do gardening chores for hours, at a regulated pace. But if I climb a couple flights of stairs quickly I have to take a break at the top. Too short of breath to even continue the conversation with my friend. It boils down to this where I am concerned. I am fine up to a point, but if I cross that point I suddenly hit a wall and can absolutely do no more. After a short break, things return to normal, and I can continue at a reasonable pace. Being an unreasonable person, this is hard for me. Alan. PS. The wall I mentioned will be different for each person, and just walking to the mailbox might be all it takes.

-- Edited by news on Thursday 28th of June 2012 11:30:19 PM

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Geno 1A  Started Pegasys/Ribavirin/Incivek Nov. 20, 2011 .  Completed July 28, 2012 (36 weeks). For a treatment history, see:  https://jshare.johnshopkins.edu/xythoswfs/webview/_xy-9921874_1

SVR on January 14, 2013!!
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