Holy moly - you just have 5 days left!! Congrats on being almost done, Steve! That's nothing to joke at - hehe :) Man, I feel like there is a better joke about April 1st in here somewhere, but I must be too foggy to find it :)
I am guessing you are also genotype 1b, since they did not put you on Riba? Have you experienced any other side effects while on the VP?
I am about a month-and-a-half behind you in treatment: will open my 5th-week box tomorrow. I have not experienced brain fog (or it is possible that I am so foggy, I do not even notice it). However, I did have headaches and some unusual hunger for the first couple of weeks. This subsided, such that I do not feel much of anything at all. Except I think I sleep more soundly now. But that may be because I got a job - not sure what's the chicken or the egg here :)
As far as reporting brain fog, have you tried calling AbbVie to report your side effect? They have wonderful (and free) nurse support through the Proceed program, who put me in touch with an AbbVie pharmacist, so I could report my headache and hunger. It was a very fast and pain-free process (they collect these data to later see if there are any common patterns they need to be concerned about).
I wonder if you are experiencing a side effect not previously seen in trials, or perhaps an interaction with another medication? Either way, I hope it subsides soon!! Please keep us updated on how you feel/results/etc! Have you had any lab tests during the treatment? If so, how did those go?
-- Edited by zavr on Friday 27th of March 2015 09:26:22 PM
Golf1967 said
Mar 27, 2015
Zavr,
I will complete my 12 weeks on Viekira Pak without Ribavarin on April 1st. That date is appropriate as the irritability and brain fog side effects are indeed making me out to be a fool. But a HepC free fool - God willing.
What side effects have you experienced on the treatment so far?
zavr said
Mar 27, 2015
Welcome, Golf!!
Tig said
Mar 26, 2015
Hi Golf,
Welcome to the forum! Yes, the ol' Brain Fog... I remember it well and still have days (over a year later) that I experience something similar. I'm probably just getting old! But I can tell you that it does improve fairly quickly once you finish treatment. In the meantime, carry around a pocket reminder or use your smartphone to record them. I had post it notes all over the place, every room and my car! Whatever it takes!! Stay in touch and if you would like, go to the New Members section and tell us a little about yourself. I'm glad you found us! Good luck...
Tig
Golf1967 said
Mar 26, 2015
I am 7 days away from completing 90 days on VieKira Pak. I also have experienced severe "brain fog" and irritability. The brain fog comes in waves. But all in all the sides effects have been tolerable.
Tig said
Mar 22, 2015
Hi Greg,
Glad we could provide some help and information. Your safety is paramount during this and whatever you have to do to stay that way is your best option. Good luck...
Tig
lonewolf said
Mar 22, 2015
Thanks to all for the advice. Actually, in my job, I am the only one who could be hurt if I were to make a mistake. No-one is allowed to be in a machine that I'm assigned to except me and the operators and even other techs have no key to get in. Its weird. Some days I'm just fine and others its like I just arrived on this planet. But being crushed as flat a pancake is about as unforgiving as it gets so if this keeps up FMLA sounds like the best option since I have money saved and a few months off wouldn't hurt me. All I would need is a letter from the VA stating I have an on-going medical problem that requires on-going treatment. Disclosure of a diagnosis is not required. Thanks again!
Greg D said
Mar 22, 2015
Hi Greg,
Would you're employer consider putting you on light duty? Then you would have to reveal why, right? And you don't want to. I'm not American but if FMLA has an employee counselling assistance component perhaps, after seeing a counsellor, they can suggest 'light duty' for 6-12 months or more as required? That way you can keep reasons confidential and keep working.
When you have a potential safety concern that could seriously affect you or anyone else (and I don't mean to preach) I, as a co-worker or employer would be more than happy to accommodate. As a matter of fact the employer may have a legal duty to accommodate- but in this case you may have to reveal the reason why to someone in HR (someone who can keep their mouth shut).
Hope this helps.
Tig said
Mar 22, 2015
Hi Greg,
Brain fog can be a real problem before, during and after treatment unfortunately. I suffered with it and still wonder sometimes if I still don't suffer from it. Could be age related too!
The option of FMLA is a good one. You should consider that if work becomes dangerous. Working in your line of employment can be risky on a good day. Some of those machines are unforgiving... You should know though that your employer cannot discriminate against you over your condition. If you have to work with HR, do it.
I'm including some reading info for you. These new protocols are in a new league, so there isn't a lot of current information on their effect on memory and cognitive function. But the ideas for minimizing it are still valid and useful. Good luck...
I was on a little different TX but it included Riba. I had brain fog and a lot of it. I found I had to take things slower. The Riba kind of put me in "my own little world" not good. Drink a good amount of water and get enough sleep more than normal. If you slow down you'll give yourself a little edge on the "riba rage". Lastly don't let the fog put you or others in danger at work.
lonewolf said
Mar 22, 2015
I'm about 18 days into treatment on Viekira Pak + Ribavirin and am having serious difficulty concentrating sometimes. I work as a mold technician at a large Auto trim manufacturer and brain fog is not what I need. No real troubles other than that. My hemoglobin is down from 14 to 12.3 but the other labs weren't too out of whack. I get all my medical needs free thru the VA and my Dr. is an infectious disease specialist as well as the chief resident of the Battle Creek, Mi. VA hospital. A busy man with too many jobs. I see him mostly now thru video tele-conference. Vets have 5 times more HCV rate of the general population I am told, so he is very busy indeed. Anyways, they don't seem to have much of an answer on how to deal with brain fog. I am considering FMLA because my job is very detail oriented and sometimes dangerous. But I don't want that and I have no intention of telling my employer my diagnosis. I know that I don't have to anyways. Sometimes I can't even concentrate on watching TV let alone working. Brain fog and irritability. The other side effects I can deal with. Has anyone else had this problem? Any way to minimize it?
Holy moly - you just have 5 days left!! Congrats on being almost done, Steve! That's nothing to joke at - hehe :) Man, I feel like there is a better joke about April 1st in here somewhere, but I must be too foggy to find it :)
I am guessing you are also genotype 1b, since they did not put you on Riba? Have you experienced any other side effects while on the VP?
I am about a month-and-a-half behind you in treatment: will open my 5th-week box tomorrow. I have not experienced brain fog (or it is possible that I am so foggy, I do not even notice it). However, I did have headaches and some unusual hunger for the first couple of weeks. This subsided, such that I do not feel much of anything at all. Except I think I sleep more soundly now. But that may be because I got a job - not sure what's the chicken or the egg here :)
As far as reporting brain fog, have you tried calling AbbVie to report your side effect? They have wonderful (and free) nurse support through the Proceed program, who put me in touch with an AbbVie pharmacist, so I could report my headache and hunger. It was a very fast and pain-free process (they collect these data to later see if there are any common patterns they need to be concerned about).
I wonder if you are experiencing a side effect not previously seen in trials, or perhaps an interaction with another medication? Either way, I hope it subsides soon!! Please keep us updated on how you feel/results/etc! Have you had any lab tests during the treatment? If so, how did those go?
-- Edited by zavr on Friday 27th of March 2015 09:26:22 PM
Zavr,
I will complete my 12 weeks on Viekira Pak without Ribavarin on April 1st. That date is appropriate as the irritability and brain fog side effects are indeed making me out to be a fool. But a HepC free fool - God willing.
What side effects have you experienced on the treatment so far?
Welcome, Golf!!
Hi Golf,
Welcome to the forum! Yes, the ol' Brain Fog... I remember it well and still have days (over a year later) that I experience something similar. I'm probably just getting old! But I can tell you that it does improve fairly quickly once you finish treatment. In the meantime, carry around a pocket reminder or use your smartphone to record them. I had post it notes all over the place, every room and my car! Whatever it takes!! Stay in touch and if you would like, go to the New Members section and tell us a little about yourself. I'm glad you found us! Good luck...
Tig
Hi Greg,
Glad we could provide some help and information. Your safety is paramount during this and whatever you have to do to stay that way is your best option. Good luck...
Tig
Hi Greg,
Would you're employer consider putting you on light duty? Then you would have to reveal why, right? And you don't want to. I'm not American but if FMLA has an employee counselling assistance component perhaps, after seeing a counsellor, they can suggest 'light duty' for 6-12 months or more as required? That way you can keep reasons confidential and keep working.
When you have a potential safety concern that could seriously affect you or anyone else (and I don't mean to preach) I, as a co-worker or employer would be more than happy to accommodate. As a matter of fact the employer may have a legal duty to accommodate- but in this case you may have to reveal the reason why to someone in HR (someone who can keep their mouth shut).
Hope this helps.
Hi Greg,
Brain fog can be a real problem before, during and after treatment unfortunately. I suffered with it and still wonder sometimes if I still don't suffer from it. Could be age related too!
The option of FMLA is a good one. You should consider that if work becomes dangerous. Working in your line of employment can be risky on a good day. Some of those machines are unforgiving... You should know though that your employer cannot discriminate against you over your condition. If you have to work with HR, do it.
I'm including some reading info for you. These new protocols are in a new league, so there isn't a lot of current information on their effect on memory and cognitive function. But the ideas for minimizing it are still valid and useful. Good luck...
Tig
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Brain_Fog.pdf
http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/hcv-neuropsychiatric-symptoms-ldquobrain-fogrdquo.html
Hi Greg
I was on a little different TX but it included Riba. I had brain fog and a lot of it. I found I had to take things slower. The Riba kind of put me in "my own little world" not good. Drink a good amount of water and get enough sleep more than normal. If you slow down you'll give yourself a little edge on the "riba rage". Lastly don't let the fog put you or others in danger at work.
I'm about 18 days into treatment on Viekira Pak + Ribavirin and am having serious difficulty concentrating sometimes. I work as a mold technician at a large Auto trim manufacturer and brain fog is not what I need. No real troubles other than that. My hemoglobin is down from 14 to 12.3 but the other labs weren't too out of whack. I get all my medical needs free thru the VA and my Dr. is an infectious disease specialist as well as the chief resident of the Battle Creek, Mi. VA hospital. A busy man with too many jobs. I see him mostly now thru video tele-conference. Vets have 5 times more HCV rate of the general population I am told, so he is very busy indeed. Anyways, they don't seem to have much of an answer on how to deal with brain fog. I am considering FMLA because my job is very detail oriented and sometimes dangerous. But I don't want that and I have no intention of telling my employer my diagnosis. I know that I don't have to anyways. Sometimes I can't even concentrate on watching TV let alone working. Brain fog and irritability. The other side effects I can deal with. Has anyone else had this problem? Any way to minimize it?
Thanks Greg