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Hep C Discussion Forum -> Post Treatment -> Depression after treatment
Post Info TOPIC: Depression after treatment
Tig


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Depression after treatment
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Hi PL,

As everyone has mentioned, we are all different. I'm one of the different one's I guess. After I took Interferon monotherapy in 96, something just clicked. I went from happy go lucky to the darkest depression ever. My Hepa put me on an AD and it corrected fairly quickly, but I still didn't feel quite right. After I had a breakthrough, they stopped treatment and weaned me off the Zoloft. I continued to feel lousy and in the dumps for what seemed forever. I spoke with my PCP and a neurologist about it. I tried everything to avoid taking AD's again but to no avail. It just seemed to me that something happened in this small brain of mine after using Interferon. The fact that all was fine before and never right afterward told me there might be a connection because nothing else had changed. I eventually, years later, weaned off of them again and while I lived life without them, I knew something was still off.

Now fly forward 17 years later and I'm preparing for round two. This time with Peg/Riba/Vic. I remembered the depression caused by Interferon the first time and told my new Hepa about it. The decision was made to start me on an AD pretreatment. It worked as desired and I had no real problems. The AD didn't have any effect on the anxiety and anger issues brought on by the Ribavirin though. Some here will remember my story about the potato flakes and my pantry. The Ribavirin won that time... I'm still finding them. 

I quit the AD's after treatment again. I waited over a year for things to return to what I considered normal. It never did. I'm dealing with a long term cervical spine injury and last summer my VA doc decided that they wanted to include an AD in my treatment regimen. I noticed a significant improvement in my mood. Doesn't reduce the pain much, a little I suppose, but I'm not dwelling on it like I was and I'm not snapping at my wife (as much). 

I can't make a recommendation, but I wanted you to hear how things changed for me following treatment. We're all different, but many things will affect us similarly. I would sit down and have an honest discussion with your doctor about this. Life is too darn short to live it miserably and depression, in any form, is miserable. I wish you well...



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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bubble


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Yes PL, I got the T-Shirt. Pegasys was terrible. I had it during and after Tx. It fades. Depends on management of it. Made it 46 weeks. I did not like explaining to my wife my blues. I was taken off it at 46 weeks due to anemia. Relapsed, and 9 years latter here I go again. I barley missed Mr. Ribavirin when my new diagnosis came back 1a from 1b. I can  honestly say 8 weeks in on Vikera/Ribavirin that the Interferon caused the flu like symtoms and the chills. Riba definetly causes the fatigue and depression and mood swings. Don't worry it is not permanent and soon the sun will shine brighter on a new day. Find new strength each day. It will be gone soon. Good Luck!



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60 yrs. Geno1b 2001. 9mil. VL. �Failed Post Riba/Peg tx. 2006 46 weeks. Diagnosed 1A 2015(?) F3 fibr. 225k VL. Vikera/Riba 12 weeks 3/20/2015. "Undetected" start to finish. Undetected 1yr post tx.
Cinnamon Girl


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Hi PL, first of all, congrats on your continuing UND result one year post tx, and your very reassuring liver scan, that`s great to hear!

Whether your recent anxiety and depression are related to your treatment is a difficult question to answer.  We all have different experiences but it does seem unlikely at this stage, especially as you have only recently started to feel this way.  Coming off anti-depressants isn`t always easy either, but after almost a year I wouldn`t imagine you`d be feeling any after effects from that. 

A lot of us have unexpected bouts of anxiety from time to time, and there`s not always an obvious explanation, so I do hope your mood starts to lift soon.

I tend to agree with Scruffy, do what you can to cheer yourself up to get yourself through this, whatever makes you feel good about yourself and your life.

Let us know what your doctor has to say, and best of luck!  smile

 



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Scruffy


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Hiya PL

I was on the old triple Interferon based treatment for 48 weeks. I'm a year out of the box also. I don't know if your depression is from the treatment at this point. I would guess its just life. You should do some thing that makes you happy!! Go have a good time you deserve it.  I don't think I was ever depressed during treatment.

Best wishes for you and your hep c free future.

 



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Geno 1a null responder 2004 inter/riba   finished incivek,peg/riba 48 weeks May 17th 2014. undetect weeks 4-12-32.  EOT+7 undetect. EOT+24 SVR!!!!! EOT+!YEAR SVR!!!!
PL


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I am wondering if anyone has any info on depression after treatment?  I completed my treatment just over a year ago and I'm happy to report that I'm still non detectable and my liver scan earlier this month showed that my liver is the same as that of a person who never had HepC.  That was very exciting news.  All in all, life is good, but suddenly I'm feeling anxious, agitated and a little depressed.  I went through depression during treatment and was put on an anti-depressant which I was weaned off of after treatment.  I've never been on anti-depressants otherwise. It's been almost a year now since I was on them.  Can't remember the name as my memory is still a little off ...  I'm seeing my family dr. this week to discuss, and after I made the appt. I suddenly wondered if this could be a side effect of my treatment?  I was on the brand name "Pegetron" by Merck - which was ribavirin capsules and interferon injections (for 36 weeks).  Does anyone have any similar situations they can tell me about?

Thanks!!



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PL
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