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MedHelp Member's Question

Concentration and memory

by dheana, Nov 09, 2003 12:00AM
It is wellknown that the Hep C virus induces neurological problems. For those of you who cleared the virus and finished the tx, do you feel an improvement in your memory and concentration comparing with the situation before tx when the virus was active?

I ask that because I have a very demanding job in terms of concentration and memory.
Member Comments (28)

by Tallblonde, Nov 09, 2003 12:00AM
Thanks for asking this question.  I've only known for 7 weeks that I have HCV, but my memory and concerntration difficulties date back at least 6-7 years.  I'm 44 now, so that means I was starting to experience what I thought were "senior moments" when I was only 36!  Now, looking back, my instincts were right.  Something was definitely NOT RIGHT.



My job demands a lot of focus and concentration.  I especially find it difficult to LISTEN to people.  My mind immediately starts drifting away.  And even the stuff I'm able to catch is lost quickly if I don't write it down.  I'm a strategic planning consultant and a business journalist -- so listening is vital to my success.



I haven't started treatment yet, but I'm so afraid these issues will be exacerbated while I'm on the combo.  And, like dheana, I fear that I'll never regain the mental sharpness I've already seemed to have lost.



Susan

by terriri, Nov 09, 2003 12:00AM
Hi deheana, I think everyone is different on this one. For me it’s all down to how rested I am. Today I’m very punchy in the head after running around all day. Very punchy after running around all day – did I already say that? Oh well, what was your question again?

Really though, I think most people greatly improve after TX & some don’t have any problems during. I will just continue to use my dizziness as a secret weapon during trivia party games where things I can’t ever remember learning come flooding back into my pea pickin brain just in time to make me a winner. It’s kind of fun to watch people siting there staring at me with their mouths wide open and shock & disbelief in their eyes.

by dheana, Nov 09, 2003 12:00AM
To: Terriri
Are you doing the treatment now? I mean do you have that "brain fog" during treatment or after or just before? I feel like I'm living in a different world. I'm now week 41 of treatment and this seems to be the major problem at this stage. I didn't notice any symptoms before I was diagnosed, I was just tired I think. Now I'm even more tired and wonder when this hell will end.

by Commdude, Nov 09, 2003 12:00AM
Most definitely.   I did not know what was wrong with me before TX, and felt that either I was too tired from partying too much, but then again, I was just tooooo tired and unfocused towards the last three months before getting checked.   I have a job and responsibilities like anyone else, own the darned business and kind of have to have responsibilites...but something just didn't seem "right".  Thought it was due to drinking too much...but it was all in moderation...a few drinks after work with coworkers...the usual.... combined with occasional blow outs.  Didn't have alot of energy and "get-go", though for several months....which was uncharacteristic.   Decided then that it was time for a physical just for grins after 10 years without one.  Asked my doc to check  "Everything".  Then  I realized that I had "IT".



Went throught the Inteferon/Reba gauntlet, and after 4 months post TX, feel better than I have for several years.



Coinkidinky....perhaps, but I think not.  Quality of life is much better post Tx, and was definitely worth going through treatment, though I am undecided as to wether I'd do it again if not SVR.

by lackalustre, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
To: Dheana
glad to see you here.  i remember you were dealing with depression earlier.  hope thats much improved.

    my head 3 mon. post tx. seems to be a bit clearer now.  the brain fog really dismayed me.  getting adequate sleep definitely helps.  im a mess the next day otherwise.  of course the treatment caused major sleep problems.  so i still use some meds. what a balancing act we all perform!

by dheana, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
To: lackalustre
Thank you for asking, I'm doing much better with the depression. It's amaizing what a good doctor can do. He took me off CELEXA and put me on Desipramine which seems to work quite well so far.

Until this point I couldn't think at other sides because the depression was so severe and overwhelming.

Today I was at work and noticed that although I'm not depressed I still can't understand what people are saying around me. But at least I don't cry anymore...

Just wondering if I will be able to work in this place after tx. People around me have noticed that I'm not 100% and they have enough patience until the end of treatment but after that I think I have to work, no reason for giving me easy jobs...

Hope you are OK.

by susan400, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
I noticed, before I ever started treatment  that if I drank a 1/2 a glass of wine, that was all I could handle.  And I thought that was a little strange because in the past I had drank mixed drinks daily.  It was at that point that I gave up drinking.  This was about 7 years ago and my doctor at that time basically had told me that the treatment of the time (Interferon alone), was useless and to just ignore the HEP C until something better came along.  He didn't say alot about stopping drinking or anything but I pretty much had to.  In any case, yes, I've had brain fog off of treatment and on.  I haven't been able to work,but when I did try, (for one day), I couldn't retain any of the new info that they were teaching me.  Susan400

by Ampz, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
To: dheana
Your description of your particular type of 'brain fog' is almost exactlty the same as mine... listening, especially in a group, is very difficult for me and this has been going on for nearly  10 years.

The odd part is I have a very low viral load, test positive for A, B, & C antibodies, and my biopsy shows minimal inflammation and no scarring, and I won't need treatment.

I'm am still fatigued and have the 'fog' though. I also have been treated for depression 3 times in the past 20 years. I weaned myself off Paxil just over a year ago... I feel ok as far as the depression goes.

I truly hope all goes well with your treatment, again , like you, I was diagnosed just 7 weeks ago. Good Luck.

Ampz

by Ampz, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
To: dheana § tallblonde
Oops! See what I mean by 'fog'. I was confusing your time you've been diagnosed with tallblonde's.

Sorry all!

Ampz

by Tallblonde, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
To: Ampz
There seems to be several interesting parallels with our situations.  My listening problem is definitely hardest for me in group settings.  I began a master's program in journalism six years ago and couldn't seem to follow or understand the classroom discussions.  It was the weirdest thing!  I ended up with a 3.85 GPA for the program, but I can't remember a damn thing I learned!



I don't understand how I can have such prominent symptoms for years, and yet have such a low viral load and virtually no liver damage.  Can someone explain that to me?  In addition to my usual brain fog, my joints and muscles are particulary painful today. These symptoms have been going on for 6-7 years!



Ampz...what is your VL and genotype?  Did you have a biopsy?  What were the findings?  Are you just postponing treatment, or are you saying you don't need it ever?



Susan

by Tallblonde, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
To: Ampz
See what I mean....there's that brain fog again.  I asked if you had a biopsy yet, and now I see that you already said that you did.  My "listening" skills stink.



I'm still  interested in hearing about your VL, genotype and treatment decision, if you're willing to share.  Also, how old are you?



Susan

by lackalustre, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
i understand tall blondes and dheanas concerns about ever regaining brainpower.   ive been a detail oriented person as well and the brain fog really gets to me bad.   of couse other things can play into the situation like hormones, menopause, etc...  when we get older.

     have had anxiety issues and only took low dose trazadone during tx.  tried all kinds of anti de     thru the years and couldnt handle them.  they all made me sick.    so i learned to wing it and just avoid some stresses , watch my diet, etc..

   thats one reason i put off tx. for so long.   still on low dose trazadone post tx. and i MADE it thru tx. with a lot of prayer.   now im off tx. and motivation to do things is harder, i think about things i want to do but doing them is another thing.  just do it and motivation follows is working some. just trying to stay positive.   prayers to all of you.

by terriri, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
To: deheana § Tallblonde
Hi deheana & Tallblonde, I am female, 43, & was 1a. I will be six months post TX at the end of November. Before my diagnosis I would tire very easy & had a hard time focusing & following through with certain things. Like commdude, there was about three months there that I knew something was wrong & finally went to the doctor. I had always been very active so it was strange to feel so lazy. During treatment I went through many different sides stages, bone pain, bad periods, ect. At the end my reds started dipping, but not dangerously so. As far as fogginess, I don’t know if it was because my body was just plain worn out from the drugs, the low-ish reds & dodgy platelets or the fact that I was fed up with the whole ordeal. But, I became a little foggier towards the end compared to off & on foggy head at the beginning. I think most people start feeling less brain disabled soon after treatments end. However, I have always been a bit strange & it has taken me a little longer. I did feel somewhat better right away post TX until the joint pain became worse. Around this time my reds, platelets & whites dipped a little more (but still not dangerously so). I had a horrible overworked RA doctor tell be I had all kinds of bone damage & loss, which turned out to be false. I have also been battling a stubborn ear