New, going on my 3rd wk.tx. lots of ?'s

by brown_eyed_grl, Jul 06, 2007 12:00AM

To: deb

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place and the people here have educated me so much about the disease and tx. Have you experienced any side effects? With an attitude like you have you'll breeze thru this.

Good luck!

Julia

by HappyDeb, Jul 06, 2007 12:00AM

thanks for the kind words!!! I have not really had bad side effects. The usual being alittle tired, but I am so active all day from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm that I just think it normal. HA HA. I remember when I took my first shot 2 weeks ago, at night I popped my tylenol p.m.s and went to sleep. I woke up the next morning waiting for side effects and told myself that I will address each one positivley. Low and behold I had so much energy that day and I felt great. My Fiance ken, kept on telling me to take it easy, but I was fine. I was concerned because I am the typical care giver and I take care of all except myself. I was worried about me being able to ride my horse so he don't go lame. take care of my 3 doggies and 3 birds let alone kenny and my 2 girls needs. Whew!!!. Ken was like don't worry hon I'll take care of everything. God bless him, but he can't. So I have to stay strong. Plus we are in a family buisness that is expanding and we are part of that,. It is a fabulous womans boutique in Naples florida, and I have to make sure I look good, have a smile on my face and do buisness as usual.So you see, I have no time to squeeze in side effects L.O.L. I'm sure though that they are lurking around the corner waiting to pounce on me. I'll just have to fight them off. How are you doing with all? any side effects yet?

by brown_eyed_grl, Jul 06, 2007 12:00AM

To: deb

".So you see, I have no time to squeeze in side effects L.O.L. "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I like your spirit Deb!! You sound like you have a full plate and nothings gonna stop you. I apsire to be positive and work straight thu tx. I really have no choice. If I dont work the mortgage doesnt get payed. It's a good thing I own my own business, so I can make my own hrs.

Im so glad that first shot is done. Lord have mercy LOL

by meki, Jul 07, 2007 12:00AM

Some people don't have sides.

Or their sides are minimal.

Some people go all the way to the pegged radar with sides.

Some people just float through on a few here, a few there.

You won't know until you go through it. Some folks have sides immediately - some people don't have sides until after TX... even others have none - ever.

Welcome to the forum - much good luck on clearing - it sounds like you have a plate full of spontaneous fun.

Keep your attitude up. Watch yourself if you start thinking suicidal thoughts (they just kind of pop up during treatment---- it's one of those annoying side effects.)

But if you do --- stop them in their tracks and know it is just the interferon talking - that you wouldn't think like that normally --- shove them away. If they get so strong you can't control them --- get into the ER.

Uhmmm Nizoral may or may not work. Just keep your hair moisturized unbelievable well.

Eat good - stock up on crackers, gingerale and bland soups/foods to get you through any nausea.

And with your attitude you should do just fine.

It's a LONG haul.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. And YOU CAN MAKE IT.

Just keep reminding yourself that.

OH --- and watch your mood. Maybe keep a diary OK?

Because Riba does produce some "raging" moments.

They are totally weird too. Let your family know that if you suddenly blow up at them for no apparent reason... or if you start screaming for no real reason... LOL --- and I mean NO REAL REASON... or start crying off the wall ---- let them know to not take it personally and keep you away from sharp eating utensils. LOL!

Hugs atcha.

Meki

by pigeonca, Jul 07, 2007 12:00AM

To: HappyDeb

Don't forget to be good to yourself. I know that as a caregiver and businesswoman your plate is full, but take it easy as much as you possibly can. Slow down. Don't take on extracurricular activities, limit your social life, and when you're tired, take a spa day - bubble baths and massages and soup. Your kids, if they're at home, will want to help you if you ask. And keep on drinking that water.

by interferon_ruins_brain, Jul 07, 2007 12:00AM

To: all

Dr. Russell Blaylock is a member of the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, the American Nutraceutical Association, the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionist, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, American College of Nutrition, American Association for Health Freedom, National Health Federation, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation. He was recently appointed as a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Life-Extension Foundation.

Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon and author of the books Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save your Life and Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients, contributed this outstanding article about interferons, which are used widely for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), hepatitis, cancer and more. If you, or someone you know, are taking these drugs, this article will help you decide if the benefits outweigh the many risks.

By Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
http://www.russellblaylockmd.com/

Interferons are used in clinical medicine for a number of medical conditions including:

A wide range of cancers
Chronic hepatitis
Multiple sclerosis
Chronic granulomatous disease
AIDS-related disorders
Rarely considered are the effects of large doses of this immune cytokine on brain function. For example, the conventional treatment of chronic hepatitis is interferon-alpha-2b. Despite poor results in controlling the disease and the existence of safer, more effective natural treatments, physicians continue to use this toxic treatment. Of major concern are the neurologic effects of the treatment.

Acute Problems

It is known that interferons have two patterns of injury to the brain. One is acute and occurs within hours of treatment, often lasting for the first one to three weeks of the treatment. This usually includes fever, chills, headache and fatigue.

Chronic Problems

This is followed by a chronic phase in which more serious injuries to the nervous system result. Chronic symptoms can include malaise, lethargy, somnolence, headaches, low-grade fevers, anorexia (loss of appetite) and more serious symptoms such as psychomotor symptoms, cognitive problems, psychiatric behaviors and even delirium and coma.

Brain Toxicity

The severity of symptoms depends on the dose of the interferon and manner of administering the medication. Continuous infusion of high-dose interferons is associated with more severe neurologic problems. It is known that chronic brain toxicities occur at all doses but more so after doses higher than 18 million to 20 million units a day. Most common is severe fatigue.

Even lower doses have been associated with a lack of drive and disinterest in participating in normal activities, a process called psychomotor retardation. This occurs in anywhere from 47 percent to 80 percent of patients. Changes in the ability to think clearly (cognitive changes) are frequently seen in patients treated with as little as 9 million units of interferon per week. The difficulty with thinking reaches a peak at one to three months. This can include a decreased attention span, difficulty concentrating, defective short-term memory and mental clouding.

Studies have described frequent periods of silence and vacant staring, occurring even in mid-sentence. Objective testing for recall and cognitive function have shown an incidence of 17 percent to 50 percent in patients receiving standard doses of interferons. Most of these cognitive difficulties do improve, yet there are reports of persistent impairments lasting up to two years following cessation of treatment.

In some patients the effect is so severe on the brain that patients sleep up to 20 hours a day and during waking periods experience disorientation and confusion. Speech difficulties (expressive dysphasia) and problems with balance have also been reported. On rare instances, these neurological effects have progressed to a demented state. Hallucinations have also been reported.

It is important to appreciate that the patients in the first two categories to be described had no previous psychiatric history. Renault and co-workers, who examined many of these patients, divided the neurobehavioral effects into three syndromes: organic personality

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