Concentration and memory

[dheana]

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.

[Ampz]

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

[susan400]

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

[dheana]

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.

[lackalustre]

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!

[lackalustre]

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.

[Ampz]

Susan,
Wow! Again, almost all you describe is exactly what's been going on with my brain for 10 years, maybe more. The forgetfullness too. I decided to change careers back in 1994. I received an Associates Degree in Electronics and wasn't sure how I got through it, I made the Honor Roll throughout the whole 2 years.
If I weren't dealing with, on a daily basis, many of the same topics I studied, then I know I wouldn't remember most of it.
I also have achy joints, one I know is arthritis, but the others just ache at times.
Very interesting parallels...
7 weeks ago I was told I had HepC. I was then sent to a specialist.
I had a biopsy 3 1/2 weeks ago along with blood tests for VL and Geno. My VL was 40 IU/mL, way too low for genotyping and my biopsy showed "normal architecture, mild portal inflammation and no necrosis.(I posted these results on this site on the 8th). The specialist told me to set up an appointment for one year from now to repeat the VL tests. He said I may be clearing the virus without treatment. So whether my VL increases or decreases a year from now will determine whether I will need treatment or not.
Thanks for the reply... maybe there is something behind all this.
Ampz