Do you feel RIBA rage coming on?

[beeblessed]

Last pre-treatment question......I think.  Does RIBA rage give you any warnings, like anger building up?  Or does it just kinda hit you, like Turettes (blurting things out)?  For work purposes, I wondered if there was anyway to control it or walk away or something.  I started AD's early but don't know if they are supposed to help with this issue.  Thanks in advance for any advice.

Getting nervous now.  Have been doing well, most days, focusing on work I need to have done before I start tx.  Trying not to panic but some moments, the weight of all of this gets overwhelming.  Be well.  Be blessed everyone.

[desrt]

As nygirl posted, there's no such thing as riba rage. It's the interferon that causes the psychological side effects. Riba makes you feel crappy, but it's not the source of the violent behaviour and depression caused by IFN tx. As for how suddenly it occurs and how much warning you have, I guess it depends largely on how aware you normally are of your own emotional state.
I'm not one to normally rely on prayer to get me through my day, but while on tx it saved me from a whole lot of road rage and other impulsive behaviour.

[beeblessed]

Ouuu, you said the magic word!  Valium.  Hadn't thought of taking that but I know those puppies work, as I took them for some minor outpatient surgery.  I was awake during it but totally calm.  I'm on Setraline (every morning) and so far so good.  We will see if that changes once things get started.

nygirl -- Too funny.  Scary -- but funny =)

ocean -- I will look into Xanax too.  Thanks for sharing your experience, it helps me.  Depending on the day, I already battle anxiety, so I will keep your post in mind.

[streamline569]

I think I've found the way to dealing with the anxiety. Take the anti anxiety meds on time I keep Valium on hand. What I found is to take one in the  morning just before my first dose of meds. Then one in another 8 hours as instructed on the bottle. What I was doing is waiting until the anxiety was out of control and then double dosing to knock myself out. That didn't work or help much. I think I have may have it somewhat under control now. Who would have thought just take them as prescribed...Duh....

[nygirl7]

AH bee let me tell you the road rage from the riba rage was almost beyond my control (not that I have too much to begin with) I really probably would have brandished a gun at people if I had had one in my purse.

♥Steven Tyler our hepc child poster boy♥

[beeblessed]

NY......heat of a thousand burning suns all at once.  YIKES!!!  As for shooting people, don't give me any ideas :)  BTW.....love your Steven Tyler photo

Will -- Too funny, like Jim Carey in Liar, Liar.

[oceanblue701]

I felt really "different" as the months of treatment wore on. Normally a very positive person who smiled very easily, I found myself almost hiding from people because i did not really feel like me.
I began to tell myself positive things constantly to ease the general irritability and anxiety i felt. Also, i began to really force myself out even when exhausted to have company and converse and smile just to improve my state of mind.
Eventually, i developed an acute claustrophobia that was very scary and i was prescribed xanax as necessary to defuse the feeling. It worked well and just a tablet every few days made a serious dent in overall anxiety and helped me through the last 6 weeks.
I never took anything else and the bad feelings went away with the end of treatment. My husband was really good about it and i leaned on him quite a bit at the time.
I think we were both shocked to see the personality symptoms coming up. This bothered me more than anything else. If you start feeling really desperate, get help to make it through. Whatever it takes, it is worth it to continue on and finish without falling apart.