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.

[joemc34606]

Didn't really think it affected me at first but my daughter said sometimes I'm very short at little things, to tell you the truth I don't even relize it they had to tell me. I do notice I get stressed a little easier and I am usually pretty laid back. Just remember it's not you and you really don't have much control over it. I think when you don't feel good for a long period of time you are going to become irritable no matter what. Good luck. Jor

[Trish77]

Agree with joemc, my daughter had to tell me that I was more irritable than I realized.  There was a young fellow at work who got on my nerves at the best of times off treatment and once while on treatment I noticed some hurt in his eyes after I said something particularly blunt to him and that really bothered me so I just tried to really watch what I said and how I said it after that and minimize exposure to situations that might cause me irritation.

[streamline569]

I don't feel rage, but what is happening I think is the Riba is effecting my nervous system making me feel physically anxious. I've spoken to the nurse support line and she said it's not uncommon and to call my doctor Monday to see if there is an anti anxiety not AD as AD's aren't always for anxiety. It seems with these drugs sides keep changing. I can barely feel an itch anymore, but would greatly welcome the itch back to get rid of this anxiety and it is definitely related to the time I first take it in the morning to about 6pm about 12 after first dose of 600 Riba 6 am and 400 Riba at 2PM. I would love to see if I could lower the riba. I think it's to much for my system. I only weigh about 105 Lbs. Hoping this side pass soon. This is not one of the better one's. I'd rather deal with rage then this nervous feeling all day. Like you just want to jump out of your skin. I don't know about doing a year of this. I sure hope my viral loads stay undetected and I just may stop at the 24 week and take my chances.

[crossroadsec]

Beeblessed - I got all my ducks in a row before I started too. I think it helped. Music n logging on here help also.
Streamline, I identify w. your anxiety. I take 1/2 xanax every night and it seems to have a residual effect through the day. I get really quiet when I'm stressed. I live alone so I can shut myself in whenever when I'm feeling tired or cranky. I cry easily. Not dramatically in anger. More like I'm just so touched by life. I thought mine was almost over and the slighest thing makes we wanna cry for gratitude.
Guys, what we're doing through is overwhelming. We're fighting for our lives with some powerful drugs. Mostly, I can do yoga, pray, meditate, or just sit in silence n pray. Especially when I get some fear.
A lot of times I fear the tx will be too long. Then I get on here n ramble and always feel better. You guys are the best.. xoxo. Do your best to get through this. We can do it! Gotta go to work. Karen :)

[streamline569]

You are so right about fighting for our lives. I look out my window and see all the people scurrying around and remember how I was losing that life in me a little more everyday, always tired and fatigue and feeling sick from the cirrhosis no appetite, losing weight. Feeling like I was wasting away. and now going through this treatment you just wonder will it ever be over and you can get back your life and feeling good again. Have a good day Karen. You're always an inspiration.

[working dog]

i started 100 zoloft about 2 months before tx....i had never needed to take ads before but i can feel them and i'm glad i played it safe that way....good luck...billy

[flcyclist]

Every day for me is slightly different and I can't predict my mood beforehand.  If I know I have a particularly challenging day at work with scheduled meetings or an event of some kind, I can mentally prepare and get through it.  It is the unexpected challenges that can be especially aggravating and they can change your day from good to bad.  Some days I'm more agitated than others, but I often can't predict it.  Those unexpected challenges for me is what can push the agitation to rage.  Fortunately, it doesn't happen often, but when it does, you realize it's really not you, it's the meds.  Hopefully, you can communicate with those closest to you to let them know how you are feeling to help you through those challenging days.  

Several here who have taken AD's have stated they've really helped them get through trt.  Others that have tried them didn't like the side effects.  And I don't think it's just the Riba.  However, Interferon Aggression doesn't sound as sexy as Riba Rage :o)

[beeblessed]

Thanks everyone!!  This helps.

Trish -- I know exactly what you mean about co-workers.  I wonder if RIBA is like a truth serum, where you can't help but blurt out the truth!  Oh dear.  I'll do my best to "filter" but if I don't see it coming......

Flcyclist -- sexy RIBA rage....Hahahahahha!  I agree!

[willbb]

I wonder if RIBA is like a truth serum, where you can't help but blurt out the truth!  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes...this is the sx. that is never spoken about . never being able to fib again..it is the reason your family sometimes heads for the hills  :)

oh...it is the Intereferon not the riba that turns  some into "Vlad the impaler"

just kidding beeblessed...good luck ..you will be fine
Will

[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.

[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.

[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♥

[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....

[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.

[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.

[hrsepwrguy]

Is there a such thing as pre-treatment rage because I think I have it. Ever since I received conformation that I start treatment on the 24th I have been wound up tighter than a nine day clock. This is wierd to me because I am normally laid back and I have been dealing with the fact that I have hcv pretty well since I found out in may then that I was late stage 3 activity 2 in june. I have been proactive and aggressive in seeking treatment, then I get the confimation and bam I seem to fall apart. I think I am starting to ramble so....

Keith

[Trish77]

Ohh...I didn't say what I said to the poor fellow was the truth, only that I was particularly blunt.  I agree with Dsrt that you have to make an effort to be particularly aware of yourself and how you're talking to people.  With a bit of thought and effort, it can counterract at least some of this.

[streamline569]

I was a mess before starting too. I think it was normal to feel that way. I took a vacation, but I was able to. It really helped calm my nerves. It's a life change with a lot of unknowns. I think it's normal to feel that way.

The minute I got the shot i took my pills and felt so relieved to finally get started.

Good luck

[DontKnowMuchBoutIt]

I tested positive for HVC when my 4 month bloodwork was done during my last pregnancy this past fall, (Sept./Oct.--one of the two.  I wasn't able to start the ribapak and pegysys treatment until today.  I am not sure of my exact numbers as far as my vl.  The pharm. director for the company that mails my meds to me, informed me that I have the type 3 genotype and my vl is very low.  I did the injection around 8 p.m. last night (8-19)  and took the morning and evening ribavirin as well.  So far I haven't had any of the symptoms that the pharm. tech, ID doc, and the nurse who came out to teach me how to do the injections, said that I may have.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 So my question is;  Do I get to look forward to more than likely having to experience the side effects with my next injection a week from now, or even in the a.m. when I get up with my children.  I had the inj. around 8 p.m.  and it is now almost 3 in the morning.  I thought that if I was going to have any unpleasant effects, they would have already done   so?     Also, How long after starting treatment does this "rage" take to come out                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     I am still so new at all of this and will probably have more and more questions now that can have someone to talk to about it.  :-)    My husband does not like to talk about the situation and I will probably have s more questions soon.    I am so glad that I stumbled across this site.

[flcyclist]

When you ask a question within another thread it sometimes doesn't get the proper attention.  I'd encourage you to start a new thread with your questions in the future.  You will find this forum a wealth of information and a tremendous support when you need it.  The forum members will assist you as much as possible, but do realize none are doctors.  However, I think some know more than the doctors.

My people experience different levels of reaction to both Inf and Riba.  Many here including me didn't have the fever, chills, flulike symptoms of the first several shots.  But don't expect this to be an easy ride either.  Around the week 3-4 you will likely begin the feel the Riba kicking in as you body continues to absorb it, and fatigue is the most common result.  Take some time and read the threads, search this forum for other questions, since almost anything you can think has been already discussed.  And don't be afraid to ask questions.  

I hope you husband is supportive, because you're going to need him and his shoulder to lean on sometimes.  The treatment can be both physically and mentally challenging.  I hope you are one of the lucky ones that has few sides.  

Welcome to the forum and best of luck to you.  

[desrt]

The short answer is 'it's different for everyone'. The slightly more complicated answer involves which type of PegIFN you're taking and what your results are on an IL28B gene test. By the time you've read up on branched polyethylene glycol molecules and the psychological implications of being a CC genotype, you'll have it figured out anyway, so I'd go with the short answer.

[DontKnowMuchBoutIt]

Thanks, so far I have been feeling really good today.  A little tired because I don't get much sleep, but actually better than I have felt in a couple of weeks.  Once I found out that I + for HCV I went ahead and tried to prepare myself for the worse.  I have a cousin that had horrible sides from the same meds and I just kinda got it in my head that was how it would have to be.  I have 2 young children who need me, and a not so dependable husband, so letting this thing beat me is not an option.  

[dixiechicdana]

I have had extreme irritability. I have faced off with everyone who pisses me off. I feel bad about it but people just seem to want to give you extra trouble while on this and my tolerance for BS is gone. So it is good you are on ADs. Good luck with treatment.