Feelings of Euphoria?

People on this list may think I've gone bonkers but I would like to know if anyone has ever heard of this before.  At first, I thought it was just my imagination or that I just felt so relieved that I was finally getting treatment that I had a sensation of well being as a result.  But I checked with another study recipient and we both agree that there is a mild sense of well being and euphoria that sets in about an hour after taking PSI 7977 and lasts for varying lengths of time and then begins to change to fatigue.  It is like getting gas or a valium before a dental procedure.  Has anyone else experienced such sensations on any of the hepatitis medications; experimental or not?  

[eureka254]

Hmm... where do I sign up for this trial ? :o)

[Mary4now]

who knows how the body/mind responds?  I guess thats why they ask tons of questions during the study,  I hope it lasts.......
XX Mary

[lynda607]

Is it listed as a side effect?  Point in case, after injecting interferon many people feel hyperactive for a period of time which could be construed as euphoric.  They have a much more difficult time falling asleep on shot day but then the obvious side effects set in and up feeling turns to a downer.

[willing]

sigh, this adds insult to injury. I'm pretty sure you won't find anyone enduring triple (or double) tx complaining about euphoria as a sx...

[aj7538]

my first shot was last thursday. I was braced for feeling sick. It never happened, but the last few days I have been feeling really good. I think I am just so relieved that I feel well, that I am happy. I just got home from 6:30 this morning. So I cant explain, but am grateful for each day of good health. 2nd shot friday,so I will see what hapens. On riba and peg will add boc. in a few weeks how.long have u been on tx? Aj

[curiouslady1]

Nope.  This is a different sort of sensation.  It is not a feeling of hyperactivity or relief or anything of the sort.  It is much more like taking a sedative at the dentist's office or nitrous.  It is the type of feeling just as you enter a twilight sleep from anaesthesia.  It doesn't stay that way but tends to dissipate within a little while.  It happens about an hour after dosing but doesn't last long.  

[gonnabhepcfree]

to ask this privately of the people in our study would have probably been more appropriate.  I haven't read anywhere on this forum from anyone on treatment that is having anything less than some pretty awful side effects..pretty insensitive..sorry...don't wanna rain on your parade but really..not very mindful...

[Hopinghepster]

Personally, I find any honest description of a subjective experience to be valuable, whether awful or euphoric. I'm just interested in what people are experiencing as they go through the treatment, and am happy to be pleasantly surprised.

[curiouslady1]

I am sorry if I have offended anyone's sensibilities here.  Apparently my post has struck some as cavalier.  However, feelings of euphoria are not necessarily a good thing and should be considered a bona fide side effect.  Such feelings could give rise to poor judgement (like getting into a car and driving when you are not able to do so), can induce a tendency toward overdosage, can interact negatively with psychiatric medication.  Since I am in a Phase II trial and we are all presumed to be in reasonably good health, I imagine such experiences are transitory for us if they exist at all (which is still a question) but could be potentiated in an unwelcomed way by other medications etc.  in those who are less healthy.  Warnings on labels are helpful.  I have been fatigued on this medication but not to the point I can't drive I don't believe.  However, others may be more seriously affected.

[frijole]

curious lady - well, I think that is pretty cool.  I get those bursts of energy off of the interferon.  It is different this time with the PegIntron.  With the Pegasys I thought day after shot would be a down day and instead that was my high energy day.  This time with the PegIntron, I find the day after shot to be a little off - but not bad - and the second day after shot to be rather high energy.  But euphoric?  Give me some of that!  I hope the trials prove successful -- can you imagine the folks signing up for treatment with that listed as an sx?

hopinghepster - I notice this is your first post.  Welcome to the forum.  Are you thinking about treating or are you on treatment?  Tell us your story.

frijole

[screaming48]

I think I would rather have the euphoria any day over crappy side effects, if that is how it makes you feel go with the flow.:)

[gonnabhepcfree]

this is what I was referring to "At first, I thought it was just my imagination or that I just felt so relieved that I was finally getting treatment that I had a sensation of well being as a result."  I have to admit that I am just very sensitive on this forum having just breezed through almost five weeks of treatment....

[FlGuy]

"At first, I thought it was just my imagination or that I just felt so relieved that I was finally getting treatment that I had a sensation of well being as a result."  

Nothing wrong with that....It's what all should hope for, but expect something else.

[elpasolady]

"I haven't read anywhere on this forum from anyone on treatment that is having anything less than some pretty awful side effects..pretty insensitive..sorry...don't wanna rain on your parade but really..not very mindful... "

I just want to let you know that I am into week 4 of triple therapy and feel just about as good as I did before starting treatment.  I acutally have more energy this past week or so, than the first two.  I have posted about this on this forum, ONLY in order to give others encouragement that not everyone goes through all the nasty side effects.I don't think it is insensitive at all to post any positive side effects  People need to know this too! .
Plus, it seems as though from your last post, that you are having a easy time with treatment as well.  So glad to hear it!  I hope it lasts.

[flcyclist]

Certainly nothing wrong with posting how you're doing, both good and bad.  I agree with elpasolady that it give others encouragement to see some having few sides and easy days.  Most tend to post about the challenges they are having due to fatigue, rashes and other sides, so it is only normal to see more of this side.   I have more good days than bad, manage to put in full days at work and continue cycling at a slower pace, but still going.  

I had a dream the other night that was close to euphoria and involved a curious lady, but I can't go into those details here.  :)

[curiouslady1]

PS I have some crappy side effects too, mostly gastro and the sense of well being comes and goes.  Myself and some fellow 1a's are still in VL double digits on our orals.  Seems to have gotten stuck there the last few days.  There are definite wet blankets for euphoria.  And my phoria is not eur phoria.  I had a dream the other night that I was on a train.  I hope I am going to someplace good.  :) even youphoric.

[FlGuy]

While you're on that train you'll realize that the distance from Euphoria to Eureka is not that long. Just one or two stops.  If you see Rod Serling on the train, tell him I said Hi !

[dointime]

Thank goodness for somebody who is aware and articulate enough to give us their inside story on these drugs - all of it.  Please keep it coming and don't be put off by anything.  This is valuable information.

dointime

[beeblessed]

OMG.  It IS equally important for everyone reading these posts to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.  Thank you so much for sharing this news.  And as you mentioned.....this 'could' be a NEW side, that's certainly worth exploring, asking others and sharing with your dr's.  Why?  Because some drugs had one original, intended purpose, and was later discovered to help something totally unrelated.  Stay with me here.  VIAGRA, for example, was created for....well, you know.....but was later found to also aid hamsters with jet lag :o)  Who knew hamsters had jet lag?  I kid you not, here is the link (scroll to jet lag research):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sildenafil

I have appreciated this forum's honesty and the unwaivering experience sharing that shows  -- everybody's body responds differently.  So your post IS vital and we all are learning.  All the best to you!!!

[Bill200]

Do you think maybe it's due to killing virus?

[eureka254]

"the distance from Euphoria to Eureka is not that long..."
-----------
I beg to differ.  

[crossroadsec]

It's all good w me anyway. I've had every side effect under the sun at different times and still am the happiest person I know. It is quite euphoric to get that feeling of a drug going after your killer.
I know that many of you have had some horrible years w/ repeat tx and sides. I sympathize w. it. I really do. It's not a barrel of monkeys. I liken it to pregnancy. Was it always easy? Can you call morning sickness or labor fun? I was infertile and let me tell you, I rejoiced w/ every symptom cuz it reminded me that I was still pregnant.
I may be a little tired due to low blood labs. I may be laying on the couch. But in my head and heart - I'm freaking doing back hand springs.
She says with her fist in the air. haha. Karen :)

[FlGuy]

"the distance from Euphoria to Eureka is not that long..."
-----------
I beg to differ.  


It's travel in the other direction that's longer. (that's where Rod Serling comes in)  But, you'll get there.

[curiouslady1]

It's travel in the other direction that's longer. (that's where Rod Serling comes in)  But, you'll get there
_______________

. . . unless you run into something REALLY scary.

[eureka254]

The problem is my train has to travel from Eulogy to Euphemism and gets to Euphoria before it ever gets to me ... and though I might ride to Europe...if Rod designed this ride, the last stop is Euthanasia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WAskyGIkfs&feature=related

[dreamcat]

i'm fairly new to this forum, and before this post, i hadn't read anything about this tx being a breeze, so it gives me hope that maybe i can be one of the lucky ones like curiouslady... one can hope, right?  

my official start date for triple tx is tuesday (13 Sept), and my first injection will be with the Friday Night Dart Club!

I'm all churned up with anxiety at the moment, but I keep looking at the big picture.  I think it's the anticipation of all the nasty side effects that could happen is what has me nervous...

We'll all get thru it tho, right???  

[attagrl]

Just thought I'd add my experience in, since I'm in the same study -- no feelings of euphoria here. But I have been feeling much better this past week with regards to the headaches/migraines and fatigue that plagued me the first three weeks. Wonder if it correlated with VL dropping <25... All that virus fighting must be exhausting on the body!

@curiouslady1: If it's any consolation, the (ahem) flatulence and diarrhea that bugged me the first couple of weeks has also dissipated. Replaced with constipation, which isn't so fun, but I'm guessing because I've increased my physical activity but haven't been hydrating like I should. Regardless, there's hope in sight on that front. :)

[curiouslady1]

AG  I noticed a lot less EuphoriA as the second drug was added.  Yesterday there was nothing but air.  Inflated sense of well being becomes inflated tummy LOL.  The other person who said he experienced it was in your arm.  Oh well, we are all different.  I am glad you are doing better.  Any bad side affects us all and the future.  I also have to watch my water and vegetable intake and maybe when I don't have to starve myself in the morning to get my blood drawn I can get back to an exercise routine that is rational.  

[curiouslady1]

I am beginning to wonder about Bill200's explanation.  Perhaps this sensation does have something to do with clearing the virus.  If I recall, I began to feel it the second day after dosing and for a few days thereafter.  Unlike many of the therapies,  this one particular lead in drug caused a more than 4 log drop within the first 72 hours.  When I have no tummy ache or heartburn, I can feel this serenity and lift still.  My lab values have changed dramatically also in many other areas.  It makes sense that it would translate into a feeling of well being.  I have done a substantial bit of psychological therapy over the years too so maybe I am now able to reap more benefits in emotional equanimity.  

[gonnabhepcfree]

in regards to your last post..I am now sleeping better than I have in probably ten plus years, but not a sedated sleep from the drugs and since I take the medication at seven in the morning it wouldn't be from them anyway. I have blamed my poor sleep on the meth and coke I did for so many years and that is had messed up my clock and resigned myself to never sleep well again.   ( I take Trazadone but have reduced that to only fifity miligrams because  i believe it has messed with my memory)  I slept last night and dreamed all night long...I actually overslept till  7:30 - I am up without a clock at 5:35 every morning.. I am looking forward to going back to my Dr on Wednesday to ask him about this. I believe the overall good feeling of well being is from clearing the virus..I no longer have ANY fatigue..I think since we are so lucky to have cleared the virus in such a gentle way and basically going from unhealthy to healthy blood is probably the reason..How could one know that paticular feeling when the are experiencing the side effects that come with SOC when the become UNdectactable..  as you would say..more good news..and btw the flatuance problem I also had the first few weeks and it is also gone..

[Livinontheedge]

Well I think it is awesome news.   I initially was to start tx today later in the morning but it was changed to Monday the 12.   Ive waited a long time for this treatment, so I am in a really good space and just know I am going to do good.   I hope I get to experience that same euphoria that you do.   I would sure take it as a sign as the tx is doing its job !    Keep Positive Girl !