IRRITABILITY WITH SOVALDI? &*^$#%^

[FRED220]

On the sides of Sovaldi it mentions irritability, like I really need more of it:)  Has anyone had this experience and share what  you did about it?

[nursehepc]

lets try that again..."and certainly not on a level..."

[nursehepc]

I think the ribavirin makes me jittery and sometimes a little bit intolerant (which is not my nature...). Today, I said to a co-worker I was grumpy and apologized and she said...yes you are...(I grinned-she knew I didn't sleep last night and the meds may have contributed). Frankly, I simply took a defensive stance on something that I would have just let slide...pretty mild....and certainly on a level that could be considered "rage." Good Luck. Jo  

[susan400]

Just for the record.  I am not on Olyssio.  I am on Sovaldi, Peg and RIBAVIRIN.  I told my family members about the meds and they've been around me in the past over the years when I've done various treatments.  With that being said, I try to get this one person to read things about the meds, the side effects the disease, so that they will understand what is happening to me and they won't even look at it, won't even appear to have an interest.  This person is an IMMEDIATE family member and it is my belief that under normal circumstances, they appear to love me, but they chose to ignore any information provided and it just upsets me.  So, I am really not wanting to spend alot of time with this person during the course of my treatment because of the frustration of it.  I can't relate to a calmness of Olyssio because I'm not on it.  I'm not depressed at all or weepy at all.  Just irritable, anxious, nervous, uptight, etc.  Susan400  PS:  The positive thing is the undetected on week 4 and knowing that I only have 7 wks left of this insanity.  

[FRED220]

Thanks.

[flyinlynn]

Hi Fred
Good luck on your treatment. I am one of the walk in the park people especially in comparision to 3 treatments, once with 3 shots of interferon monotherapy weekly and twice with interferon and ribavirin for 6 months each. Also I was only on Sovaldi and Olysio.

I am not seeing on the adverse reactions to Solvaldi in the patient prescribing information sheet anything about iritability. But many have mentioned riba rage so I think it is the riba that is probably making you cranky. Not that it matters which one is doing it as you have to take all three anyway.

So yeah take it easy on yourself and think happy thoughts like getting rid of this darn virus

Good Luck
Lynn

[FRED220]

I will be starting Sovaldi and olysio no Riva. I spoke to both companies and depression was not a problem  in the trials if not taking Riva.  I pray and hope I feel like you did, nice and calm:) Thanks

[Pamelajean1]

What are you taking with Sovald? The depression listed for Sovaldi was with a very small percent and if I remember correctly, mostly affected those with prior history of such. Of course ribavirin is a whole other story...

I tx with S/O and actually had a sense of calm...things that normally sent me 'into a tizzy' just didn't bother me.  

Good luck to you!

[Mmorgan856]

Even though I've only been treating for 5 wks, I feel like I can add to this post an maybe some of the suggestions will help.  When I was sure I would be treating, I talked to my close friends an 1 or 2 relatives an let them know I would be on meds that would make me irritable possibility.  So, I apologized ahead of time an so far, I'm glad I did.  I've noticed that my filter between my mind an my mouth has went bye-bye, after dealing with a phone company that lost my expensive phone during transit an dragging their feet for over a month.  Went to the store physically to talk about my phone( was about 3 wks into treatment)  when I was handed a cheapy box phone, I actually threw a container of pencils at him.  My first thought was" can I blame my meds on this lack of judgement?"  My 2nd thought ( do I have bond money available? " to make a long story short, they took care of the problem right away.  Of course, I didn't handle that situation no where near right, I'm too easy going by nature an it shocked me more than the kid I smacked in the chest with pencils.  Like Susan 400, I'm so glad I live alone at this point.  I know what's working for me,  let people know ahead of time so you have a few friends left at the end of treatment,  an maybe get off the social scene for awhile.  Be good to yourself, another thing that has decreased my irritability was putting a bark collar on my yapping dog.  An as for the suggestions of HepcforSandi, I agree,  watch happy movies, stay away from CNN if u can.  With all the death happening around the world right now, I would find myself sitting in front of the TV bawling like a baby.  Not good for the psyche.    I don't know if your into hobbies, but I'm picking up painting an making mardi-gras hats again. It calms me.  Fred, maybe doing something you normally enjoy would take the edge off the irritability.  Hope this helps some

[FRED220]

Its amazing how these meds work different for different folks. I read another post where it was shared that he felt tired and slept lots, others did not sleep well, Others itch and no rash *&^%* and others took a walk in the park with  the entire treatment.  I wounder if most of the times is our own thinking and not the meds. I have read lots of post here and my tool box is ready for treatment. After 40 yrs with the virus I am only hoping that I can do this treatment and not feel horrible. Fred220  

[susan400]

If you mean, do I have to remind myself that when I'm like over the top ANNOYED, IRRITATED and ANGRY - irrational like - that it's not really that I want to strangle somebody.., it's just the meds..., than YES, I do believe that the meds cause irritability.  I'm kidding of course about strangling somebody.  But, every time I've done treatment, I've gotten so cranky.  Also, I think that when you're off of the meds, little things that may have annoyed you before treatment, annoy you like 50 times more and it's hard to keep your internal filter in place. I'm always wanting to just blurt out of my mouth what is bubbling up inside of me when those buttons are pushed.  I'm fine when I can be at home and just not be bothered by anyone and not have added stresses put on me.  Fortunately, I do live alone.  I've reminded my family that I can't help this irritability because of these meds, but they like to make these comments.  Like for example; when I go to the gym to be able to feel better physically and to help my immune system and to help me to deal with stress.., do I really need a certain family member saying things like, 'If you feel so bad, why are you going to the gym??!'   It seriously rubbed me the wrong way.  I said, "YES, I feel bad, I always feel bad on these meds, BUT I'M TRYING TO HELP MY immune system".  I reminded this person that on treatments in the past, I spent a lot of time lying around and resting and I did NOT go undetected and now that I'm pushing myself to go to the gym, I am finally undetected.  That seemed to temporarily shut them up.  UGGGGH.  Anyhow, if any of us can survive the treatments without making our families and friends hate us, it's a miracle!  It doesn't always help to explain it to them because a lot of people only hear what they want to hear and tune out everything else.  I love them anyway, just having a hard time with them at the moment.  Susan400

[hepc4Sandi]

Hi Fred—Yes I did, but I think for me it was more the Ribavirin (called Riba rage). I told my co-workers to not let me be in any meetings or conference calls. The Sovaldi has more of a danger of depression I believe. They really questioned me on my ability to deal with it, and I found that I couldn't tolerate bad news on the TV or radio, or upsetting or violent movies. I listened to easy listening music, and watch happy TV and movies, crocheted a lot. I was not good at dealing with upsets, and had an anxiety attack about 1/3 the way thru Tx, where I ended up in the ER. Try to let the small things slide, I didn't do any housework for 3 months, but did telecommute and worked the whole time. Try to remember that any of that stuff going on with you is caused by the meds, and remind the people around you too.

[Upbeat]

It looks like sides are all over the place.  If its any help I have been on Sovaldi and Riba for 26 weeks now and at least for me I can't tell any difference with or without the meds. Good Luck