Interferon

Hi

I'm Hepatitis C & I will begin taking a course of interferon next month. Generally speaking, Does taking Interferon affect my health in the future? Plz, Don't answer me talking about the side effects accompanying taking the interferon because I mean in the future.

Thanks
Pasha

[franke566]

I am nearly 4 years past Tx and one of the rare ones who never cleared the sides.  In fact I am now being treated for Fibromyalgia, Major Chronic Depression, Major Anxiety, Adult Attention Defecit Dis-order without hyper-activity and sinusitis attacks about every other month.  Before Tx I had none of these probs and nothing like this runs in my family.
Was it the Interferon?  I don't know.  My doctors can't or won't say except for my Psychologist who said Yes, in rare cases this happens-Rare cases!  I want to emphasize rare because alot of people gewt upset hearing this.  I took the Interferon and it saved my life.  My quality of life is not so good but I'm hanging on for dear life-what else is there? Suicide.  Not for me,  I hope to find a cure.  Franke566  Good Luck

[newleaf09]

Unfortunately that is an unknown.  Everyone is a little bit different and reacts a little bit differently to the treatment meds.  If the answers were known, the treatment would be more standardized.  There have been long emotional discussions on this site from folks who believed it harmed them.  Those with positive stories rarely chime in.

My view is that if I end up on thyroid meds but I never go into liver failure, or if I have a problem but reach my normal life span, I'm ahead.  Whatever the interferon does to me is still better than the alternative.

[Trinity4]

Here is a good link that may be helpful.  This forum does provide a lot of support for those treating but it's not only the negative that gets posted.  There are a lot of good positive posts too.  Keep in mind, most people see things from their OWN perspective.
Treatment and short term/long term side effects do not universally apply to everyone.
It's not an across the board thing so you have to keep an open mind.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/list?category=Testimonials&cid=64