Post treatment blues

[Geno3A]

I took my least injection on June 7th.  I did 36 weeks of Interferon and Riba.  I was undetectable at 3 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks,

On or about july 15th I tested undetectable, and Dr said it was good sign, I was likely cured, and I'm set up for my next test on December 22nd.  All signs point to good.

On or about late July, I became very depressed, and remain very depressed and I'm worried.  I've missed a lot work, I can't get any restful sleep, I've isolated myself, I'm lethargic, fatigued, and disinterested in just about everything.  I was taking effexor , 300MG, and 200 mg Trazodone for sleep.  Neither have worked, I can't get to sleep, I cannot get any restful sleep and I cannot get up in the morning.  What is going on I have no idea.

Whats the word?  Have my innards been all twisted up?  Thyroid or something?  Unrelated to treatment?
I'm 50, and always been a person who swings from highs, to moderate, to valleys.  But never this deep and for never this long.  I'm just about at my wits end. Terrible situation.  Everybody is frustrated with me, my employer, my friends, myself, people are noticing a drastic change in my personality and other than one or two close friends, their pulling away from me because I'm a dark cloud constantly. I  have nothing to say and when they start talking I'm not interested in what they have to say.  

[Columbina]

I am using tobacco to help with depression and nervous fears. I can't take anti depresents as I full on hilucinate. I never smoked before. It helps a little

[tjrusert]

Im sorry that you are having the trouble with depression and sleeplessness.  I have had the same troubles.  Effexor didnt work very well for me and it is hard to get off of it.  Never try to stop it without your doctors help.  I stopped too quickly and had a lot of trouble.  I had trouble sleeping  but once I did get to sleep, I would sleep for maybe two days.  It was awful.  The doctor started out with putting me on a sleep medication so I got to sleep easier.  And now Im on Welbutrin.  It helps me to not sleep so long.  But these meds arent for everyone. Im just saying that they have helped some.  My daughter was diagnosed as being bipolar.  And now Im wondering if she maybe got it from me because of my mood swings.  I had them before tx too.  But the tx  seems to amplify these for some of us.  I feel better with the meds but I am going to go to see a Psychologist soon.  Like others have said, dont suffer in silence.  Tx is hard enough on a person.  You have been through enough.  Talk to your doctor and if that doesnt work talk some more.  You dont need to settle into this kind of misery.  Talking to ppl on here means that you are trying to take a step in the right direction.  We understand and are here for you.

[portann]

I hope you reach out to the right people for help.

Those good people are really there for you but YOU have to pick yourself up and FIND them, even if you make a few mistakes along the way.

I agree wholeheartedly with the others, reach out today. And reach out even if it's so-o-o tough and a hu-u-u-ge effort.

You know, when interferon was first used as monotherapy, there were only two stated possible side effects whereas today, the package insert lists a gazillion. Do you know what those two were, identified from the get-go as potential, serious trouble?

I'll tell you what they were after you tell us how you've been doing since you last posted. :)


Best wishes to you,

Susan

[kittyface]

Because you are experiencing this it is normal for you.  As someone said before, please don't suffer in silence.  There are meds that will help you back to yourself.  

I finished tx 1-1/2 years ago and am still struggling with continuing depression.  I used to be so interested in people and now I don't care.  Like you, pre-tx I vacillated between highs and lows.  Now I'm just low so have appt. with psych doc who has experience treating post interferon mental issues.  I'll pm you on Weds Sept 22 and let you know how it goes.  

Please don't give up -- reach out, you'll be glad you did.

Kittyface

[meakea]

There are two excellent responses here already so I don't have much to add except to encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.  Don't suffer in silence...what you are feeling is more normal than what you realize.  Remember that there is really no "normal" when a person has been on treatment so when something is bothering you let your doctor know.  The not sleeping part is something that needs to be addressed and, once that issue is better, you will feel better all the way around.

[Diane12855]

It could be that since you have stopped tx your internal chemistry has altered and you need to have your dosage of Effexor adjusted, or you could need to change to another AD... it is a balancing act, but since it has gone on for so long, you really need to see your doctor about it. Depression really effects quaility of sleep too, so that might be the problem there.

Bug your doctor until he does something to help you.
(:-)
Diane

[Kristina538]

When I was looking into anti-depressant, I was told the weeks that I may need to go on them and also at the end of tx;  I know of two people who started AD's (or increased them) after tx.   The voyage towards feeling great is really variable and if you need some assistance, get it; the voyage isn't over 'til you feel you're doing well.  Insist on some bloowork and take whatever you nee to get you through.

[zoom1zoom]

while the meds remain in your system for 6 months after stopping them you will still experience side effects - alot depends on what damage the virus did to your liver and what complications have occured - the virus may be gone and thats the best news - your liver can regenerate and reverse some conditions - this takes time - try to have a more positive outlook - those people have no clue - so their junk dont count - also were you weaned off the antidepressants - if not - this can be problematic