New to this what am I facing

[GGraphix]

Just diagnosed with Hep C waiting on type and count. Have been on internet for a week trying to gather as much info as possible. Thank God I found this web site. Please forgive my naivete and probably dumb questions. Diagnosed with diabetes about a year ago. Developed debilitating anxiety sometimes to the point of being psychotic. Never had anything like this in past. Doc thought could be suger spikes and put me on Celexa that seems to be workng. Further bloodwork found Hep C. One of my questions is could having Hep C cause these mood swings? Have read that treatment could cause anxiety, suicidal and homicidal episodes. If you inform doctor of prior angst may not prescribe treatment. How bad are the psychotic issues. Why can't they be controlled with medication.

[bandman54]

The Chinese call the liver the "seat of anger" and "the General"...

If it is having problems, you will have mood problems.

I just happened to suggest to my doctor.... "perhaps me feeling like I have the flu frequently is depression manifesting itself as an ailment.... and he said, " yes I believe you are depressed" and prescribed Celexa.  This helped a great deal.... no more flu.... food no longer tasted like cardboard smells.   hmmmm.  But still totally unaware of hvc.
After studying 3 of my blood tests and reading many boards I realized that "hey, even though my liver boards are just a little higher that normal, normal is really 0!  So I went to him and pointed this out, and he said, ok, if it will make you feel better, I will run a more thorough blood test including hepatitis and hiv (I just knew there was something wrong with me).... test comes back positive for hcv!

Started treatment on July 4, 2008 and was very glad that I had been on celexa for over a year.  I have little problem with moods, anger , etc.

Dr. will be glad you informed him of prior mood problems and keep you on an a.d....

hang in there....its not that bad.

bandman

[GGraphix]

Sorry about the multable posts. I never had anxiety or depression before. Was always a "what me worry" person. This came on just prior to my being diagnosed and was the reason for the blood tests. Thanks to all for info and words of encouragement. Looks like I'm in for a hell of a ride.

[nerja2007]

The treatment only brings out the things your hepaticed liver would produce. Depression and moods are directly related to your liver whether on treatment or not. If you are prone - you might have to take strong stuff to keep cool during treatment- if they allow you tx at all. I have never been prone to depression and even at that I found the tx tough on my mental health. Just yesterday had a nervous breakdown over it again, My poor husband. But do not let it stop you. get tx

[alagirl]

Have read that treatment could cause anxiety, suicidal and homicidal episodes.
------------------------
Nobody here's killed anybody yet that I'm aware of ;)  It is true that malpractice insurance being what it is you may not want to overemphasize existential angst, and just prime with a good antidepressant.  A lot of us use them for treatment and find them helpful, while others do just fine without.  

I was already seeing a psychiatrist prior to treatment (she referred me to my hep doc in fact because she got me in somewhere faster than anyone else.  I was an acute patient and wanted to get my meds right away.)  Anyway, kind of pointless trying to hide from the guy I was seeing her, and he made her send in a statement saying she wouldn't stop see me during treatment.  For me, I didn't have emotional difficulties while on the interferon.  Kind of much ado about nothing.  But I was on two antidepressants the whole time.

[stone79]

When I was diagnosed 4 or 5 years ago, my wife was in a total panic and scoured the internet tirelessly. I was too sick to get out of bed for days at a time and was a basket case. The mood swings are real and being a 58 year old man I thought I was pretty stable in that area but fought out what mt wife tells me women have being dealing with since Eve.
You will go thru the same thing we have all been thru mentally. Just keep a level head and remember it's the dragon causing all this and he will fade eventually.
Good Luck,
Ric