Aa
New to this what am I facing
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.
Unless you are severely depressed or suffer polar disorders you should be fine doing treatment and those that do suffer are monitored very closely by their doctors. You “may” have some delusional thinking and minor hallucinations in the beginning because your body is not use to the high doses you will be taking and the many chemical changes with in your body that are taking place and it will take time to adjust to the onslaught of the meds. I had had several events in the first 12 weeks with hallucinations and flash point anger but it calmed down with time and took the jester path to get me through. Just take it one step at a time and your well a head of the game. It will take time but read through some of the post and Health Pages in the upper right hand corner and gain the insight you will need through your journey. I am sorry to say there are no marked road maps as to one size fits all but many intersections to get you to where you need to go , Good Luck when starting treatment and strap in because it will be a bumpy ride.
jasper
jasper
Harry,
I don't know about AD's going hand in had for most. Tx causes you think and function differently on a daily basis but I'd say about 1/2 will become depressed and anxious enough to need them but it's not a given that will happen. Entirely depends on the person and their coping mechanisms. So far I haven't needed them but would not hesitate if necessary. Don't want Ggraphix to think he's predisposed for that condition because he will be treating.
Trin
I don't know about AD's going hand in had for most. Tx causes you think and function differently on a daily basis but I'd say about 1/2 will become depressed and anxious enough to need them but it's not a given that will happen. Entirely depends on the person and their coping mechanisms. So far I haven't needed them but would not hesitate if necessary. Don't want Ggraphix to think he's predisposed for that condition because he will be treating.
Trin
"Sorry to welcome ya to the group."
An unfortunately very appropriate greeting {g} ....
On the other hand ... it could be worse -
You could have found no place with anyone who cares or was willing to share much needed info.
An unfortunately very appropriate greeting {g} ....
On the other hand ... it could be worse -
You could have found no place with anyone who cares or was willing to share much needed info.
Mood swings eh, sounds like me two years ago before Dx. Then when I was Dxed it got worse. Antidepressants allowed me to think without being anxtious and emotionally crazy. Treatment causes deppression so antidepressants sorta go hand in hand for most. It was hard to do, admit I needed them, I thought they were for the sick people.lol
Your Doc will treat you if things are controllable.
Your best bet is a university hospital with a hep dept.
As for treatment being easy, ya know how ya feel when ya get the flu and are all munged up and pukin, thats your autoimmune system fighting the virus not the virus making you sick. Now take a med like interferon that kicks your immune system into over drive for a year and tell me it's easy!!!! It's tuff and those folk that continue to work thru treatment are super heroes in my mind. I looked at it this way , it's not as bad as what it took to get it. After a year ya ferget it anyway.
Sorry to welcome ya to the group.
Harry
Your Doc will treat you if things are controllable.
Your best bet is a university hospital with a hep dept.
As for treatment being easy, ya know how ya feel when ya get the flu and are all munged up and pukin, thats your autoimmune system fighting the virus not the virus making you sick. Now take a med like interferon that kicks your immune system into over drive for a year and tell me it's easy!!!! It's tuff and those folk that continue to work thru treatment are super heroes in my mind. I looked at it this way , it's not as bad as what it took to get it. After a year ya ferget it anyway.
Sorry to welcome ya to the group.
Harry
""""One of my questions is could having Hep C cause these mood swings?"""""
YES!
Absolutely.
Your liver cleanses everything in your body - blood - etc. So if it is not functioning properly - then very CLEARLY it can = indeed cause mood swings.
Yes the INF and RIBA combined can cause some issues --- what you are prepared for - you are better able to handle.
Yes there are rescue drugs (anti-anxieties - blood cell helpers - etc.) that can help you through the worst parts of the chemotherapy.
My opinion - who know what will ail those in future treatments - you may be trading one side effect for another --- and another.
I believe in treating now --- BUT KNOWING what you're going to get into and be both mentally and physically prepared for it.
You're not going to get any younger or better waiting for another treatment to come out.
It may be years down the road --- and what may be no damage today --- in only a couple of months could be major damage.
So it's a wait and watch game for some.
For me --- it was get this stuff out of me - I don't want it eating on me as if I were some nice piece of meat and it the maggots descended upon me.
Yanno?
So I treated.
I'm glad I treated - I have reached SVR status - but treatment was hard - and post side effects were even harder.
But I'm not dying any longer... so life is pretty darn good.
Meki
YES!
Absolutely.
Your liver cleanses everything in your body - blood - etc. So if it is not functioning properly - then very CLEARLY it can = indeed cause mood swings.
Yes the INF and RIBA combined can cause some issues --- what you are prepared for - you are better able to handle.
Yes there are rescue drugs (anti-anxieties - blood cell helpers - etc.) that can help you through the worst parts of the chemotherapy.
My opinion - who know what will ail those in future treatments - you may be trading one side effect for another --- and another.
I believe in treating now --- BUT KNOWING what you're going to get into and be both mentally and physically prepared for it.
You're not going to get any younger or better waiting for another treatment to come out.
It may be years down the road --- and what may be no damage today --- in only a couple of months could be major damage.
So it's a wait and watch game for some.
For me --- it was get this stuff out of me - I don't want it eating on me as if I were some nice piece of meat and it the maggots descended upon me.
Yanno?
So I treated.
I'm glad I treated - I have reached SVR status - but treatment was hard - and post side effects were even harder.
But I'm not dying any longer... so life is pretty darn good.
Meki
Ggrafix
You have a long way to go before having to make the decision to treat or wait for new Meds. The main thing is a liver Biopsy. This is almost, completely, painless and will tell you the amount of liver damage you have. Everyone is different. I have had it about 30 years. I drank like a fish everyday; I loved my Beer and Jim Beam. I had very little damage to my liver. Some people didn’t drink at all and have major damage. You will not know until you have the Biopsy. If you have minor damage, you will have to decide of you want to treat now or wait for new Meds. I decided to treat (2b) and completed a couple of months ago. If I had known then, what I know now I probably would have waited.
It is a possibility; the HCV could be the culprit for your anxiety.
I do feel the need to clear something up. Not only is tx as bad as some people here say, for some people it could be worse. There are a few lucky ones that have little to no side effects and who knows, you may fall into that category. The side effects from treatment are chemically induced and you may have to fight back with chemicals. For me, all the apples, nuts, seaweed, etc. I took had no effect. The sleeping and anti-depressant meds. did
Look at it this way, if you took a road trip Riding an old Shovel Head, It breaks down on you, what are you going to do? You’re going to pull all of your resources together to get it back up and running. Worst-case scenario, you will have to trailer it. The one thing you will never do is ditching the bike. So, if you decide to start treatment, we will be here for you if you break down.
You have a long way to go before having to make the decision to treat or wait for new Meds. The main thing is a liver Biopsy. This is almost, completely, painless and will tell you the amount of liver damage you have. Everyone is different. I have had it about 30 years. I drank like a fish everyday; I loved my Beer and Jim Beam. I had very little damage to my liver. Some people didn’t drink at all and have major damage. You will not know until you have the Biopsy. If you have minor damage, you will have to decide of you want to treat now or wait for new Meds. I decided to treat (2b) and completed a couple of months ago. If I had known then, what I know now I probably would have waited.
It is a possibility; the HCV could be the culprit for your anxiety.
I do feel the need to clear something up. Not only is tx as bad as some people here say, for some people it could be worse. There are a few lucky ones that have little to no side effects and who knows, you may fall into that category. The side effects from treatment are chemically induced and you may have to fight back with chemicals. For me, all the apples, nuts, seaweed, etc. I took had no effect. The sleeping and anti-depressant meds. did
Look at it this way, if you took a road trip Riding an old Shovel Head, It breaks down on you, what are you going to do? You’re going to pull all of your resources together to get it back up and running. Worst-case scenario, you will have to trailer it. The one thing you will never do is ditching the bike. So, if you decide to start treatment, we will be here for you if you break down.
Im not knockn all phama meds...just trying to say be careful and dont always take what doctors seem to write a script for every ill...i always try the safe natural way first.
I'm going to have to personally disagree with rockerforlife about the medication aspect. in my opinion and from what I've learned, medication is our best hope to be cured. Much as I am against chemical additives in food and such, and think Big Pharma are a bunch of greedy heartless corporate B-tards - there is a time an place for everything and the various treatments in existence and coming into play soon offer FAR FAR better chances of a cure than any natural substance in existence. But everyone (including me) is entitled to their opinion based on what they discover and everyone has to find a way that they are most comfortable with.
Regarding your psychological issues - Interferon can have adverse psychological effects (suicidal and/or hostile tendencies) on some people. Doctors are therefore very careful in monitoring those who already have such issues. Whether your doctor will prescribe such treatment or not I cannot say , you must discuss this with her. there are new treatments soon to be out on the market which do not (may not?) have such adverse psychological effects.
Andromeda
Regarding your psychological issues - Interferon can have adverse psychological effects (suicidal and/or hostile tendencies) on some people. Doctors are therefore very careful in monitoring those who already have such issues. Whether your doctor will prescribe such treatment or not I cannot say , you must discuss this with her. there are new treatments soon to be out on the market which do not (may not?) have such adverse psychological effects.
Andromeda
I know exactly how you feel just finding out,just think positive and take this one day at time,we have all been there ...like i said....just eat more healthy if you have been wolfing down all kinds of bad foods...you will get over the worry and anxiety...its normal fifst finding out....if you must take pharma meds for the anxiety...try to find one that easy on the liver...or even go the natural route...ive been reading about valierian root for calming the nerves...do a google on this and see....
Thanks. Its reassuring to know there are people out there that know what your going thru and willing to help without judging and for no reason other than they care, be it passing info or just listening to you ***** and help walk you through it.
SAVE THIS, you will need it-----by CockSparrow
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CockSparrow
Male, 48 years
Gold Coast - Australia
Member since Feb 2007
, Oct 23, 2007 08:26AM
I have posted my list before and its been reposted a few times, but here it is again with some updates.
Hepatitis means Imflamation of the Liver. from ancient Greek hepar or hepato- meaning 'liver' and suffix -itis denoting 'inflammation'
Acute Hepatitis: is when it lasts less than 6 months
Chronic Hepatitis: is when it persists longer than 6 months
HCV Acronyms
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
AHC Acute Hepatitis C
CHC Chronic Hepatitis C
G or GT Genotype
RNA RiboNucleic Acid
DNA DeoxyriboNucleic Acid
Tx Treatment, Therapy (can also mean Transplant)
Bx Biopsy
Dx Diagnosis
Sx Symptoms, Side Effects
Rx Prescription
Hx History
SOC Standard of Care
ITT Intent to Treat
RVR Rapid Virological Response (4 Week PCR - UND
EVR Early Virological Response (12 Week PCR - >2 Log Drop)
EVC Early Virological Clearance (Aviremic - HCV RNA Negative at Week 12)
PVR Partial Virological Response (Viremic Response – >2 Log Drop still HCV+ at Week 12
EOT End of Treatment
SVR Sustained Virological Response (UND 6 Months post EOT)
VR Virological Response
PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
RT-PCR Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction.
TMA Transcription Mediated Amplification
VL Viral Load
HVL High Viral Load (≥400,000 IU) (≥600,000 IU) (≥800,000 IU)
LVL Low Viral Load (<400,000 IU)
UND Undetectable Viral Load
IU International Unit 1 IU = 2.5 VL Copies apx
BMI Body Mass Index
WHR Waist to Hip Ratio
Drug Acronyms
IFN Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
NPIA Non-Pegylated Interferon Alpha
PegIFN Pegylated Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
CIFN Consensus Interferon (Infergen/alphacon)
RBV Ribavirin
RVN Ribavirin
Riba Ribavirin
WBR Weight Based Ribavirin
WBD Weight Based Dose
FDR Fixed Dose Ribavirin
LDR Low Dose Ribavirin (Same as FDR)
EPO Erythropoietin Epoetin alfa (Epogen/Procrit), Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
Neup Neupogen
TIW Three Injections Weekly (Tri Weekly, Three Times a Week, Thrice Weekly)
SC Subcutaneous (Beneath or Under the skin)
QW Once a Week (from Latin quaque
Blood Test Acronyms
LFT Liver Function Test
ALT Alanine Aminotransferase
AST Aspartate Aminotransferase
SGPT ALT was called Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase.
SGOT AST was called Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase.
ALP Alkaline Phosphatase (Alk Phos)
AFP Alpha-FetoProtein
GGT Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase
LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase
FBC Full Blood Count
CBC Complete Blood Count (almost the same as FBC)
RCC Red Cell Count
HGB Hemoglobin
WCC White Cell Count
MCV Mean Corpuscular Volume
TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone (Also called: Thyrotropin)
ULN Upper Limit of Normal
LLN Lower Limit of Normal
Cholesterol
VLDL Very Low Density Lipoproteins
LDL Low Density Lipoproteins
HDL High Density Lipoproteins
CS
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CockSparrow
Male, 48 years
Gold Coast - Australia
Member since Feb 2007
, Oct 23, 2007 08:26AM
I have posted my list before and its been reposted a few times, but here it is again with some updates.
Hepatitis means Imflamation of the Liver. from ancient Greek hepar or hepato- meaning 'liver' and suffix -itis denoting 'inflammation'
Acute Hepatitis: is when it lasts less than 6 months
Chronic Hepatitis: is when it persists longer than 6 months
HCV Acronyms
HCV Hepatitis C Virus
AHC Acute Hepatitis C
CHC Chronic Hepatitis C
G or GT Genotype
RNA RiboNucleic Acid
DNA DeoxyriboNucleic Acid
Tx Treatment, Therapy (can also mean Transplant)
Bx Biopsy
Dx Diagnosis
Sx Symptoms, Side Effects
Rx Prescription
Hx History
SOC Standard of Care
ITT Intent to Treat
RVR Rapid Virological Response (4 Week PCR - UND
EVR Early Virological Response (12 Week PCR - >2 Log Drop)
EVC Early Virological Clearance (Aviremic - HCV RNA Negative at Week 12)
PVR Partial Virological Response (Viremic Response – >2 Log Drop still HCV+ at Week 12
EOT End of Treatment
SVR Sustained Virological Response (UND 6 Months post EOT)
VR Virological Response
PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
RT-PCR Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction.
TMA Transcription Mediated Amplification
VL Viral Load
HVL High Viral Load (≥400,000 IU) (≥600,000 IU) (≥800,000 IU)
LVL Low Viral Load (<400,000 IU)
UND Undetectable Viral Load
IU International Unit 1 IU = 2.5 VL Copies apx
BMI Body Mass Index
WHR Waist to Hip Ratio
Drug Acronyms
IFN Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
NPIA Non-Pegylated Interferon Alpha
PegIFN Pegylated Interferon (Alpha 2a / Alpha 2b)
CIFN Consensus Interferon (Infergen/alphacon)
RBV Ribavirin
RVN Ribavirin
Riba Ribavirin
WBR Weight Based Ribavirin
WBD Weight Based Dose
FDR Fixed Dose Ribavirin
LDR Low Dose Ribavirin (Same as FDR)
EPO Erythropoietin Epoetin alfa (Epogen/Procrit), Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
Neup Neupogen
TIW Three Injections Weekly (Tri Weekly, Three Times a Week, Thrice Weekly)
SC Subcutaneous (Beneath or Under the skin)
QW Once a Week (from Latin quaque
Blood Test Acronyms
LFT Liver Function Test
ALT Alanine Aminotransferase
AST Aspartate Aminotransferase
SGPT ALT was called Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase.
SGOT AST was called Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase.
ALP Alkaline Phosphatase (Alk Phos)
AFP Alpha-FetoProtein
GGT Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase
LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase
FBC Full Blood Count
CBC Complete Blood Count (almost the same as FBC)
RCC Red Cell Count
HGB Hemoglobin
WCC White Cell Count
MCV Mean Corpuscular Volume
TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone (Also called: Thyrotropin)
ULN Upper Limit of Normal
LLN Lower Limit of Normal
Cholesterol
VLDL Very Low Density Lipoproteins
LDL Low Density Lipoproteins
HDL High Density Lipoproteins
CS
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Abuse
Hey, Welcome to our little forum. This place was a life saver to me as well as most of the members. Keep in mind that the suggestions posted here are often just opinions, and not always good ones. There is a wealth of info. but it must be sifted through. Take a deep breath, HCV IS a serious disease but is very slow moving and is handleable. You still lack the facts you need to even start putting together a treatment plan. There are medications that have been deemed to be effective in controling anxitey that may be appropriate. Educate yourself, take in any surpport you can find and TALK TO YOUR DR. Once again, welcome! jerry
First off sorry for the multable posts. For some reason I can only get into forum every third or so try. Thanks for your reply and words of encouragement. I do not rely on meds at all and have not seen a doc for a few decades which was probably to my detriment. I am 6 ft, 210 pounds ex hardcore biker that at one time would of kicked someones butt as look at them. Now at times can't get off couch with anxiety. Apparently this thing of ours affects people in different ways and intensity.
Im only referring to pain killers and anti depressants and the like...im not saying riba and interferon is a no no....want to clear that up.
Dont depend on medication to control anyting if you can help it,your better off eating good foods and letting the mind and body repair itself...im getting the impression that you want a pill for every ill...take it easy ,tx is not as bad as some people here say...suicide rate from tx drugs is very low....someting like 1%...soory to hear you got the bad news....just do your research on this virus knowlege is power.
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