POST PEG/INTRON SX'S

I have been SVR from geno 2B now for almost 3 years. I had all of the common and some uncommon sx's during tx. I am still experiencing Ruematoid issues, anxiety and depression now almost 3 years later. Never had these issues other than back issues prior to taking Sherrings treatment. Their own insert says that in most but not all individuals these side effects should go away. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm going to a Phyc. next month and have ask for an expert with HCV. We'll see what they say. I'm now wondering what percentage of patients lose all sx's and what percent don't. Any experiences would be appreciated

[Dale_Ray]

I personally know tree people who have treated and cured and since have had no sides. Each of them said the clearing out of the medication took a week or two and they felt great afterwards. Two have been clear for more than two years the other just finished six weeks ago. Sorry you're having the problem. A lot of folks in here have had lasting sides that they are still dealing with.

[tmangeles]

I went through the iterferon/riba 5 years ago...Like you I never had anxiety or depression before I went on the meds..I am still suffering from anxiety 5yrs post...and I never cleared..These meds are a real mess...I dont know if the meds are worse or the disease...

[Mister beagle bailey]

I agree 3 years is along time to still have sxs.  I'm a 2B also with 3 weeks to go.  I also had RA before starting tx, I'm also on procrit which causes bone pain.  So I suffer from back and leg pain.
Having said that I don't know if what your going through is from the meds or just the RA advancing.

BEAGLE

[lackalustre]

i kind of remember u from way back. i treated in 03 and cleared- geno 2b.    the sides gradually went away but my life is definitely not the same. for some of us in our 50's it seems harder to get our lives back. although i  dont know your age.      the brain fog and anxiety issue come and go.   i think it can take years for some of us to get this stuff out of our systems.    i attribute some of my problems to menopause.  
  here are the problems ive been left with:
   anxiety/sleep disorder (have been to a sleep clinic)
   very dry eyes
   digestive problems (irritable bowel syndrome)
   acid reflux (brought on by swallowing chemicals riba for months on end)
   pain issue that are finally resolving somewhat (fibromyalgia type symptoms)
  
   im glad i did the treatment however, it was do or die. i put it off for 5 years after diagnosis.  my liver is better however my platelets never came up.

[DoubleDose]

You have probably read some of my previous posts regarding post-tx side effects, indicating that I also am finding that a variety of problems seem to come and go.  I am realizing lately that anxiety and depression are a common thread, and my moods swing very abruptly.  A general underlying anxiety seems to exist, which often flares-up in response to 'little things' within my main relationship.  I seem to over-react alot, and to get depressed over things that never bothered me before.

My physical problems range from joint pains, continuing dry eye and slightly irritated and swollen parotid glands, to a Lupus-like syndrome which flares up whenever I am under lots of stress, or get too much sun, or overwork.  My face develops red rashy blotches on my cheekbones and across the nose...mild but noticable.  Along with the facial reaction I often feel exhausted, out of sorts, generally ill, and have gastric and joint problems duting the flareups.  

At other times I feel really great, and have high energy, look better than ever, and overall function extremely well.  It is really a cyclical thing, and it keeps coming and going, even after close to three years SVR.  I did lots of interferon, over two long, high-dose tx'es, so I think there is ample cause for my post-tx problems.  I am hoping that eventually these issues will fade, but who knows?

Best of luck with your recovery.  Maybe at some point, the medical community will come up with some answers for this sort of syndrome.  I think there is a group of patients who come away from tx with similar complaints.  Since most of us did not feel this way before tx, I think that the interferon must be the chief instigator of the problems.  

DoubleDose

[Dale_Ray]

I wish I could explain something that well. Hope all of the sx disappear soon. Dale

[nolee]

THX for the feedback. I'm praying that my trip to MHMR next month will help with some of this. Not only is my health failing me but I lost an executive(high stress) job over this. I've decided to simplify my life, look for work at 1/2 of what I was making and hopefully something with a low stress level. Chev, it's either drought or flood here in Texas, but I'm still high and dry. Thanks folks, Neal

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Dale Ray, glad to see you posting again!  I was kinda worried about you.   Glad you are hanging in there! We missed you!

Dyce, how is it going?  Just slept a bunch this weekend from the shot.   I feel guilty not doing much on the weekend - but what can I say, sometimes I feel like a turnip!

[dyce]

Your right, though the trials get dam- tuff at times. It's hard to communicate at work , feel like goin off at times. Tell my workers, please don't mind It's like eatin gunpowder . Although some of thease people act like that on nothin!

   Think the padded room is the ticket , no lights , no phones just quiet.

[SJL]

I have been through two rounds of therapy, responded & relapsed both times. I tried Pegasys maintainence, but I have been taken off as I have interferon based Neuropathy. I am going through a real tough time right now. Depression has really set in and I am not a very nice person to be around. I am starting P/T tomorrow hoping that this will help the Neuropathy. Both feet & legs go numb up to my knees, causing me to be pretty much house-bound. The meds have done a number on me and I will not treat again until something much easier on the body comes out. I am a 1B, stage 3, grade 4, so I know that I am taking a major chance, but I cannot go on like this. My grandson graduated over the week-end & I knew that I could not make it into an arena & climb steps. Such simple things I cannot do. I have found that I do not want to be around anyone & I am regressing inwards. It is not a good thing, but I can't seem to help it. I have been fighting this for 3 yrs. now & I just can't take any more. I have no quality of life. Sorry for venting but at least I can explain my feelings to someone who knows & understands the disease & meds. I am not even sure what your question was right now? Sorry.
Sandy

[dyce]

I'm no expert or doc but our individual genetics could have alot to do with the sx's post tx . Like ya said there , some people srraightin right up while others have sx's a long time .

daleray ,  How did your shot go this rd? It's been rainin up here forever, depressin but today it finally cleared off and I got some yard work done.

[Dale_Ray]

I cut that sucker (nupogen) back from 300 to 150 on my own. My ANC is at 1800 so I have some room to fudge on this one and hoping the platelets crawl up and the fever goes down. If it rains about two more weeks I figure people here are going to start mildewing and need to be pressure washed. Is the saying "May showers"? Man I have had my butt kicked for two or three weeks now. Got 21 of the little devils left to go. Time has passed pretty quickly though hasn't it? Dale

[dyce]

Sorry I couldn't get to ya sooner pretty, I'm ok , Tx is playin havoc on me at times. No set pattern pretty, sx's seem to take thier turns on the dyce here . Anxiety miss pretty gets bad at times , I could just tear a telephone book in 1/2 (ain't that a joke)LOL. Glad your sleepin, since they gave me the ambien I've slept better.

[Dale_Ray]

It has been one serious up and down over the past 3 to 4 weeks. Things will get better. I guess sometimes just backing off in a shell is the best thing.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Dale Ray, I am so sorry you were having a hard time.  I can relate to going to the cave....Heck I can't even stay outside and breathe anymore, and you know what I mean!  I hope you will have better days soon.  Go kiss your wifey and tell her thanks for putting up with you!

Dyce, sleeping pills can be wonderful!  I got a script for the Ambien 10 mg, and they left me kind of groggy, so I started breaking them in half unless I am right around my shot.  Works just as good.  Glad you be getting some sleep, it makes all the difference in the world!

[Dale_Ray]

I know exactly what you mean about not being able to go outside and breath. I would kiss my wife's feet for what she puts up with during this treatment. I will make it up to her though. I'm planning on getting her one of those new fangled automatic washing machines and putting it on the back porch.