POST TREATMENT PROBLEMS

[mpace6983]

I SUCCESSFULLY (SVR) COMPLETED PEG/COPEG (48 /WEEK) ON 1/10/2010. BUT, I STILL HAVE BAD CHRONIC FATIGUE. I HAVE STAGE 3 LIVER DAMAGE AND FATTY LIVER DISEASE. BUT, DURING THE LAST 3 MONTHS OF TREATMENT I STARTED HAVING PANIC ATTACKS,ANXIETY AND STARTED TO BE AFRAID TO GO OUT OF THE HOUSE. THE FATIGUE ISN'T NEW, IT'S WHY I ORIGINALLY WENT TO THE DR. AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HCV. THE FEAR OF GOING OUT SEEMS TO HAVE GONE AWAY,BUT THE ANXIETY AND OCCASIONAL PACIN ATTACK IS STILL WITH ME. TAKING XANAX .5MG t.i.d. PRETTY WELL CONTROLS THE MENTAL PROBLEMS BUT I'M WONDERING IF I'M EVER GOING TO HAVE ANY ENERGY? THANX FOR ANY HELP OR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

[newleaf09]

Give it time.  Your immune system has been turned upside down and pushed into overdrive.  You've been beat with a stick.  There's no telling how long it will take for everything to straighten back out on its own but I'd give it a good 6 mos. post TX before I expect to really feel better.  If you had a rough chemo, recovery is terribly disappointing at first but it truly does get better and better.  

At my 6 mos. post check, I still did not have normal platelet production but was steadily climbing out of that hole and you will too.  Hang in there.  It really does get better.

[nygirl7]

As Trinity said you are VERY recently finished treatment - you need more time to be healed from the meds still.  

I admit that ever since I had hep I have been into hibernate mode myself (and I used to hate being home).  You might want to look into an antidepressent to take for long term relief rather than just managing the anxiety with Xanax.  Nothing wrong after what we've been through to take something like Paxill for a while until we get our bodies levels working properly again - treatment is hell and you need to give yourself some time now.

GOOD LUCK! Talk to the doc about an AD!

[Trinity4]

I wouldn't say successfully SVR'd until at your 6 month post PCR returns UND but congratulations on finishing treatment.  Give yourself at least six months to recover.  The fatigue will diminish as time passes.  Recovery time varies for all of us but by 3 months most can usually tell a difference in their energy level.  It only took several weeks for me and I could feel a huge difference so hang in there and eventually you'll be back to normal.

I think many of us treating go through a period of not wanting to participate in social functions and want to be left alone, even hibernate. I'm glad the Xanax is controlling that anxiety but keep in mind Xanax doesn't increase energy levels, actually to the contrary, so you may want to try to make a go of it without the Xanax at some point.

Good Luck, you'll be back soon enough

Trinity