Aa
Psyching Out Sides
Hey,,,The thread down below was closed so replying here. Depression is real on these meds and yes I wouldn't want to let that go as anyone at all feeling like they were weak or couldn't handle. I know lots that are suffering the mental part more so then physical. We all experience different sides it seems and some more severe in others. The depression part just hasn't overall been that bad or big of a battle for me,,,however,,,the flu like symptoms is the one that is getting me down the most. I know at times,,,I haven't wanted to get out of bed in morning and would love to call in sick but have noticed when I just do it,,,,I do feel better. I guess,,,,if we are going to get through this tx and for some the full year,,,,we realize we are going to have keep going as that will get us through. Positive attitude does count for alot,,,otherwise,,,we all would have stopped our meds by now. I do know that the past 7 months on interferon/riba I have been sick and realize with these powerful meds going into my body,,,,that there is not awhole lot that can be done but take any sort of pain medications,,,determination to get through,,,and yes that positive outlook,,,that says this S@@@ is not going to break me!!
hey couch how the heck is ya' darling? Iwas worried long and hard for you and hubby sure did miss your input .
Anyway was up in the depth of black fly country(North Bay) for a funeral and visited JUdy's Mom(84 and going strong) did a little fishing and relaxing. Then got back to a real crisis Judy's son Jason is being an A**hole to Brenda and the kids almost WW3 ended up taking Bren and kidshome with us and then went back to Jason to try and get him to wake up.Who knows??
Ringer I want the pix of you on the menopause rage:: that should be good for some award right?
And hey what do you get with 1000 lawyers on the Bottom of the Ottawa River? A damn good start but add the politicians
Sher nice that you missed me hope billy is gonna do OK
LOU of many names there are lots of us warped drive funny folks around eH? sammy and you ain't the onliest ones. and stop talking about your dresses man I thought you were saving those for the bus ride you know to wear when we paint your toenails?
anyway guys hope all the sx are tolerable and y'all continue to spread the love Daryl
Sammy how's ya liver?
Anyway was up in the depth of black fly country(North Bay) for a funeral and visited JUdy's Mom(84 and going strong) did a little fishing and relaxing. Then got back to a real crisis Judy's son Jason is being an A**hole to Brenda and the kids almost WW3 ended up taking Bren and kidshome with us and then went back to Jason to try and get him to wake up.Who knows??
Ringer I want the pix of you on the menopause rage:: that should be good for some award right?
And hey what do you get with 1000 lawyers on the Bottom of the Ottawa River? A damn good start but add the politicians
Sher nice that you missed me hope billy is gonna do OK
LOU of many names there are lots of us warped drive funny folks around eH? sammy and you ain't the onliest ones. and stop talking about your dresses man I thought you were saving those for the bus ride you know to wear when we paint your toenails?
anyway guys hope all the sx are tolerable and y'all continue to spread the love Daryl
Sammy how's ya liver?
I never suffered from depression. Of course, I would get days that I was "blue", but never to the point of - hell, I can't/won't get out of bed, and what is the whole point in living type of attitude. I have found that in the early stages of treatment, my physical sides affected me, but I had a positive attiude. I now find that the physical sides have subsided for the most part and the mental stuff has now taken over my mind. I am a person I do not like anymore. My continuing hair loss is a constant source of aggravation, my brain fog, nasty attitude, arthritic joint pain, leg cramps and generally feeling "not quite right" have finally caught up with me. I would have a positive attitude, if I could only find it. Sorry, Lou. I agree a positive attitude is absolutely imperative in life, but sometimes, the mental depression just doesn't allow a positive attitude no matter how hard you try. I see my doc in a few weeks. If I still feel like I do today, I will definitely ask about ADs.
Thanks everyone for the information and advice, you are all a well of knowledge.
My husband's blood type is B+ and that has been our mantra through the past months, think I will just continue that way for the time being and trust I can get through this on my own. If not, I know they are there.
Couch
My husband's blood type is B+ and that has been our mantra through the past months, think I will just continue that way for the time being and trust I can get through this on my own. If not, I know they are there.
Couch
morning all...hey whats with the 'lucky lou' amigo, when did that change, see what happens the minute i leave you alone....you start pulling out all the party dresses, make up and heels, and changing your name...geezzzz, and please leave the damn wigs alone, they cost a fortune dear.....okay....glad i was able to vent,
now onto depression...well, i am afraid after uping my anti-depressants i have far too much energy to sit and read through everything, but i get the jist of the debate. i will tell you that i have been a very strong opponent of anti-depressants all my life...even though i had several boughts of serious suicide attempts after i ran away from home at a very young age (lots of sexual abuse targeted at me from a wee age til i ran away, from my lovely and seemingly perfect little family, in the perfect house and the perfect neighborhood, perfect gardens, and well, you know, perfect parents) anyway, i digress, just giving you a qaulifying point of reference for me!! i had absolutely refused anti depressants each time i was hospitalised, and as i got older around 18 i decided i wasn't going to attempt that again...i was comvinced at that point if i hadn't died by then, i was going to live through anything....still my doctor, (the same one i still have today) would mention to me over the years when things were hard for me that i might want to try anti depressants, always i refused and always i continued to refuse...i felt that western medicine, for ECONOMIC reasons, was always coming up with new and better things to have all of us in western society to buy, swollow, pop, numb and ultimately NOT FEEL, i was witness to this sickness during my sabaticals in hospitals,as a youth, as i would look at how 'numb' and lifeless everyone around me was and believed that most people would somehow rather numb themselves than 'deal' with their fear and pain...i choose to attempt to deal with my fear, well, sorta...guess booze and dope was numbing as well huh?
anyway, all this babble to say, that after researching these meds i discovered a few things, one, that i wasn't going to tell the specialist about my youth and prior 'suicidal' tendancies, it was almost 30 years ago after all) and two, that they do indeed cause depression and as my specialist said before writing me the script...even in some cases homicidal tendancies, (wow, coupled with menopause, look OUT and don't **** me off, i have a great lawyer!) luckily, it never came to THAT!! but i DID choose, and i believe wisely so, to go ahead and be put on anti-depressants for the first time in my life, before i began tx. WHY take the chance not to, i mean these are some of the HEAVIEST DRUGS you will ever take and they are nor is tx to be taken lightly. i beleive for me it was the best possible thing i could have done and most doctors here(canada) will not even prescribe peg if you are NOT willing to go on anti depressants.....it really does /did seem to help and sure as hell can't hurt with all the other **** were putting into our bodies, and you can always start to taper off them when finished tx....
there !! wow, that was record long winded for me i think...hope everyone has a good day
hugs all
kimmy
now onto depression...well, i am afraid after uping my anti-depressants i have far too much energy to sit and read through everything, but i get the jist of the debate. i will tell you that i have been a very strong opponent of anti-depressants all my life...even though i had several boughts of serious suicide attempts after i ran away from home at a very young age (lots of sexual abuse targeted at me from a wee age til i ran away, from my lovely and seemingly perfect little family, in the perfect house and the perfect neighborhood, perfect gardens, and well, you know, perfect parents) anyway, i digress, just giving you a qaulifying point of reference for me!! i had absolutely refused anti depressants each time i was hospitalised, and as i got older around 18 i decided i wasn't going to attempt that again...i was comvinced at that point if i hadn't died by then, i was going to live through anything....still my doctor, (the same one i still have today) would mention to me over the years when things were hard for me that i might want to try anti depressants, always i refused and always i continued to refuse...i felt that western medicine, for ECONOMIC reasons, was always coming up with new and better things to have all of us in western society to buy, swollow, pop, numb and ultimately NOT FEEL, i was witness to this sickness during my sabaticals in hospitals,as a youth, as i would look at how 'numb' and lifeless everyone around me was and believed that most people would somehow rather numb themselves than 'deal' with their fear and pain...i choose to attempt to deal with my fear, well, sorta...guess booze and dope was numbing as well huh?
anyway, all this babble to say, that after researching these meds i discovered a few things, one, that i wasn't going to tell the specialist about my youth and prior 'suicidal' tendancies, it was almost 30 years ago after all) and two, that they do indeed cause depression and as my specialist said before writing me the script...even in some cases homicidal tendancies, (wow, coupled with menopause, look OUT and don't **** me off, i have a great lawyer!) luckily, it never came to THAT!! but i DID choose, and i believe wisely so, to go ahead and be put on anti-depressants for the first time in my life, before i began tx. WHY take the chance not to, i mean these are some of the HEAVIEST DRUGS you will ever take and they are nor is tx to be taken lightly. i beleive for me it was the best possible thing i could have done and most doctors here(canada) will not even prescribe peg if you are NOT willing to go on anti depressants.....it really does /did seem to help and sure as hell can't hurt with all the other **** were putting into our bodies, and you can always start to taper off them when finished tx....
there !! wow, that was record long winded for me i think...hope everyone has a good day
hugs all
kimmy
Hi everyone.
Thought I would chime in with my thought. I've found this discussion very interesting as I also wonder if the mental sx might kick in.
I'm in week 9/24 and sx have been mild. However it seems like the physical sx are becoming a little more noticeable with time much as Rev stated. My sx seems to be along the lines that honey15637 referred to, flu and tiredness. More often I would prefer to call in sick or skip exercise but feel better once I do those things.
Lou - I understand what you were trying to say and I agree that some themes may become self-reinforcing. However, during tx I'm sure many folks may be far more vulnerable to depression.
I'm a firm believer in keeping a positive outlook but I am trying to keep a close eye on my outlook in case I start feeling mental sx. I've warned my wife about this and told to please let me know if I start crossing the line. No prob there, she keeps me firmly in check.
My 2-cents, if I feel I need it I will certainly ask my doc for AD's. We've discussed the possibility of depression on tx and if it's necessary, well like the song goes "help me make thru the night"
Peace - Gulfcoast
Thought I would chime in with my thought. I've found this discussion very interesting as I also wonder if the mental sx might kick in.
I'm in week 9/24 and sx have been mild. However it seems like the physical sx are becoming a little more noticeable with time much as Rev stated. My sx seems to be along the lines that honey15637 referred to, flu and tiredness. More often I would prefer to call in sick or skip exercise but feel better once I do those things.
Lou - I understand what you were trying to say and I agree that some themes may become self-reinforcing. However, during tx I'm sure many folks may be far more vulnerable to depression.
I'm a firm believer in keeping a positive outlook but I am trying to keep a close eye on my outlook in case I start feeling mental sx. I've warned my wife about this and told to please let me know if I start crossing the line. No prob there, she keeps me firmly in check.
My 2-cents, if I feel I need it I will certainly ask my doc for AD's. We've discussed the possibility of depression on tx and if it's necessary, well like the song goes "help me make thru the night"
Peace - Gulfcoast
I have posted this before but please read
http://www.journals.apa.org/prevention/volume5/toc-jul15-02.htm
SH
http://www.journals.apa.org/prevention/volume5/toc-jul15-02.htm
SH
Hi and I totally agree with YOU! I also want to thank you for your advise on the forum. You are very infromed and have passed on very valuable info to me!!!! Thank you again for being here. You are a God send to me! Love @ Prayers, Cindee
"There are a variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depressive disorders. Some people with milder forms may do well with psychotherapy alone. People with moderate to severe depression most often benefit from antidepressants. Most do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems, including depression. Depending on the patient's diagnosis and severity of symptoms, the therapist may prescribe medication and/or one of the several forms of psychotherapy that have proven effective for depression."
from the NationalInstitute of Mental Health at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies/index.shtml
The tricky part is to determine if what we are feeling needs intervention or will it subside after the crisis is over, Is it severe enough for therapy?
Even though the NIMH states that a combo therapy is best, most MDs just like to Rx pills because of its easiness.
When I took Zoloft, it dd affect my emotions, and I did not like it. It helped me numb the pain, but it also kept me from feelling things full force. You have to speak with your dr and determine what will benefit you most and how long to try it for. finding the right med and therapist can be an incredible task.
Those with severe enough depression need immediate intervention, no doubt. what worries me is that docs are now erring on the side of liability and prescribe these meds even for milder cases. The emotions some of us have felt on tx, did not feel severe enough for intervention, per our judgement. But it would be wise to have someone close to you observe your behavior and appraise it for you, as you might missed some signs due to your condition.
Lou: when I mentioned using the zoloft to my GI, she wanted me on ADs, I asked her to let me try it without them first and play it by ear. Severe conditions might not favor this approach, so it is a matter of determining the level of depression, if any.
every time this discussion comes up in the forum, we all state our beliefs from our personal experiences and of those close to us. Those with the severe cases and those with milder ones. The bottom line is, you and your md must determined if your case merits treatment.
from the NationalInstitute of Mental Health at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies/index.shtml
The tricky part is to determine if what we are feeling needs intervention or will it subside after the crisis is over, Is it severe enough for therapy?
Even though the NIMH states that a combo therapy is best, most MDs just like to Rx pills because of its easiness.
When I took Zoloft, it dd affect my emotions, and I did not like it. It helped me numb the pain, but it also kept me from feelling things full force. You have to speak with your dr and determine what will benefit you most and how long to try it for. finding the right med and therapist can be an incredible task.
Those with severe enough depression need immediate intervention, no doubt. what worries me is that docs are now erring on the side of liability and prescribe these meds even for milder cases. The emotions some of us have felt on tx, did not feel severe enough for intervention, per our judgement. But it would be wise to have someone close to you observe your behavior and appraise it for you, as you might missed some signs due to your condition.
Lou: when I mentioned using the zoloft to my GI, she wanted me on ADs, I asked her to let me try it without them first and play it by ear. Severe conditions might not favor this approach, so it is a matter of determining the level of depression, if any.
every time this discussion comes up in the forum, we all state our beliefs from our personal experiences and of those close to us. Those with the severe cases and those with milder ones. The bottom line is, you and your md must determined if your case merits treatment.
Hi and I don't mean to SCARE anybody, but when my best friend found out I had hep and was going to start tx. ....she was so concerned about my past depression. Her cousin...had a "best friend" who did do tx......15 wks into teatment HE DID END HIS LIFE!!!
She was very worried about me and called everyday to give me a "pep talk"!!!!! BTW he had turned down the advice to get on an AD before starting tx. So depression IS real while on tx!!!! I would have NEVER have started tx w/o AD's, even if I had never taken AD's before. Depression is a real disease....just like hep c, cancer...etc. Just wanted to let ya know what did happen to a real person on tx. Sincerely, Cindee
She was very worried about me and called everyday to give me a "pep talk"!!!!! BTW he had turned down the advice to get on an AD before starting tx. So depression IS real while on tx!!!! I would have NEVER have started tx w/o AD's, even if I had never taken AD's before. Depression is a real disease....just like hep c, cancer...etc. Just wanted to let ya know what did happen to a real person on tx. Sincerely, Cindee
S(selective)S(serotonin)R(reuptake)I(inhibitor) This is one type of AD. Prozac is one example. They seem to have more sides than the newer ones like Welbutrin. My Dr. would have prescribed Marinol for me if I wanted it. It not only helps w/ depression, but increases the appetite and cuts down on depression in people treating for AIDS, but also is being used for HCV and anorexia. If it's legal here in good ole' N. Dakota (welcome to N.D., please set your clocks back 20 years) I imagine it's legal everywhere now. Pot in a pill, who woulda thunk it? Joni
Ahhh, hate to sound totally stupid or anything but what are SSRI'S and what do Catholic's have against them???? You got me wondering...... I have instant and mucho access to B.C. bud, I quit a reefing a few years back, hate to start again, but maybe that's worth a whirl again? Sure would get rid of the headaches, I suppose.
Hi Daryl, where you been up north??
Couch
Hi Daryl, where you been up north??
Couch
You know I have to say something. I can not believe it took me getting HEPC to end up meeting a group of people like you. This has been and continues to be the most thought provoking experience I can remember in some time. Here is a group of people with a deadly disease, and the shared experiences, stories and issues being discussed are truly amazing. The people are intelligent, alive and fighting. It is proof again to me that adversity brings out the best in people. No one here is to busy or arrogant to offer support or a kind word, Man! That is not a common happening in the real world. I feel really privileged to be a part of it. Really, thank you. And thank you all for sharing your intimate stories. This place is a hidden treasure.
Rev, I want you to know I do listen. Today I saw in a flyer that Staples wash having a sale on water. A case of 24 5oz bottles for $4! I ran right down and bought ten cases! Then I left and started to calculate and realized that would last me about
Rev, I want you to know I do listen. Today I saw in a flyer that Staples wash having a sale on water. A case of 24 5oz bottles for $4! I ran right down and bought ten cases! Then I left and started to calculate and realized that would last me about
hey all got back from the north late last night and had another crisis today .didn't want anyone to think I'd ran away or such. Just got home about9:30 and haven't even started to catch up. saw couch was posting on this thread and wanted to say hi to her anyhoww I get up to speed tomorrow and read all thenews blues and space age dues. Night all Daryl
I started AD's that day and never looked back, but w/out them I never would have finished. And I only had to do 24. So what I'm trying to get through is that noone can know how tx. is going to affect them until they are there. Joni
I have to re-inforce Rev's view w/ my own story. In July of 2002 my liver failed. My ER Dr. said I had 2 choices. He could keep me comfortable and let me go, or I could choose to take on the fight of my life. I looked at the man I had married 1 year before that, and I knew that if I chose to give up, he would let me go. But I saw in his face all the love I'd been looking for for over 30 years, and that if I let go, it would kill him. His mother says I was right. I called him my gift from God since our first date. So I chose to fight. I spent 9 days in ICU w/ a 5-10% chance of survival. He never left my room because my G.I. told him if I woke up, I wouldn't know where I was and might try to rip out IV's and tubes. I am an alcoholic and was still drinking then, so we went the rehab route. I found God, I found joy and I found hope. I knew that whatever happened w/ tx. would be God's will for me and I went into it full of the same joy and hope that I had had since we found out I would live and did not need a transplant. So no-one that I know has started tx. w/ a more positive outlook than I had. # mo.s into tx., I found myself outside in jeans and t-shirt trying to find my dogs leashes w/ the windchill 70 degrees below 0. My hubby was only home week-ends, so I had to go 300 miles away to stay w/ my dad.
You know that list of "mechanisms" I posted earlier on the depression thread? Well, an SSRI is going to offset the serotonin-suppressing effect of interferon, and 800-1200 mg of SAM-e (which is okay to take at the same time as an SSRI) will offset the dopamine-blocking effect. For me, it's really that simple. (And sneaking a lot of trytophan-containing foods into the diet, like turkey and salmon. It's all the same chemistry.)
In my experience, AD's don't get in the way of introspection or self-awareness. They're not emotionally numbing. When youre locked into anguish, they can give you a bit of objective distance from your depression so that you can start "reasoning" with it. That's all.
If you think you might be needing something, then you probably are. And don't worry about being drugged to the eyeballs. You might find that a low dosage of zoloft or whatever might help quite a lot.
NO SHAME!
In my experience, AD's don't get in the way of introspection or self-awareness. They're not emotionally numbing. When youre locked into anguish, they can give you a bit of objective distance from your depression so that you can start "reasoning" with it. That's all.
If you think you might be needing something, then you probably are. And don't worry about being drugged to the eyeballs. You might find that a low dosage of zoloft or whatever might help quite a lot.
NO SHAME!
As far as the flulike symptoms,,,I was referring to,,,Yes usually nauseaus in morning when first getting up and moving around,,,Don't get sick,,just feel overall cruddy and achy all over. Once I get going for day,,,am usually ok through the day but then about 6 to 7 in evening,,,aches start again and either chills or feverlike. This isn't everyday that happens but some days are worse then others. This is the best way for me to describe this to people as feeling all the time like I have a light flu or 24 virus (wish,,wish,,, haha it was only 24)!! You don't get any of this?
As far as you needing ads,,,,You have been through so much more then all of us as far as the extra stress lately of your husband,,,you may benefit from help to get you through this period. You could always take and see if you are feeling a great difference and maybe get off when things are more stable at home for you. We all know what we can personally put up with or when we need help. I have always said from the get go,,,if I go through a week straight of depression on a daily basis,,,then that would be time for me to get ads! Good Luck to you!
As far as you needing ads,,,,You have been through so much more then all of us as far as the extra stress lately of your husband,,,you may benefit from help to get you through this period. You could always take and see if you are feeling a great difference and maybe get off when things are more stable at home for you. We all know what we can personally put up with or when we need help. I have always said from the get go,,,if I go through a week straight of depression on a daily basis,,,then that would be time for me to get ads! Good Luck to you!
Rev,
Thank you for your concern. And I want you to know that I do respect your opinion greatly. You have the experience in this area that I do not. Also you have the knowledge of the virus and tx to boot. I am a big boy and can handle debate and opposing views. If a view is worth anything it should be able to stand up to fair criticism. I believe your criticism was fair. I have not experienced Tx. That is fair because it is true. However, That doesn
Thank you for your concern. And I want you to know that I do respect your opinion greatly. You have the experience in this area that I do not. Also you have the knowledge of the virus and tx to boot. I am a big boy and can handle debate and opposing views. If a view is worth anything it should be able to stand up to fair criticism. I believe your criticism was fair. I have not experienced Tx. That is fair because it is true. However, That doesn
When you say flu like symptoms, do you mean nauseous?? I tell ya woman, if you are dealing with THAT on an ongoing basis, and handling it, I bow to YOUR courage. That is something I could NEVER deal with. The thought of it makes me cringe. But you are right, whatever sides we are dealt (and they are many and far ranging), we will rise above.
On the topic of depression. When does a person know it is time to ask for help? I've never had anything close to it before and while I know I am sad an awful lot, and I cry an awful lot, when is the time that you should try AD's??? I have no idea the effect they cause, but can you just skate through life because of them? I mean, is it a good idea to block those feelings or just deal with them? Today, I am seriously thinking they might be able to help me, but I don't know. Any thoughts?
Couch
On the topic of depression. When does a person know it is time to ask for help? I've never had anything close to it before and while I know I am sad an awful lot, and I cry an awful lot, when is the time that you should try AD's??? I have no idea the effect they cause, but can you just skate through life because of them? I mean, is it a good idea to block those feelings or just deal with them? Today, I am seriously thinking they might be able to help me, but I don't know. Any thoughts?
Couch
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