When I'll feel like myself again?

[dheana]

Hi all
I'm back after a few weeks of feeling not very good.
I still struggle with depression and anxiety. I'm 6 weeks after tx, negative after 2 weeks.
I have a few good days but every day is a battle. I want t win this battle with the virus and depression for ever.
How is virus-free and depression-free life?

[berlynn]

Dheana, I hon, I am sorry to hear that you are still battling with the sides of tx.I agree also that you may need to search for an A.D. that works for you. My mother has been on A.D.'s for years to help her cope with a chemical inbalance that causes her to be manic depressive and to also have panic attacks. It took years for her to find the right meds that worked for her, she'd find one that would work for a while and then, after a while, she would start feeling bad again. We were afraid we would loose her a couple of times, because she would get so depressed that she would want to give up...tired of feeling bad and thinking that there was nothing to help. For the last 10 yrs or so, she has been on the right meds that work for her. Although she still has some "down" days.....she is doing 100% better. I know that she would encourage you to keep looking until you find the right meds that are compatible with your system. Remmember also, that depression is not just a frame of mind....it very often is caused by a chemical imbalance in your body.....your body may not be processing or manufaturing the chemicals it neeeds.  You don't have to be depressed about something specific to have depression. I have heard other's here talk about family members who are bi- polar...they may also be able to give you some insight on this. Hang in there honey...we are all pulling for you!!!!  Take care, berlynn

[DownThisRoad]

Thanks for your reply and thank god and the blue heavens that your test came back okay.  Whew is right !! The
autoimmune disorder deal is scarey.

I actually didn't clear at 12 weeks, but was shown undetectable at my 16 point.  My GI wants me to extend my treatment (both pegasys and riba pill) past my 48 weeks due to that small chance of my extension keeping the virus away for good.  I'll take that small chance. I'll hit my 48 week mark in another 6 weeks. We'll go from there with the extension.

My biopsy showed damage to the liver tissue, stage 2. After seeing the results of my biopsy, thats what made my final decision to treat.  I don't want to take the chance to be in a worse stage with my hepC either now or later on.

Give yourself a huge pat on the back and a big sigh of relief.  You are winning!!!

[Revenire]

I heard this -- it could be a HCV myth or it could be real -- go 36 weeks from when you test undetectable.

[Revenire]

Hi,

Thanks for your concern. I appreciate it.

The ANA came back fine. WHEW!

Yep, I am taking a half-dose of Pegasys without the riba. It is my 8th week of that. I did 50 weeks of 'regular' tx. I am doing the peg because I am stage 3 and want to try to reverse/halt the fibrosis if I can. The peginterferons are anti-fibrotics that can and do reverse damage, although not in all patients (I believe it is something like 30%, around there). I will have a follow-up biopsy in a year or two IF I do not attain a SVR. If I do attain one then I won't biopsy. The doctor didn't exactly suggest this -- he said that for me to have remained clear of the virus 36 weeks (the standard 48 week tx -- I was tested at week 12 and was undetectable) was enough. I asked him "What if I relapse?" He said then we would either retreat or go to a maintenance dose. I thought it a good idea to keep on the peg until I find out whether or not I got the SVR. If I didn't have as much damage to my liver as I do I don't think I would have extended tx because I had an EVR etc. The doctor said extending tx might improve one's odd of clearance by a small % and for a lot of us that's good enough odds.

A half dose is pretty easy compared to the full tx. Once I hit 48 weeks it was easy to go to 50 and then easy to keep going on the half dose. My RBCs have rebounded, not totally but on the way. My WBC too -- although they remain low but within safe limits. I will go 72 weeks.

I don't know what stage you're at but depending on that I'd also consider extending. If you cleared early then maybe you don't need to extend. I imagine if your doc is going to suggest more than 48 he must feel you need to.

Scott

[DownThisRoad]

Hi. I read and responded to your post the other day regarding your ANA testing.  Did you receive the results yet?  Whats going on with that?

Also, you said that you are x number of days post riba.  Do I understand that you are taking half doses of the peg? I must of missed your post when you said that you are still doing the injection?  Why is your doctor having you do this and not the pills along with the injection?

My GI is going to hit me up to do more than my 48 weeks, once I get to my 48 weeks.  I'm possibly looking at an extension of both medications; Pegasys and Copagus.  I've been on maximum dose of the riba, 1,200 daily since I started.

I am just so curious regarding information with anyone who is reamining on the drugs past their suggested treatment time. I am 42/48.

[mrBenny]

I think I posted something like this before...

I finished tx in mid-September, but by mid-December I was still depressed -- unbearably so, it seemed.  Even my 12-week post-tx clear PCR only buoyed me slightly and temporarily.  I felt strong, healthy, was exercising, dieting right, etc., but...

Finally, I went to my doc, she prescribed Zoloft, and now I feel much better.  I think you're already taking an AD, but I would just suggest asking the doc to try something else (although I imagine that you may have already done this, but hopefully you haven't exhausted all possibilities).

Good luck.  In the last several months I've read about your trials with this stuff, and hope you can find a way out like I did.

[skagway]

oops finger studder.         i am am week nine of half doeses this time pegasy

[cindee]

Hey girl, Sorry to hear you are still having a time of it! I was 3 months post tx on the 6th of this month. I have some good days, but I still have a lot of bad days. I went to bed last nite at midnight...I slept till 7am this am..this morning. I stayed up till 8am and then I went back to bed and slept straight till 9:30 tonite. I know mine is depression. I go to my shrink on the 23rd, if I can wait that long. We still have a time to go before all the meds are completely gone. I hear 3 to 6 months wash-out as well. I have also been diagnoised with fibromyalgia. I go to a pain specialist on the 17th. Fibromialgia is trauma related. I don't think it's all because of the tx., but I do think it has played a Big part. My 30yr old is using crack cocaine and that has been a terrible blow. I have my 10 yr old g.daughter now ( legal custody ). Her mother being on drugs can't take care of her. I feel so lucky to have her w/ me. We have always been together since her birth, but when I got married last Jan. 2003, I was very sad to not be living w/ her. I have had to start "tough love" on my daughter, and that's been very sad. But we've got to hang in there. I wish you the best and I will keep you in my prayers. I love ya girl, Cindee

[skagway]

i agree with majneni it takes time to clear the riba. mine took six months but depression might not ever leave. they have newer and better drugs for that-------so they say. do not be afraid to sec out help for that--------but hep docs dont know every thing about the blues... fine the sun and get your vit.D while watching the birds-----no not pegions they are to dumb to fly south----but some people might like bird on a stick. good luck and let us weird ones here from u......roy

[skagway]

i agree with majneni it takes time to clear the riba. mine took six months but depression might not ever leave. they have newer and better drugs for that-------so they say. do not be afraid to sec out help for that--------but hep docs dont know every thing about the blues... fine the sun and get your vit.D while watching the birds-----no not pegions they are to dumb to fly south----but some people might like bird on a stick. good luck and let us weird ones here from u......roy

[MajNeni]

Hello, Dheanna,
I'm glad to see you reporting in.  Is it a little better than six weeks ago?  That afterglow of tx can certainly linger for a long time. My doctor told me to be prepared for about 3-6 months for the "wash-out".
I hope you're enjoying the good days; they're bound to increase.
I'll bet your family can see a difference in you already!
Best,
Maj Neni

[Revenire]

One more thing: I am about a week and a half ahead of you off tx and for the first few weeks I had plenty of days when I felt WORSE off tx than on. I think it has to do with the medications leaving our systems and the anxiety of "did it work" that naturally runs through our heads constantly.

[Revenire]

I'd say for each of us it is different but you will come around. You did what you had to do and ought to be proud of it. ANYONE that goes through this tx deserves a medal. It isn't easy and I respect each and every single one of you that does it. (I also respect the medications too -- they sure are strong.)

I'm still on the half-dose of peg (as everyone knows) but I'm feeling much better than when I was on riba. I still have my up days, my depressed days, my anxiety ridden days, my riba-rage days but all-in-all life is good post-tx.

Hang on -- time will pass and you will feel better.