depression issues and hep c

[vincenos]

ok listen to this please: im st.2 gr.2  geno 1a/1.800,000  also have chronic  pain ,with depression and anxiety issues i have seen two drs  gi. both said i would  not make  it through tx and with a 40 % cure rate in my case  why would i put my self in a position  of killing myself .....ahhhh..  let me think for  a second ....no they both said that when you have depression b/4 tx it will be a very rough time they both said 1 plain out said  i wouldnt make it ... so they are  professionals ...personally i dont think im going to take either  1 of their  opinions and am going to  try to see a straight out  hepatoligist.not to scare any 1 but the 1 dr. said that  with depression b/4 tx  makes for a recepie ,and he says hes seen it  suicide i have three children and for me  ya ill get  a hepas  opinion but i still have a little time here ill try to eat healthy and no alcohol and enjoy my family beacuse to honest i could die of  a heart b/4 the hep c gets me hugs to everyone  vince

[Severance]

Hey there  vincenos, I'd just like to add my voice to meki's.

"but did either of them consider that perhaps your current stages of depression might have been caused by the HCV infection side effects in the first place --- or may have been excaberated by them?"

I'm annoyingly bright and cheeky when at my best, I've always been the sort of person who doesn't sweat the small stuff.
Pollyana X Black Adder that's me.
But there's been some black times since and even if I don't turn and eyeball it, I'm aware it's there lurking.
I perceive Hep C as an entity in itself, it's almost if there's something alien in here at war with me. It's not a monkey or a demon it's a dragon on my back. Sibilant and sly.
Which doesn't make me crazy. It just suggests that something plays with my serotonin levels& rides rampant through my cellular structure Something that works at keeping the body unwell and in a constant state of battle making simple things difficult. I tell myself it's the hep C not me. That I can't control my body but I can control my mind. Sometimes it works.
Just my opinion, I'd get a 3rd opinion. Whatever happens it'd be great to have a Doctor with a more positive attitude. Perhaps go to  someone that you trust. Someone that knows you really well and ask them how they think you are?
Good luck where ever the path takes you.

[vincenos]

thank you very much for you kind words and god bless you  both

[meki]

We've had a LOT of people successfully treat with depression or mental health issues PRIOR to TX.

So - get a secondary doctor's opinion.

METHINKS it is a little different if you KNOW about it ahead of time - so that you can watch for the danger signals and be more pro-active. Not to mention - if your doctors are monitoring you closely - they can step in and assist.

YES!!!! The TX does play with your mind.... But it can do that with a perfectly mentally  healthy person prior to TX just as bad.

I feel strongly that you should consult a psychologist and a hepatologist.

BE upfront - be honest --- let them know the full scale of your prior depression - and get them working together on a maintenance schedule.

Discuss it with your family - so they can be aware of the warning signs.

Keep a DAILY journal - of your thoughts, feelings and side effects... WATCH it. Read it - pay attention to your inner self.

Have others read it as well to keep an eye on you.

I think it can be done successfully - and I think that if you totally look at it ----40% is better than a ZERO percent chance.

I don't mean to sound off the wall - but did either of them consider that perhaps your current stages of depression might have been caused by the HCV infection side effects in the first place --- or may have been excaberated by them?

Hey - whatever happens - I sooooooo wish you good luck!

Hugs,

Meki

[Dora82_05]

I also fight depression. I don't take meds because they are worse than the depression itself. I feel that my numbers are not too bad but well see. I still have a biopsy scheduled the end of this month. I am just sooo tired all the time, my joints ache, I get pain under ribs from time to time. But I started back on vitamins and started taking the Gloucosamine. So I am starting to feel alittle better. But back to you..... I am so very sorry, and I'm with you, I would definitely go see a Hepatologist. I believe you can go online and find out who is in the top of there field in your state. Medical board maybe. I think I may be fortunate, we have MUSC here which is a teaching hospital and this dr supposedly is the top of his field. I heard good things about him anyway. Well see. I too am a skeptic and don't trust any of them. I pray you find a very good one and get some hopeful news. I know when they referred me a hep dr. I got real angry, and cried alot. I have a son and a grandson that I adore. So, I understand. Just continue to take of yourself and love your up. They do make ya feel better. My prays are with you....