hep c and depression

[trolleater]

can you take Prozac while on the triple tx, left Dr. note but no call back today out of office, but wife has Prozac, she said I should try, before I do I would like to make sure it does not interfere with the triple tx (Incivek), anyone else take prozac ?

[trolleater]

  Thanks B, It a least gives me a little encouragement.

[BoceprevirGal]

  I really think most people find just the Interferon shot and the Riba pills a breeze, compared to the two meds combined with Incivek!
     I got used to the Interferon by my 12th week, and then barely felt
any different, after taking the shot, and my Doctor mentioned that this is a fairlyusual reaction. Once our bodies level out with an even amount of Interferon, we dont react to it as much.

[trolleater]

  THANKS

[coeric]

i felt physically much better after the incevik was stopped at, and after the incevik rash resolved.  now i have been off all treatment drugs for one week, after 48 weeks of treatment, and feel much better both physically and mentally. please remember that what you are experiencing now is temporary and it will pass.  i am sure there will be lingering side effects but if we are able to obtain SVR it will all be worth it.
eric

[Advocate1955]

My husband has treated 3 times in 5 years and he has been able to return to a normal life after treatment, working full time, raising a family, working in the yard, fishing and hunting with his dad and brothers, etc.  Of course there are other health issues developing given his age, but in between treatments, he feels well and isn't depressed or anxious. However, I have convinced him to stay on Citalopram even though he's not on treatment right now.  It makes him nicer!  :)
Advocate1955

[trolleater]

  Thanks Eric, I keep hoping that I will be able to return to a somewhat normal life after the Incivek, any truth to that ?

[coeric]

sounds like you have a good doc who is willing to treat the side effects.  i also found it difficult to leave the house and lost most of my relationships while on treatment.  i could not bring myself to return phone calls or emails. for me the worst time emotionally started about week 12 and lasted until maybe week 36.  if i had to do it over again i would have found a doc willing to prescribe psych drugs prior to treatment. i just finished 48 weeks and am feeling much better emotionally and physically.  please remember that what you are feeling is the drugs and not you.  when this is over and done with, you will be back to your 'ol trolleating self.
eric

[trolleater]

  I know I need to force myself to leave this house more, I am starting to get where I just dont want to leave, I dont want to have people see me like this, and the funny thing is when they do see me they always say, well, you look good...

[Advocate1955]

Citalopram is generic for Celexa, I believe.  My husband took Citalopram through triple tx with Incivek, and he remains on it.  It worked well for hm, and he didn't have to increase the dose at all during tx.  Hopefully you will begin to feel better quickly and it will gradually improve even more over the next few weeks. Try to eat healthy, sleep well, and take a daily walk outside if you can.  That should help with your anxiety and depression as well.
Take care,
Advocate1955

[trolleater]

cytalopram - I think that is what it says, I cant find my glasses, I am sure it is generic

[Advocate1955]

What did your doc prescribe?  Hope it starts to work and you start to feel better soon.  Antidepressants do take time so don't give up.
Advocate1955

[ceanothus]

I hope the antidepressant helps you fairly quickly - they've saved my life a few times already! Are the night sweats new for you? I've had them almost every night for the whole tx (45 weeks so far). So tired of that (along with all the other sx). Hang in there – it will all be worth it in the end.

[momof2jewels]

This treatment can definitely run wild with the emotions/moods.  I totally understand your not wanting to interact with people right now but just be careful of becoming too reclusive.  It wasn't until I told my pride to take a hike and asked for help that things began to improve.  I'm glad you are having your doc give you something for the depression/anxiety.  It does take a little while to see a marked difference but you will see one.  Honestly, it will probably be your family that notices the change in attitude or behavior before you notice it.  Remember, alot of these emotional sides are totally brought on by the meds.  It's not you.  It's not forever.   With all you are going through, you've got to be aggressive about getting whatever help is available to you.  Your days may have you wrestling with a side effect or two but don't convince yourself that you need to suffer.  You will be in my prayers.  You can do this...but you don't have to do it alone!

[trolleater]

  started new med yesterday, dont know how it will work, but I had the sweats all night, and couldnt sleep (rash itched like crazy), but today I am going to make myself leave this cage and do something, maybe that will help with the mental state.  I havnt been off of my property for almost a week or so and the last time I left was to go get a blood draw, I just dont wont to be around or talk to other people, and the funny thing is I am in sales and all I do is interact with people.

[Idyllic]

Hey Why lie I have tried other people's drugs before. It's just my nature. If I had a rash I would be trying everything to get rid of it!

I tried an Ex's Paxil and it was obviously the wrong drug for me. I was in college at the time and I remember seeing stars around my head and being afraid to tell anyone since I knew what I did was stupid. I could not wait for the effect to wear off!! Anyway, that was another life time ago  and I have lived to tell the tale. I am not a huge advocate of the prophylactic treatment of depression but I started taking Buproprion a few months before treatment this time around.

I hope the med your doctor prescribed works for you. Remember it takes a couple of weeks to become regulated in your system.
Feel better♫

[rivll]

"I want my old life back, I want to do things, I want to work, I want to be happy again, I am so sick and tired of feeling this way........... "

Yes, these words echo in all of our minds. Hang in there Trolleater, you WILL get your life back.

[trolleater]

  Dr. called today, said that prozac was ok but not recommended they called something else in that worked faster, they said prozac takes a long time to work.  Thanks for looking out for the trolleater...

[trolleater]

  Thanks to everyone, got my answer, need to talk to Dr. first, that is what I was thinking to, but wife was insistent, she thinks I have fallen into a dark depression over this treatment, and she is not far from right, depression is something a manly man like myself has a hard time admitting, I know its just the drugs, but with all the side effects, and this nagging rash, who wouldnt be depressed, it just seems like everyday is something else, add another pill, buy some more creams, try this try that, and the reality is, this is one rough mother of a treatment, it is taking everything I have to stay on target, I want my old life back, I want to do things, I want to work, I want to be happy again, I am so sick and tired of feeling this way...........

[abdelghany]

I am on Prozac.  However, I was on it before the triple treatment started.  I would asked my doctor about it to make sure.  

[orphanedhawk]

Bad idea. My doctor suggested a few antidepressants when I went ballistic in his office. Prozac was not on the list. You don't want to mess with any strong drugs like this that could have a bad reaction or make your condition even worse.

[can-do-man]

The safest bet is to see you doctor before starting any new meds...

[BoceprevirGal]

  The problem with Prozac is in a small % of the population (usually the ones who have a family member who suffers from Bipolar Disorder) can get very agitated, and subsequently manic, quite fast on Prozac, and within a few days, the mania can turn into pyschosis.
   Since Interferon/Riba can also trigger psychitric symptoms, it then makes it hard to ascertain which chemical is doing what...aghhh.
   Something in the Mood Stabilizer category is a
safer bet, like 'Abilify", but it takes a few weeks to take full effect, unfortunately

[Advocate1955]

It's not a good idea to take your wife's prescription. Different people respond differently to meds, and people should be monitored by a doctor when they are taking an antidepressant. It's best to wait until you can talk to your doctor. Lots of people on triple tx are taking antidepressants (my husband is on Citalopram) but this must be prescribed and monitored by a doctor. While you're waiting, maybe you and your wife could make a list of your symptoms for your doc?
Advocate1955

[Advocate1955]

It's not a good idea to take your wife's prescription. Different people respond differently to meds, and people should be monitored by a doctor when they are taking an antidepressant. It's best to wait until you can talk to your doctor. Lots of people on triple tx are taking antidepressants (my husband is on Citalopram) but this must be prescribed and monitored by a doctor. While you're waiting, maybe you and your wife could make a list of your symptoms for your doc?
Advocate1955