life changing side effects

[trashyjo]

I finished my eleven months treatment for hep c(ribavirin &pegintron) 4 months ago and have been plagued with life changing side effects ever since. Extreme tiredness...I can sleep 12-14 hours everyday and still want a nap...I forget things all the time; go into a room and don't remember why, forget conversations I had yesterday...aches and pains...vision loss, weight gain. I read the same complaints from others on the MedHelp forum and the outlook does'nt seem positive. Is this a known reaction to this treatment? Is it permanent? Are doctors aware of these life changing symptoms? If so, are people like myself, who can not hold a job anymore because of the residual effects of this treatment eligable for disability? Social Security? I used to be a very outgoing, outdoors hard working person and am not looking for a free ride. I'm just trying to figure my options now that this treatment has changed my life so drastically...thanks for any information you can provide....trashy jo                                                                                                                                        

[DoubleDose]

The REAL problem is that the majority of the severe post interferon side effects will probably fall under no readily identifiable category.  Many of us have had tons of tests, and labs, MRI's, every kind of blood test available to humankind...and for the most part, these side effects don't really fall under any known classification.  Even the autoimmune tests are often negative...even though the symptoms mimic the AI diseases in many ways.  Whether your thyroid went hypo or not, and having it treated with replacement therapy seems to do very little to mitigate these horrible long term side effects.  I just don't think the medical community has 'hung a label' on the syndrome yet...but it most surely will in the future, and I will guarantee that the problems all are just plainly a direct result of all the powerful drugs...especially the interferon, which is system altering...and extremely powerful.  I don't think FM or CFS comes close to what we have.

DoubleDose

[paen53]

My thyroid didn't go hypo until my 6 month post check up, so if you haven't had it done since EOT, like Will mentioned, it might be a good idea. I was started on a low dose of Synthroid (50mg/day) and it helped with some of my joint pain issues. Also check your Vit. D levels and see where they stand. A bone density test might be good too. I think it's called a Dexa and even out of pocket, they're not too expensive.

Have you been evaluated for auto immune diseases? Fibomyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

[trashyjo]

will have another blood panel done this week....we'll see...

[willbb]

Why I asked ,is sometimes the thyroid can  go hypothyroid after treatment,,and sometimes significantly so.If that is the case there can be many adverse symptoms. Was it checked post treatment and if not maybe a thought to get it done.

Sory to hear you are feeling so poorly..

Will

[trashyjo]

hopefully all that are effected will benifit from combined efforts....

[trashyjo]

thyroid was "normal" all through treatment......

[willbb]

Not to say this is behind all  the problems you are having ,however a good place to start. Did you get it checked yet?


http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/hep-c-vs--thyroid-/show/1499239?personal_page_id=2125868#post_6811030

[goldcoast70860]

I am seeking advice about the same thing and am not having much luck.  I was treated in 1999-2000 and had been an IBM Systems Engineer but am now unable to really do anything that requires that kind of skill.  Some of my symtoms are somewhat unlike yours but some are the same.  I don't think clearly, vision is effected, fatigue but I find it hard to get a good nights sleep, my joints hurt and I don't socialize like I had.  I am on a mission to find a doctor to give me answers and will pass along any information I come up with and I hope you'll do the same - we are both in the same position.
Kind Regards - Ron