Sorry to hear your going through all of this. These feelings your feeling definately have to be dealt with. It's very possible your Dr. can prescribe something that can help, but the one thing I know from experience is that these drugs need adjustmenst before they become effective. You need to work closely with your medical staff and you need to be very PROACTIVE about this. I would hate to see someone lose out on a possible cure when maybe they didn't have too. I have 5 weeks left of a 48 week treament and I am not going through what you are going through, but I do get very depressed, I find myself withdrawing from friends sometimes, I sometimes want to cry when I see a chick flick with the wife and kids :), I feel rage sometimes and unfortunately have been way too abrasive to some friends I've had. I understand that it's all the freakyness of the meds and that's what get's me through it. Best of luck!!
alprazolam ↔ boceprevir
Applies to: Xanax (alprazolam), Victrelis (boceprevir)
Boceprevir may increase the blood levels and effects of ALPRAZolam. This can increase the risk of side effects including excessive drowsiness and breathing difficulties. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
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You might want to ask your Dr to take you off of Xanax and put you on Ativan. That is what I have used and it helped me. Hope you feel better soon!
Jules
Talk to your doctor. It may be that your antidepressant needs to be increased or changed. It may be that your Xanax needs to be increased or taken more regularly. The suggestion to ask for Zolpidem (Ambien) is a good one too. Being able to sleep makes a big difference.
All great advice esp to consult your Dr and express all you said to them. Please dont stop your TX instead reach out to everyone on here and the Drs for help you CAN do this...John
My doc gave me a prescription for the generic of Ambien (Zolpidem). It helps you sleep. I needed 10mg (5mg just kept me awake). It was something I looked forward to take at midnight. Take it and jump in the sack. btw My doc is very knowledgeable and said it would not affect outcome of Tx.
Oh Wow. I am really sorry how you are feeling. I know these meds can really mess with your head. Maybe you feel trapped and like this isn't worth it. I don't know when you started your antidepressant (AD), your dose and if you are regulated on it let alone how it jives with Xanax but maybe those things need to be reevaluated at this point. It is actually rare the very first AD someone tries is the one that will work. I took one called Lexapro for a few months before I treated last time and it was a horrible experience. I went off it and ended up taking a different one and started treatment with it instead.
I strongly encourage you to call your doctor. Tell him the psych meds aren't working and tell him how you feel. Please, please, please give yourself a chance. There may be something more, better or different you could take or do. I am not really saying your meds is the problem here but either way you have come this far and you deserve to see if there is a way for all this to work.
Linda, there are times that I lay on the couch and cry and I am a man. These drugs are harsh. Especially shot day. I'm glad you are getting xanax. I take valium. My heart races too and I am short of breath all the time. So what you are going through could be considered normal and I hope you can ride it out. I am only into week 6. The new drugs also have side effects and faults of their own and could well be years out.
Sorry, I posted before I was finished.
What I want to emphasize is before you quit, please call your Dr. and tell him/her how bad it is and see if there is something that can be done to help you get through this.
All the best to you.
"Please tell me those new drugs on right on the horrizon."
Until the FDA approves them no one really knows, I sure wouldn't let that be a deciding factor to stop treatment at this time. Talk with your doctor, maybe a dose increase or a change in your antidepressant... Good luck
Hi,
You need to tell your Dr. what you are going through. It is fairly common for people treating with Interferon?Riba to have the side effects you are writing about.
If your meds are not working your Dr. needs to know and maybe adjust the dosage or change the prescription.
If you are genotype 1, it will be 2-3 years down the line. Depending on how you have responded so far (were you undetected at 4 weeks?) and the condition of your liver it would be better if you can hang in there