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How to help with depression?
Boyfriend has been down since Wednesday, hasn't been able to make it into work and doesn't have much energy. He was fine after his first shot and felt better but since Wednesday it's been pretty bad. He's not eating well, says nothing really tastes right, he's tired which is causing him to sleep a lot. I've tried getting him to go outside with me to take our dogs for a walk but he says he just doesn't feel like it. We like to golf so I've also tried getting him to go out in our yard and hit some balls on our golf net but also doesn't feel like doing that either. I know depression is a common side effect but I just don't know what to do, I'm worried about him. Does anyone have any suggestions on overcoming the depression stage? Help please :(
The protease inhibitor, well incivek anyway is for genotype 1; genotype 2 is easier to clear (oh wait am I suppose to use that word).
I didn't use a vial, I used pre-filled syringes so I can't help you with that one.
Actually, one reason for patients with cirrhosis to avoid red meat is because of encephalopathy, a side effect from cirrhosis, which causes delirium, or at least mental confusion, due to ammonia build up created in part, by eating red meat.
Actually, one reason for patients with cirrhosis to avoid red meat is because of encephalopathy, a side effect from cirrhosis, which causes delirium, or at least mental confusion, due to ammonia build up created in part, by eating red meat.
Yes this is just his 2nd week of treatment. Goes back to the dr. the 18th for his 2 wk checkup.
Thanks, now I know why to stay away from red meats. No he is not taking the Inciveck treatment, just the pegasys/rib. He's a geno 2 does this mean anything as to why he isn't taking it?
People with HCV tend to have an over abundance of iron. The liver stores iron and is responsible for breaking down iron and an over abundance can damage the liver.
eat the 20 grams of fat...thats very important...i took zoloft during tx..never took an ad before...make sure to do blood work..cbc..every week...if his hgb is tanking you'll want to know it and see when your doctor will bring in rescue drugs or adjust his tx dose....drink lots of water...and i wouldn't push it..take it easy....bad symptoms can be good....please keep in mind that tx can make you say things you wish you didn't...kind of like drinking alcohol....6 months post tx will be in the past and hopefully both parties will understand it was just tx...it can be tough on a relationship...good luck.....billy
Isn't your boyfriend on like week two? Maybe three? The meds make you feel tired.
When I was on about week 7 through 9 the Incviek made me feel so bad that if it were not for my dogs I would not have not been very active. There are large animal dogs who *have* to walk even though they have lots of land to roam.
Is your boyfriend taking the Incivek too?
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Depression is a very real and very *possible* side effect of Interferon. Depression is also not an easy subject to discuss with some people especially if they have never had any issues in that area. It is difficult to imagine ever feeling that way.
The thing depression is i also something best managed...or contained when it is addressed before it happens. Be sure to know and understand the difference between fatigue and depression. He is going to seem different but he might really do OK.
It takes a lot of independent reading to remain actively involved in a partner's treatment. I would read the links people provide and keep a copy of his labs. Sometimes just knowing how to explain or understand a lab result will save you time from researching symptoms. ♫
When I was on about week 7 through 9 the Incviek made me feel so bad that if it were not for my dogs I would not have not been very active. There are large animal dogs who *have* to walk even though they have lots of land to roam.
Is your boyfriend taking the Incivek too?
____________________________-
Depression is a very real and very *possible* side effect of Interferon. Depression is also not an easy subject to discuss with some people especially if they have never had any issues in that area. It is difficult to imagine ever feeling that way.
The thing depression is i also something best managed...or contained when it is addressed before it happens. Be sure to know and understand the difference between fatigue and depression. He is going to seem different but he might really do OK.
It takes a lot of independent reading to remain actively involved in a partner's treatment. I would read the links people provide and keep a copy of his labs. Sometimes just knowing how to explain or understand a lab result will save you time from researching symptoms. ♫
Question for you all, how do you know where the 180 marking is on the needle plunging mark? The video is kind of confusing? Were suppose to do 180 cc of the vile but your suppose to push the needle plunger down to 180 but do we start at the beginning of the plunger or the end of it? And also it says to pull back after you insert it to see if any blood comes out and if so start over with a new needle, he was wondering what would happen if you accidently did give yourself a shot in your vein? It's real hard to pull the syringe back to check for blood.
Thanks. He actually usually gets on here with me, just lets me do all the typing because I type faster haha. We finally went for a walk today and he worked out on his inside bicycle for 10 mins. He ate a good meal so i'm happy with our production today. Also, we were wondering how come your not suppose to eat red meat? And why no iron? I figured if you were anemic you needed iron? Remember were still new to all of this.
Feeling tired and not like doing anything for 2 days is not clinical depression. Depression is marked by certain symptoms lasting every day for at least 2 weeks.
I agree with Orpanedhawk that your boyfriends is likey suffering from the typical side effects of the treatment drugs which can cause extreme fatigue.
Changes in the taste of food is common with the treatment drugs and is not related to depression.
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http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Treatment_Side_effect_Guide.pdf
FATIGUE & SLEEP
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common side effect of HCV treatment, and of hepatitis C itself. In clinical trials of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, 65% of patients reported fatigue. Talk to your medical provider if this is a concern. Other medical conditions that lead to fatigue may occur during HCV treatment. Anemia, depression, insomnia, and hypothyroidism are side effects of HCV
therapy associated with feelings of exhaustion. These can all be treated.
Assuming you have already consulted your doctor, examine three important factors that influence energy levels: sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Inadequate or poor quality sleep can lead to feelings of daytime tiredness. Make sure you are getting sufficient sleep. The National
Sleep Foundation states that the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Be sure to eat foods with high nutritional value. Fruits and nuts are good choices. Eat small, frequent meals. Make sure you are getting sufficient quantities of vitamins and minerals.
Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. For the average adult, this means drinking a half to a whole gallon of water daily.
Light exercise is probably the single most effective antidote for fatigue. This can be hard to believe, especially if just getting out of bed is an ordeal. When you do not feel like moving, move anyway. As a popular
advertisement says, “Just do it.” Try exercising for 10 to 15 minute intervals, two to three times daily. If you are not accustomed to physical activity, start slowly and for shorter, less frequent periods. Some activities to try are walking, biking, swimming, dancing, gardening, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and Pilates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://uhs.berkeley.edu/lookforthesigns/depressionsuicide.shtml
What is Clinical Depression?
When we refer to depression in the following pages, we are talking about "clinical depression." Clinical depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Individuals with clinical depression are unable to function as they used to. Often they have lost interest in activities that were once enjoyable to them, and feel sad and hopeless for extended periods of time. Clinical depression is not the same as feeling sad or depressed for a few days and then feeling better. It can affect your body, mood, thoughts, and behavior. It can change your eating habits, how you feel and think, your ability to work and study, and how you interact with people. People who suffer from clinical depression often report that they "don't feel like themselves anymore."
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/major-depression
Most people feel sad or low at some point in their lives. But clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, particularly in the morning, and a loss of interest in normal activities and relationships -- symptoms that are present every day for at least 2 weeks. In addition, according to the DSM-IV -- a manual used to diagnose mental health conditions -- you may have other symptoms with major depression. Those symptoms might include:
* Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day.
* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day.
* Impaired concentration, indecisiveness.
* Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day.
* Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day (called anhedonia, this symptom can be indicated by reports from significant others).
* Restlessness or feeling slowed down.
* Recurring thoughts of death or suicide.
* Significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month).
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By all means he should mention how he is feeling to his treating doctor if the side effects continue and affect his ability to function.
Good luck to your boyfriend!
Hector
I agree with Orpanedhawk that your boyfriends is likey suffering from the typical side effects of the treatment drugs which can cause extreme fatigue.
Changes in the taste of food is common with the treatment drugs and is not related to depression.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Treatment_Side_effect_Guide.pdf
FATIGUE & SLEEP
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common side effect of HCV treatment, and of hepatitis C itself. In clinical trials of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, 65% of patients reported fatigue. Talk to your medical provider if this is a concern. Other medical conditions that lead to fatigue may occur during HCV treatment. Anemia, depression, insomnia, and hypothyroidism are side effects of HCV
therapy associated with feelings of exhaustion. These can all be treated.
Assuming you have already consulted your doctor, examine three important factors that influence energy levels: sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Inadequate or poor quality sleep can lead to feelings of daytime tiredness. Make sure you are getting sufficient sleep. The National
Sleep Foundation states that the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Be sure to eat foods with high nutritional value. Fruits and nuts are good choices. Eat small, frequent meals. Make sure you are getting sufficient quantities of vitamins and minerals.
Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. For the average adult, this means drinking a half to a whole gallon of water daily.
Light exercise is probably the single most effective antidote for fatigue. This can be hard to believe, especially if just getting out of bed is an ordeal. When you do not feel like moving, move anyway. As a popular
advertisement says, “Just do it.” Try exercising for 10 to 15 minute intervals, two to three times daily. If you are not accustomed to physical activity, start slowly and for shorter, less frequent periods. Some activities to try are walking, biking, swimming, dancing, gardening, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and Pilates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://uhs.berkeley.edu/lookforthesigns/depressionsuicide.shtml
What is Clinical Depression?
When we refer to depression in the following pages, we are talking about "clinical depression." Clinical depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Individuals with clinical depression are unable to function as they used to. Often they have lost interest in activities that were once enjoyable to them, and feel sad and hopeless for extended periods of time. Clinical depression is not the same as feeling sad or depressed for a few days and then feeling better. It can affect your body, mood, thoughts, and behavior. It can change your eating habits, how you feel and think, your ability to work and study, and how you interact with people. People who suffer from clinical depression often report that they "don't feel like themselves anymore."
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/major-depression
Most people feel sad or low at some point in their lives. But clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, particularly in the morning, and a loss of interest in normal activities and relationships -- symptoms that are present every day for at least 2 weeks. In addition, according to the DSM-IV -- a manual used to diagnose mental health conditions -- you may have other symptoms with major depression. Those symptoms might include:
* Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day.
* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day.
* Impaired concentration, indecisiveness.
* Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day.
* Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day (called anhedonia, this symptom can be indicated by reports from significant others).
* Restlessness or feeling slowed down.
* Recurring thoughts of death or suicide.
* Significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By all means he should mention how he is feeling to his treating doctor if the side effects continue and affect his ability to function.
Good luck to your boyfriend!
Hector
Depression is a common side effect of interferon as is fatigue.
For some people doing ADs during tx, is helpful. He should talk to his doctor. ADs aren't going to give him energy. This lying around is not related to his mind set, it's a reaction to these very strong meds.
There are many things I can suggest but it would help if this post were coming from him.
The meds made me feel exhausted. It took a lot of effort for me to push myself out the door and get moving. Some days, I walked a very short distance while others I made it a couple of miles or more.
Often I just felt like napping but forced myself out the door.
The trick is acting like your own parent. You tell yourself, that if you just lie around for weeks, its' going to make things worse. And it will.
He needs to get up and move, but you can't force him.
For some people doing ADs during tx, is helpful. He should talk to his doctor. ADs aren't going to give him energy. This lying around is not related to his mind set, it's a reaction to these very strong meds.
There are many things I can suggest but it would help if this post were coming from him.
The meds made me feel exhausted. It took a lot of effort for me to push myself out the door and get moving. Some days, I walked a very short distance while others I made it a couple of miles or more.
Often I just felt like napping but forced myself out the door.
The trick is acting like your own parent. You tell yourself, that if you just lie around for weeks, its' going to make things worse. And it will.
He needs to get up and move, but you can't force him.
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