New, going on my 3rd wk.tx. lots of ?'s

[HappyDeb]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Debbie and I was diagnoised with HCV, genoptype 1, mild liver biopsey 3 months ago and I am going on my 3rd shot this sunday night. I read alot of forums for advise, but never entered one. This one looked like just the right one for me.I am doing the 48 weeks of combo. So far I am doing well. I take my tylenol pm's before shot on sunday then the pm ribo's and wait to get sleepy on pm's and go to bed.I take vit. E, C, Magnesium, q-10,fish oil, liquid B12, I think thats about all ,L.O.L..Ialso started my depression meds a month before tx. and started washing my hair every day with Nioxin .So, do I have everything almost covered, L.O.L. !!! Oh yea, I have a great additude and I have wonderful support from my fiance Kenny and my two girls and family. My two girls are 18, and 21.
It seems that side effects start around weeks 8-15 ? all I can do is keep my great attitude and have my new found friends ( YOU ALL ) help me and each other out. I figure that we are all lucky to at least have meds that can cure us or worst case help us in the fight of liver cancer.if anyone has any good advice on anything that they expierienced, please throw my way. knowledge is golden for all of us.   BLESS YOU ALL>

                                HappyDeb

[HappyDeb]

I am stopping cigerettes. I think 3 a day isn't bad. who am I kidding. Sarasota is beautiful, went there 3 months ago to check out the circle of shopping.I don't know if I meantioned that I live in Naples, also on the west coast.I haven't had a drink in 2 years.Sometimes o'doul's ,but not latley. We went fishing this past thursday after the 4th and caught some mangrove snapper and weak fish. Also snook,but had to put those suckers back now. Good to hear from you. Talk to you soon

                            Debbie

[Lilla]

Quit those 3 cigs a day! I know that's easier said than done as my husband used to smoke and quitting was the hardest thing he's ever done, but he did and we both are so thankful.   I live in Sarasota Florida and we have a boat as well.  The sun and heat has really affected me. I cannot stay outside very long before  I feel quite faint...I have to have the shade. We usually have our vacation in the Keys during July, but can't do that this year.   And, with my husband and I, cold, cold beer is a must with a boat ----  I've learned that O'Doul's tastes pretty good, and I feel a lot better after being on the water and consuming an O'Doul's or two versus regular beer.  Even my husband now does this.     My best wishes for a side effect free treatment and SVR.

Meki:   -   you mentioned in a post about RIBA rage.   I can testify to that.  I am a  very non-agressive,  mild mannered/tempered person, however, with this medication, I've spouted out obscenities and been very rude on occasion, and unfortunately have done this to the people I love the  most.   I've actually just broken down and cried because I wonder "who is this person".  Then, the next day I will be fine until the next go 'round, and I just never know when that will be.   Thankfully, I am treating for 24 weeks - 2 left to go and  I cannot wait.

[HappyDeb]

Thanks to you all,

I must admit I feel alittle tired this morning and am taking it easy. I don't have to go to work until 3 pm, I start getting ready around 2. I had my blood tested on 7/5 and showed my white blood count low and my platlets too. I have to go for some more blood work in 2 weeks.I always had an amazing immune system, never really get sick and if I start to feel ill ,It goes away quick before it gets worse.I'm just keeping the faith.I am 48 years young and in good shape but before the tx. I packed on 15 pounds eating everything knowing that I was going to not be able to eat like that again and that I was going to lose weight with the tx. But know see that I have to join a gym. More money LOL.But it will be worth it. I am vain and try to stay as young as I feel.I have great genes in that catogory. My parents are in there late 60's and look great. I am having a problem quitting my 3 cigerettes a day. I need to hear that it is BAD for me to quit. Please give me your opinion antone. other then that I now eat mostly organic and light foods as not to over load the liver. I read about the gold bond for itching. Very good advise, I will go and buy some. I leave in sunny florida and I love to fish on our flats boat and I am finding out as from the other day, that the sun is bothering me. That's O.K. then I will save my skin too and wear the sun protection gear L.O.L. I used to be a sun worshipper when I was young, but really not anymore. Got to keep the skin healthy too.

Hope to hear from you all soon, thanks for your knowledge and support.

                                Debbie

[meki]

Some people don't have sides.

Or their sides are minimal.

Some people go all the way to the pegged radar with sides.

Some people just float through on a few here, a few there.

You won't know until you go through it. Some folks have sides immediately - some people don't have sides until after TX... even others have none - ever.

Welcome to the forum - much good luck on clearing - it sounds like you have a plate full of spontaneous fun.

Keep your attitude up. Watch yourself if you start thinking suicidal thoughts (they just kind of pop up during treatment---- it's one of those annoying side effects.)

But if you do --- stop them in their tracks and know it is just the interferon talking - that you wouldn't think like that normally --- shove them away. If they get so strong you can't control them --- get into the ER.

Uhmmm Nizoral may or may not work. Just keep your hair moisturized unbelievable well.

Eat good - stock up on crackers, gingerale and bland soups/foods to get you through any nausea.

And with your attitude you should do just fine.

It's a LONG haul.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. And YOU CAN MAKE IT.

Just keep reminding yourself that.

OH  --- and watch your mood. Maybe keep a diary OK?

Because Riba does produce some "raging" moments.

They are totally weird too. Let your family know that if you suddenly blow up at them for no apparent reason... or if you start screaming for no real reason... LOL --- and I mean NO REAL REASON... or start crying off the wall ---- let them know to not take it personally and keep you away from sharp eating utensils. LOL!

Hugs atcha.

Meki

[pigeonca]

Don't forget to be good to yourself.  I know that as a caregiver and businesswoman your plate is full, but take it easy as much as you possibly can.  Slow down.  Don't take on extracurricular activities, limit your social life, and when you're tired, take a spa day - bubble baths and massages and soup.  Your kids, if they're at home, will want to help you if you ask.  And keep on drinking that water.

[katerika]

Just took shot #7 last night.Most side effects are intermittent. I get sweats, and though I take the shot on Friday, Weds night the site becomes red and itchy, 1% Hydrocortisone cream helps, My kids say I blurt out stuff and have no self-censorship. If you read through this forum it looks like that happens to a lot of people. I must say you need to take care of you first. Though I don't always follow that advice. Your body will talk to you, listen to it.Somedays you can push through, but I find the next day I am wiped. So I only push if I know I can rest the next day. And Drink water, when I feel achy, I know I need more water, Oh, as treatment has gone on, my hemeglobin has dropped and that is why I get the fatigue. good luck on your treatment. Like you I started the AD 1 month before I started Tx. Good Luck , keep me posted.
Ter

[desrt]

MedHelp has been notified of your repeated postings of the same misinformation. Otherwise you're being ignored.

[interferon_ruins_brain]

Dr. Russell Blaylock is a member of the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, the American Nutraceutical Association, the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionist, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, American College of Nutrition, American Association for Health Freedom, National Health Federation, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation. He was recently appointed as a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Life-Extension Foundation.

Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon and author of the books Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save your Life and Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients, contributed this outstanding article about interferons, which are used widely for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), hepatitis, cancer and more. If you, or someone you know, are taking these drugs, this article will help you decide if the benefits outweigh the many risks.

By Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
http://www.russellblaylockmd.com/

Interferons are used in clinical medicine for a number of medical conditions including:

A wide range of cancers
Chronic hepatitis
Multiple sclerosis
Chronic granulomatous disease
AIDS-related disorders
Rarely considered are the effects of large doses of this immune cytokine on brain function. For example, the conventional treatment of chronic hepatitis is interferon-alpha-2b. Despite poor results in controlling the disease and the existence of safer, more effective natural treatments, physicians continue to use this toxic treatment. Of major concern are the neurologic effects of the treatment.

Acute Problems

It is known that interferons have two patterns of injury to the brain. One is acute and occurs within hours of treatment, often lasting for the first one to three weeks of the treatment. This usually includes fever, chills, headache and fatigue.

Chronic Problems

This is followed by a chronic phase in which more serious injuries to the nervous system result. Chronic symptoms can include malaise, lethargy, somnolence, headaches, low-grade fevers, anorexia (loss of appetite) and more serious symptoms such as psychomotor symptoms, cognitive problems, psychiatric behaviors and even delirium and coma.

Brain Toxicity

The severity of symptoms depends on the dose of the interferon and manner of administering the medication. Continuous infusion of high-dose interferons is associated with more severe neurologic problems. It is known that chronic brain toxicities occur at all doses but more so after doses higher than 18 million to 20 million units a day. Most common is severe fatigue.

Even lower doses have been associated with a lack of drive and disinterest in participating in normal activities, a process called psychomotor retardation. This occurs in anywhere from 47 percent to 80 percent of patients. Changes in the ability to think clearly (cognitive changes) are frequently seen in patients treated with as little as 9 million units of interferon per week. The difficulty with thinking reaches a peak at one to three months. This can include a decreased attention span, difficulty concentrating, defective short-term memory and mental clouding.

Studies have described frequent periods of silence and vacant staring, occurring even in mid-sentence. Objective testing for recall and cognitive function have shown an incidence of 17 percent to 50 percent in patients receiving standard doses of interferons. Most of these cognitive difficulties do improve, yet there are reports of persistent impairments lasting up to two years following cessation of treatment.

In some patients the effect is so severe on the brain that patients sleep up to 20 hours a day and during waking periods experience disorientation and confusion. Speech difficulties (expressive dysphasia) and problems with balance have also been reported. On rare instances, these neurological effects have progressed to a demented state. Hallucinations have also been reported.

It is important to appreciate that the patients in the first two categories to be described had no previous psychiatric history. Renault and co-workers, who examined many of these patients, divided the neurobehavioral effects into three syndromes: organic personality syndrome, organic affective syndrome and delirium effects. Patients with organic personality syndrome frequently experience uncontrollable overreaction to minor frustrations, are very irritable and have a short temper.

Depression Common

Those with the organic affective syndrome often describe feelings of depression and hopelessness. They cry easily and have difficulty interacting socially with others. Patients experiencing delirium have a clouding of their thinking, have short-term memory problems and have frequent mood changes. Many become severely agitated, abusive, withdrawn and may exhibit suicidal thoughts, delusions of being persecuted and phobias. Patients having delirium symptoms often had co-existing liver disease, history of psychiatric disorder or previous brain injury.

Severe Reactions in Cancer Treatment

The most severe effects have been seen in patients treated for cancers. In these patients death due to encephalopathy (widespread brain injury) and associated seizures have been described. This may be a result of combined toxicities of radiation, chemotherapy and interferon.

Interferon-gamma is less toxic than the alpha or beta-interferons. With higher doses one can see chronic neurotoxicities, which can include dizziness, slowed thinking, confusion, crying spells, and even symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease.

How Interferon Ruins Your Brain

The mechanism of this injury to the brain appears to involve the brain's special immune cell called the microglia. Normally, these cells remain dormant in the brain. That is, they are sleeping. Microglia cells can be activated by numerous factors, including mercury, aluminum, iron, overvaccination, and brain trauma, strokes, infections (viruses, bacteria, rickettsia) and cytokines such as interferons.

Once activated, microglia can move about the brain secreting very toxic compounds, which include two excitotoxins (glutamate and quinolinic acid). These excitotoxins dramatically increase free radical generation in the brain as well as oxidation of lipids (called lipid peroxidation). These radicals damage synaptic connections, interfere with neurotransmitters and can even kill neurons. In addition, these activated microglia generate other toxic compounds such as prostaglandins (PGE2), which increase brain inflammation.

If the microglia activation is short lived, the damage to the brain is minimal and recovery takes place. Yet, should the activation continue, which would occur with high-dose and long-term use of interferons, the damage could be substantial and irreversible. Protecting the brain with high-dose and varied antioxidants as well as certain metabolic stimulants can substantially reduce this damage. Certain nutrients, such as malate, pyruvate, DHA, ascorbate, magnesium and methylcobalamin inhibit excitotoxicity.

Physicians Frequently Miss Side Effects

Physicians often ignore patient complaints of neurological difficulties during interferon treatments, assuming they are benign and reversible. As stated in the beginning, natural alternatives have been shown to be much more effective and dramatically safer than interferon treatments.

[brown_eyed_grl]

".So you see, I have no time to squeeze in side effects L.O.L. "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I like your spirit Deb!! You sound like you have a full plate and nothings gonna stop you. I apsire to be positive and work straight thu tx. I really have no choice. If I dont work the mortgage doesnt get payed. It's a good thing I own my own business, so I can make my own hrs.

Im so glad that first shot is done. Lord have mercy LOL

[HappyDeb]

thanks for the kind words!!! I have not really had bad side effects. The usual being alittle tired, but I am so active all day from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm that I just think it normal. HA HA. I remember when I took my first shot 2 weeks ago, at night I popped my tylenol p.m.s and went to sleep. I woke up the next morning waiting for side effects and told myself that I will address each one positivley. Low and behold I had so much energy that day and I felt great. My Fiance ken, kept on telling me to take it easy, but I was fine. I was concerned because I am the typical care giver and I take care of all except myself. I was worried about me being able to ride my horse so he don't go lame. take care of my 3 doggies and 3 birds let alone kenny and my 2 girls needs. Whew!!!. Ken was like don't worry hon I'll take care of everything. God bless him, but he can't. So I have to stay strong. Plus we are in a family buisness that is expanding and we are part of that,. It is a fabulous womans boutique in Naples florida, and I have to make sure I look good, have a smile on my face and do buisness as usual.So you see, I have no time to squeeze in side effects L.O.L.  I'm sure though that they are lurking around the corner waiting to pounce on me. I'll just have to fight them off. How are you doing with all? any side effects yet?

[brown_eyed_grl]

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place and the people here have educated me so much about the disease and tx. Have you experienced any side effects? With an attitude like you have you'll breeze thru this.

Good luck!

Julia