Long-term effects of Pegasys/Ribavirin

[melinsday]

I am a 52 year-old, caucasian female.  I finished a year-long treatment of Pagasys and Ribavirin in 06/2008.  It was successful!  18 months later however, I'm feeling little change from when I was taking the drugs.  I'm having problems in many areas.  I have chronic fatigue, "brain fog", short-term memory loss, rare but severe memory loss (like a blackout, during which I've had conversations, driven, walked, eaten), lack of focus, difficulty with spacial issues, tremors, acute joint pain, clumsiness and more.  This has affected the quality of my life significantly.  Neither my hepatologist, primary care physician or psychiatrist have heard of the effects of this treatment continuing for this long and have offered no suggestions.  Please, what is my next step?
Melins


This discussion is related to Are there long-term neurotoxic effects from Ribavirin??-getting worried here.

[Survivor01]

It's bloody awful stuff this treatment!
I finished (successfully) a week before Christmas 2012. It really was the most physically, emotionally and mentally challenging time of my life, but at the same time I also learnt so much about myself and how strong I could be.

Hang in there!

9 months on I'm still not feeling 100%, but I am feeling a whole lot better than I was during the treatment. My energy levels are very low but I'm trying to get back to my pre treatment fitness and maintain a really healthy diet. I'm still taking mild antidepressants which I started during my treatment, I want to come off them but I'm not interested in going through the pain of the withdrawals at the moment.

Good luck!

[medic54]

James, google- HCV SVR relapse after immunosuppression... then- Study HCV particles detected in SVR/ circulating blood, plasma, lymph. Your point blank 'this is the way it is' advise seems extremely dangerous to those who may be susceptible to relapse.

[Jimsea]

You're not the only one , I have been having ED issues , energy issues and simply haven't felt right since I finished the treatment in 2011 . I am suspicious of having developed a heart condition , though I haven't had it confirmed I have the harbingers including ED . I also have shortness of breath and fatigue to go along with it which is unexpected as I have exercised , ran , swam etc most of my life , I'm also a vegetarian . I'm going to get every test I can and try and figure it out , but I am more than a little suspicious of the treatment . While I am currently 63 I have always kept fit and the onset timing is curious .

[otterwatcher]

good on you-please let me know how you get on.

[Tattthat]

I have JUST started with my treatment of the Pegasys Interferon, Ribo Pack and Incivek.

I am NOT joking when I tell you that by the next day, no one could understand me, i was in a total fog, i was falling all over the place, walking into walls and had NO short term memory..

My Dr. took me off of it 3 days later and I see him tommorrow.

So--YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! THIS IS AFTER ONE TREATMENT!!!!

[Leokix]

I copied your post to take to my Dr, It describes what I am going through perfectly. I completed 6 mo regimen 3 months ago. I have also developed sciatica since treatment.