Post Treatment

[timothy141]

Tim completed 48 wks on Oct 31st. He seems sicker now then he ever has been over the
last year. His mental capacity seems to be most effected. Has anyone else experienced
this kind of breakdown post tx? Any suggestions would be helpful. I am truly worried about
him and we are not quite sure how to proceed. Still looking for that reprieve.

MJ

[Dee1956]

You have done an excellent job getting through tx.  You have fought your demons while treating and won.
You also lost a son which has to be the worst thing that can happen to a person.  I can not even wrap my brain around what you and MJ have suffered.

You are doing really well.  I believe in you Timothy and I think many others on here can see what a wonderful person you are.

Hang in there, it does improve.  I am doing so well, despite other things that have happened along the way.  I am cured, you are cured and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Bless you and MJ, I pray for both of you

Love
Dee

[timothy141]

Thank you
Well, I never reached a point of where ,"I don't remember I couldn't remember". Have to be thankful for the little things. LOL Still I have to go back to early on in my tx when I questioned the wisdom of 48 weeks vs 24. You proposed a question,"...who would I hold responsible for a relapse if I quit AMA...?" Of course the only one I could would be me. Besides all the time hearing those words of Dr. Prince, "as long as you can tolerate it."    

[pooh55811]

Glad to see you posting, Tim. I am hoping that you are doing better now.

[timothy141]

Okay, this is Tim. Again thank you for your input.
In all fairness pleases excuse my absence and even my briefness now. I finally caved in, went to see a shrink, finally actually. I have been in melt down for awhile.
   Anyways, I got into see Dr. Oates on Tuesday morning, my third visit. Outcome: Instead of 12 different meds,
I now only take 4 : 1: Atenolol 25 mg 1 a day. (B/P) 2: Losartan potassium 50 mg 1 a day. (B/P)  3: Nexium 40 mg 2 x a day.  ( Stomach)  Quetiapine fumarate 100 mg 1 a day.( bi-polar, mania).  

[Advocate1955]

I'm kind of confused.  I think Tim just completed 48 weeks of triple therapy, and MJ is Tim's wife or significant other?  It sounds as though MJ, you just lost your adult son, who committed suicide just shortly after Tim completed triple tx?  If I understand this correctly, both you are going through a lot, one could say it's a traumatic stress situation.  MJ, if Tim did 48 weeks of triple tx, then he must have Cirrhosis.  I looked through some of his previous posts and journals, but not all, and I couldn't tell for sure.  However, if he has Cirrhosis, it is possible that triple therapy has caused his liver to decompensate (not work correctly) and his feeling sick, depressed, fatigued, and especially his change in cognitive status, could be symptoms of decompensation.  In that case, he should see his hepatologist right away, have some labwork and other tests, and be monitored carefully regarding the status of his liver and symptoms can be treated.  On the other hand, given the difficult meds that he has just completed, combined with the emotional stress that you both are under right now, he could be experiencing a serious depression, which also requires immediate attention.  Another possibility (note I said possibility because I have no way of knowing), is that in his current psychological and/or physiological state, Tim may be taking medications or something that may be altering his cognitive state, which of course, could be dangerous with Cirrhosis.  Please don't take offense, just explore all possibilities, so that Tim can get the immediate help that he needs, whatever that may be.  If it were me, I would probably start with the hepatologist ASAP, as in call their emergency line tonight or tomorrow morning.
Keep us posted.

[cheflady]

Hello i too would like to pass on my condolences for your loss i know how you must be feeling i have been there myself. Please try and get Tim to see somebody about the depression i know with my hubby his depression was worse on and after tx, he is now 7mth post tx and he is still on a higher dosage of AD then what he was before tx,but i must say that he is gradually getting better. I wish you both the best and i hope you find solace. Love Jules

[pooh55811]

I, too, wish to express my sincere condolences on your loss. You are in my thoughts.

Both Interferon and Ribavirin can stay in the system for up to 6 months following treatment. Interferon is known to cause Depression and other mental health issues in some people. If Tim is already seeing someone for Depression and/or other mental and emotional issues, then I would suggest a call to that clinician and an urgent appointment is indicated. If he is not currently seeing anyone, then I would suggest having him see someone on an urgent basis.

You are both in my thoughts and I am wishing both of you the very best.

[dustbear]

Hi MJ!
I am so sorry to hear about Tim's condition so soon after finishing.
Get him to the doctor and let us know how it goes.
Sending you all my prayers.

[desrt]

First MJ, my condolences on your loss.

All the warning labels for Interferon include the time on treatment 'and' the 6 month period afterward. Depression and mental side effects from this drug can be serious enough in a small percentage of patients that they are generally the first thing listed in the 'black box' warning. Please have Tim seek help for this sooner rather than later, preferably with someone who has experience with this exact issue.

My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

[nzkiwilife]

Congratulations for finishing the 48 weeks.
Sorry to hear that he is feeling worse.
I finished tx nearly 5 months ago and got sx that I never got while ON tx.
I felt worse mentally after tx than during (but that may have been because I was so incapacitated while on tx.) After tx it felt like my personality had gone and I felt robbed/empty. Hard to explain..
The good news is that with all the varied and random post eot sx and feeling full of energy one day then tired the next, the trend was that I was getting better.
The mental capacity is improving.
Maybe ring the specialist that has been looking after Tim while on tx and get him to see him.
I remember at about a month after tx it was a worrying time for me also.
All the best.