what is post interferon syndrome

[gibsongal]

just saw otto post on the other thread.. was your treatment harder  for you than other people.?

[RickVaug]

I was put on Ritalin also ----- made me wide awake but did zero for fatigue

I have been on 6 different anti-depressants and they all made me worse --- Last psych Doc finally realized that the fatigue was what was making me depressed and that the drugs wouldn't help

http://livlong.ca/349/rebalancing-nerotransmitters-the-dangers-of-head-meds

interesting article ---- There is so much information on the internet ---- it's just figuring out what is truth and just how much

http://www.interferon.ws/Interferon_Harmful_to_The_Brain.htm

Here is another

The new treatments are supposed to be more effective with less side effects ----- Hopefully one day we will all be back to a life we once knew

[otterwatcher]

Nope I don't disagree with you at all! If Vyanse works for you and makes your life more bearable then go for it! I don't think our NHS would run to prescribing them here,it's hard enough to get the pain relief you need! It usually takes 3 weeks to get a 10minute appointment with a GP and takes about 9months to see a consultant...anti depressants are handed out too readily.

[dontworry_behappy1]

I check the address to make sure it worked.  It's not Melanoma.com.
It's the "American Melanoma Foundation"

www.melanoma.org/...post-interferon

[dontworry_behappy1]

sorry ...geez

"Melanoma Research Foundation"

[otterwatcher]

in answer to your other question,I don't think I had a particularly hard time during treatment,not that it was easy either I hasten to add but no major events.  I was genotype 3a so only did 24weeks and was fortunate to attain SVR but unfortunate to end up with Post Interferon Syndrome 3 months post.
Would like to make it easier for others to get diagnosed or at least recognise that they're not going mad, it was the drugs after all.

[gibsongal]

thanx for the info.
Frank..i am going t talk with the dr again. he insists i am depressed. yes because i have no energy. chicken or the egg?
i was a really really active person. had so many hobbies. hiked, fished.garden. i lived..
then it all stopped suddenly..pain & fatigue..

.and i also get really good beans and grind them and make a strong jolt !

i don't have energy to go out, shop or cook..progresso soup, cereal pb and chocolate milk are my friends. I used to be a really good cook. made my own bread etc would can and preserve the summer veggies, make jam and salsa.... not any more.

i have lost weight..too tired to cook and clean up.
paper plates and cups help. and hubby put in  a dishwasher and a jetted  tub! that has helped so much..

i am eating more frozen dinners, i hate them.. and frustrated that i can't get a handle on the house.. it is depressing..all my hobbies sit un attended. if the fatigue would go away i would be doing more and living. i am not clinically depressed. when i have energy i am fine..

i hope if i can clear the HCV i will bounce back..
but until then ..
i feel it is not fair that doc's will not help people with pain or fatigue when a person has really serious disease..

It took me almost 6 months to get pain treatment i cried and cried with pain. never had pain in my life..
then the script was so limited, (1 pill a day!) i suffered all day in pain and waited to take the one pill in the late afternoon so i could make diner..and not be a crying mess when hubby got home from work..

finally i switched doc's. he found a good pain treatment and it is small doses and the relief has saved my life.

i know they worry about addiction, but as i said, if someone has only a few years left to enjoy the wonders of life and family….
quality of life ….

i don't know why i share all this with strangers…i guess i feel alone and isolated because i can't get my a#$ out of the house.!

some of the people here are very nice. educated and helpful.
thank you all..good luck to you and your treatment and finding ways to deal with side effects and find peace and happiness in trying times.