How Bad are the psych effects?

[TenRubi]

The Physical effects I may be able to handle but I doubt I can beat the psych crap! My transplanted liver is being devoured by HC. Can someone give me advise please on how to cope.

[epiphiny]

The mental/emotional side effects are different for everyone and you won't really know until you start.  You can take a prophylactic antidepressant although there are those who do not agree with this course of action.  There are also many other drugs that you can take to help with troubling side effects - Resperidone for anger for example.  You might be surprised by how much these drugs can help you maintain treatment.  

All the best

Epi :)

[Reb576]

I am at week 39 of a 44 week course of TX. I started an antidepressent about 6 weeks before treatment, I go to therapy, meetings, yoga (until week 32), acupuinture, and have a pretty good support network. I get a little short tempered, but am doing pretty well menatlly. It does take work and a possitive attitude.

[orphanedhawk]

That was supposed to read mikesimon

[orphanedhawk]

I found the depression came and went. Some days were better than others, some hours were better than others,etc. It didn't last.

Mikesimmon treated successfully after having a liver transplant. He's online during the work week  and is very helpful.You might want to send him a private message.

I had a transplant last April and began drinking tons of coffee.
So far, my liver is healthy. check it out:
www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2008/NewsRev-282.html

[banarep]

was on treatment three times, never had a psych. problems.  it does depend on the person.  nygirl is correct, getting on an online forum does help a great deal

[nygirl7]

my doc put me on an antidepressent a month before I started treating so it would have time to kick in.  I never regretted the decision once.  Treatment is hard but as Bill said for most of us we find a way to get through it one way or another.  Personally for me it was this forum - without it and the support of the folks in here I know I wouldn't have made it. When I felt like quitting and giving up they wouldn't let me.  When I was down there were some really funny jokess to life my spirit. When I needed a friend to cry/talk/laugh just whine to they were here.

It was the best support I could have had (cause Lord I was tired from treatment and wouldn't have had the energy to go out to a 'real' life support group in a million years).

Good luck to you. I'm sure that the transplant folks will be in here soon - they are WONDERFUL and you will get so much from them you won't believe it in a million years.

[Poobah_Johnny]

http://hcvadvocate.org/

Find a support group, get out of the house and go.
I'm planning on joining a group at Mt. Sinai.

[FormerLoser]

Sorry to hear that, have faith and think positively and hopefully in a year you can clear everything with the new drugs.......
Peace,
N

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

And welcome to the discussion group. The treatment can be a little challenging at times for some of us, but the majority seems to manage, one way or another. Do you have anyone around to help you with this?

There are some members here that have treated post transplant; I’ll try to flag one or two down and let them know you posted this.

How long ago were you transplanted? How is that going? Any significant rejection episodes or anything?

I treated twice; once in 2005, and again in 2006, the last one successfully. Depression, anxiety, anger/rage/impatience can show themselves, but by no means does everyone get symptoms like this.

Best of luck to you; feel free to ask questions, and let us know how things go—

Bill