How long do the effects of Ribaviron/Inferon last after treatment?

[Trying2BSupportive]

How long do the effects of Ribavirin and Interferon last after a person stops taking the medicine.  I have heard 6 months to a year.  Has anyone experienced very strange behavior..almost psychoic?  Saying and doing things that they do not normally do?  Not being rational, arguing all the time about things that can be avoided.  Staying away from loved ones.  Being tired all the time and mumbling incohertly, at odd time (which I assume is when he is tired).  My friend has been off the meds for about 4 - 5 months and I see some things getting better, but then some things not.  He seems to be working all the time and I think it could be because he is tired and finds it hard to concentrate, so it takes him longer.  He doesn't want his boss to know what is going on.  Someone please help me understand what he is going through.  You have helped me before and I appreciate it.  The symptoms just keeps changing, one gets better and then another happens.  He still doesn't remember everything and that is why things aren't good.  He is beginning to explain these things, but then I wonder if it is a crutch.  Thank you, I am just so confused.

[cuteus]

We were discussing a sort of "post traumatic shock disorder" possibility as the reason for depression and other mental health issues in some post tx individuals.  We were in another world for many months, had to adjust our personality and behaviors to accommodate the symptoms of tx. End the tx and we are left to fend for ourselves in the aftermath.  We expect to feel better right away, and that does not happen. More depression.  We have to 'fix' relationships that might have suffered while raging on tx, or deal with things we were putting off, it can be overwhelming.  Perhaps some people should be on mental health meds AFTER tx, even if they were not on them while on tx!  It is as much of a major adjustment post tx as it is while on tx.  5 months might be a bit too long for the incoherence, maybe he needs a neurologist?
I hope things get better soon

[bikeaddict]

Sorry I don't have much insight on post tx but this scares the %#$% out of me.  I wonder if I want to go on tx if I'm not going to come out the same person.

I heard of a woman who was on tx and while watching tv with her husband leaned over and bit a chunk out of his arm, later having no recollection of it.  I have a wife and small children in the house.  I'm wondering if I need to move out for the tx.

Another thought, I wonder if the depression so many experience on tx is because of finding out they have hep C.  I know when I first found out back in 2001 I went through depression.  It took years for me to deal with it.

[friole]

It might be a good idea for your friend to have a complete blood workup. These drugs seem to affect each of us different.  I finished 2 months ago and have not had any of the symptoms you express. However, I did have a hard time working and concentrating during treatment and some of that has carried over into this post treatment time .  I don't know if I developed bad work habits during tx or it is just the decline curve coming off the drugs.  Your friend certainly seems to be having a problem that needs to be delved into.

Bikeaddict - I have NEVER heard of anyone doing absolutely abberant behavior as you describe during tx.  It sounds like one of those urban legends to me.  That is not to say that txing does not change a person. There is no doubt that it does, but not always in negative ways.

I think we all had depression upon diagnosis, but as we learned about our disease and the treatment this went away.  THis is not the same kind of depression that some of us get on tx - that is more like a chemical imbalance (in my opinion).

[jmjm530]

There is no doubt that side effects similar to what you describe can be attributed to the treatment drugs several months after treatment is over. The big question, however, is long did you know this fellow before he started treating?

I ask because if I remember correctly, you either met him during treatment or shortly before. Regardless whether someone treats or not, relationships often change especially in intimacy issues, as time progresses. So how much of this is caused by the drugs, how much of this might have happened anyway, or how much of this is a combination of the two?

I don't think anyone is going to have any easy answers for your situation. Hopefully, in a few months things will start getting better, but at some point in the future you're going to have to deal with the relationship as it is, regardless of past issues such as Hep C treatment. And so is he.

Mind you, this relationship advice is coming from someone not in a relationship, who cut off many of his people ties during treatment, and isn't particularly motivated to mend them yet :) So come to think of it, there may indeed be let's call it a wake of introversion caused by these drugs, or at least an amlification of previous introverted tendencies.

Have both of you considered couple therapy? Maybe give it a few more months and then try.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

Said:  I heard of a woman who was on tx and while watching tv with her husband leaned over and bit a chunk out of his arm, later having no recollection of it.


Sounds like she a few other problems aside from HepC....I mean REALLY.  People with psychiatric disorders probably can use anything as a good excuse ;)

If you don't feel the overwhelming urge to snack on human flesh right now...treatment probably won't give it to you.

I've been on treatment for 54 weeks so far and have yet to start nibblin' on anybody's arm. In fact I don't even eat much red meat any longer (cause of the iron).

The Ambien does cause me to "sleep eat"sometimes...but it's usually a few Oreo's I wake up in bed with in the morning...not a limb or anything.

;)

[Morgaina]

I'm 3mo. post tx and am SLOWLY coming off my AD's and other helper drugs. Without sleep and chemical imbalances (tx does cross blood/brain barrier) we can't expect immediate recovery. My doc stressed staying on AD's for about 6 mo. and then coming off slowly. I'm coming off earlier but I feel ok, just lots of fatigue still.

[Kalio1]

Any drug treatment therapy carries risk. You have to weigh the risk of treating vs not treating, both carry risk. Remember a substantial portion of patients do not experience bad side effects, of course a substantial portion do but that doesn't mean you will.
Sure you will hear stories like the lady biting her husband or people having post treatment problems, the drugs are powerful. Yes some people do, but most don't.
It causes irritability and a short fuse, bad mood, etc. but you dont need to move out away from your family! You are right, just finding out you have it is depressing but the virus itself phisiologically contributes to you having depression also. Then the treatment drugs carry their own depression enhancing components.
The whole thing is depressing!

[merlino]

I am starting tx end of this week. I too went through a very difficult time when I was dx w/Hep C. I am very scared to start this poison and I know my life will probably never be the same but to rid my body and mind and soul of this disease it's worth the chance.

[Myown]

Bikeaddict said:

"I heard of a woman who was on tx and while watching tv with her husband leaned over and bit a chunk out of his arm, later having no recollection of it."


Really, really?? No way,,,can't take it,,I WAS having a good day,,,,getting pumped up and ready for tx,,,and then read this!!!????

My husband has hairy arms, maybe that will make then unappealing to me during tx. They look good hairy,but I don't like when I find hair in my food, so maybe,,,,

Please tell me she is the sister of Jeffrey Dalhmer or distant cousin or something.

Or is she a biker too?? That might explain it. Dem biker chicks are tough.

[GrandOak]

So if I go out and off a few individuals that I think desparately need it, I could claim riba-amnesia and walk?

Hmm, I wonder were some of those bullies who traumatized me in my youth are at today.........

[niceguy2007]

i have this thing against ADs cuz they have their own side effects.

  i think a homeopathic concoction with passiflora, avena sativa, acid phos., ginseng, etc. does it better.  hopefully you can get it alcohol free...try DOLISOS labs or schwabe labs from germany.  german and french homeopathic medicines are really good and they work.

[Algernon]

I'm relieved to hear this story of the guy who bit a chunk out of someone's arm.  Misery loves company.

I didn't bite anyone on TX (now off 16-17 weeks--proud to say I'm finally losing count) BUT my 3 year old standard poodle bit THREE people while I was on TX (he'd never bitten anyone before).  I had to hire a dog trainer (retired military, of course) and she's blaming my TX for his biting behavior.

So, there you go.  

[cuteus]

biker, no need to move out, urban legend as someone said.  You will get cranky, but not homicidal, if you don't have the tendencies already.
I am sure my daughter would have told me if I bit or killed someone during my 72-74 wks of tx, even if Brain fog was acting up!

[GoofyDad]

I heard of a woman who was on tx and while watching tv with her husband leaned over and bit a chunk out of his arm ...

I bet that's a man who doesn't bug his wife to watch p0rn with him.....

[sfbaygirl]

Ahhh, that's a thought!!

I couldn't help it, but after reading this thread I had to go down and bite John on the butt to see if I had the propensity to do such cannibalistic acts....don't think I do! LOL

[sfbaygirl]

I haven't bit anyone on tx...yet! Sometimes I sure feel like doing  it though! Geez, I haven't heard of anyone turning into jeffery dalmar on tx yet, perhaps its a rare sx.

Biker, I sure wouldn't worry about doing such things on tx, especially moving out of the house. You need all the support you can get. So you sure don't want to bite the hand that feeds you. yuk, yuk!

[jmjm530]

"I heard of a woman who was on tx and while watching tv when her husband leaned over and bit a chunk out of his arm ...
----------------------------------------------------------
Thankfully, treatment also affects ones aim.

[Penelope1911]

AHHH hahahahahahahahaha...thats too much for one day guys...thanks for the "daily dose of healing laughter"...on a serious note to the ones worrying...if we want to get rid of this disease, we do what we must.

[tipiwoman]

Ah needed a good laugh...thanks heaps! Particularly like yours Grandoak, you imagine the court hearing can't you!! Oh and the headlines!  

I must admit though to becoming more reclusive which was an old pattern in the first place....and must admit to also sleepeating nygirl....but taking chunks out a people...not yet!The dog phenomenon was very interesting!

Hey don't buy into the worst case scenario's you need your family right now and they need you! Everyone is different don't fill your head with fear! A friend of mine in Oz said apart from itching he had no sx! The very best of luck on your journey, stay strong. Blessings All.

[Lady E]

Ohhhhhhhhhh! That was great..my liver is still hurting from laughing so much. thanks!

[katiefitz]

I've been off treatment for three weeks now and I'm as fatigued,brain-fogged and itchy as when I was on it.  The only difference I notice is mental - I'm non detectible so my outlook has never been better.  My doctor said a good month before I start to feel better and a good six months for the drugs to be mostly out of my system.

[beamishboy]

who has the REMOTE now??-that is the question

[tipiwoman]

PS. When I read your friend is working all the time alarms bells go off for me. I personally think many people are living imbalanced lives on this planet, whether they are on treatment or not.

Can your friend consider taking time out to heal his mind and body and balance things up a bit? Does he have anyone he can really talk to, many men hold things in with loved ones and keep soldiering on, not wanting to burden their spouses or friends. Then we wonder why they die on average much younger than most women. Check out any nursing home its full of women!

Also does he have anything in his life that is now giving him joy? That helps lift him if only for a while each week? I think this is fundamental to aid our mental health...having a project we love, a passion....just a personal view.

[bobbyullc]

he is not faking,
i can not remember anything short term and read a sentance 3 times to get it? 4 months now and wonder if it will get better.
all the time on tx i never could get one spritual thought....i still do not..i do not feel like being with friends and have low level depression and fatigue.
this is not 18 weeks of tx but 60 weeks so far and counting...do not expect him to be grateful for your support as he should be but it is the drugs.
bobby