How's your Memory?

[gerard11]

Checking to see if others are experiencing memory problems. I have completely lost my ability to remember almost anything. I am 58 years of age but don't feel like it is age related. I must really take my time to get myself organized before I take on the day. Have treated to many times, to many recall ( lol). I am a post tranx liver patient, currently under treatment now with Gilead. I can't be the only one who can't remember!!!!!

[Bannywang]

I have been dealing with a lot of memory issues too, don't know if it's the meds or the virus. Leaning towards meds. Best of luck to everyone.

Ben

[gerard11]

Thank you both!  I agree that waiting is a sound course of action. My memory seems to have gotten worse when I treated last summer with thriple thearpy (unsuccessful I might add).  Congrats to you both for clearing and reach SVR!!!!!

[ceanothus]

Excellent advice from Pooh, and I agree with it all except that in my case, even though I'm SVR my memory is definitely not fully back again. My concentration is back, but my memory is only about 75% back. Perhaps the 25% still lost is age-related (I'm 59), or perhaps due to my auto-immune disorders, or perhaps it is a long term effect from having been through so much with hep c and cirrhosis and three rounds of tx, I'll probably never know. Maybe I'll forget to notice it someday?

[pooh55811]

I don't think you are alone when it comes to memory.

You do not specify when your memory problems became noticeable. However, both Hepatitis C by itself and the drugs we treat with can cause some cognitive changes, including memory loss. I will link to 3 articles that discuss cognitive changes from Hepatitis C, the virus.

http://www.natap.org/2002/april/041702_1.htm

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/cognitive_impairment.html

http://www.hemaware.org/story/brain-fog

Personally, I feel like I did have some concentration and memory problems prior to diagnosis and treatment (in 2011). For a few years I had noticed that I had more trouble concentrating and more trouble remembering some things. I say some things, because I did not have problems remembering all things, just some things. For example, I do Genealogy research and I never had a problem remembering any of those details, dates, names, places, everything. However, I could read a paragraph or two in a book and, as soon as I put the book down, could not remember what I had just read. That was probably more of a concentration issue than memory. I never forgot engagements, names, places, directions, etc. so I do believe mine was more of a concentration issue.

However, when I treated for 48 weeks with Interferon, Ribavirin, and incivek, I had true memory problems. I had concentration problems too, but I had memory problems that has nothing to do with concentration. I could not remember 1 minute after I took ,my pills if I had taken them or not (luckily I had a pill organizer. I never could remember if I closed the garage door. I always had to turn around and go back and check, sometimes twice or 3 times, LOL. I forgot my phone number. I forgot how to turn on cruise control, the windshield wipers, the turn signal. I spaced out and forgot to grind the coffee beans. I went to the vet clinic to pick up the cat, paid the bill, and walked out without the cat (the vet came running after me with the cat in the cat carrier). I missed my highway exit several times ..... I was driving north, then south, then north until I finally remembered to get off at the exit. I could not add or do figures (and I am usually very good at math). I could not read. I even had difficulty watching DVDs because I could not remember what had happened or what was said in the DVD 1 minute after I watched it. I wore the replay button out, practically. It would take me an hour and a half to watch a 30 minute DVD. I had notes, lists, and reminders all over the place.

I finished Tx on Aug. 25, 2012 and I have my concentration and memory back. I attained SVR so I no longer have that nasty little virus wreaking havoc on my body and brain. I believe my concentration ability is considerably better post treatment than it was prior to treatment. My memory post treatment is excellent.

I don't know if any of that answers your question. Regardless, I do not think you are alone. You have treated several times, plus you have the Hep C virus, and you also had a transplant. There may be a number of factors at work in your situation. Have you discussed your concerns with your doctor. It may be a good idea at some point if the memory issues remain after you finish treatment to get a consultation with a neurologist, be examined, and get tested. But, if it was me, I would wait until I was finished with treatment because some or all of this may clear up after treatment, especially if you attain SVR.

Best of luck.