Just Moodiness or Depression

[Lady E]

Ok so where is the line between just being moody or being depressed? This is really starting to worry me. I know the tx is affecting me, but where do you draw the line? I'm on the verge of tears all day today & having trouble getting out of my own way, spilling stuff, etc. Feeling like everything I touch turns to ****. I seem to be feeling like this alot lately on the weekends..is this depression or just tx moodiness?
Please help. :(
-E

[ladybug52]

I'm a health care professional in a physical rehab dept, no M.D. behind my name.
I do wonder why I have geno type 2. I grea up in some wild times, but I also was injected with shot injections with a gun in the military that was used on lines of people without sterilizing in between.
My first week was pretty tolerable flu like symptoms the first night, head aches off and on. At about week 4 I noticed increased headaches and shortness of breath. I had bloodwork drawn which showed I was anemic. I have been on the procrit 3 weeks and I am really getting energectic again! The constant nausea is just a reminder for me to push more fluids. I have been really lucky with sides. I have plenty of days that I feel good, when I feel bad I feel sorry for those who feel this way all time. Good Luck, stay close, there are many people who have helped me and shared their wealth of info. You'll get info and support here and tempers fly sometimes too. We're all human!
Bug

[NewEnglandLady]

I'm very glad to hear you are clear after 4 weeks.  That gives everyone hope!

Do you think it is odd for you have contracted 2b instead of 1?  It seems genotype 1 is the most common.  One in 10 has 2b.

Ladybug, can you tell me how you felt the first week of treatment and if you feel less affected after each shot now?  What happened after you injected your first shot?  Did you do this on a Friday evening so you could sleep through most of the adverse effects?  Do you still do that?

I guess I am just a big planner who would like to get this organized in my head before I start.  I know each person is different, but the average norm has to be somewhere in the middle -- between excruciatingly sick and no symptoms at all.  Why do you think people would get depressed on this treatment?  Because of the length and severity of side effects or the actual effect of the drugs.
I think you must be a doctor, right?  You know more than a doctor however, as you have experienced this!
Thanks!

[ladybug52]

I was scared to tell my kids. There are so many ways to get hepc, many aren't really sure, your dental procedure could be the reason, but you'll probably never know.
I have 4 children between the ages of 18 and 28. I was so worried, I didn't want to scare them. They were more upset that I had kept things to myself. My 23 yr. old showed up the night of my first shot and I hadn't told her yet because I was afraid of her reaction. She already knew and was coming home to help me! Hiding it and holding the fear inside is worse than telling a few people you can trust. I'm always amazed at the people who tell their co-workers and friends and the whole world!
I love to come here and get advice and listen to what others have been thru. I got my meds in Sept. but didn't treat till Dec. I was really scared. The not knowing what it will be like is the worst part. You will get a lot of help here, it won't be as lonely when you have others to talk to about this. Good Luck
Bug

[NewEnglandLady]

Do you have 41 weeks of treatment ahead of you?

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.  I appreciate it, and am sure I will be back for more help and discussion!

[NewEnglandLady]

Do you have 41 weeks of treatment ahead of you?

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.  I appreciate it, and am sure I will be back for more help and discussion!

[ladybug52]

I started Dec 8 on a Friday and I just did shot number 7. I was really afraid of not being able to work, having "riba-rage" and alienating all my family and friends, and getting "brain fog" and not be as alert as I 1/2 way am now. Those are the symptoms I was most fearful of but in reality, the fatigue has caused the biggest adjustment. I still work, I haven't had any mood swings but I am already on A/D's. My symptoms are mild I think but everyone is different. And I really think that it's easiest when you get the waiting and wondering part over with. You will hear of a lot of people who have a very difficult time, and others who just sail thru tx, many fall somewhere in the middle. You never know how it will effect you till you try. Ask your dr lots of questions before you start. Such as: How often does he do labs? You need to monitor your blood count because red and white cells can be killed by the meds. When does he check to see if you are responding to tx. This should be at week 4 for geno 2 and ask how sensitive the test is that he uses. How low does he let your blood count go before prescribing rescue meds? I know this is a lot of info, but I had to hear it over and over to digest it all.
Best of luck
Bug

[NewEnglandLady]

Did you just start treatments this past December?
How do you feel in comparison to what you thought would happen?

[ladybug52]

No I only have to do 24 weeks because I'm genotype 2. That's if I continue to respond to the meds. I had a 4 weekd pcr which is a measure of viral load and it showed that I was undetectable. the test measured viral load greater than 50. I had another run that is more sensitive (viral load of  greater than 10)but I haven't got the results on that back yet.
good luck. Stay in touch here
Bug

[NewEnglandLady]

I haven't even started treatment yet, and I am getting very nervous reading these messages.  I am schduled to start in April.

I have Genotype 2b and should only need 24 weeks of treatment.  For that I feel blessed, BUT I am still worried, angry and not sure if I can do this.

I have no sypmtoms and like many of you learned of this illness after donating blood.  I do have a med/high viral load and think I must really need to do this, but without symptoms I try to push off thinking about this until April.  I believe I contracted this virus while having tissue implants during many dental surgeries.  Does anyone know more about this?

My doctor and discussed antidepressants and I took one Zoloft yesterday and am ready to give that up today!  I don't like how it made me feel.  I am not a depressed person.  On the contrary I am usually very happy.  Maybe I need to wait until if/when I need the medication.

I'm in weight watchers now and exercise 3-4 times a week.  I especially like spinning.  Will I be able to do any of this while on tx?  I probably won't need weight watchers, but I wanted to get in the best shape possible before I started tx.  W
Will this help?  What or is there a best prep routine that I should begin before I start the tx?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I think you will all become my new best friends.  My current best friends do not know I have hep C.  Right now only my husband and dentist and doctors.  I haven't even told my grown children (2 girls).  They will be too upset and worried.

Help!

[ladybug52]

Glad you're feeling better today. It could be the things you mentioned, quitting smoking and extra riba and you won't feel that way again. BUT, if you do notice that you have increased tearfullness or the fly off the handle feeling, consider talking to the dr. 1) many smokers are given wellbutrim to help stop. You've already stopped so you don't need it now I guess.
2)When we're tense we smoke, when we can't smoke we scream!:)
3)I went on a/d when I hit menopause because I was becoming the biggest B to my family. I was unhappy and anxious and took it out by flipping out and overreacting. The celexa cured that for me. I am much more calm.
A/D's help anxiety not just depression so consider all your symptoms when you talk to the dr.
Godd Luck, hang in there, you made the best decision when you quit smoking.
Bug

[Lady E]

Hi! I'm in ALOT better mood today. I REALLY have to think that it was the 2-day extra Riba that made me more mad/angry/anxious.
I wish I had thought of that before posting & whining aboout possible depression.

If I was feeling like that every day, then I think it would be a problem, but now in retrospect, I think I am okay. :)
Gonna blame the extra riba.
Have yourself a great day!
-E

[dperry10]

How are you feeling today ?

[Lady E]

Speaking of rage & toothbrushes!!

Anger Management

    Husband:     When I get mad at you, you never fight back.  How do you
  control your anger?

    Wife:     I clean the toilet bowl.

   Husband:     How does that help?

    Wife:     I use your toothbrush.

*giggle snort giggle*
-E

[Lady E]

Just one thing I had forgotten about.  I had forgotten my afternoon dose of riba on Thursday. So I had taken an extra pill on both Friday & Saturday to make it up. I did that once before too, and now when I think back...the extra riba made me feel MUCH more emotional & edgy.
Thanks for all of your help & support. You guys are always in my prayers.
-E

[shastri20032003]

Hi Lady E.I am still pre tx and wouldn't know much about depression during tx  but please try your best to hang in there.Possibly the result of quitting smoking. You have done great already not smoking cigarettes for 19 days!

[wyntre9]

When I went for pegasys training 5 weeks ago the pharmacist discussed all the sx of tx at length.  

He strongly stressed that if I find myself uncharacteristically depressed, especially suicidal, I should contact my Dr. immediately coz it's definitely a drug induced chemically caused problem and it won't improve by itself.

Every time I see my Dr. he offers to put me on anti-depressants.

I keep saying no, coz currently I'm not experiencing that as a sx, but the fact that he's offering makes me think I must appear down to him.

[Lady E]

Hi. Well, the hubby & I had a talk about it & he thinks it's more of a rage thing than depression. I just fly off the handle so easily, & probably the nicotine thing too.
I have been using MJ so as not to need to get on AD's..and that's what I've been doing since August. So far has worked for me, but just starting to worry about the depression thing. But I have to say, most days I am very positive, I walk 4-5 times a week, working on remodeling the house almost every day after work, & in general, in a pretty good mood most of the time. I'm also proud that I quit smoking cigs 19 days ago. It's the days I have the rage thing that bothers me the most.

[FlGuy]

No shame or surprise in crying at a 'Rocky' movie.  After the first one, they were all pretty painful to watch.

[sfbaygirl]

Sounds like depression to me. I have taken an AD the whole time and haven't had that many weepy days. Now moodiness is another thing. I have zero patience and can't seem to get this under control. About 1/3 of people on tx do get depression as a sx. Hope you can get some AD;s this week.

[scubadiver30]

Its gotta be the IFN for sure. I I went to see Rocky Balboa and I was about to cry when Sly was visiting Adrian's grave????, LOL...
I said to myself: what the hell??? Rocky is making me cry? is gotta be the riba.
But I'm not gonna use AD's that can cause trouble down the line because of the withdrawal...We just need to rationalize is a chemically induced depression...maybe medical MJ can help you...cause you're halway thru TX right?
I've used it several times already and it has helped with the nausea and the moodiness...

[dperry10]

Hang in there GF you can beat this one too.. Sorry didn't see your post was taking a nap..

[Cindy10]

Not sure if its depression or not, but I do remember when I quite smoking I was miserable, snippy and tense. I would not be surprised if its the cigarettes. It is a hugh thing to go through right now. But you are doing great, just give it time!

[orphanedhawk]

I forgot about your quitting smoking. My calm rational husband was horrid when he tried to quit, or rather every time he tried to quit. The nicotine gum worked for him except now he chews it all the time. That nicotine addiction is indeed adding to your emotions. G

[chcnme]

Hi LadyE, I don't know how far along you are on tx, but treatment can cause severe depression, and it can also cause insomnia (and depression can cause insomnia and insomnia can cause depression ) ... and then WHAM - it can catch up to you :)   I can remember times when it was all I could do not to break down and cry in the vegetable section of the grocery store if a sad song was playing over the speakers.  God those were the days.  Cry at the drop of a hat and never knew why.  Still don't know why :)   Most who are diagnosed with clinical depression and are put on AntiD's or are in "therapy" do not have suicidal thoughts.  Sure, they can, but most don't, and the ones who do are ... probably not you.  At least I hope not!  If you ever start feeling that way  then that is where you draw the line on treatment.   But if you're feeling in a funk and can't quit crying or can't sleep or feel like sh** and think everything you do turns to sh**, you might be a candidate for AntiD's (or maybe something to help you sleep??)  or just going and talking to someone outside the family to "let it rip" :)  The AntiD's didn't help me  (only made me feel weird or gave me weird dreams or the jitters).  Can you get out and walk any?  (don't know how bad you feel -or if you can do something like that,  but a little bit of walking can sometimes go a long way - if you are able to.) Best of luck.  Hope you feel better.