So, I am freaking out. I've found out I had Hep C over 27 years ago. Back then they didn't know about Hep C, just that I had something.
I did my first interferon treatment about 23 years ago when they decided that there was a Hep C and I tested positive for it.
My first treatment was just interferon. Nothing more. It didn't work. Just made me sick as a dog.
Years later, I went back to see if there was a cure. I was at stage 2 cirrhosis. They wanted to try a new combo drug therapy. This was pegylated interferon and ribavirin. I did this for a while with no positive results.
A few years later, there was a third "experimental" drug added to the Pegylated interferon, ribo. I can't remember the name. Only that the side affects were so bad I thought I might die. It didn't work either.
I had just finished that study when they came out with the new drug, Sovaldi. I did the pegylated interferon, ribavirin and Sovaldi for 12 weeks. Finally cured. At stage 4 cirrhosis.
Now, I am experience severe memory loss. 6 months ago, it took me an hour to remember both my dogs names. Last week, I was asked where I went to college and I couldn't remember. Recently I was trying to remember the names of the guys that I work with. There is only nine of us. I couldn't remember 4 of them. I've worked with them for almost 15 years.
This is just a few of the examples. I finally went to see my PCP. He thinks it is caused by stress. I am not that stressed out.
I have to see my Hepatologist every 3 months for an MRI and results. They are monitoring for cancer. I will see him this coming Wednesday and plan to ask him about my "getting very serious" memory loss.
Did I trade Hep C for Dementia?
I had posted something on Facebook this week about my loss of memory. Someone I worked with over 5 years ago read my post and sent me a text message. He knew/remembered that I was going through the Hep C treatments. He mentioned that his good friend also went through these treatments and is now experiencing the same issues that I stated I was having.
Are others experiencing these issues? What are you doing about it? Is there a study regarding this topic? Can I get in on the study?