Meds still in my system. Please help !

[jerry6768]

I'AM 33 YRS. male and had geno type 2 hep. c . I was taking pegyses and rebrivern for 24 weeks and it was vary dificult as you all know. I responded very early in my treatment and my liver and blood test come back normal!!!! After a 1 1/2yr. of finishing treatment the vires is still undetectable.My problem is the meds. are still in my system after a year and a half. my symptoms  are fluid and poping in my ears, my hair is still thinning .my finger nails are thin and brittle, my teeth are very sensitive, extreme weakness, sleepless nites,and hard to consentrate. And then these symtoms will get lighter and go away and i feel great like 100% again. SO I'AM ASKING HOW LONG WILL THE PEGYSES STAY IN MY  BLOODSTREAM .WHEN WILL THE SYMTOMS END!

[randy1499]

It has been 5 years since the horror of my ribovirin treatment. I write this for several reasons, not the least of which is to warn people not to get the treatment unless you have no other options. A little background: I was diagnosed in 1994 during a routine visit to the red cross donation center as having hep-C. I don't know how I contracted it. During the next few years I was in contact with an internist. I was told that although my viral levels were low, in the 600,000 range, that they could be ecpected to increase. I had fatigue symptoms, and decided along with my doctor that treatyment was not warranted- except for changes to my lifestyle, such as quitting alcohol consumption and whatever else would ease the strain on my live. A few more years passed, and the fatigue increased. By 2003 I was convinced that an early cure would be the smartest option. I went on a course of ribovirin and peg-intron. Initially i had only the typical flu-like symptoms. Within a month or so it became more and more difficult to work. Within two months I found myself fainting while at work, so I took a leave. My appetite dissappeared, and I lived on protein shakes and whatever other liquids that didn't nauseate me. Meanwhile my viral levels dropped maybe 10%, and my doctor was concerned that any drop in dosage who be counter-productive. I started developing marked nervousness and inability to sleep soundly about 3 months into the treatment. My T-cell count was quite low, and we reduced slightly my dosage of ribovirin, keeping the same injections of peg-intron. By this time I was frantic. I could not sit still or concentrate, and spent sixteen to 20 hours a day walking and pacing. As soon as i sat, i would start to have wild thoughts, insane thoughts. that i could not stop. I was totally non-functional, unable to drive, to shop, to do anything but survive.  My doctor lowered the dose again, but he was not inside my head. In retrospect i know that i was quite insane, thinking only about how death would effect my consciousnes, and whether I would forever exist in a state with no mind or body, alone and afraid if i did die.
I think if not for that, i would have considered suicide.
In a lucid moment at the 5 month mark, i stopped taking the medication. Within days, I was clear enough of mind to get a ride to my doctor, whom I had been unable to visit the past month due to my insanity. He chastised me for quitting the meds, then prescibed lorazepaum for the anxiety. This helped somewhat, but I was so fearful of the meds I never took them again. My  viral level had dropped to 200,000, but within a year returned to the previous 600,000. So basically I tortured myself for nothing.
Thsi is not the end of the story, however. I believe that this drug did permanent pysical and mental damage to me. I occasionally get the same horrible thoughts I did during the treatment, and only anti-anxiety meds help- I am constantly fearful that sooner or later i will return forever to that insanity. Also, I the sexual side-effects I experienced during treatment have continued unabated. No little blue pill helps as I am nearly impotent.
So to summarize:
I went through 6 months of excruiating torture and as a result:
1)my hep-c is unaffected
2)I have no sex life
3)I am on the verge of insanity on a regular basis

I had come on this site hoping someone else had similar experiences and/or if this toxin was still deeply buried in my cells (like mercury/lead or some other toxin that stays in your body) that others had found a way to purge it.
A man in his right mind would sue Shearing-Plough (who graciously suppied it to me free of charge due to my lack of presciption plan-perhaps they needed more guinea pigs to test it) but who knows what disclaimers are signed in exchange for this. Well i am paying for it for the rest of my life.
A man in his right mind would attempt to go on SSI, as I barely have the energy to finish each work day.
Or he would attempt to tell the world that being half a man has increased the possibility or dying alone.
But I did this treatment, and I fear i may no longer be in my right mind.
I beg you, do not make my mistake.
Use this treatment as a last resort.
Have someone monitor you if you decide you have no other option, and at the first sign of side effects, discuss with them whether you could live with the fact that the side effects may never GO AWAY.
***@**** .

[Frank J. Perrotta]

I am another one in a million patients who has "cured" and now years later... worse, much, much worse than with the C (20+years) and even worse than during treatment!

The liver specialist wont admit that treatment can have very long term effects on the body even after their chemical compounds have left the body... It is very unlikely that the poisons are still in your body but the effects they did on your TOTAL system may last forever! Or until some good natured doc takes on the role of healer!

I would also recommend applying for SSI Disability. It was a long fight but the Federal system needs to know there are folks out there who have had their lives destroyed by this treatment.

PM anytime.
frank

[jerry6768]

I saw my  gasoligest doc and my regular doctor and all blood test confirm every thing is very good. my colesterol was a little high. My main doc is confused and don"t know how the meds are still in my system and my regular doc said it's rare but could stay in me about 2 yrs. So i'am trying to post a comment to a doc on this forum but they have reached there daily limit. Oh my other symtom is metal taste on my toung.The same problems when i was on the meds.

[Bobby1952]

  What about tyour Thyroid or Pituitary glands?

[FlGuy]

You might also consider the possibility that it is not related to your prior treatment.  Maybe there are other condition(s) for which you might consult with a doc.

[comeagain]

I must say that the symptom you the describe sounds very much as the once  i have now when I´m on the meds week 35 of 48.

Did another tx earlier on peginterferon 24weeks menataly felt great within 3weeks and
physically in 3-4 months.

I`m freekin not looking forward to have this shiit in another 1.5 year after tx.

[comeagain]

I find it hard to believe its the meds that still in your system.
What does the doc say?

Do you exercise do you get enough vitamins, think you better do a thoroughgoing
health investigation.

Hope you find out what it is and if and when please post what it was (is ).
Take care, Good Gods blessings

ca