Pre Tx Brain Fog/sides?

[azgrl]

I haven't started tx yet however will as soon as my gallbladder is out and I have recovered.  I have been reading this site since my diagnosis in September 05.  One of the common tx sides is "brain fog"  I was wondering if anyone experienced this prior to tx?  I have always prided myself on how organized I was in my mind and my memory however slowly my memory is getting worse and worse over the past year.  I will ask my husband a question and he'll say I've already asked him 3 or 4 times in the last hour...but I don't remember asking him.  Thankfully he is a very patient person.  I don't even want to think what I will be like on tx.  The other things I have experienced were fatigue and urq.  I'm assuming these are related to the hepc with the exception of the urq since we found out that was the gallbladder not the liver.

Anyway just curious if anyone else experience these. And no I don't think it's old age....as I will never be old!!  : )

Deb in az

[miss moneypenny]

hi,

I was diagnosed in May '05 and have not started tx yet, (start in 4 days!!!) but I have noticed some subtle sx that could be classed as brain fog, I have always had a really good memory and concentration but there are times when it is pretty rubbish really, also my eyesight seems to have got slightly worse over the past year, but all OK at eye check.

I wonder if, in my case, it is the stress of worrying about the virus that causes me to lack the concentration I had, and maybe I am spending too much time worrying and not enough time thinking about what I am doing/saying!!

Sleep also seems to have a big effect on my brain functioning, and again, maybe if I spent less time sitting up on my laptop, and more time resting more poor fatigued brain I would think a bit more clearly - LOL.

Of course I am not suggesting that others are as neurotic as I am, but just wonder in my case.

Good luck with your op. xx

[NYgirl]

I had slight problems with brain fog type stuff BEFORE but now that I am on tx it's a whole different deal - much more severe.

Like when I'm driving sometimes I just forget to look at the other lane before switching in to it and things like that. That is pretty drastic to me - something that can reprogram your entire way of thinking for so long and get rid of it. Bluck.

[Moeymitt]

I also am having memory problems pre tx. But, for me its stress. I am so freaked out about tx and now it looks like my Husband has to have a surgury that is going to lay him up for 3 months so I am going to have to wait. We find out this week for sure. Its always something!!

[azgrl]

You're obsessive like me.  I thought it was because I was too worried about the hepatitis and was only reading up on it so I took a break.  It still kept getting worse.  I also realized that was one of my intial complaints when I first went to the doc.  

So I think I have come to the conclusion that since my mind is going anyway I may as well continue to obsess.

Perfect example: In the title I meant to put symptoms not sides....oh well I guess if we lose our minds it could be kind of fun!!!

Deb in az

[bobbyullc]

http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/content/finding_support/coping_emotional_support_2001.aspx

check this article out re. memory and depression. i have the same symptoms. when you download it try and remember where you put it.
bobby

[FlGuy]

At Janis (http://janis7hepc.com) see HCV Symptoms.  There is reference to cognitive impact. Not sure if I had this symptom or not, having had HCV for 30 years I don't have a basis for comparison.  But, tx gave me some foggy months to the extent that I could re-read the same piece and it was new everytime or vaguely familiar. Got to the point on tx that the faimly needed to give me some grace on repeated conversations. Tracking various meds and vitamins was a challenge til I got on board with one of those pill boxes with days labeled.

[cuteus]

many things can affect concentration and memory, no doubt stress is a biggie, and so is an active immune system with its daily HCV fight. Before dx,  I remember one day driving somewhere, on a well traveled route and "forgetting" where i was and why I was there. I kept on driving until it came to me. I did not know HCV was my companion then. I was not OLD, either! not by my standard.

[new-sojourn]

Many hep c patients suffer from encephalopathy-often subclinical.

It is the result of toxic build up-esp ammonia-due to impaired liver function.  It can lead to sever hallucinations-talking to dead people sitting next to you-and coma and death.

Reducing ammonia producing foods-meats and dairy-can control some mild cases.  Rx's are avilable for sever cases.

I was sick for so long that I accomendated my encephalopathy-mom's always lost, mom can't remember phone #'s or birthdates or paying the bills on time.  Mom losses the list of lists to make.  Buying the same things twice....we called it scatterbrained b/it caused me much emotinal distress.

Now, 4yrs later,  I'm organized and puctual like a Marine!  And I'm really happy.

[vegas777]

I drive my husband crazy with the same questions asked over and over, he can
t deal with it...lol

I forgot my purse in 2 restaurants, 1 hospital and a grocery store last week, so it's safe to assume brain fog is a hep c symoptom, and the fatigue is getting pretty severe for me...I had house guests all weekend and I am dragging arse today, can't even walk upstairs without wanting to lay down....

[can-do-man]

I forgot my purse in 2 restaurants, 1 hospital and a grocery store last week.
________________________________________________________________

Just a normal week for you???  No

[NYgirl]

I dont think it's necessary for the doctor to really see you as long as you are getting the CBC and Hep Panel done.

I saw my doctor after two weeks or a month and all that was for was to read me my test results - but of course I already got them faxed and learned in here what they meant.

If that is why the doc wants to see you - you can ask him to fax over all results and see you only IF something is out of whack.

They didn't do anything at all more than that for me - and really have NOT since.  Oh except the $500 "exam" where he felt my liver and that was pretty much it except to ask me how I felt.

[SnoWav]

I had the fog for a few years before TX also had arm numbness and pain,coulden't sleep and a bunch of other stuff.In a week or two after starting TX all those things got better even the fog cleared,After a few months on TX a different fog rolled in and it got a little darker as well as foggy. TX ended  Jan 6th and feeling much better than before TX. All the fog is lifting .Aloha

[vegas777]

the reason they want to see me once a week for the 1st 6 weeks is because they plan to treat me ( a genotype 1) for 24 weeks, and because it's somewhat new to follow this protocol they are monitoring very closely, after 6 weeks it will be once a month I think, and I can get the blood draws here where I live and they fax the results to the hep nurse in Toronto...

*dippers*

[NYgirl]

Well let me know what they do when you are there...I'd be curious to see what they talk to you about that would differ from everybody else who is treating you know?  

There has to be some reason or something and maybe all of us should let our doctors in on it - honestly I feel like it's a huge waste of money when I do go for my visits and he charges $500 for some comprehensive exam or something LOL.

Yeah ok.

[vegas777]

there are not that many doctors that are trying out the 24 week protocol for 1's, my doctor is one of two here in Canada...I think if my memory serves me well, which we know it doesn't lately  lol, that rifleman was a shorter course trial too...

[azgrl]

Well I feel sooooo much better.  I will have to show my husband this thread.  so he knows I'm not the only one.  The poor guy.  Every time I accuse him of something or ask him the same question 50 times....I must look at him like I'm confused because he always pats me on the head and says....aaaaah it's okay...is the havoc (hcv) eating your brains again?  

I can't wait to start tx and get it over with...I want my mind back....

Deb in AZ

[Forseegood]

Azgirl and anyone else interested: I think this is a very good article on some studies they have been doing on depression, cognitive impairment, etc. associated with HCV. I think you have to join Hepatitis Neighborhood to read it, which is no big deal, just give them a registered name and password to read it.

http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/content/finding_support/coping_emotional_support_2001.aspx?randStr=

With me, my brain fog seems to be cyclical, like around the first of the month, so I do think it's tied in to my cycles in some way, menopausal

(if you look on the symptoms of women in menopause on the menopause sites <power-surge is a good one> you'll see that many women of a certain age complain of this without the having Hep C)

whatever, but I've thought for a long time that the HCV is prob making my menopausal symptoms worse. I do seem to have a lack of concentration sometimes, and an inability to organize like I used to, also follow-though on projects started, etc. Now I do think, for me, it's a mix of the menopause, HCV, and aging. I am 52, I don't expect to have the faculties I had when I was 25. Though I'd like to think I'm a bit more wise which has it's rewards as well....

Jim@Veggie: I think these new treatment times are catching on at least over here, been talking to some people who are treating and they are telling me their docs are now going by RVR guidelines...one in particular who is going to the VA to get treated, of all places, in Westwood CA, tells me that his doc will only have him treat for 12 weeks if he drops the way he could, (he's a 2b) and I've been talking to others who are doing the same thing, this one woman I know is only doing 24 because she went undetectable at 4 weeks (geno 1)...

Ina: had asked about you a few weeks ago, wanted to see how you are doing and if the sides are going aways for you...hope youre lots better...

[Mister beagle bailey]

Hi,

I just saw your post about new treatment times.  Can you tell me more about it, I saw someone 2B only treating for 12 weeks is that possible?  I am 2B and doing tx for the normal 24 weeks.

   The Beagle

[Forseegood]

wow Veg, you are getting a lot of blood draws and youre not on TX? sorry if I forgot what some of your other issues are...from what I know, that yellowing around the blood draw sites will go away with time...they can't find other places to draw? maybe ask for one of those butterfly needles and the hole won't be as big to draw, I'm sure some people out there know more about this then I do...also, one thing I do know, some people are better about doing draws then others, make sure you have someone that knows what they are doing...I'm a nice, patient person for the most part, but that's an area where I will give them some "tude" if you know what I mean....I don't care how many dirty looks I get....I turn into a DIVA real fast...if I think I'm getting a rookie or someone that doesn't know what they are doing, 'lettem practice on someone else, ha ha!

Also, sounds like that yellowing on the eyelids might be circulation related, (you eat a good diet and vitamins right?) though of course I'm no expert, I just like to think I am, ha ha! take baths when you can, and rinse in cold water (or kind of cold, I know where you live, burrrrr!) very warm and cold right after, wonderful for the circulation...also, make sure youre hubby gives you massages on your legs and arms and hands, if he won't find someone who will, ha ha! just kidding...my biggest fantasy was to be married to a masseur, but with my luck, he'd always complain he was "too tired" to get to me, he he he!

Also, the best thing for circulation to the skin and face is a good bath matt, and or/facial matt...not some little "soft" thing made of terry cloth or some sh**, something kinda rough to the touch but made of soft natural fibers that don't tear the skin, go to the health food store to find one, they usually don't have them at the other outlets...even though it will feel rough at first, you just do it easy till you de-sensitize to it, which will happen, certain Asian, Germanic and latin cultures have been doing this for hundreds of years, really good for the skin and circulation, makes it super soft and mositurizes because it gets the oil glands working, also great detoxifying the skin and body...now when you do tx you might have to go with something softer, because the skin loses its texture on that stuff....

when youre doing your face, be sure not to tug or pull on the face, that stretches the face and you don't want that...just little circular motions that keep the skin in the same position...

then of course, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I use Alba Very Emollient Lotion, you can buy it on the websites for like 30 dollars and it lasts you forever and you get a gallon of it...for the face I use natural oatmeal moisturizers that don't have a lot of chemicals in them...those chemicals  you use on your skin go to your bloodstream like anything else....also, when I do tx I'm going to get a vaporizor....

Also, best thing you can do for your skin is eat a bowl of oatmeal every day, that an avocados and olive oil, though I know the avocados probably aren't plentiful in O' Canada....hope this helps, I happen to know that these natural things work better than expensive dept store stuff....

[Forseegood]

Please dont think that I'm am advocating that everyone do shorter treatment times, I'm not ready for a the slings and arrows, ha ha! There has been a lot of talk lately about some new studies and EVR, Jim can tell you a lot about this as well...it depends on how fast you clear, etc. and it seems that a lot of people are saying their docs are paying special attention to this and changing their attitudes about treatment times, etc.

Also, I talked to my doc about upping dosages and treatment times and he seems to think that some people are getting too carried away with this and he hasn't seen a lot of data that warrants it in most cases, he has plenty of patients who cleared on normal dosing and treatment times...these meds either agree with you or they don't, he says...just my docs take and there are plenty of docs who disagree I'm sure....that's why he thinks that some people can treat for shorter periods, because the meds seem to work really well on some people, (with EVR indicating that) and they can probably do shorter times....

[vegas777]

thanks for the info, appreciate it

*dip*

[Mister beagle bailey]

It sounds good, how do you feel about it?  Is there any reliable data on  doing this?

   BB

[vegas777]

lol...obviously a brain dead, not brain fog, week for me!  lol

[FlGuy]

Get Doogie to prescibe a fanny pack.  In case you've forgotten, Doogie is your Dr.