Valium vs zanaz

[candyce1953]

I have some anxiety normally ,starting 3x (Vic) tx Jan 31(meds ordered today) after company visiting leaves, (last fun time for awhile)

I have also been reading the RIBA rage thread of which I have a bit hard wired into me already ( only patheogically jealous:-)

And also threads about possible insomnia issues

Normally Valium helps with all of the above

Not allot maybe 5 mg two or 3 days a week

Not sure how that effects 3x tx or liver

Anybody know which is the better of the two to take?
Thanks!

[candyce1953]

Ok thanks am gonna call and check

[Alive33]

Avoid Benzos If you have the drugs they will likely stay in your system longer because of HCV, I was told avoid Benzoz all together, this was by a specialist Gastroenterologist.  I used to take xanax I dont now. Dont just listen to any Dr hear it from a specialist because some doctors dont know.

[candyce1953]

Thank you Hector ,Will,Pooh, Hrsepwrguy! Cando man, and Indy

All REALLY important info
I didn't know Valium was contraindicated, and will talk to md

Hector I will let my husband know that "no one has gone postal "  
He will be releaved  :-)
As he has been a tad worried about that

I think the anxiety of waiting to start ( jan 31) is the hardest, once I am in it I am in it

Now is prep time, maybe get the cupboards stocked and things out of the way
I am very grateful to all of you and your incredible collective knowledge and support
Thank you all!

[hrsepwrguy]

Common side effects of COPEGUS taken with PEGASYS include:
• flu-like symptoms-feeling tired, headache, shaking along with high temperature (fever), and muscle or joint
aches
• mood changes, feeling irritable, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping
• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• hair loss
• itching

http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/pegasys/pdf/copegus_mg.pdf

[can-do-man]

Hector makes some very good points.

[pooh55811]

Thanks, Will... I figure 6 months or so after treatment I can get off the antidepressants. Previously, in 1983, I took them for a year and then went off of them, and the depression stayed away for 27 years.

[willbb]

Hi Pooh..  glad the AD"s are helping and certainly given what most doctors have said ,including the one in the video would agree ,that in cases like yours they can be invaluable when treating..

Hope you are able to wean off once you get  your tx. past you.. :0).
Best wishes

Will

[pooh55811]

That is true, about the antidepressants, Will. I am glad you pointed that out because I failed to do so.

Also, thanks for posting that video. It is excellent.

(Just for the record, I do have a history of major clinical depression [twice, 1983 and 2010] and I was already on antidepressants when I started treatment. I thought I would be off those antidepresants by 2012 but I am now stuck on them until a few months post treatment end.)

[willbb]

Just to add to what Hector has said  ...it is not recommended a patient take an Antidepressant prior to starting HCV therapy unless you have been diagnosed with clinical depression or have had issues with such in the past.
Otherwise,it is recommended  for you and your doctor to be aware that depressive episodes  should be watched for.
Actually. many AD"s can have an anxiety reaction in many as side effect.

The psychologist in the short video  below has treated many patients on HCV therapy regarding depression and anxiety and you may find it interesting if not watched already

Good luck..
Will

http://blog.texasliver.com/2011/11/psychiatric-complication-of-hepatitis-c-therapy/

[HectorSF]

Discuss with your doctor what may be appropriate during your treatment.

According to your profile you are treatment naive and have genotype 1b which responses very well to treatment. You have a good chance of only having to do only 24 weeks if you respond early. You have great odds of curing your hepatitis and stopping any liver disease that you have. In my opinion you should be concentrate on all you have going for you, rather than concentrate on all the negatives of "what if".

The fact is that anxiety is not a side effect of treatment. Only 1/3 of people have sleep issues. Even less have irritability. You don't have to doped yourself up to prevent "riba rage". I don't recall anyone going "postal" over "riba rage". The bottom line is you will only know how you react to treatment and what side effects you may have to deal with when you actually do treatment. Different people respond differently to treatment than others. Otherwise everyone would have all of the same side effects and the same outcome, 100% cure. This is not the case. For better or worse.

Also there are meds that can cause drug - drug interactions with Victrelis and only your treating doctor should prescribe any meds while you are treating. So discuss with them what options will be available for you should you need them.

Good luck with your treatment!
Hector

[hrsepwrguy]

Benedryl is an antihistimine and is not contraindicted with the PI's and it knocks me out worse than the xanax as well.

[candyce1953]

Thanks guys I will check it out
How come benedrayl is ok though, that makes me even sleeper then Valium?

[hrsepwrguy]

I am on .5 xanax 3 times a day for anxiety, I was never depressed so an AD wasn't considerd for anxiety. Yes valium and xanax are on the contraindicted list but it is because of increased absorbtion caused by the PI's and the increased absorbtion is right at 35% so it is best to start off with a lower dose until finished with the PI, Talk with your doc about what might be right for you as he knows your medical history.

[pooh55811]

Xanex and Valium belong to the same class of drug and they are both addicting.

There are some non-addictive anti anxiety meds out there. Maybe speak with your hepatologist or GI and see about a psych consult for an anti-anxiety med and/or an anti-depressant. Some anti-depressants also have anti-anxiety properties.

I take an antidepressant. I have had no problems with depression, anxiety or Riba Rage since being on the triple treatment.

[candyce1953]

Ok thanks I'm
Nay I will ask the md about the Valium or not :-(

[indy531]

Xanax is addictive and I believe contraindicated while on tx for HCV. Please call your hep/MD for Rx. I take AD and Lunesta (for sleep-thank God!!!!) w/hep doc approval to my PCP. Riba rage isn't as bad as I really manifest it more as being a pain in the keister, but your concern should be on the neuro-psychiatric sides, esp. of interferon. That can be a beeotch.