hep c and interferon side/after effects

[bluesman311]

its been over 11 years since i went thru the year's treatment of interferon and the pills ribovarin.  The treatment did not take but still I am suffering from the side effects that seem to have begun during treatment and never left.

I am no longer able to work as i have many issues mentally (memory, depression, confusion) and physically (complete loss of bladder control, chills and fever, complete and utter exhaustion 100% of the time) that have precluded employment.  I've tried a number of times to work and each time I have issues stopping me.

I've read the posts and it seems my issues have lasted much longer and are possibly more severe than others I've read.  This obviously scares me

I no longer have health insurance and have to borrow to see the dr once or twice a year.  I am in the last stage of my disability hearing at age 52.

I am looking for anyone that has information that may add to my disability claim.  Trying to prove mental issues has shown to be pretty tough and although my dr seems to care, he also seems resistant to actually saying i am disabled.

Any help would be appreciated

[Mauser49]

It is a disability,find a diffrent doctor.

[DoubleDose]

Sorry to hear about your post-tx side effects.  Yours sound fairly similar to those of us who are suffering these longer term problems.  Here is a link to the various threads on this forum that relate to interferon and its potential for prolonged problems.  Don't look too hard for objective, scientific studies on this subject......they are pretty much non-existent.  I guess the key stake-holders (in HCV Treatment) don't really much want to see what the downside might be for these drugs..since its probably a lot easier just focusing on the positive effects (like SVR), and selling the drugs large scale, than also trying do deal with the medical issues that ofter arise.

  I don't see much transparency in the drug industry as far as acknowledging or discussing unintended effects, and long term medical issues......nor really much on the parts of the treating doctors either.  Its like expecting your stock broker to ALSO tell you how much money you might LOSE in the given year....and what his 'cut' consists of, win or lose....rather than just focusing on how he is going to aim for such and such in gains, etc.  No one likes to discuss the negatives, or liabilities of their product, or service.  

Here is the link to the various threads:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/75?query=long+term+interferon+side+effects

Good luck with your situation.  Keep us informed of the details of your problems, and what you have done to have them diagnosed, or addressed.  

DoubleDose

[Willy50]

you wrote;
I am looking for anyone that has information that may add to my disability claim.  Trying to prove mental issues has shown to be pretty tough and although my dr seems to care, he also seems resistant to actually saying i am disabled. "
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Check out this thread;
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Long-Term-effects-of-Interferon-Treatment/show/1463454?personal_page_id=46749#post_6658237

Provide the link and list of other links to a other documentation or if you have a copier you can print them off.  Below any such thread as I provided will be other threads of like topics.
If your doctor is not aware of this it indicates to me he may not be a good advocate.

I am certain that SS and medical disability providers are quite aware of this, and they will provide you disability.  Don't put off filing.  It is not uncommon to have to do it once, twice, three times.

Sorry for your situation.

Willy