what happened to my husband ?

Question

My husband started interferon/ribavirin treatment for hep c in mid july and at the beginning everything was just fine but lately (I wolud say, since october) I noticed some bad changes in him. He becomes very angry over the smallest things and cannot controll his anger. Month ago we had our third baby (got pregnant BEFORE he started treatment) and with crying infant things get crazy sometimes but he is terrorizing uor family right now. He screams at everybody and two hours later acts like nothing happened, the next day he is surprised that somebody could be sad because of his actions. Lately he became very agressive and verbally abusive.  We've been together for 7 years and he always was absolutely amazing man, veeeeery warm and romantic with lot of patience and now all of these is gone, this is not the same man anymore. I am considering divorce because I can't let him abuse me anymore plus my kids need quiet home. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE tell me if all those changes are temporary and where can I get support to survive his treatment. I lost hope and right now my life is a nightmare. Maybe you have similar experiences, please tell me something, I knew that this drugs have nasty side effects but I didn't know that we all will be so severely affected. please, help :(

actrying · Answer

Thank You for  your responses. I told my husband about anti depressants but he said, that he is fine and doesn't need "psycho pills" so I called his doctor and together we tricked him.... I am not very proud, but... now he is taking cymbalta and we can live again, he thinks that this is another anti viral medicine (thank God he doesn't care what he's taking as long as it gives good results). The only thing I have to do now is changing tv channels everytime the cymbalta commercial is on. If he'll find out the true I can always give him the medicine with his morning coffee... without him knowing what is going on...
whatever it takes, baby... ;)

Alek07 · Answer

I feel for you and your children. Irritability and anger are known side effects of treatment. The drugs can cause chemical imbalances in the brain and the frequent fatigue can also be extremely trying. The good news is that your husband will return to his old self once tx has finished although this may take from a few weeks to months to happen. Might be worth considering councelling just to make him aware of the effect his tx is having on you. Somebody has already mentioned getting him active on this forum.......a great suggestion!

newleaf09 · Answer

I had anger while on treatment drugs, too.  It is easily controlled with anti-depressants.  They aren't just for depression, they should be thought of as a drug for mood disorders.  Interferon is famous for causing mood disorders, with rage being nearly as common as depression.    His hep C doctor can prescribe them for him and should, before he does too much damage to self and family.  Good luck.

Tippyclubb · Answer

Hang in there with him and try to understand its the Ribavarin causing him to act this way.  Plenty of people on tx experience what we call Riba rage.  It is very real and hard to control.  Keep in mind its the drugs altering his behavior and plus he feels like crap.

Yes, these changes are temporary and once he is off the drugs he will feel better and return to his normal self.  The Riba rage will be gone in a few weeks after stopping.  In the meantime you may want to check into getting him on some type of anti depressant --many people on tx take them and say it helps a lot.  AS Joey_M suggested you can come to the forum for support and questions and it is a great ideal if you can get him to join in and read also.

I hope things get better for you!

Joey_M · Answer

I am really sorry you are going through this with your husband. The drugs cause anger and loss of control (sometimes called riba rage). I had a lot of rage during my first treatment and it effected my relationship. I didn't realize what a monster I was when the anger spells would hit. In my experience, it is best to not confront him while he is in an anger spell - gracefully slip away with the kids if possible. It is very difficult since he's not himself but on the other hand, you and the kids shouldn't be subject to abuse. Is he on an anti depressant or anti-anxiety meds - sounds like he should be if he's not. Where do you live? Can you get to a therapist that has some experience with Hep C drug side effects? Also, can you get him on this site - maybe some of us can help him when he needs it. 

Hugs,
Joey