Heavy Headed side effect

[zoe339]

I am on my 16th week of Pegasys/Ribo.  Last 2 months my head feels like I've injected lead into it.  My head literally feels weighted down and slowed down.  Even my husband says when it's really bad, that I look "out of it".  It's getting so bothersome that I can't get my mind off of it and now I have developed insomnia.  When I told my health care provider, she recommended an antidepressant.  Anyone else out there experience this side effect?  zoe

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

It certainly is not uncommon to feel that way, and antidepressants are perfectly safe and commonly prescribed during treatment. In fact the majority of my patients are on them. I would go for it!

[IAmTheWalrus]

I have had the same problem about 12 weeks into treatment. It was accompanied by what I will call "profound sadness".  I have been treating with antidepressants since and feel much better.  I really feel that the antidepressant drugs saved me from terminating treatment.

I am 57 weeks into treatment now. I have had quite a few problems, and still have the foggy slowed-down feeling, but I am much more capable of dealing with it all.