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Does Peg-Intron gives you headache and depression?

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Posted 8/29/2010 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
Right now I'm feeling headache and kinda feeling depressed (thou I did felt slight depression before taking Peg-Intron) anyway, my headache is more worse then feeling low or depressed right now. Sometimes I feel I can't sleep properly. And it becoming worse the more I continue taking Peg. So I'm certain it at lest its the cause of my headache.

Anyone felt like that after taking Peg-Intron?

Thanks for your time.

P.S. my doctor told me to take an anti-depression to both help me sleep and for depression named Cipralex. I have it, but still did not take it. Does it also help for headache? I'm really hesitated to take it, I don't know why, but I don't feel comfortable taking a anti-depression.

Post Edited (Mr.X) : 8/29/2010 1:57:28 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/29/2010 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
If you read the adverse reactions both depression and headaches are listed as possible adverse reactions...you can google it and then read adverse reactions... best to contact the Dr. who prescribed it or talk to the pharmacist...
Posted 8/29/2010 6:42 PM (GMT 0)

Mr. X, do you think you can deal with the depression without having to take an antidepressant?  Keep in mind that it will probably take a week or more for the antidepressant to take effect.  As Arneeb suggested, speak to a pharmacist about your concerns and whether it might also help your headache.  Some antidepressants are also prescribed for sleep, so if your headache is related to not sleeping well, perhaps the Cipralex will help with sleep as well.

Good luck with treatment!

Connie

Posted 8/30/2010 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys. I appreciate your help. I'll ask about it from the pharmacist. I just wish if I can know if my headache is a forum of depression or not.

Regarding dealing with depression, well, its a bit complected. The thing, I'm not sure if I even have depression or not. Or perhaps I should say if its chronic and need to be handled with anti-depression pills or not. I mean, I have Crohn's and HCV now, and they both can give symptoms that are similar to depression. Like feeling tired and low in stamina, right? I did thou went into a hard time few months ago that made me feel depressed (even before knowing that I have HCV) but that was really normal phase for me after all that I went throe. I don't know, I guess I fear if I take the Anti-depression even thou I don't have depression that is worthy to take pills for it, then I might make things worse. I told my doctor about it and he too kinda agreed *** hat tricky to tell the difference.

Personally, I admit that I feel sometimes sad over things in my life, my school, my health and my friends. But still I'm the type of guy that always smile, always look at things from the bright side (like my weight lose from my Crohn's, I tell myself at lest I lost unnecessary weight) it just that things have changed ever since my last two relapses that I had to be hospitalized for (december 2008 and mid 2009) it kinda taken its toll on me with all the tests and such. From there, things started to change, I've become feeling lonely, feeling pain from my Crohn's. Not to mention life issues. And then learning about the HCV. I don't know, can you even blame a guy like me if he felt depressed :-) ?

Sorry, I guess I'm off topic right now. I guess its just like your quote, Connie "But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

P.S. regarding the effects of the anti-depression pills, my actually have doctor told me it takes around 4 days to take effect. Oh, and Peg-Intron, it work. My last Blood test shows that the virus in my blood have decreased in a good amount. But of course still not finished thou. But still...thank you God, thank you.

Post Edited (Mr.X) : 8/30/2010 5:33:22 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/30/2010 6:35 PM (GMT 0)

Mr. X, it sounds like situational depression.  I understand.  I went through 8 major surgeries in 7 yrs.  I'd barely recover from one when I would have to have another.  It got downright depressing.

I'm glad to hear that the Peg Intron seems to be working for you.  It's really up to you to decide if you need the antidepressant or not.

Let us know what you decide.

Posted 8/30/2010 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
welll Mr. X... I don't think an Anti-depressant will hurt.... it does take up to three weeks sometimes to take effect depending on the anti-depressant.. sometimes.. when the only companions we have in our daily life are our symptoms and disabilities... life can look pretty bleak...there is a thread on depression here at the Healing well forum also.. might help to talk to some people dealing with that.. take care thoughts and prayers your way Mr. X
Posted 8/31/2010 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Mr. X, one of the side effects of the interfuron is depression. And, although it may seem mild now, the longer you are on treatment the more you may need that anti-depressant. The treatment affects people a little differently, but one common is the depression side effect. I would urge you to go ahead and think about a mild anti depressant to curb those issues while you are on the treatment. Then afterward, your doctor can wean you off of it. Also, yes, the treatment you are on also causes headaches.

If the headaches get too severe, do talk with your doctor about them.

I am so glad the treatment is working for you. My husband had to quit the treatment, although there was indication it was working for him due to some pretty major issues he had with it. (It was causing severe depression issues and he had a psychotic reaction, but not everyone is affected that way).

You hang in there, keep your chin up!
Mer
Posted 9/1/2010 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys.


I asked the pharmacist and he told me its fine, wither I have small or even no major depression, the anti-depression pills won't make things worse. So I guess I'll go ahead with it tonight. At lest to help me sleep. I just woke up after barley having a proper-deep sleep. I don't know why, but sometimes it feels when I'm sleep that...as if my mind can't stop thinking and worrying over things even when I'm sleep (and frankly, I do sometimes over worry about things, but not usually THAT much) and regarding the headache, the pharmacist asked me to ask my doctor wither its fine to take this med called "Excedrin" for the headache. And now I'm waiting for my doctor's call.

Connie, I'm so sorry to hear that. It must have been hard on you. I only did two surgery. So I probably can only imagine how it felt. How are you now? I hope you're doing well. And yeah, mine does sound like situational depression.

Mer, I'm sorry that your husband had to quit it. It must've been hard on him. I hope he's doing well now. I really can't blame him after trying it myself. That's why I just let all my feelings out in my last post, just so I can come back and read it again and remember what I really felt during that time. It was like I'm in a fog, and I can't see or understand or comprehend things around me very well. But like you said, not everyone is afflicted by it. So if anyone reading this, pleas, don't be discouraged for not trying it. The side effects might not happens at all to you, but if its happens (god forbid) then you can always take meds for the side effects.

Thanks again everyone for your help, and I hope you too get better :-)

Post Edited (Mr.X) : 9/1/2010 6:15:43 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/1/2010 6:42 PM (GMT 0)

Mr. X, I'm doing well, thanks.  I just got through an entire year without surgery!  Yay!  I have a feeling your doctor might nix the Excedrin.  They usually prescribe Motrin or ibuprofen.  But be sure to ask your doctor what you can take. 

I'm also having a sleeping problem and was prescribed an antidepressant for it, Trazodone.  Antidepressants are sometimes used for pain and/or sleep issues.  I didn't want to get it filled as I just don't like antidepressants (side effects), but after speaking with a few friends who take it, I think I'll go ahead and get it filled and try it.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I hope your med works for you for the situational depression and also helps you sleep.  There's nothing worse than being constantly fatigued from the hep C and then not able to get a decent night's sleep!

Let us know how you are doing and if the med helps, bearing in mind that the antidepressant will take some time to get into your system and start working.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 9/1/2010 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, I take Paxil for my depression, OCD and anxiety! I never wanted meds but decided to try it, now I wonder why I waited. I will say that if you take antidepressants you cant just stop cold you do need to decrease over time, never just stop! They can help alot if used properly and do listen to your Dr about things to be aware of ie: feeling worse.
Sue
Posted 9/8/2010 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys.

I'm not sure if I should post this here or not, so I apologize in advance if I did a mistake.

Okay, right now, I'm hospitalized. During the past couple of days, I've been feeling constituently tired or fatigued. Looks like my HCV's meds have taken their toll on me, my blood test shows that my white cells are low (and honestly, I barley eat enough during the past days. So it's unfair to blame it all on the meds. Don't worry, not because of depression, my apatite is fine, it just happened) anyway, tiredness or fatigued is mostly gone now (I could barley lift my arm) and I feel much better then the past days. Thank God.

P.S. which med can cause me weakness or fatigued, Ribavirine or Peg?
Posted 9/8/2010 7:00 PM (GMT 0)

Mr. X, sorry you are hospitalized.  Of course it's okay to post that.  Have they taken you off the combo or are you still on it?  I think the combo itself--both drugs--take a real toll on the body and hep C in itself causes tremendous fatigue.  You will have to ask your doctor about that.  Are you eating regular hospital food?  Specifically, why were you hospitalized?  Because of the extreme weakness, low white count, not eating, or all of the above?  What have they been doing for you in the hospital?  The more info we have, the better we can give input.

At least, just relax and try not to worry about anything.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 9/13/2010 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie

I'm so sorry for the late reply, I read your post and I just wanted to take few days off of the internet. Thank you for your concern, Connie :) that is nice of you.

I'm in my home right now, I've been discharged from the hospital for just few days by now. The reason I was hospitalized was because of the extreme weakness and the low white count, which was caused by my HCV meds and not eating enough food properly. Actually, I temporarily stopped taking the meds myself after I was hospitalized the first time when I learned that my meds where part of my weakness (not really hospitalized, I barley spent a day their, just went to the ER and give me AV) I stopped taking them for just 2 days until I made sure its safe, and then I was put back on them when I was hospitalized again for few days. Its lower then before thou, Pegintron is now 50 instead of the usual 100 a weak, the pills (the Ribavirin) are 800 instead of 1000 or 4 pills instead of 5 a day. However, they are thinking of increasing Pegintron up to 75 if I respond well with taking 50 of Peg. They did not give me anything, just took samples of me and observed me.

So far I feel much better then before, I'm sleeping comfortably a lot now. I'm just so content for everything and glade I'm fine now. I could not ask for more.

Post Edited (Mr.X) : 9/13/2010 6:14:46 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/13/2010 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
glad ur feelin better Mr X... sorry u had to go through that.. u should feel welcome to post here... that's what it's for... thoughts are with u... Sandi
Posted 9/13/2010 5:50 PM (GMT 0)

Mr. X, thanks for the update.  They tried reducing my interferon and the number of days I took it, back when that alone was the only treatment--but it didn't work.  My white count continued to drop, so they finally took me off of it.  I hope you have better luck with the combo.  They will probably gradually raise the amount you are taking; otherwise, it's not likely to clear the virus.

Take care of yourself and please keep us updated.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 9/19/2010 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
I've experienced terrible migranes while taking the medication, and some headaches i attribute to indigestion. The interferon/ribaviran can induse depression, and I experieced depression especially from months 5-11. After i got off the medication though migranes/light sensitivity/and depression eased up. If you get very depressed and want to end your life make sure to tell your doctor or see a therapist. Hang in there.
Posted 9/19/2010 7:14 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, Beleave50, and welcome to the forum!  Why don't you start a new thread (just hit New Topic instead of reply) and introduce yourself to our members and tell us a little about your liver disease (I assume it's hep C if you were on treatment.)  Did the combo clear your disease?  Your experience and knowledge could help others here...and we will be here for you, whenever needed.

Hugs,

Connie

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