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Posted 5/18/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)

Diagnosed with hep c in Feb 2009 after going through a gall bladder operation in 08 I still wasn't feeling well. Started treatment in Nov 09. After being on this horrible treatment for 48 weeks I was hoping all would be over. Finished treatment  last Nov. Been 6 months had my final viral load test the Dr. has told me there is no viral load detected and my liver function tests have come back better than ever. But because of the hep c, (of which I didn't know I  had for 30 years)I was diagnosed with stage 4 cirrohsis. I wasn't a big drinker but the inflamation caused the cirrohsis. The one big problem I have is now is, where did my brain go! My thought process is limited, especially short term memory while I am talking, I forget what I was talking about all the time, or certain words that I can think of what I want to say but they don't come out, everyone else thinks it's funny, but after what I went through for the last couple of years I'm not laughing.

 I am still  depressed, fatigued, and extremely moody. I want my life back! My question is to everyone who has been on this interferon/ribivarin treatment, when or does the side effects ever go away. 

Posted 5/18/2011 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
My nurse practitioner told me it takes a day to lose side effects for every day you used it.
Posted 5/18/2011 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
so it looks like I'm only half way there. Contemplating going back on my antidepressants for a few months to help get me over this hump. Thanks for the info David. So hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel and it's not the big bright light of a run away train.
Posted 5/18/2011 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I know heaps of people who are still feeling the effects of treatment a year and a half later. I think everyone recovers differently. I would go back on antidepressants, anything that you think will help you. Also vitamin D from what I am told has helped some people in their recovery.

Good luck and I hope you start feeling better soon :)
Posted 5/18/2011 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats DEB on clearing the virus. LUCKY you. Many go through that process and don't clear!

My Mike had the fog bad during treatment, but didn't clear, and the fog continued, but not as bad. When his cirrhosus became bad, the memory etc got bad again.

So there is Hep C fog, treatment fog, and LATER (hopefully much later), the Hepatic Encephalopathy that comes with End Stage Liver Disease that takes a toll on mental processes.

There are meds for the HE. Not sure there is anything for the FOG.

Good luck with all this!

Mama Lama
Posted 5/18/2011 10:24 PM (GMT 0)

Just wanted to say CONGRATS! on clearing the virus!  WTG!  yeah   :-)

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/18/2011 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb 59,
Just a short True story, one of my wife's friends was taking anti depressants and after about a year or so she committed suicide .The woman had previously been a charity raiser for breast cancer and an overall do gooder in society. There was an inquest and the findings were "Take anti depressants all the time ,or not at all " .
Karen and I hope things work out the best for you
Keep smiling Karen and Mick
Posted 5/19/2011 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
If you lived with Mick, heavy meds would be indicated 365/24/7.

I refused to take anti depressants, but then I prefer alternative meds. My docs were fine with that.
Posted 5/19/2011 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hello *D* Head ,
Karen uses a gun to keep me under control . So there!!!
Mick
Posted 5/19/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
  Thanks to everyone who so kindly has taken the time to respond.

 I wish I wold have known about this site while I was going through treatment so I could have had some insight into what I was going to feel and go through from the people who know the most.

Right now I think that going back on Celexa (been off since Jan) might be the best thing as I am now dealing with my mother on chemo for colon cancer and I realize the hell that she's going through.

Also has anyone else had a liver biopsy that came back fine the first time and then the next one, 6 months later stage 4 cirrohsis.

I'm not pleased with that outcome and when I go back to my gastro Dr. I would like another biopsy because I can't understand how this can be unless cirrohsis can be marbled in the liver and the second time he hit the mother load.

Thanks again!

Deb

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain!

 

Posted 5/19/2011 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
dance naked in the rain... ull smile... in fact ull crack a big smile... maybe even.... oops **** censored again.... laugh a bit... smile a bit... Sandia
Posted 5/19/2011 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
What were the results of your first biopsy? What stage fibrosis were you at? I would think it odd to progress to cirrhosis in six if you did not have significant fibrosis in the first biopsy.
Posted 5/20/2011 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
  Hi Hepmom, when I had my first biopsy it was at the time I had my gallbladder out in 08. they didn't grade it, my surgeon said it was a little fattie but nothing to worry about. When I had my second, 6 months later, even the dr that was performing it said outloud that "this looks like a good red healthy liver" as he was pulling the needle out of me. He took 2 samples. Then when I went to my gastro he tells me he's sorry but I have stage 4 cirrohsis, and really no answer why the totally different diagnosis. He wasn't concerned about that right at that time as he said we really needed to just get started on the treatment as my liver enzymes were 305/282 and we needed to get that inflamation down.
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