hi I hope it gets better for you. I experienced some of that too but I had to quit tx after 9 shots. I think mine was due to being upset, scared, etc. that I had to stop after only 9 shots. Enjoy you weekend!

nice to hear from you Dianne.
hope the moodyness goes away...keep the laughter part though ...k!

I am behind you in the treatment process so can't offer any advice on this....but I will hope and pray that you become your old self vey very soon.

Love ya
your friend always,
Brave Rabbit

Diane, I obviously have no personal experience to share with you since I just started TX 2 wks ago (did shot No. 3 last night), but from everything I've read in my quest to be ready for treatment, your emotional rollercoaster is normal and will improve.

While you are in the post-tx period and waiting for everything to get back to normal, it certainly would be okay for you to use ADs to help you get there. I know you are a very strong person and that you want to avoid that route, but it just might help make the trip to getting back to normal a bit easier on you.

Whatever you decide...I will be here for you!!! You are a wonderful person!

LOL girl...you were crazy as a hoot owl before tx...check your email....

Oh hunni, so nice of you to drop in, I'm sure the gals will be happy and some will be sorry they missed you, being the weekend and all.

Glad to hear your back to work.
You sound good, girl. lol
It shouldn't be long for your hair to be back to it's natural way, you won't even notice, then one morning, you will see that they are all back to normal.

As for the mood swings, it's the meds, it's not you, and this too shall pass.

How's your concentration, this is one side that many are stuck with, but you are quite young so maybe you won't have any problems with that.
If you do, see your doctor, there are meds for that created especially for those on interferon, also some give Ritalin for those who are deeply affected by it.
How's are you regarding fatigue?
Again they have Provigil, which is good as per John Tattman says.
It gives you the energy to go on with your day.

I will close for now, but please do come back and visit sweety, you are truly missed around here.

Love & Respect,
Mckenzie
One day at the time.

I don't know exactly how I was feeling after TX. I had a very different scenario going on. Shortly after my TX, I had to help my 11 year old daughter go through her TX and then after hers was done helped my my husband go through his too. It was a very trying 3 years for our entire family. I was moody ~ moody ~ moody. Menopause may have played a factor in that too. I did rely on anti-depressants to help with the mood swings and anxiety. They helped alot. I quit taking them after finding DS. This place was the best medicine I ever found. I hope all works out for you. I'm sure these meds take longer to get out of us then the docs tell you. Find something to laugh about everyday. Everything is going to be fine.....(((hugs))) Joni

Hey...I have been off tx probably 4 weeks now and still am not my old self. I guess I thought I would be back to normal immediately but that is not true. I can't sleep and my hair is still coming out. Mine may be a little anxiety cause I tested positive at 6 months and had to stop tx. Yes I was devistated but I bounce back pretty good. Doc says it can take up to 6 months to get meds completely out of system and a couple of months for hair growth to start - it won't happen overnight. You got to remember this was a pretty traumatic experience to our bodies and we must still rest and drink water (not as much) to get over completely. I noticed my energy is already somewhat better - I actually went shopping yesterday and boy did that feel good! Not 100% but getting there one day at a time. Everything is still a roller coaster though. Still using Nioxin, don't know if that really makes a difference. For me I don't regret tx cause I think there is benefits regardless of outcome. You hang in there and you may need antidepressents for a while to get you thru. From what I remember you were still negative at 6 months so it actually worked for you which is wonderful! It will get better as the worst is over!

Wow... I get all that just from the Hep C. The last ten years of my life... stolen by the dragon. It woke up and sent me through hell. I was so depressed at times that all I could do is cry. Sometimes for days, weeks, months... every day crying. Then my sinuses got infected and turned chronic.

For me the treatment is an improvement from the hell I was in prior to. The up and down mood swings... both me and hubby are used to it. After 10 years it became part of my personality. I am just glad that he stuck it out with me.

My life will never be the same, but clearing this virus will certainly help me build some kind of a future for myself. I raised kids, got a divorce... then the hell started. So I never had a chance to build anything for myself.

I think things will improve for you in time. Maybe people who start tx before they have serious symptoms of Hep C find they feel more depressed than before starting tx. It's a long haul, but it's worth it. I am in beginning stage 4 Hep C, so that might be why I find an improvement. I do have up and down emotions and if my husband says anything remotely mean to me I start crying and make myself more sick. But I was like that for the last 10 years. The only difference now is that I have hope to go with it.

Just keep on building your new life and trying to find ways to fulfill your desires. You have a new start and hope for the future now. Congratulations on making it through the treatment and I hope the dragon is gone for you forever.

HI. JUST THOUGHT I WOULD MENTION 'CHEMO BRAIN' WHICH IS A COMMONLY KNOWN MEDICAL SIDE EFFECT AFTER SOMEONE HAS GONE THROUGH CHEMOTHERAPY - WHICH IS WHAT THE 'TREATMENT' IS, AFTERALL. IT IS BASICALLY A CONDITION WHICH INVOLVES MENTAL CONFUSION, MEMORY DECREASES, AND MOOD SWINGS THAT MANY CANCER OR CHEMO PATIENTS EXPERIENCE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AFTER FINISHING A ROUND OF CHEMO. IT WILL GET BETTER. DID THE CHEMO WORK FOR YOU? ARE YOUR NUMBERS BETTER?
OH, AND BY THE WAY, EVEN THOUGH ALMOST 40 MILLION (UNDERESTIMATION) AMERICAN HAVE HCV - ISN'T IT INTERESTING THAT IT'S NEVER MENTIONED, EVEN IN THIS MOUTHY POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT PRE-ELECTION FRENZY? COULDN'T EITHER OF THOSE PARTIES USE AN ADDITIONAL 40 MILLION VOTES?

Dilew, I was only on tx for 13 weeks and got pulled but the moodswings and head case stuff lasted at least 6 weeks after and I am on antid's, I felt suicidal at times even, but knew enoughto just talk to a friend and hang on for it to pass...patience and when you feel well enough, walk, listen to music, whatever brings you joy, do it alot, Hugs girl good luck, congrats on finishing I wish I was able to.
Margi

i have been of tx for 20 months and i am still not back to normal. i have given up that, that day will come. i try to live in the moment and just do the best i can. i still have to take a couple of naps a day to fight off the continual fatigue and brain fog.

i did win the fight against the dragon so i am ahead of the game. i come to this forum to get support by reading and sharing with everyone. it helps a lot.

I would just like to say that, in my opinion based on a short time on soc and years of networking with others with hcv, it is not uncommon to suffer depression both during and after tx. In some instances the depression can be prolonged, but it does help enormously to know that you are not alone and that the depression will pass in time. It is good that you are recognising it for what it is, this will empower you to take positive action and to be kind to yourself. You have been in a mighty battle, and for some of us, this means a gradual recovery. Things will get better, for you and for jwalsh. xx

thanks misspoppy,

i have heard that it takes up to 3 years for some to return to normal. i hope that is the case with me.
it does help to not be alone in this but that also means others are suffering too. double edge sword if i ever saw one.

i hope your having a fine day.
thanks again,
joe