I didn't go on an anti-depressant and have not needed one. However, there are many factors to consider. Mental health prior to treatment, available support network and your life situation in general. It is an individual decision based on those and many other parameters. Talk to your doctor about it.

One thing I have to do every four weeks at my appointments is fill out a general mental health questionaire. I don't know if that is standard procedure, but it helps me to stay on top of where I am psychologically.

I reused to let something get a hold on me and turn me inside out, the less meds. the better the liver is my moto LOL. I was hep c 2a and let me tell you something I lost weight, I had a glow and I never looked better and I owe it to the interferon and ribs, no you don't have to take anti-depressant's.

Are you HAVING to start treatments---and are you going to do the ribavirin/interferon combo? You MAY need an antidepressant---trust your heart, and your primary doc. And unless you really NEED to do tx at this time, ask about waiting for a while---maybe a kinder and gentler tx will become available. I treated in 2004-5, and probably wouldn't have done it if I had known then what I know now.....
Msg me if you want to!
Keefer

my husband never needed anti-depressants, because he never got depressed. he did the treatment for a year nearly. i think it's a bit different here in the uk though... and i suppose it's something to think about when anti-dxs can take a few weeks to work, but i wouldn't bother. good luck anyway.

Hi RynetteB

Welcome to Daily Strenght.

Most hep c doctors that put their patients on these combe meds, advises them to see their PCP in order to get some anti's at least 4 weeks prior to starting treatment.

You see these meds do create depression, suicidle thoughts, and angryness*.

In Ontario, Canada., the meds were new to most doctors, and my PCP didn't want to prescribe me the anti's until I showed symptoms of depression.
I was not the kind of person to get easily depress, so I dismist it, but 10 or 12 weeks into treament, I wanted to cut out my stomach because it was soo out there, and I was under the impression that I would loose weight during this journey.
So when I told my PCP about my episode, he prescribed me the anti's and fast.

As for my husband, again our RCN advised him to get our PCP to prescribe the anti's, but like some of the other posters, he didn't want to take anymore meds than what he thought, unnecessary.

Well through out his whole treatmentm he was soo anger, mad, crazy mad, the whole time he wasn't on anti's.
He eventually had to start them, when he realised how crazy these meds made him.

Unless you are a Happy Go Lucky, who doesn't get affected by anything, you could just wait and see, in the end it's up to you.

You should probably discuss this subject a little more with both your hep c doctor, and your PCP, and see what they suggest.

Good luck on your journey. You have come to the right place for support and advice.

Mckenzie
One day at the time
type 1a
status: undie

Depression and anger are POSSIBLE sides just like any of the other sides. Not every person will experience every side. I personally have not had any problems with anger or depression at all. I am in week 17 of tx. However, if I began to experience those issues I would not hesitate to ask my PCP for meds. Fortunately I haven't had the need.

I'm also planning on starting treatment in November. I just saw my psych last week because I have a history of depression which has since resolved. He gave me a prescription for anti-depressants to use in case I feel that I need them after I start treatment. I certainly don't want to suffer needlessly but I don't want to stress my liver any further either. Good luck on your treatment!

I don't know why everyone assumes that anti-D are prescribed for depression because they have other uses.
I am not depressed, and was not depressed on tx. I DID have issues with sleep, so after a sleepless 3 months, my dr gave me a rx for a mild anti-D which I took in the early eve on weeknites so that I could get a bit more sleep than 45min a nite and so that I could be more rested for work the next day.

2 weeks before I started tx my GI started me on an anti-D as a precautionary measure (I asked for Welburtrin) I couldn't handle them and quit taking them after a week. I went through the entire 48 weeks without an anti D. I did use Ambien (and still do) for sleep issues.

Mouse
Genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished 48 wks of tx on 4/13/07
Doing 6 mos Post SVR PCR tomorrow!
(9/20/07)

I would wait and see. I was already on one but I didn't have to up the dosage until the last few months. Everyone's chemistry is different and the less you put into your body the better.

JustBlue makes a valid point about the use of anti-depressants. They are used to help with sleep issues as well. But the dosage is usually less than that used for depression.

I agree w/everyone-some say yes and some say no-I say it depends on individual...do talk to doc though in advance and keep posted honestly how you feel. I almost wasn't allowed tx by 1st dr due to being bipolar (1 episode 4 yrs ago-manic happy never depressed); however both old and new pdoc said ok and HepC doc has ok'd tx. I just have to be watched closely by pdoc and meds upped if necessary. Tx can cause depression/suicidal tendencies (even before tx depression can occur due to shock of it all-lack of control!). So listen to your body and talk to docs/friends, us, everybody. Most people w/o HepC are afraid of taking anti-d's but I say if you need them take them, don't be too proud...if you were diabitic you would take insulin huh? Anti-d's take awhile to work and you may have to try a few to find right one so don't wait until it is too late dear!

Anytime ya want to talk let me know I'm here for ya-I know lots of depressed people (hubby & his family all have) so maybe can help!

My Doc put me on a low dose Anti Depressents a month before i started treatment. Thank god she did that! Treatment was rough on me all the way . i started out at 30 mg of cymbalta before treatment and during treatment i have been raised 2 more times due to the depression i am no wat 120 mg a day. hey its better then wanting to kill myself but i am looking forward to gradually getting off the anti depressents once im done with treatment