Hi Zennah, i soo understand the frustration of being on the riba. I have 24 weeks of it and halfway done. It is not fun the insomnia and tension it creates which can trigger pain depression, and easily frustrated, fun stuff.
I take ativan for sleep but only 3 time a week as it can be very addicting but it works like a charm. other nights i take melatonin and l-triptaphan, which works best with a little grape juice. If i don't take something i will lay awake all night long. I know it is the riba as it did this to me before while on the interferon and riba.
I hope you don't have to much longer to go on it. Hang in there and love your mom while she is here. You are lucky to still have her. i think we will both feel better when this riba gets out of our system. But it is tough to handle life's overwhelming harshness when this riba is in our bodies. I hope this period in life takes a better turn soon.

Zennah I don't have any opinion on if & how you should take your prescription meds. When I've been on treatment, including solv/riba, I was not on any other prescriptions, and not now.
I'm so sensitive to medications that a simple over the counter med a single low dose can handle any pain.
Just as well because with cirrhosis I am very cautious & protective of liver.

kookie, sometimes the sleep was impossible! I've taken Benadryl & melatonin. Now I use sleepy time herbal tea but I'm not on riba or any treatment today.

UPDATE: So far, on Wednesday, the HepC Doc recommended reducing Soma and Valium (I've only been on Valium since early Feb due to Mom's sitch). Then, Thurs, my therapist said don't reduce Valium & watch my Trazodone dosage, trying to reduce it just slightly; she did not recommend I try to get off Soma during treatment. I told her I'd already cut Soma at bedtime in half starting the night b4 seeing her (Wed nite).

First couple nights a bit rough, not too bad, and last night I slept very well - but mainly cuz I finally pulled myself together after 5 or 6 days of total bed-recliner-rest, and got my house lightly dusted & vacuumed (my allergies are so bad, I was taking Zyrtec at night, and Benedryl halfway thru the night, plus a Sudefed in the mornings) -

Kookie2, I've read we shouldn't take Melatonin over 6 weeks at a time with Liver Disease, and not at all while on these medications.

Last night, I took no Zyrtec, and took 2 Benadryl, the 5mg Valium and 1/2 a Soma (or 175mg), plus dropped Trazodone back to 50mg - slept like my usual sleep; 10:45 or so until 1:30, but didn't take anything extra at 1:30, and slept in until my usual 5:45 & got on up around 6:10am. I kinda miss the days when I could sleep in until 7-8:30 in years past, but my internal clock switched just over a year ago & I cannot sleep at all much past 6:30 anymore *sigh*

I think my liver was just working too hard with all the junk I was putting in there. I am feeling much better, but then again - the Sun had been out yesterday & today, we're still in fog again. June Gloom on the Pacific Coast is a typical thing, but it's hard. Gonna drive somewhere sunny today after a few errands, me thinks!

I read somewhere that it's not good to take more than 6 meds at once due to reactions. I was on 6 meds when I was on tx and now I am still suffering 6 weeks post tx probably due to interactions. I have since quit one of my anti-depressants and anti-inflammatory since they don't seem to be doing a heck of a lot. My pain comes and goes.

I take temazapam (restoril ?) for sleep and have been on it for years. I recently went off it for 2 or 3 nights and used melatonin instead. I found if it stayed off the computer 1.5 hours before bed, I didn't have too much trouble falling asleep but my anxiety got worse probably because I weaned off too quickly so I started it again.

I am determined to get off this anti-depressant and sleeping pill too. I am tired of being sick and tired and over-weight. I believe the drugs are causing all the problems. And originally a bad diet and lifestyle got me on the drugs in the first place. So now I'm am trying to eat and live healthy.

As far as the melatonin goes i will look it up. My pharmacist told me it was ok with the vpac and riba. My liver enzymes are both in the lower normal range. but i will check it out and thanks for the info..

yes i did find lots of info, just Googled 'melatonin and liver disease'. Lots of info.
I found all positive input on liver. It works as an antioxidant, helps with liver inflammation, and a precursor to l-triptaphan. I will definatly keep taking it. I did find one supplement that should only be taken temperately and that was benadryl. I have used that before but not after reading about it.
I usually do research before taking anything new. this one i didn't as my doctor and pharmacist ok'd it.

I had found the info on Melatonin on a Facebook HepC Group about 5 weeks ago - the link Is here: http://hcvadvocate.org/library/herb_glossary.asp

I just recall years ago being told not to take it longer than 6 weeks at a time with a 2 week break in-between; otherwise, fairly safe in moderation, probably even while on treatment, unless you have auto-immune HepC going on.

I copied the portion about Melatonin - below:

Melatonin (N-acetyl-methoxytryptamine)

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the bodys pineal gland. Melatonin responds to the presence and absence of light, which affects sleep-wake cycles. As a supplement, melatonin is not well absorbed by the body and is rapidly metabolized by the liver. Research supports the efficacy of melatonin for jet lag and sleep-related problems. There is mixed evidence supporting its efficacy in other purported uses, such as for depression, nicotine withdrawal, and, prostate cancer. Clinical trials are underway testing the use of melatonin for a variety of indications.

Attention for Liver Disease: Melatonin has been linked to autoimmune hepatitis. Because it appears to interact with cytochrome p-450 metabolized substances (see About Cytochrome P-450 below), do not take melatonin during HCV treatment.

Safety Information: Melatonin has few side effects when used short-term. Common side effects include fatigue, dizziness, irritability, headache, mood changes, disorientation, eye problems and gastrointestinal complaints. There may be an increased risk of blood clotting, particularly for those taking blood-thinning drugs. Use cautiously if there is a history of seizures, major psychiatric problems, heart disease, blood pressure problems, and diabetes. Hormonal side effects have been reported, so use cautiously with any condition or medication that may be influenced by hormones. Long-term effects are unknown. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid melatonin. Not enough evidence to recommend safe use for children.

Interactions: May interact with any cytochrome p-450 metabolized substances (see About Cytochrome P-450 below). Use cautiously with alcohol, caffeine, blood-thinning, anti-depressant, anti-seizure, blood pressure, diabetic and any sedating medications and supplements. Use cautiously if taking Nifedipine or Fluvoxamine.

Lab Notes: May affect blood pressure, blood sugar levels and blood-clotting tests.

Note: Taking melatonin too early in the daytime may cause daytime drowsiness.

Dawter, When you have the resolve to reach the goals you're striving for, it'll get done, and give it time. Walking 1/2 an hour (which is about a mile for me now I'm 60; I used to do 2 miles in 30 minutes 10 years ago *sigh*) is the BEST exercise when trying to lose weight. I try & get out on a walk either right before or right after breakfast. So far, I've not been able to push myself to do another 1/2 hour walk after dinner, but that is highly recommended for those who are trying to lose more than 30+ lbs.

I lost 8 lbs in the past 9 days ... way too much (but I had gained it due to Gabapentin back in Feb/Mar b4 realizing I was allergic to it on other levels, too - for the nerve pain down left arm from neck herniations).

And about 6 medications. Hmmm... Never heard a # put on it, so that's interesting! I can report that last 2 nights I slept very normally by dropping to the 1/2 Soma and only 50mg of Trazodone, but adding Benadryl, taking out Zyrtec. So, let's see - besides the Sovaldi & Riba, I'm on Trazodone (which is a better alternative to sleep meds coupled with antidepressants, and you might consider asking your doc about it - I LOATHE antidepressants for what they did to me in the 90s in me 40s ... but don't mind the Trazodone in low-dosage. I've been able to not take anything extra at 1 or 2-3am when I wake up the past 4 nights in a row, and I feel much better in the mornings now.

Oh, lost my train of thought - lovely brain fog - to match the fog outside again...

Sovaldi, Riba, Trazodone, Soma, Valium, Benadryl. and the occasional use of Tylenol or Naproxyn Sodium for pain - makes it 6 to 7 medications I'm on. Supplements I checked with the Specialty Pharmacist, and she said all are safe for me to continue, as most are not absorbed and are eliminated directly thru the pee (kidney) rather than Liver. They have my complete list and nothing was advised to cease, so I'm good on that front. I do love my supplements - for they help me not take any Trazodone prior to getting put on this treatment. (L-Tyrosine helps regulate Seratonin Levels & are great for folks getting off Cocaine (which I learned of 30 years ago when I did just that); L-Theanine (aka SunTheanine) helps with anger & anxiousness-both are simply Amino Acids you can't get enough of thru food alone; and then I recently added Passionflower, which also helps balance out anxiousness - all 3 of those might be ones you could try to help you get off the Antidepressant - I've done over 18 years of research on Herbals.

Keep up the good work! You'll lick this - and 6 weeks out to still have a few symptoms is not unheard of. Not knowing your Genotype or which meds you were on.. I'm 2b, so easy to treat & I expect about 4-8 weeks of additional symptoms after Aug 8th, when my Tx ends. Let's all pray tomorrow I find out my 1st month's Viral Load tomorrow - I'm hoping my VL went down from 12million+ to less than 1/2 that! Wheeeee!!!!

Your own physicians and your pharmacists are the best sources of information regarding medications, interactions with each other, and impact on your unique health profile.

Trissa, you are so right about that, and I have seen my Psych/Therapist, called the GI Doc to report, and saw my Primary Doc today. They all say essentially the same thing; that reducing the Soma at bedtime and lowering Trazodone, getting off Zyrtec & opting for Benadryl plus the 5mg Valium to help sleep is the best course of action. As of yesterday, I finished the 4 days of titration to 1/2 a Soma at Bedtime. Last night was first night without any Soma at Bedtime and I only slept from 10:45 to 2am. Finally got out of bed at 5am & am whooped today! I've been thru so many titrations (due to my spinal pain probs) ovr the years, so I expected lack of sleep during this time, and will forge ahead for one more week at what levels I am at now, per all doc's orders/recommendations, and then begin to cut another dose of Soma in half during the middle of the day. The one in the Morning will be the trickiest, cuz I wake up in so much pain.

Anyway, they've given me Norco for what was today determined to be a torn muscle under my armpit (has been hurting for 7 months now) - to take only one per day in the mornings, until I get over to see the Pain Mgmt Specialist (I moved 9 months ago, so am having to re-establish all new docs as I'm 6 hours North from where I used to live). Thanks again for all your input.

All new docs, ugh! I'm going thru the same thing, moved 1000 miles from nowhere, but there's no place I'd rather be.

Thanks for the "REMINDER to me" as i take 5 mg of Valium daily & that started long ago since no anxiety meds were working for me & all my muscles especially around neck were locked in spasm.

(I used to take a lot more).......I had forgotten that Valium accumulates in your system and can also cause depression....

I have cut out so many medications slowly & the next one I want off of is the Valium......I know I can do that slowly - considering what I used to be on in the past.

My body or liver can't tolerate hardly any medications and I feel best when I don't take anything at all. My PCP gets upset with me as I don't even take my blood pressure meds as I should. I just hate medication.

I am doing better and I have to get off meds & start walking. No excuses anymore for me.....THANK YOU!!

Oh, Lovefall, you have great determination!

I actually have better news than I'd first written. I'm undetected now. Will post as a new topic in a minute.

I know when I used to take Xanax, it caused the very anxiety it was supposed to treat. Guess each med reacts diff. in each body. A friend takes Ativan, but it does nothing for me. 5mg Valium at bedtime is only during my treatment, which is now down to only 6 more weeks! YAY! So, I've not been on it long enough this time to have a hard time getting off.

The older I've gotten, the more I realize that what the 12-Step Programs teach with regard to Making a Decision is really key - with me, it's a mental process to wrap my brain around a thing to change in my life and once I make the decision, I've accomplished most anything I've set my mind to.

I'm down to only 2 Soma for the past 8 days, so today will be the day I begin to cut the afternoon dose in 1/2. I see my new Pain Mgmt specialist in mid-July, yet had to go to my Primary last week to get Norco 10/325s, to take only once per morning so I can at least be out of pain long enough to get things done early in the day.

Walking actually boosts my energy esp. when I do it in the mornings, which is tricky along the Pacific Coast this time of year, cuz we've been fogged in for what seems like forever (about 2 weeks) with little breaks some days coming around 1pm or even later. So hardly ever have I been able to push myself to walk again in the evenings after dinner cuz I am just so fatigued by then (I wake up so early, btwn 5-6:30am, generally)...

All the best to you, dear one. You can do this, you just have to take that first step & get going - you will feel so much better after you get used to it, and it will become a good routine you'll look forward to. Start small if you haven't done it in awhile, check with your doctor, and regular exercise/walking can also help lower blood pressure. There are also Nutritional Supplements and certain foods that help, as well. Cut out adding salt to your foods - it takes some getting used to, along with lowering your sugar intake. Oh, and celery also helps lower BP, off the top of my head that's one I've remembered for over 25 years now.