Hello livingwell. I myself have never taken anit-depressants until i started tx. I dont really think I could have dealt with this without them. I started with Effexor 37.5 and now I am at 75mg. I personally think they are a good idea. Im with you no matter what you decide.Love ya gal!
Bruce

hi LW,

I tried starting on an anti-D 2 weeks before I started tx. I couldn't handle being on one so I stopped before I even got on tx. I managed to go the entire 48 weeks without an anti D. I'm going to start my second round of tx (relapsed after first) on 12/11. I'll be doing 72 weeks this time and I plan on going through without an anti D.

I was more emotional on tx than I normally would be but I did not have any serious neuro-psych issues. I don't think an anti D is a pre-requisite for treating but if you can handle being on them you may want to give it a shot.

Mouse

I never took an anti-D either but several weeks into tx I found myself uncharacteristically weepy and Ronald became more agitated. A little Lexapro did the trick. A chronic illness can wear on your emotions...get the prescription filled just in case you need it.

As for me sister, I couldnt do those Anti-D's, Made more stupider than I am now. LOL, But really Im an old dope shooter and anti-D's dont work on us, Made me feel like I was on Herion

Oh boy! Let me answer this one for sure!

I HATE pills and all kinds of meds. Even taking aspirins and that sort of thing bother me. They have always been a last resort for me.

So anyways ... this anti D came up in discussions with my dr before I started tx and I said NOOOO I hate that crap. So I did not take any rx then.

After a couple months into tx, I had super insomnia and was getting a bit edgy. Never mind having a short fuse - I had NO fuse and people at work were really avoiding contact because I was without patience and snapped at everybody.
I mentioned it to the dr and he gave me a very mild anti D so that I could get at least a few hours sleep at nite. I grudgingly said I would give it a try BUT I was not going to take any on the weekend.

Well it made a HUGE difference in that I was able to get a few extra hours sleep each nite and my sleep was less choppy with less tossing and turning. I swear the insomnia was about the worst of my sides. I hated it.

What they did was relax me enough so that I could get some decent rest at nite, so they can have a few uses. You don't need to be depressed or anything like that to get value from them.

There are so many different types with varying uses and sides all their own, so I would say to talk it over with your dr and find out a bit more about them.
If you need to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for work in the morns, then you don't want something that's going to make you all wouzy.

I did stop them immediately after I finished tx as my insomnia went away but I still have not been able to get my original sleep pattern back and it's been a couple years since I was done with tx.

Everyone has their own kind of reaction to the dragon even before Tx, I was very depressed when I found out how bad my situation really was. my Dr. put me on wellbutron, but it just seemed to turn my being down into outright anger. now I take xanax. It helps keep my mood stable, and also helps me sleep....... there is no way to tell how you will react untill you try one. remember you can always drop it right away or try another if you like. its all up to you ....all my best.....Jesse

If and when I start treatment I will ask for effexor for starters if they want me on and antidepresant. I was on it many years ago and remember it working well for me. The docter prescribed it because it also help any hyper modes I may have. I like it because it never made me lathargic but gave me a calming effect. And less I feel it really necassary I will avoid and anti drepsesant. Sometimes you just have to weigh the pros and cons.

A big Thank You to all...so much valuable information. I will fill presciption today and go from there..what a great bunch here on DS, love you all.

Darling if I could have done anything different with my first TX I would have gone on the anit-depressants before ever starting. I waited until I was in the 4th month and thought I'd kill myself or somebody around. It's a tough TX do what ever will make it easier
Peace, NoniLv

Dr. put me on a anti-depressant 1st thing.W/Hep.C I got terribly depressed,my hormones were extremely low as well.Never took them before.In this case I absolutly needed them,and YES they have made a huge difference for me.I take Zoloft 50mgs.It works for me.
Best of luck, val

I HAD TO GET ON THEM TOO. IT SENDS YOU INTO A DEPRESSION THAT I COULD NOT DEAL WITH ON MY OWN. I STARTED WITH CYMBALTA AND AM STILL ON IT TODAY. I'M NOT SAYING IT WILL WORK FOR YOU, BUT FOR ME IT IS GREAT...HELEN

I haven't taken tx yet bt in the past I have taken anti-dep.
ANYTHING would have been preferable to the way I felt at that point.
Serzone helped. In fact, it pulled me out of the dep of two years in less than two weeks.
But I would leery of Serzone now as I understand that liver damage can be a side efx of that drug.
Whether that depression of 1995-97 was related to underlying HCV, I'll never know.
But I suppose, given my medical and psych history (depression, PTSD, and ADHD and just general COA issues) that I would be a candidate for an anti-dep with tx.
Given my history, doctors may be leery to put me on tx.
But would I take an anti-dep. to stop from experiencing the living hell of serious depression again? In a heartbeat.

RVA brings up a good point to keep in mind.
I would want to ask how any med would be affecting my liver.
With there being such a wide range of anti D meds, some I am sure are harder on the liver than others. There's not much point taking a med to ease the brain that also harms the liver that we are treating to help it.

Before tx, I was having a horrible time with my joints and my dr hesitated but gave me a rx for some anti inflammatory pills, but only for a short period of time, to get the inflammation under control. Since then, I have gone the non medical way to handle joint issues.
For any rx, be sure to ask what its effect will be on your liver.

I have the same as tatt. When I was put on anti d's I was either way up or way down..I can't tolerate it but I hear it is good for alot of people...Pam

I have never done Tx, it would do more harm than good, so I'm told...I am going to try Cymbalta in a couple weeks...Like someone said "this illness realy wears on your emotions"...I'm going to give it a try because I I have heard from so many people that it really worked well for them!!! Good Luck on your decision my friend...and let me know how it works for you and I'll do the same:)..hugs Janet