Aa
Post treatment symptoms
Each time I took interferon, it left me with Attention Deficit Disorder that was long lasting. Each treatment seemed to be additive. After my last treatment that ended in 2008, I ended up with full blown ADD that made me impulsive and seriously detracted me to the point that I could not read and process anything that was very detailed. I spent much of my career managing large software projects, so I was very lucky this didn't happen until after I retired.
I finally got so fed up that I went to see a psychopharmacologist. He prescribed Adderall and it has made a tremendous difference. My impulsiveness has disappeared and I can concentrate for long periods of time without getting distracted. I feel as I did before treating and I am even sleeping better and my memory has improved!
I want to share this experience in case anyone else has experienced ADD following treatment with SOC.
I finally got so fed up that I went to see a psychopharmacologist. He prescribed Adderall and it has made a tremendous difference. My impulsiveness has disappeared and I can concentrate for long periods of time without getting distracted. I feel as I did before treating and I am even sleeping better and my memory has improved!
I want to share this experience in case anyone else has experienced ADD following treatment with SOC.
You stated:
"strange a reasonable logical mind would know side effects start during treatment by definition - they may continue after treatment but they dont just pop up out of nowhere like you suggest -"
My response:
I thought we were discussing what actually HAPPENS to some of us after stopping tx, NOT what your 'logical' mind assumes happens...... The fact is, many people DO experience different and/or more intense symptoms AFTER stopping therapy...possibly due to complex systemic reactions to interferon, and its cessation after long term use. As MANY doctors have described to me over the past eight or so years, the long term, and permanent effects of interferon are still mostly little-understood, and the ways that our nervous system, immune system, and cellular reactions are altered, sometimes long term, or permanently, are still to be fully understood. Its not really a drug 'withdrawal' per se, as in 'addictive drugs', but is more an immune system modulator that can, in some or many people, change the ways that their bodies work for a long, long time. Many of the major teaching hospital are now fully aware that there are potential problems here, in a group of patients.
Rheumatologists are frequently getting referrals from patients in this group...though they do not seem to have many answers either yet. But, they ARE aware of the problems. I really disagree with the way that you, unilaterally, dismiss these real, and documented post-tx issues, as if you were either: a. a medical expert or professional in the field, or b. have done studies yourself to back up the 'logic' lurking behind your opinions. Hey, opinions are fine...just so you don't start thinking they are truth.
DoubleDose
"strange a reasonable logical mind would know side effects start during treatment by definition - they may continue after treatment but they dont just pop up out of nowhere like you suggest -"
My response:
I thought we were discussing what actually HAPPENS to some of us after stopping tx, NOT what your 'logical' mind assumes happens...... The fact is, many people DO experience different and/or more intense symptoms AFTER stopping therapy...possibly due to complex systemic reactions to interferon, and its cessation after long term use. As MANY doctors have described to me over the past eight or so years, the long term, and permanent effects of interferon are still mostly little-understood, and the ways that our nervous system, immune system, and cellular reactions are altered, sometimes long term, or permanently, are still to be fully understood. Its not really a drug 'withdrawal' per se, as in 'addictive drugs', but is more an immune system modulator that can, in some or many people, change the ways that their bodies work for a long, long time. Many of the major teaching hospital are now fully aware that there are potential problems here, in a group of patients.
Rheumatologists are frequently getting referrals from patients in this group...though they do not seem to have many answers either yet. But, they ARE aware of the problems. I really disagree with the way that you, unilaterally, dismiss these real, and documented post-tx issues, as if you were either: a. a medical expert or professional in the field, or b. have done studies yourself to back up the 'logic' lurking behind your opinions. Hey, opinions are fine...just so you don't start thinking they are truth.
DoubleDose
The steps are: anecdotal evidence, correlation then causation. There is enough evidence on this forum to establish correlation.
Adderol does not have serious side effects and it worked wonders on me. I don't see any harm in trying it if your doc agrees and you are miserable with post tx sx.
Adderol does not have serious side effects and it worked wonders on me. I don't see any harm in trying it if your doc agrees and you are miserable with post tx sx.
First, ADD can develop in adults.
The steps in any scientific theory start with anectdotalevidence
The steps in any scientific theory start with anectdotalevidence
Fortunately people today will not do anywhere near the amount of medication you took and most for much less time.
Coincidence you are having problems with all that medication.?..prolly not .
Hope anecdotally..things improve for you
Will
actually anectdotal add presents in childhood - but you can add it to your list for what thats worth
"Funny how a good number of us just 'coincidentally' seem to develop a boatload of nasty problems right after finishing tx." ------------- strange a reasonable logical mind would know side effects start during treatment by definition - they may continue after treatment but they dont just pop up out of nowhere like you suggest - if thats the case i recommend you get back on tx - maybe triple dose
"Funny how a good number of us just 'coincidentally' seem to develop a boatload of nasty problems right after finishing tx." ------------- strange a reasonable logical mind would know side effects start during treatment by definition - they may continue after treatment but they dont just pop up out of nowhere like you suggest - if thats the case i recommend you get back on tx - maybe triple dose
Make sure to add me to the "anecdotal" list on this issue. Pre-treatment lots of focus and ability to do complex tasks....post-treatment...scattered thinking, restlestness, memory problems, inattention to details, lack of ability to finish tasks without jumping into other things, total lack of focus....and just about all the other symptoms of ADD...or something eerily similar. Does "aging" cause ADD??? Really??? Not that I have ever read anywhere. Funny how a good number of us just 'coincidentally' seem to develop a boatload of nasty problems right after finishing tx. No matter what our age or past medical history. Now THAT really is a coincidence, isn't it??? Really???? Just call me Anecdotal........
DoubleDose
DoubleDose
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