Post treatment symptoms

[Andiamo1]

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.

[Andiamo1]

You have a good point.  I assumed it was cumulative IFN, but it could very well be age.  There is no way for me to know.  I don't plan on staying on Adderal for a long time.  After a day on it, most all my symptoms have disappeared  and I feel as I did before I treated.

I am hopeful that I can train my brain to go back to the old way of thinking, but who knows?  I will find out within a month when I stop taking the drug.  There is no taper required, since it is not habit forming.

[Chrisann144]

hey its been a while since my last post! well my bf is 16 weeks post tx. and is still dealing with the side effects unfortunatly the hep c came back two weeks after he finished tx. he still has no energy brain fog dizzyness just not feeling like he did prior to tx he is very frustrated! he is now saying he doesnt know if he will do tx again! i told him i will support him in whatever decision he makes....it was one of the most difficult things to watch and be totally powerless....any suggestions as what he can do or take to feel better? i know the sides can possibly be permanent! :(

[working dog]

eric....i have to wonder how much age has to do with some of the symptoms we get...i'll be starting tx in a couple weeks ...... kids at school use adderall quite a lot for testing...i'm glad your doing better ....good luck and thanks for the info....billy

[willing]

thanks for the helpful update - I'll file that away for my recover/rebuild stage. This confirms my russian-roulette/box-of-chocolates view of ifn. You never know what surprises you take home from the party. Good to know  about specific remedies, where available.

[mremeet]

Thanks for the info Andiamo. I've always suffered from some measure of ADD, although it seems to have lessened with age. Interesting to hear about the Adderall, sounds like Ritalin for grownups. I looked it up and apparently it's an amphetamine. Wasn't that one of the original "mothers' little helpers" from the 60's? I'd be worried about getting hooked and also being a potent stimulant, causing or exacerbating high blood pressure.

[Andiamo1]

Thanks for the link.