How long do the effects of Ribaviron/Inferon last after treatment?

[Trying2BSupportive]

How long do the effects of Ribavirin and Interferon last after a person stops taking the medicine.  I have heard 6 months to a year.  Has anyone experienced very strange behavior..almost psychoic?  Saying and doing things that they do not normally do?  Not being rational, arguing all the time about things that can be avoided.  Staying away from loved ones.  Being tired all the time and mumbling incohertly, at odd time (which I assume is when he is tired).  My friend has been off the meds for about 4 - 5 months and I see some things getting better, but then some things not.  He seems to be working all the time and I think it could be because he is tired and finds it hard to concentrate, so it takes him longer.  He doesn't want his boss to know what is going on.  Someone please help me understand what he is going through.  You have helped me before and I appreciate it.  The symptoms just keeps changing, one gets better and then another happens.  He still doesn't remember everything and that is why things aren't good.  He is beginning to explain these things, but then I wonder if it is a crutch.  Thank you, I am just so confused.

[Kalio1]

Any drug treatment therapy carries risk. You have to weigh the risk of treating vs not treating, both carry risk. Remember a substantial portion of patients do not experience bad side effects, of course a substantial portion do but that doesn't mean you will.
Sure you will hear stories like the lady biting her husband or people having post treatment problems, the drugs are powerful. Yes some people do, but most don't.
It causes irritability and a short fuse, bad mood, etc. but you dont need to move out away from your family! You are right, just finding out you have it is depressing but the virus itself phisiologically contributes to you having depression also. Then the treatment drugs carry their own depression enhancing components.
The whole thing is depressing!

[merlino]

I am starting tx end of this week. I too went through a very difficult time when I was dx w/Hep C. I am very scared to start this poison and I know my life will probably never be the same but to rid my body and mind and soul of this disease it's worth the chance.

[Myown]

Bikeaddict said:

"I heard of a woman who was on tx and while watching tv with her husband leaned over and bit a chunk out of his arm, later having no recollection of it."


Really, really?? No way,,,can't take it,,I WAS having a good day,,,,getting pumped up and ready for tx,,,and then read this!!!????

My husband has hairy arms, maybe that will make then unappealing to me during tx. They look good hairy,but I don't like when I find hair in my food, so maybe,,,,

Please tell me she is the sister of Jeffrey Dalhmer or distant cousin or something.

Or is she a biker too?? That might explain it. Dem biker chicks are tough.

[GrandOak]

So if I go out and off a few individuals that I think desparately need it, I could claim riba-amnesia and walk?

Hmm, I wonder were some of those bullies who traumatized me in my youth are at today.........

[niceguy2007]

i have this thing against ADs cuz they have their own side effects.

  i think a homeopathic concoction with passiflora, avena sativa, acid phos., ginseng, etc. does it better.  hopefully you can get it alcohol free...try DOLISOS labs or schwabe labs from germany.  german and french homeopathic medicines are really good and they work.

[Algernon]

I'm relieved to hear this story of the guy who bit a chunk out of someone's arm.  Misery loves company.

I didn't bite anyone on TX (now off 16-17 weeks--proud to say I'm finally losing count) BUT my 3 year old standard poodle bit THREE people while I was on TX (he'd never bitten anyone before).  I had to hire a dog trainer (retired military, of course) and she's blaming my TX for his biting behavior.

So, there you go.