Aa
I NEED SOMEONE FEEDBACK PLEASE !
Hello All;
I finished my Interferon (Pegasus / Co-Pegasus 'Ribavirin") treatment on 12/28/08 2 weeks early due to kidney failure because of kidney stones in both kidneys. Needless to say my Doctor told me that it really shouldn't make a difference as I'm still UNDETECTABLE! That's the good news. I have my 3 month labs on 03/29/09 and the "BIG" 6 month "SVR" labs on 06/29/09 and I'm crossing my fingers that all will still be undetectable. Okay my question is this; now that I'm off the treatment I've gained at least 20 lbs and suffer from EXTREME INSOMNIA! My Doctor and I have tried everything, and recently he prescribed the strongest Xanax "bars" 2mg and I have to take 2 of those just to fall asleep an hour or so later. And then I only sleep for about 6 hours. Has anyone out there ever experienced "post treatment" ailments? I am also weening myself off of the pain killers I was on that whole 50 weeks (Vicoprophen). I feel miserable (not anything like the treatment symptoms grant you, thank GOD), but I just feel tight, stressed, un-able to sleep, depressed, ect....! What do you all think that have been thru treatment? Please respond!!!
Thank you,
billstrong1969
I finished my Interferon (Pegasus / Co-Pegasus 'Ribavirin") treatment on 12/28/08 2 weeks early due to kidney failure because of kidney stones in both kidneys. Needless to say my Doctor told me that it really shouldn't make a difference as I'm still UNDETECTABLE! That's the good news. I have my 3 month labs on 03/29/09 and the "BIG" 6 month "SVR" labs on 06/29/09 and I'm crossing my fingers that all will still be undetectable. Okay my question is this; now that I'm off the treatment I've gained at least 20 lbs and suffer from EXTREME INSOMNIA! My Doctor and I have tried everything, and recently he prescribed the strongest Xanax "bars" 2mg and I have to take 2 of those just to fall asleep an hour or so later. And then I only sleep for about 6 hours. Has anyone out there ever experienced "post treatment" ailments? I am also weening myself off of the pain killers I was on that whole 50 weeks (Vicoprophen). I feel miserable (not anything like the treatment symptoms grant you, thank GOD), but I just feel tight, stressed, un-able to sleep, depressed, ect....! What do you all think that have been thru treatment? Please respond!!!
Thank you,
billstrong1969
Okay my question is this; now that I'm off the treatment I've gained at least 20 lbs and suffer from EXTREME INSOMNIA!
Sorry Bill that 20 pound weight gain part is a lot more common than people think. I never weighed more than two pounds either way of my 'normal' number all of my adult life but as soon as treatment was over..............zing................zing...........those numbers just didn't want to stop going up.
Eventually however it DID level off. Now I gotta start working on losing ten of that 20 FAST!
Unfortunately yes the withdrawl from the perc could do that in addition to just the norm of your body going through such drastic changes. I still need the Ambien to sleep now...only get a few hours at a time still.
You'll level out eventually just hang in there and give it some time!
BOL on the SVR! :)
Sorry Bill that 20 pound weight gain part is a lot more common than people think. I never weighed more than two pounds either way of my 'normal' number all of my adult life but as soon as treatment was over..............zing................zing...........those numbers just didn't want to stop going up.
Eventually however it DID level off. Now I gotta start working on losing ten of that 20 FAST!
Unfortunately yes the withdrawl from the perc could do that in addition to just the norm of your body going through such drastic changes. I still need the Ambien to sleep now...only get a few hours at a time still.
You'll level out eventually just hang in there and give it some time!
BOL on the SVR! :)
Hey Bill, I can't add too much to the insomnia problem. (I am two months post and still take quarter to half a zoplicone, but am managing to sleep longer). Withdrawing from any meds should be a very very slow process.
But I wanted to say it's great to hear from you again and big congrats on still being UND; that is such awesome news and good luck with you 12 week tests :-)...
But I wanted to say it's great to hear from you again and big congrats on still being UND; that is such awesome news and good luck with you 12 week tests :-)...
SLOW weaning is key.
Ambian CR and remeron, it takes both for me to sleep, but these don't mess with my liver enzmes.
My pituitary stopped working which interferred with any stage 3-4 REM sleep...this is common for HCV patients. While you cannot get HGH for you pituitary unless very low, the Ambien will help with the GABA receptors in the brain, allowing it to shut down more easily. Remeron is a mild antidepressant that also aides sleep.
You may want to consider melatonin which the healthy liver naturally makes when light is deprived, which then causes sleep. Check with your hepatologist, it will depend on the state of your liver. If your liver is 3/4 gone this could be toxic but normally is not.
You do need a good source, preferably a made in US source. Naturals are getting very hard to trust now, especially with the further deregulation there is more abuse within dosages and in filler contaminates such as lead etc. Rule of thumb, made in china could spell trouble here.
I'd cut your pain dose in half, and then half again before going to just ibuprofen
long term:.
You might want to consider eventually aspirin as it has shown antifibrotic effects.
It does not thin the stomach wall and lead to more bulging bleeding veins and ascites, although you must take plenty of food/fluid with aspirin or it can cause stomach bleeding.
the problem with the ibuprofen and NSAIDs is they thin the stomach walls so much they account for much more of the internal fatal hemmoraging than any other class.
as to the xanax, again slow, or switch to a minute dose of ativan, weaker still
take LOTS of time getting off these, depression from exaustion, from the lingering healing still needing to occur. (much of our DNA being destoyed by the tx.)
the sword of Damacles of SVR hanging over us...everyone struggles with depression so the first few months should be a very gradual withdrawal if at all. If you are prone to depression, I would not even recommend doing that for at least a few months.
Certainly long term it's better for our liver to be off of all this stuff, but give yourself a little grace here. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor HCV destoyed, but it took time to adjust to the side effect with more drugs, and it will take time to adjust to life absent them.
Instant withdrawal from ANY pharmaceutical can be hazardous and even fatal.
To save few dollars, buy a pill cutter and let your monthly dose stretch for 2 months for a while. This is safe for all but the time released medications.
mb
.
Ambian CR and remeron, it takes both for me to sleep, but these don't mess with my liver enzmes.
My pituitary stopped working which interferred with any stage 3-4 REM sleep...this is common for HCV patients. While you cannot get HGH for you pituitary unless very low, the Ambien will help with the GABA receptors in the brain, allowing it to shut down more easily. Remeron is a mild antidepressant that also aides sleep.
You may want to consider melatonin which the healthy liver naturally makes when light is deprived, which then causes sleep. Check with your hepatologist, it will depend on the state of your liver. If your liver is 3/4 gone this could be toxic but normally is not.
You do need a good source, preferably a made in US source. Naturals are getting very hard to trust now, especially with the further deregulation there is more abuse within dosages and in filler contaminates such as lead etc. Rule of thumb, made in china could spell trouble here.
I'd cut your pain dose in half, and then half again before going to just ibuprofen
long term:.
You might want to consider eventually aspirin as it has shown antifibrotic effects.
It does not thin the stomach wall and lead to more bulging bleeding veins and ascites, although you must take plenty of food/fluid with aspirin or it can cause stomach bleeding.
the problem with the ibuprofen and NSAIDs is they thin the stomach walls so much they account for much more of the internal fatal hemmoraging than any other class.
as to the xanax, again slow, or switch to a minute dose of ativan, weaker still
take LOTS of time getting off these, depression from exaustion, from the lingering healing still needing to occur. (much of our DNA being destoyed by the tx.)
the sword of Damacles of SVR hanging over us...everyone struggles with depression so the first few months should be a very gradual withdrawal if at all. If you are prone to depression, I would not even recommend doing that for at least a few months.
Certainly long term it's better for our liver to be off of all this stuff, but give yourself a little grace here. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor HCV destoyed, but it took time to adjust to the side effect with more drugs, and it will take time to adjust to life absent them.
Instant withdrawal from ANY pharmaceutical can be hazardous and even fatal.
To save few dollars, buy a pill cutter and let your monthly dose stretch for 2 months for a while. This is safe for all but the time released medications.
mb
.
My guess is that you are going thru withdrawel from the treatment meds and from the Vicodin. I went thru a interferon withdrawel for 2 months. The zanax will alsa cause dependence very quickly. Try Ambien or something else.
Bobby
Bobby
Im post tx a couple of months now. I havent been able to sleep ,more than 2-3 hours either. I dont take anything beacuse nothing helps.
Im twisting and turning CONSTANTLY. I was never on pain meds..however I can tell by my body that tx has DEFINTELY affected my sleep. Along with pain in my legs and knees very bad. Never had this before??
Im hoping it will all go away soon.
Good luck in finishing tx and hoping this all goes away........
Takes time from what I hear..........
CHARM27
Im twisting and turning CONSTANTLY. I was never on pain meds..however I can tell by my body that tx has DEFINTELY affected my sleep. Along with pain in my legs and knees very bad. Never had this before??
Im hoping it will all go away soon.
Good luck in finishing tx and hoping this all goes away........
Takes time from what I hear..........
CHARM27
"Once again, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, the probability is high that it is a duck."
But If it walks like a turkey and is freezing cold what is it then?
But If it walks like a turkey and is freezing cold what is it then?
Would you look at your blood work and tell me how high was your uric acid? Give me like a couple months of uric acid levels. Mine is going high too.
Maybe you're seeing the wrong kind of doctor for your issues? Xanax isn't a sleep med, it's an anitianxiety medication. You've gotten through the worst of it, interferon combo therapy, Now it's time to return to a normal life.
Insomnia, depression and substance dependency problems fall into the realm of mental health. Get your Docs to give you a referal to a psychiatrist. He or she can help you resolve the residual issues. Be happy, you slew the Dragon
Insomnia, depression and substance dependency problems fall into the realm of mental health. Get your Docs to give you a referal to a psychiatrist. He or she can help you resolve the residual issues. Be happy, you slew the Dragon
I too suffer from Insomnia. Tried every sleeping pill imaginable. The only one that worked and knocked me out for 9 hours straight was Ambien CR. This is the time-release Ambien that will keep putting it's effect over a prolonged period of time. Regular Ambien will knock you out, but after 4 hours, the effect will be gone. Ask your doctor. Good luck...
Magnum
Magnum
I agree with Trin and others, who are very knowledgeable.
Bill: "am also weening myself off of the pain killers I was on that whole 50 weeks (Vicoprophen)."
When you say wean, you do mean you're tapering off, i.e., stepping down the Vicoprofen gradually? I'm sure you would be but am also thinking that maybe you were forced to stop all at once due to kidney failure?
Did the doctor give you an explanation for your kidney failure? Was it caused by the Vicoprofen?
I know this is advice-lite for such a serious situation but would some moderate exercise early in the day and not eating too much in the evening help you sleep a bit better?
I wish you strength in seeing through these post-tx issues, so you can enjoy your hard-won victory.
Bill: "am also weening myself off of the pain killers I was on that whole 50 weeks (Vicoprophen)."
When you say wean, you do mean you're tapering off, i.e., stepping down the Vicoprofen gradually? I'm sure you would be but am also thinking that maybe you were forced to stop all at once due to kidney failure?
Did the doctor give you an explanation for your kidney failure? Was it caused by the Vicoprofen?
I know this is advice-lite for such a serious situation but would some moderate exercise early in the day and not eating too much in the evening help you sleep a bit better?
I wish you strength in seeing through these post-tx issues, so you can enjoy your hard-won victory.
Tramadol (ULTRAM®) Warning.
Another " non-addictive" drug bites the dust.
Ca,
Pulled this off the net. There are other articles as well stating tramadol is addictive and you should not stop taking it suddenly. They recommend gradually reducing dosage to avoid withdrawl symptoms.
Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, manufacturer of the " non-addictive" drug Tramadol (ULTRAM®) sent out a warning letter to U.S. physicians on March 20th, 1996. This new and expensive pain-killer was supposed to have been non-addictive, despite the fact that it works in the brain at the same place as all other opiates. Several million prescriptions later, actual experience differed from limited laboratory trials. The manufacturer now is advising physicians of this drug's potential for dependence, withdrawal and abuse.
Once again, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, the probability is high that it is a duck.
Another " non-addictive" drug bites the dust.
Ca,
Pulled this off the net. There are other articles as well stating tramadol is addictive and you should not stop taking it suddenly. They recommend gradually reducing dosage to avoid withdrawl symptoms.
Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, manufacturer of the " non-addictive" drug Tramadol (ULTRAM®) sent out a warning letter to U.S. physicians on March 20th, 1996. This new and expensive pain-killer was supposed to have been non-addictive, despite the fact that it works in the brain at the same place as all other opiates. Several million prescriptions later, actual experience differed from limited laboratory trials. The manufacturer now is advising physicians of this drug's potential for dependence, withdrawal and abuse.
Once again, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, the probability is high that it is a duck.
Sounds more like you're on the wrong benzo' than opiate/opioid withdrawl. It's amazing how many docs still Rx Xanax and Valium for sleep, when Ambien has a much more appropiate efects/sx profile.
I was on tramadol for my headache during tx stopped them same day as riba maybe i suffer from withdrawl from them, just a thought, thx for tip trin and jd.
I tend to agree with Trinity. Your experiencing withdrawal from the Vicoprophen and the tx meds. One of the symptoms of quitting Vico is insomnia.
That is a very high dosage of Xanax. Be very careful with it, for it is also highly addictive and you will have to be wheened of them as well.
Did you develop kidney stones due to tx? Do you happen to recall if your uric acid was high during tx?
Praying you are still UND--Good luck.
That is a very high dosage of Xanax. Be very careful with it, for it is also highly addictive and you will have to be wheened of them as well.
Did you develop kidney stones due to tx? Do you happen to recall if your uric acid was high during tx?
Praying you are still UND--Good luck.
As Trinity suggest, you might look to your Vicoprophen withdrawal as potentially the primary cause of your insomnia. You mention a withdrawal schedule but maybe it needs to be tweaked. Don't really know if Xanax is the right rx to help withdrawal and you might want to research that more on your own or get another consult. But what I do know is that Xanax is also addictive and can have its own set of withdrawal problems so you really want to make sure your doctor knows what he's doing. But in answer to your question, "yes", many here have experienced post treatment symptons and if you check out the "Health Page" section of this forum you will see a health page devoted to the post treatment symptoms of many of our members. Weight gain, btw, is a common one that I experienced personally as the interferon seems to muck around with our metabolism. Hope you feel better soon.
-- Jim
-- Jim
I agree with Trinity, this sounds a lot like withdrawal It takes some time to feel normal again even without the narcotics issue, and you have to give it time. Best of luck.
jd
jd
Weening yourself off of the Hydrocodone can cause insomnia. Your body has been accustomed to the narcotic for a many weeks and it will take some time for it to adjust without it.
"tight, stressed, un-able to sleep, depressed" are all associated with withdrawl. Don't know what dosage you were taking but 50 weeks is a long time and the body physically becomes dependent on a narcotic regardless of dosage if you take them over a long period of time.
Not saying ending tx isn't adding to your discomforts but perhaps the combination of weening off the hydrocodone and stopping tx your body is going through tremendous changes. Even though the Xanax takes the edge off, it's not the same chemical and won't give you the relief. Give yourself a little more time to adjust and hopefully you will feel better.
Best to you,
Trinity
"tight, stressed, un-able to sleep, depressed" are all associated with withdrawl. Don't know what dosage you were taking but 50 weeks is a long time and the body physically becomes dependent on a narcotic regardless of dosage if you take them over a long period of time.
Not saying ending tx isn't adding to your discomforts but perhaps the combination of weening off the hydrocodone and stopping tx your body is going through tremendous changes. Even though the Xanax takes the edge off, it's not the same chemical and won't give you the relief. Give yourself a little more time to adjust and hopefully you will feel better.
Best to you,
Trinity
I have had simular problems i took my last riba 121008.
Have had very depressed thoughts on and of.
I had three bright days last week and its getting better the insomnia has been much better the last weeks.
Also have had kneepain I didn´t had during tx and another kind of tiredness.
After my first txwhich was was only for 24 weeks and with lesser riba and interferon between 3- 4 months post I felt better stronger than in +20 years although I relapsed.
I guess its gonna take a bit longer this time since i did double tx time.
So Bill keep your mood up we gonna be fine both you and me and younger than ever
we`ll just have to be patient.
Best wishes.
ca
Have had very depressed thoughts on and of.
I had three bright days last week and its getting better the insomnia has been much better the last weeks.
Also have had kneepain I didn´t had during tx and another kind of tiredness.
After my first txwhich was was only for 24 weeks and with lesser riba and interferon between 3- 4 months post I felt better stronger than in +20 years although I relapsed.
I guess its gonna take a bit longer this time since i did double tx time.
So Bill keep your mood up we gonna be fine both you and me and younger than ever
we`ll just have to be patient.
Best wishes.
ca
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