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Long, long term side effects from Hep C tx

I’m so happy I came across this forum.  I see that I am not alone in my experience.  Like many here, I suffer from long term side effects from my one year, combo (peg & ribo) tx in 2003 at Kaiser Permanente.  I am blessed… my tx cleared the virus, but it is a mixed blessing, because my quality of life has never been the same.   During the treatment, I became so violently ill my doctor took me off the tx for 2 weeks at the 6 mos. Mark, because I was so sick and emotionally unstable.   I didn’t want to have gone through the hell of the first 6 mos. and not finish, with a chance of clearing after 1 year, so I pulled it together as best I could to finish the year.  I was not warned about any of this prior to treatment, and had no idea what I was in for, and there was NO “Black Box” warning on any of my tx meds. I was able to work ½ days for the first 2 mos, or so, but then became totally dysfunctional and unable to go outside the house, let alone work.  For the remainder of the tx, I could make it until about 11am each day and then was in bed shaking violently for the rest of the day and most of the night.  I could sleep only a few hours a night, and as the treatment continued the side effects got worse. I experienced severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, insomnia, and some degree of psychosis.  I had never experienced any of these psychiatric illnesses prior to the tx. I was under constant psychiatric care and was prescribed every anti-depressant made, in max doses, in a vain attempt to control these symptoms.  I was also given numerous non-addictive, anti-anxiety medications.  I was also given very low doses of tranquilizers, which did help, but because of the (addict) stigma attached to having contracted the disease, the doses I received were too low to be effective for the awful panic and anxiety I was experiencing. I lost 50 lbs and was a pale grey in color.  I now suffer from PTSD, severe depression, anxiety and panic attacks. It has been eight years of this.  I still take multiple psychiatric meds, and I’m able to function at work and home, but that is the extent of it…  I am able to function.  The panic and anxiety I experience on the job has dramatically impaired my ability to  excel.  I know that not everyone has suffered or will suffer this much, but some may and should, at least, know that long-term trauma and dysfunction is indeed a possible “side effect”!  Is anyone else out there experiencing similar long-term side effects from this tx?
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148588 tn?1465778809
The black box warning has been on the treatment meds since at least 2002, including a large print version I received from the manufacturers before I ever received my first shipment of Peg-Intron.
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Avatar universal
I am really sorry to hear that. Like said before 'you got more than your share of side effects'. Having a strong heart & faith & more positive attitude& never give up spirit, and the better days will be there for sure!!

Best wishes
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1491755 tn?1333201362
Sorry to hear this and I feel for you. May better days be ahead.
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Avatar universal
I am sorry to hear about your experience. These drugs are strong and everyone is different. It sounds like you got more than your share of side effects. You really had a hard time but managed to get throught it. Having beaten hep c may insure that you have a future you might not have had otherwise. Everytime I think of the side effects I have and the fact that maybe some will not go away I think of those folks on this site that need and are waiting for a liver transplant or who have had one that are really having a hard time. This doesn't minimize what you have gone through, just reminds me that beating hep c really matters. Take care and please keep us posted on how you are doing.
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Avatar universal
Sorry to hear that you had a terrible experience treating. Hopefully with more time things will get better.

Thanks for mentioning at end of your post that what happen to you is out of the norm. Although most people suffer some symptoms they are no where near what you went through.
Best of luck
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