Long-term side effects

[Freedom50]

I finished IFN tx on Dec 31 1995... 19 years ago.  I am free of HCV but I too have long term side effects.  It startedwith pain in joints and fatigue.  After a couple of years I could no longer work due to what I later found out was multiple chemical sensitivities.  They were severe.  I stayed home for over 10 years and completely eliminated fragrances and other products with VOCs from my life.  Slowly over years of avoidance I felt like I was getting better. (I was turned down for Sadi and humiliated). I tried to find a career that I could do with my limitations so I went back to college and got a degree.  As I said... About 5 years post treatment I began to get pitting edema along withasthma which developed within a year or two of tx end.  It is debilitating andafter beingback to work for 1.5 years I am becoming worse again and fear whether I will be able to continue.  I wish someone would sponsor a study and find some help for all of us.  I am thankful to bealive but I am tired of feeling as if I have a "psychological" problem because I am having health issue that
are unexplained.  hang in there everyone!  Pray for research for this disease that Boone wants to research since " it is not killing anyone"

[Idyllic]

I am concerned about your pitting edema. Pitting edema means there is too much fluid overload on the body.  This is a potentially serious matter that is often a symptom of an underlying medical condition. It could relate to the heart, kidneys, liver or perhaps too much sodium in the diet.

I cannot speak to your belief that that your pitting edema is tied to your use of Interferon years ago but I encourage you to have it evaluated either way. Here is a link that explains it (along with more causes) in greater detail:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003103.htm

Here is a quick video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnx8F8Xsb4w

http://wikieducator.org/images/f/f7/Pittingoedema.jpg

[working dog]

i wonder did a doctor tell you you had multiple chemical sensitivites....i believe it can happen i just haven't heard that yet

[Dee1956]

Hi, I saw that this post was on the very long post that has now been closed, it began with Melville's wife.  She continues to have severe problems

I wanted to say hello.  There are other people on here who have had long term problems after treating.  Perhaps they will stop by and share what they have done to improve their health

Idylic had a good take on it on another post and that was to try to take care of the problems individually to see if you can get any help for each one

I am so sorry that you are experiencing long term side effects.

I wish you well