hub's side effects - physical or mental?

[juli4591]

good morning to everyone, and thanks for taking the time to read my post.  My husband is in week three of triple therapy with incivek.  He's had issues with rash, (which is currently under control ) as well as tiredness, shortness of breath,etc - a lot of things that seem to pop up and change daily and that many of you have posted about. My biggest concern is that he feels like this treatment is poisoning him and that it is going to kill him before the hepC does.  He treated once before with interferon/riba and responded well but relapsed.
Have any of you experienced this overwhelming feeling that you won't survive the treatment? This morning he had a very difficult time taking the Incivek, almost feeling that is was suicidal to take the pills. He is 58, has early cirrhosis but never had any symptoms/side effects from the hepc. He is taking welbutrin 2x a day as part of his regimen.If anyone can offer an encouraging word or advice I would surely appreciate it.  This is such a scary process, and how can you know what to be alarmed about and what to try to work through? Thanks.

[juli4591]

Thanks so much for telling me of your experiences - it is very helpful to read what others have been through and know that there will be a finite time for these side effects! Hub is concentrating on remembering that the meds aren't the enemy; the virus is.  He's also been busy the last day or so planning some new musical projects and is finding that having a goal other than making it through the side effects does wonders.  His interferon shot is Mon night - after reading here we'll be more cognisant of thecorrelation between it and the nasty side effects.  Thank God research is progressing so rapidly - there is still hope if this goes bust.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

[Walkingshadow]

Hello there,

I am about the same age as your husband also have only mild cirrhosis that was asymptomatic (or nearly so). I am about half way through a 48-week tx course (ribavirin/incivek/interferon; serotype 1a, undetectable at 4 weeks and 16 weeks).

I found the 12 weeks of Incivek to be the worst part. I think the interferon sometimes makes me somewhat mentally/emotionally unstable, and I think the Incivek made this worse. The Incivek also seemed to worsen just about all the side effects.  

I think your husband's mental and emotional outlook will improve dramatically once the Incivek is completed, but he probably won't immediately bounce back to his normal self (I haven't at least).

Keep in mind that there are better solutions coming online over the next few years, and as I understand it, these are largely directed at those who have not attained SVR or have relapsed (i.e., treatment failures). The doctors I have talked to about this expect that in 2 or 3 years time, nobody will be taking interferon injections, and probably not Incivek either.

Keep the faith.

[juli4591]

Thank you - that would be most helpful!

[rivll]

There have been a number of posts in the past by people post incivek where they describe increased anxiety. Apparently, it does level of within a few weeks. I will try to find the links and send them to you.

[juli4591]

thanks Advocate1955. Hub was on an ssri the last time he was on treatment ( sertraline), and doesn't want to go on it again. it helped with the symptoms but made him feel sort of zombie-like.  I'm beginning to see that like the side effects the treatments for them are different in everyone.  Whew - what a rollercoaster ride.  hub is better again today, and  I'm keeping a few notes for the dr - maybe he could use an anti-anxiety med for the first couple of days after interferon.   I really think he is having the mental side effects from the interferon - different than last time when the riba seemed to take him down.  

[Advocate1955]

Juli, I'm not a doctor.  I think Welbutrin is an OK antidepressant for treatment, but it may just not be the right one, or may just not be enough for your hubby. It is normal for people who are doing treatment to feel really sick for a day or two right after the injection.  That is due to the side effects of Interferon.  And Interferon can cause anger, irritability, depression, anxiety, etc.  I would definitely get in touch with the doctor and ask if it would be helpful to either switch the Welbutrin for something else, or add something else to the Webutrin.  My husband was on Welbutrin for a short time during treatment, and it just wasn't a good med for him.  It made him feel "funny", so she switched him to Citalopram.  There are so many choices of ADs and anti anxiety meds, so talk to the doctor.  Your hubby doesn't need to struggle this much with the psychological side effects when there are so many options.
Advocate1955