Is there any older people

[salvo]

I'm over 60 and this is the third time I'm doing this trial.I have type 1 and the first time and second, I guess it didn't work after 6 months each.I'm in my 13 week now with shot and pills that I take twice a day and one pill for my platelets.I dont know if its my age but it seems like I cant handle this much more.I also have lynchen planis, face, chest, back,and now legs and my mouth dont feel quite the same.I'm scratching  my legs all the time and am wondering what else is going to happen.I just want to know if there is anybody like me with the same symptoms, or is it just me?, I can tell you one thing, it seems like the chit hits the fan all the time now and I feel depressed.Need to know if there are any middle aged doing this and feeling this way? Thanks

[SeiserL]

Just 58. AARP
In 4th week.

[bellablu3]

Hi ....I am in your age bracket.  Just turned 56 and I have turned to alternative therapies after reading about the side effects and treatment outcomes for the 1a (hardest to cure).

After a year of alternative meds, including ALA intravenous and spending down my retirement I am happy to say I am symptom free.    The symptoms Included horrific body and upper quad (liver area) bloating and pain.  Lots of pain  and side effects, too many to list in a short answer.  

My enzymes are still higher than normal and will monitor for the rest of my life, but I feel well enough to return to work in a couple of months after I work on the stress through yoga and strength training in order to return to a physically demanding job.

Hope this helps.....

[pigeonca]

I treated at age 63.  Geno 2, stage 2, grade 2.  Had dreadful sides, was pulled off tx after 13 weeks (12 of riba and one extra week of INF alone).  Result: SVR.

My advice is to see a good dermatologist.  There are prescription remedies for the skin stuff that are way more effective than over the counter creams.  Best of luck to you.

pigeon

[portann]

I don't know if age plays a role or not, but I'm almost in the 60+ club, going on 59. I don't have the itch so far (week 29/48), but it would drive me nuts. I was such a terrible chickenpox patient, my late mom told me.

I used to take showers and wash my hair every day but now I only do it once a week. It keeps my skin better hydrated.

Many people here take anti-depressants and many doctors automatically start their patients on them. I don't take them and am managing all right in the happy department so far but wouldn't hesitate if there were a downturn.

The thing I hate is how tired I feel and how I've put my life on hold. Sometimes I can't tell if I'm in a coma or not!

[epiphiny]

Hi there,

I am in my late 40's and I have ALL the same symptoms from txing that you have related!  Me thinks it is the meds rather than your age.  However, I don't know if age makes things worse or not.

All I really wanted to say is that you are not alone, my friend :)

Btw, I am also on Anti-depressants and I find them very helpful in dealing with the interferon related depression.

All the best to you.

Epi :)

[lapis]

Hi,

I am 55 years young, first time txing, and hope it's the last of course!  I'm 1b, only in wk 8 of tx and the itching so far happens for me mostly at night but it's not the worst part.  The roughest symptoms for me to manage are gastrointestinal and anemia as well as the mood changes.  I have a history of depression and started an antidepressant after the first week of tx, it has really helped.  It's kinda funny, I had changed my lifestyle and worked really hard to eliminate any unnecessary drugs, now my bathroom cabinet is like a freaking pharmacy!!  LOL  But I just feel that it's important for me to get through this, and if it takes more medicine to treat all the sides of the drugs, that's just the way it is for now.

Just wanting to offer support.  This is the one place where I can come and complain and feel really good about it, cause people here understand!!!  Hang in there, I believe it will be worth it all to get to SVR!!  Let me know if I can help.  

[GrandmaBRZ]

Hi Salvo,

Just got a message from Can Do Man.  I am more than happy to share with you.  

I just completed 72 weeks of tx.  First time.  It was rough but doable.  I itched like crazy and don't know if I had (haave) lynchen planus but looking it up it appears I might have.  I did go to a dematologist about the itching and rash and he gave me fluoxinide which helped almost overnight.  I still use  Gold Bond and Eucerin, however, the itching has almost disappeared.

I am 1B, compensated cirrhosis.  I was diagnosed in 2000 but did nothing until 2007.  I was on Pegasys, Ribasphere and Procrit.  It was a hard road but I am so glad I did it.   I felt it worth it to give myself the opportunity. I don't know if it would have been any easier if I had been younger.  I had no energy, sleeping was difficult, depressed but took lexapro, and of course, the itching drove me nuts..  Since I have completed tx, I am finding I have a life again and am feeling like my old (new?) self again.

Please feel frree to contact me anytime and hope I can be of some help.  We 60+ year olds must stick together!  Best of everything to you.

Jen

Most likely got the disease from my 60's and 70's lifestyle but that is in the past and can stay there.

[zazza]

You must be in the Eltrombopag trial? I haven't seen many in it here at the forum, but I am following it with interest since I have a friend who will not be able to treat unless Eltrombopag is approved. I wish you luck and hope you can find a way to endure the side effects so you can continue treating.

[can-do-man]

While there are others, one that comes to mind is GrandmaBRZ, i think she just finished and is a young 68........ Goodluck

cando