TOPIC:

Roughly Europe
What helped you?

Hi Hope,

Great news to hear that your GP, psychologist and friend are all supportive.

Other than Dr Freeman perhaps you could try contacting: monkmed.com
While they are acting as FixHepC's support for the Redemption trials my understanding is that they are an international internet medical provider in their own right. The comments I am seeing on here from Redemption trial participants seem to be complimentary about their knowledge regarding HCV and other medical matters. They may be prepared to provide support and guidance to you regarding treatment with oversight by your GP.

Many of us on treatment including myself have noticed a considerable reduction in anxiety/depression, etc within a few weeks of commencing treatment. Was the HCV causing some of these issues, or is it just the improved physical wellness that is buoying us up? I don't know the answer to that but whatever it is the effect is real and noticeable.

The Doctor I saw and still seeing encouraged me ,There were two previous treatments where the Virus had returned this is my 3rd attempt but these new meds are so much better and I was sick tired of feeling crook had to do something and I'm really glad I did reflux and stomach problems seem to have gone anxiety virtually gone still worry from time to time I think I could notice I was getting better a few days in to treatment or maybe it was that I was doing something positive .

Hi Hope.
Look into MonkMed they are a group of Doctors helping HCV patients other members on here will know more about them you just need a bit reassuring by a Doctor.

Wayne,
Good to hear you are on the mend. My laundry list of complaints has been reduced now to age-related issues- bad knee, etc. My violent reflux resolved itself about week three.
Good Luck!

On treatment fears, phobias, stress and anxieties:
They are mental conditions that can profoundly affect you physical well-being. They can be successfully treated. The main thing is to find a realing caring doctor. I have one in Arkansas.
I know another in Hobart.
Book an appointment with GP2U. Tell Dr. Freeman your situation. Things will take a turn for the better after that.
Mike

Hi mgalbrai.
I'm just over half way Sof Dac Riba 24 weeks at present undetected Hope lives in Europe and is having trouble taking the first step Hope sourced the Meds with the help of Greg J.
I suggested Dr James or possibly Monk Med

Thanks guys, I most certanly will talk to Dr.F next week.
So glad that we have this opportunity and also for this forum, Dr.F and Greg...they seemed to turned the world into a better place for us...

Hi Hope,

To use Poker terminology, I see your anxiety, and raise you with depression.

Both my parents passed away in the last 5 years. Neither died a quick painless death. I was extremely close to them. It left me very depressed and bewildered for years.

I started treatment on 1/15/16, and I realize now that a lot of my depression and anxiety manifested from "brain fog" from Hep C. I've been able to come to terms with their deaths in just the last 3 weeks.

I am F0, so I have been lucky to have virtually no liver damage from this disease. But what I now realize is I have suffered for many years with "brain paralysis" where my judgment and ability to make sound decisions, and cope with stress have been really compromised.

I have a great GP, who many years ago told me to limit my stress as I would have difficulty dealing with it . How true!

So, my message to you my friend is your anxiety is caused by this horrible illness. You can't think clearly right now!

Just take the meds and have faith in your new, bright future! Life is waiting for you

Hi Hope, hey I finished my meds last weekend, 12 weeks, sofosbuvir and dacltasvir. Before things were as ironed out here as they are now, getting them to the US thru mail was a little iffy, so i said F. IT, and went to Sydney, rented a car, drove on the wrong side of the road and went thru the roundabouts on the wrong damn side and walked into Kingswood and picked up my medicine....Know what I did then? I ate my first ones up right then and there and never looked back since. No sides (other than a few weird dreams and insomnia) clear at 4 , clear at 8 and im hoping and expect to be clear at 12 when i get the results. Lots of things have improved, like Mike said, reflux...not a big issue anymore (other things better too)

You got the meds in your hand, you didnt' have to go to Australia to get them? for gods sake take them and get better like the rest of us have done and are doing.

good luck, you'll be fine.

Hi
I have suffered extreme chronic anxiety/panic/depression complet stress intolerance for years
which I found St John's Wort worked really well for me to counter effects & double dose under stress situations.
BUT cannot be taken with Harvoni or other HCV treatment.
I found I was going down rapidly when I stopped St Johns' & started treatment.
This became extreme with any stress & especially when my treating specialist doctor refused the authority form to get a viral load check done at 8 weeks to see if working so I could reduce my anxiety & perhaps recommence St John's when treatment completed
Or if needed further weeks of treatment to plan to limit my activities & reduce anything which may cause me stress.
Finally with GP's help managed to get a viral load test at 9 weeks & my stress has reduced & other symptoms subsided somewhat,
Now only 10 days to finish & so far no virus detected., I found my stress reduced .
I also had Hypothyroid condition which blood tests show has almost resolved itself.
So hoping the anxiety stress & brain fog all improve or resolve once treatment complete & make waiting for the 12 week post treatment test to see if showing negative for antibodies. alot less stressful.
Things that helped were Magnesium supplement & vit D. Also Pain medication is OK on treatment which I take for arthritis & recently shattered wrist & it also has calming effect & helps to assist sleep.
I would recommend starting as I'm sure alot of your symptoms like mine will be helped or resolved by treatment.
Maybe your GP can suggest a temporary stand by if you need it . Just 12 weeks to get through & you may be a new you ! Good Luck

I also relate to those of you with long-term chronic depression and anxiety. I've been on antidepressants and other meds for many years. Herbal supplements were never enough to deal with the severity of my condition. I'm a big believer in using alternative therapies but also recognise the need for conventional medicine too, so I balance the two.

I'm in week 4 and have definitely noticed a reduction in my usual persistent low grade anxiety and agitation. I have had no change in my depression levels, in fact I've really been having some lows and very 'teary'. I also still have high anxiety episodes but they are resolving quicker than usual.
I'm taking Magnesium chelate (combo form), vitamin B Complex (slow release), Calcium + Vit. D and Omega 3. If I'm having bleeding gums, bruising etc I take a Vit C + zinc boost. I also use Essential oils, Bach's Rescue Remedy and Australian Bush Flower Remedies.
I've really noticed the difference in the past if I stop the Magnesium - really bad cramping and muscle spasms, especially legs at night; feeling 'stressed out' and generalised high anxiety.

I understand your feelings of anxiety over starting Tx, Hope, because you can't know how you will respond and you need to know you will have support from a caring Dr who will monitor you. Glad people have pointed you in the right direction regarding GP2U- Dr Freeman; also maybe you might need prescribed meds to help you through. You could try sub-lingual, liquid or spray forms of Tissue Salts like magnesium or anxiety blends to help with acute anxiety episodes, since you have a history of using alternative therapies.

Wishing you all the best on your journey and know that you are not alone and popping in here will remind you of that

Hey guys and girls, a big thank you.
I'm starting the TX on 23.2. - I've calculated that regarding my next blood tests at my against-generics hepC DR. wich I have in March, so I'll start 4 weeks sooner. That way I'll save a bit on tests wich I will have to pay on my own from then on.
I'll be most definetly post here how I'm doing...I really wish that after taking the meds, I will get better not worse

all the best to all of you here and around he world!

Happy for you Hope!
Just remember we are with you on this. We are all with you.
Mike

what mike said Hope...we are in fact all pulling for you, you'll be fine.
This stuff works, amazingly well...things usually just don't work this good, but this seems to be doing the job.

good to have you aboard.

Hi Hope, just read your thread, wishing you a great tx. Yes I have anxiety, I take Medicine for it when necessary, and it is okay when on my sof/led ...before this DAA med I was needing it, in the past few days a fair bit of anxiety suddenly hit, I couldn't feel my legs yesterday and my breathing....well you clearly know the signs, and when I went to take a tablet, the bottle is still almost full...so, I agree with so many things that others have said here. I am also around the same day as Chejai, I think we are Day 29 There are a few headaches and some small side effects I had, and each time a little issue has arisen, I have popped up a quick note on my own thread and found help comes. Congrats on starting out, it is amazing the feeling when the pills arrive and you pop the first one/s in and just wow, a release really lifts from the brain...years of worry I guess. so, not to go on too much because many friends have already said what I could, but well wishes from me here in Oz, keep us posted on how you go, Hugs form Ariel