Severe Depression? HELP...Please!

[19Dragon52]

Does anyone in here know if Chronic Hep C causes depression?  I am not taking treatment but it seems that more days than not I just want to lay down and not wake up.  I have been diagnosed with manic-depression for years and never felt this way (maybe only at the beginning before my medication took affect).  Today seems more horrible than most.  My"Psych" is only good for delegating my meds.  He has referred me to a counselor for Evaluation but I don't see her until next week.  I feel like I'm only hanging on by a thin string, today.

[Susieque]

Joyce, I am so very sorry I do not have the answer to your question.  I know that treatment can cause depression from mild to severe, but not informed enough about the actual symptoms of the disease.  There are a lot of people who post that are much more informative than I.  If you need a friend, you are welcome to e-mail me at Susieque258@aol.com and I will be glad to correspond with you.  

[Jackie]

Joyce, call the dr back first thing in the morning ok? Promise. They need to know this to be able to help you. Like Susie said, if you need to talk we are here.

Just knowing you have an illness that is serious like this can depress the best of us that have no history of depression. It is nothing to take lightly, I'm not implying you are, but do not wait til next week.

Hugs!

Jackie

[19Dragon52]

Thank You, both of you girls!  I am sooooo wiped out!  I did mention this to the counselor when I spoke to her earlier.  She said she would call me if a cancellation came in.  I appreciated that as I have not seen her at all, yet. :-/

For today I just curled up on the couch and fell asleep after a good hard cry.  I just can't figure it out unless it's time to change my meds for the bi-polar.

A friend of mine let me stay with her over the weekend and I was doing good.  My husband and family have been acting like they're real stupid regarding any of this.  They don't seem to care at all.  I don't think they're capable of caring.  Sometimes I just don't care but at other times it hurts.

I'll keep you posted as to what I find out just FYI, okay?  Thanks for your E-mail address Susieque and I have Jackie's "IM" name.  

[Jackie]

Hey if you click on my name to the left my email address , as anyone here, will come up. I get mine at work and home so anytime!!

Maybe it is your meds needing adjusted. Dont write off the family yet.   Sometimes we all have a problem of being selfish and butts when we do not understand or can help.

take care.......

[alley]

Joyce,
Depression is a symptom of Hepatits C.  You have a double wammy with your bi-polar condition and meds, please get your self in to your dr.  And remember if you are confused by how you are feeling, your family is probably confused also.  They may appear not to "care" but they do.  I have lived with people that are depressed and it is really hard to know how to help them.  Hang in there and come here lots, we will try to be here for you.
Alley

[Patti]

Hi Joyce, hang in here with us. Before I was Dx with HCV my almost ex-husband thought I had bi-polar disorder but it turned out to be the HCV making me feel bad. I was doing the menopause thing at this time also and just wanted to crawl into my hole with no interest of coming out EVER. I felt that the people near and dearest to me just didn't understand or know what I was going through. My wonderful man bought me a library of books to read on HCV - remember, information is your weapon - and after reading them I passed them around the family to read, leaving a few on tables after a visit. I gave them internet sights to read and also told them if they have any questions to come here and ask, ask, ask and ask some more. My two girls, after two years, have learned a lot about HCV and a lot about their Mom. I think they were in denial that Mom had this dreadful, possibly deadly virus because I was very healthy and active.  Show your family patience (sometimes this is hard) but make sure they know where to find info. Show them how to log on to this family.
And Joyce, I almost lost a brother due to depression, so if things get way too much for you, call your friend, talk with one of us here, call your Dr. or go to a hospital, or dial 911. You are in my prayers. I know it is hard sometimes but keep smiling, it looks great on you. Take care.
Patti

[willy]

Joyce:  I don't know much about depression.  I can pass on a few things that I've read and heard.  Many people are depressed from having this disease WITHOUT being on TX, being bi-polar, having family problems and having the shock of one more thing go wrong .  If you were not feeling terrible you would have to be a GOD or superhuman.  It is possible that any one of the things that are depressing you right now can be changed so that they are less depressing; you may have to experiment with the anti-depressants to find the right one.  I have read that they take some time to really kick in also.  The shock of finding you have the disease will lessen and I hope you will find some acceptance by visiting here; it is helping me.  

What I have read about depression; don't isolate further.  Keep visiting here and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Some of this is just TEMPORAL; with time treatment will be over, with time your family will figure out how to interact better, in time the doctor will figure out the right drug and dosage.  Please don't give up.  I also have read the importance of realizing that the depression is a reaction to the drugs.  MANY people have problems with depression while on TX.  You may find it much more difficult but always remember that it is the drugs or the disease that are affecting the way you feel and that for many people the beginning is the worst.

Hang in there Joyce,
Willy

[19Dragon52]

Alley,

Thank you for a confirmation.  I knew it was a possible symptom for those in treatment.  You have all been so great...I hate feeling like a whiner.  I really like the quote that Jackie uses at the end of her posts and try to keep that my insight.

This depression just gets so unbearable.  It bothers me that I  now feel the desire to just "give it up" so easily.  I guess that it's just because my family is so small that I expect more.  I guess I'm also afraid I'm going to end up in this world alone with this crappy virus.  Could be I'm mad at myself for the lifestyle I chose to bring this all on, too.  Well, I can guess & suppose all I want....it's not going to change a thing.

ONWARD!

Love You All....

[19Dragon52]

Okay!
My last post on this topic brought me the giggles.  Guess I shouldn't try emphasizing words by adding "tags."
My Dear Lord is showing me many things...step by step...including how not being a perfectionist is not a death sentence.  

[alley-oops]

Okay Joyce,
you are so great!!!  I was wondering how long you have been bi-polar? You aren't doing tx are you?  With your other condition I would think the dr.s would be pretty reluctant to take a chance on having you do tx.  Don't worry too much about that, there are sooooo many things you can do.  Like this disease, we are all so different. I'm so glad you are here, Joyce.
Alley

[willy]

Sorry Joyce;  You said you weren't on TX in your second sentance.  Thanks for correction Alley.  

Best,
Willy

[19Dragon52]

Alley,

I also want to thank you for the correction.  It's hard enough starting with a new counselor without having my facts straight.

I have been diagnosed bi-polar approx. 15-18 years (they say the first thing to go with age is your memory)!  I have been on multitudes of medication in that time and perhaps it's time for another change.  The "Pyschs" never know for sure what's going to work and for how long.  Once again...we are the guinea pigs.

I have been in intensive therapy for the same amount of time...mostly with the same doctor.  Due to changes in insurance that has changed.  Now, the insurance companies only want to pay the Shrinks for med adjustments and expect counselors to carry the ball for the rest.  And that's only if your "Pysch" thinks you need a referral.  With that the insurance will only okay 1 appt. for evaluation to begin with.  I don't use therapy as a cop-out.  My past & present is a large can of garbage but I sincerely work on whichever issue is in the forfront.  I have made quite a bit of progress.

I watched my aunt live with Hep C and die because of it.  She couldn't take tx either.  They would give her blood transfusions.
She also seemed to be depressed most of the time and very fatigued.

Here is something you may all be interested in and for me...it makes me grateful.  My mother had Primary Billiary Cirrhosis.  This is a rare terminal condition where the billiarary ducts eventually close up and the Liver shuts down.  There is no tx...it's a definite death sentence.  It is genetic & can be passed to the female offspring.  Well, my sister was diagnosed with it last year.  That's when I had to be tested and they found the Hep C.  My daughter will have to be tested when she's about 30 yrs. old.  It has nothing to do with drinking or injecting drugs.  Life expectancy is 6 years tops.  How is that for a bummer?!  The progression of this disease is as horrific as Cancer.  This is why I need to keep myself physically and mentally together as well as I can...I will be the last to see over my nephew & daughter (Lord willing of course).

You have all been so loving & caring.  Along with the members of my church I feel that even though I'm losing what's left to my biological family I have been given another through this website.

I anxiously hope I too can be of service to others that join us just as you have been for me.

Have a Fantastic Day!

[lazarus1]

Fess Up Willy,

That realy is you, isn`t it?

Laz...

[19Dragon52]

Yeah Willy!

I'm with Laz on this one.  
Give it up!

Had a pretty good day, afternoon & evening, folks.

Love To You All!!!