Lifting the Brain Fog: HCV and Depression in the DAA Era
mallani said
Apr 23, 2015
Hi Tig,
It's a good summary of what has already been shown.
The statement 'These studies suggest there is viral bioreplication in the brain' is a bit extreme. That is certainly not proven and I think it's incorrect.
Also 'Acute HCV patients appear to have a better response to hepatitis C treatment than those with chronic infection' ??? Acute HCV is rarely diagnosed, let alone treated. I think that's a mistake, or the author is not sure of the definition of acute HCV.
Cheers.
Groupergetter said
Apr 21, 2015
Thanks for sharing the article Tig. Little doubt the inflammation plays a large part in many of the extra hepatic issues. Joint, tendonitis, arthritic, sleep disruption, and brain fog, along with these depression. Many of us have had this so many years I think our brain puts us in "tune out" mode. Perhaps a self preservation function. We tune out the pains, the fatigue, the angst and frustrations, and all the other things that come with this disease. I wonder if the brain fog in addition to being physiological, isn't also related to tuning out so much for so many years? Makes sense that when the virus is removed, in time the body and mind adjust to no longer having all the dragon manifestations. If I got rid of half my brain fog, I might have half a brain. :) Truly glad to see so many getting started, and so many nearing the end of treatment. Hope is a beautiful thing.
Gator Man said
Apr 21, 2015
Rubye wrote:
... while I was sitting there looking out the window at the trees and sky I had this epiphany that all was right with the world and that I am going to be okay.
Just reading this quote made my day, Rubye!
john
Rubye said
Apr 21, 2015
Thanks for the article Tig. I didn't realize that my depression for many years might have been due to the Hepatitis C and when I read this article it made me realize that the Hep C was more than likely the cause. I'm around 14 weeks after eot and am starting to feel so good. I started acupuncture yesterday and while I was sitting there looking out the window at the trees and sky I had this epiphany that all was right with the world and that I am going to be okay. I don't think we realize just how much of a toll Hep C takes on not only our body but also our psyche.
bubble said
Apr 21, 2015
Good article Tig. Now that I am on Ribavirin IMO I think the Interferon was what can cause the hopeless feeling of doing yourself in. Gratefull the stuff is not around me anymore. I agree that time will cure any side effects of this treatment. But when your whole outlook on life changes, what more do you need? The Abb-vie nurse looks for positive remarks when she calls. They still have alot of follow up reserch among the masses now that their drug is out there. Good stuff ! THX !
Tig said
Apr 21, 2015
An interesting article on HCV and its relationship with depression, before, during and after treatment. It's worth reading imo.
"In the current generation of direct-acting antiviral agents, a new wave of data is showing that, apart from remarkably high 12-week sustained virological response rates, novel treatments are demonstrating effectiveness in reducing depression and depressive symptoms in HCV."
Hi Tig,
It's a good summary of what has already been shown.
The statement 'These studies suggest there is viral bioreplication in the brain' is a bit extreme. That is certainly not proven and I think it's incorrect.
Also 'Acute HCV patients appear to have a better response to hepatitis C treatment than those with chronic infection' ??? Acute HCV is rarely diagnosed, let alone treated. I think that's a mistake, or the author is not sure of the definition of acute HCV.
Cheers.
Thanks for sharing the article Tig. Little doubt the inflammation plays a large part in many of the extra hepatic issues. Joint, tendonitis, arthritic, sleep disruption, and brain fog, along with these depression. Many of us have had this so many years I think our brain puts us in "tune out" mode. Perhaps a self preservation function. We tune out the pains, the fatigue, the angst and frustrations, and all the other things that come with this disease. I wonder if the brain fog in addition to being physiological, isn't also related to tuning out so much for so many years? Makes sense that when the virus is removed, in time the body and mind adjust to no longer having all the dragon manifestations. If I got rid of half my brain fog, I might have half a brain. :) Truly glad to see so many getting started, and so many nearing the end of treatment. Hope is a beautiful thing.
Just reading this quote made my day, Rubye!
john
Thanks for the article Tig. I didn't realize that my depression for many years might have been due to the Hepatitis C and when I read this article it made me realize that the Hep C was more than likely the cause. I'm around 14 weeks after eot and am starting to feel so good. I started acupuncture yesterday and while I was sitting there looking out the window at the trees and sky I had this epiphany that all was right with the world and that I am going to be okay. I don't think we realize just how much of a toll Hep C takes on not only our body but also our psyche.
Good article Tig. Now that I am on Ribavirin IMO I think the Interferon was what can cause the hopeless feeling of doing yourself in. Gratefull the stuff is not around me anymore. I agree that time will cure any side effects of this treatment. But when your whole outlook on life changes, what more do you need? The Abb-vie nurse looks for positive remarks when she calls. They still have alot of follow up reserch among the masses now that their drug is out there. Good stuff ! THX !
An interesting article on HCV and its relationship with depression, before, during and after treatment. It's worth reading imo.
"In the current generation of direct-acting antiviral agents, a new wave of data is showing that, apart from remarkably high 12-week sustained virological response rates, novel treatments are demonstrating effectiveness in reducing depression and depressive symptoms in HCV."
http://www.healio.com/infectious-disease/hepatitis-c/news/print/hcv-next/%7B0c4da4f4-276e-4f3a-8451-ac57503fa99d%7D/lifting-the-brain-fog-hcv-and-depression-in-the-daa-era