Aaron. Melbourne Australia.
Mental health worker (until recently).

Treated in the early 2000s as part of a clinical trial.
Treatment: Interferon & Ribrivirin.

Restless leg syndrome and reduced blood flow to fingers, sleep disturbances, and a decline in mental health began after treatment. I did not even think about the treatment as a cause, and over the years, mental health declined. No history of family baldness, but I have thin hair. Began having trouble with swallowing and with my left knee.

Gradual decline until recently.
My knee became worse with no explanation. It became hard to handle the cold.
General aches and pains, insomnia, nausea, fever, extreme chills, muscle degeneration, muscle tension thyroid issues, immune symptom dysfunction, they all hit a year ago.

I have an apt with the Rheumatoid clinic at the same hospital that provided the treatment.
Doctors tend to treat symptoms individually, and can't connect all the dots.
Blood levels not too far out of whack, but a multitude of systematic issues that when you do connect the dots, suggest post-interferon syndrome.

Initial investigation into my issues led me to Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Myositis.
It seems that the combination of interferon and ribavirin creates significant systematic failures, complex mental health issues, and a decrease in cognitive functionality.

The cure is worse than the disease.

I am looking into the legal side of things, but meeting a lot of resistance.
I meet a lot of resistance medically also.

Although the past is long behind me, and I have tried to function as an average person in society, unconscious bias, and stigma have led to delayed medical investigation.
Finally, I will have some issues investigated, and a muscle biopsy will be tested, but now I have learned from this post that bone marrow density should also be tested.

From my perspective, there are two areas to investigate legally.
The physical impact and the mental health and wellness impact.

I guess the way to have people take us all seriously is to make a lot of noise.
Of course, the bias and stigma may prevent people from making such noise.

Not sure what to do at this stage, apt with a specialist is 26 days away.
I think I'll have to be prepared to present a case to the specialist in order for these complications be be addressed and assessed appropriately.

I guess we'll see.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.