Post Interferon Syndrome

15 years after taking interferon and ribavirin I am still having problems with memory. Is this problem from my treatment?

Hi, I am 7 yrs post INTERFERON/RIBAVIRON tx and my life is ruined! My memory is so bad now I have no idea why I walked into a room or where I parked at store. I was a thriving RN/MPH and now I have CVID from the tx's. I am in so much pain all of the time it's hard to function. My personality has changed, I now have an autoimmune dx called sjogrens syndrome...life is hell for me anymore. PLs let me know how u r doing n if u r going thru all of this...thx lisa

Hello @ldestella, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling with post symptoms. That sounds really rough.

Here is a link to discussion already taking place on sjogrens- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sjogrens/?pg=3#comment-61786. There you will meet members @cmtg, @kyjeanne and @chicagomichelle- all members discussing how they were diagnosed and how they are coping with their sjogrens diagnosis.

I would also like to pass on some information on Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) on the MayoClinic.org page- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-variable-immunodeficiency/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20355824. I hope this is helpful information for you.

blessing to you and your struggles I am post 15 years

Hi, Thank you so very much. So how are you dealing with the side effects?

Yes, these are great links! Thank you very much!!

Y’all are gonna find this hard to believe… but from 2000 to 2006 I had 550 plus interferon treatments. Started with peg then did the once a week deal a couple times for a year. Then in 2005 I did the every day for a year. For patients who had type one A
I have a severe case of chemo Brain. Found out in 2013. I’d rather loose both legs and arms than deal I th the mental anguish I deal with every day.
You can take every crazy side effect and symptom people have and x it by 50.
I’m whupped.

Hi lisa. I am 8 years post Pegasus interferon and ribavirin, and have similar symptoms. I have severe chronic fatigue syndrome and severe fibromyalgia. I have gastritis and eyesight problems. I am barely functioning. I get terrible brain fog as well. I know these symptoms were caused by the interferon. I was very fit and healthy before doing the treatment.
Krista

I deal with life by doing lots of meditation. I also use ice for pain. I was on a long acting pain medication, but new government regulations regarding pain meds made it so that i can no longer be on that. My life has gone from bad to worse without that medication. I am not giving up hope that I will improve, or get back to at least the level of functioning i was at while on heavier pain meds. I wish the pharmaceutical companies would admit to long term side effects post interferon. There are plenty of us out here suffering. I had genotype 3A. I wish i would have known that new treatments were on the horizon back in 2009 when I took the Pega interferon treatment for six months of hell. I do not have the virus detected in my blood anymore. I am barely able to leave the house anymore, however, and developed my symptoms of pain and fatigue shortly after finishing the treatment. I am and have been chronically ill for over 8 years. I am not getting better at this point, but have gotten worse. The long term side effects of post interferon syndrome have devastated my life. I do my best to remain hopeful, and grateful for whatever i can.
Best,
Krista

Hi Krista,
this is just so wrong. doctor's here in Lexington KY are acting like it doesn't exist and that I am an hypochondriac. My life is so horrible and painful that I would rather God took me out. interferon re-wired my immune system n have CVID...lifetime infusions. My bones are dwindling and have a lot of steel in 3 different area's of my body and more to come shortly. No one will help me n I am ready to give up on life! I am a RN and have a master's degree and can't hardly wipe my own bottom some days. who can help us, pls, i need help!!!