Mental and Medicaid

[Kate101]

Hello,

I got the call Good Friday from the pharmacy that I would receive Harvoni via UPS on Tuesday!  I cried like a baby and am very nervous. This nightmare of a disease has wreaked havoc on my life for the past 7 years. I am not the same person I used to be and suffer terribly from panic attacks, anxiety and depression.

I have read many of you feel better soon after the treatment starts. Does this include your mental state?

P.S. Medicaid approved 12 weeks. I did submit to a HIV, drug and alcohol test. My wonderful Doctor was very surprised. He had me ready to go on Harvoni’s Support Path Program but I needed Medicaid to turn me down twice first.

Kate

[Mike]

The psychological impact of a disability has been extensively studied by rehabilitation professionals. Research suggests that once an individual adjusts to a disability, the psychological impact seems to improve.

In your case, it is the loss of a disability (you should be cured at the end of treatment), which is at issue.

From my experience as a HCV patient and a rehabilitation counselor, I would imagine that you mental health would greatly improve once you are cured, regardless of whether or not the panic and anxiety issues are directly related to the the HCV diagnoses and infection.

Best wishes, Mike

[BubbaT]

Hi Kate ,

I understand the. Emotional and psychological stress your going through...
But the good news is your gonna get better...
So try not to stress, it's difficult and all of us know it well...
You are not alone, we support each other and are here to offer emotional support too.

They are many inspirational story's of hepc journeys in the home page, read some of the stories.... It will put your journey into perspective ...

I'm on week 5 and doing better after 20 yrs with no treatment.

You can make it...

[Kate101]

Thank you, I am sitting here with tears in my eyes waiting for UPS to come to the door with meds. I keep telling myself that this is no big deal but scared to death. I almost feel like all this crap has just been in my head and need to suck it up and put my big girl panties on.
I have lost almost everything and pray that I will actually feel better soon and can get no with my life soon. I tried interfurion when the 2008 crash hit. I crashed with it and have not gotten back up since. This is a large part of my fears as well I think.
Did you notice clearer thoughts and better moods yet?

Kate

[Mike]

Hi Kate,

I had some depression from the Hep-C and the chronic fatigue seemed to magnify it at times.

One of the first thing I noticed when I cleared the virus was that I could think with a lot more clarity and the mental fog lifted. I actually started getting up in the morning, making my bed (something I haven't done in decades) and singing to my dog (who has been a blessing to me - especially when I was going through treatment). I sing to him every morning. I think he likes it, as I sing rock & country tunes and switch out the lyrics to include his name.

Did clearing the Hep-C help me mentally? Yes it did. Helped me big time.

Its understandable to be a little nervous when starting treatment - especially if you had any experience with the old Interferon-based 48 week treatments.

This is a new day, Kate. Harvoni is well tolerated and is nothing like the old stuff.

Time to get excited! A new day has dawned!

You've got a great, great chance of curing this bastard of a disease and getting on with your life. 12 weeks will fly by! Time to get up and move! Get your mojo going!

Start singing your happy song!

Best wishes, Mike

[morning_glory]

Mike,
Thank you for your reply.... Depression & fatigue sucks, and to know others deal with it really helps to not feel so alone. Thank you for sharing honestly. 

MG