Depression and peg interferon

[Timjonze]

hi all,

does anyone with a history of depression have experience of using peg interferon? I suffer from what you might call “mild” depression but it’s controlled very effectively these days with citalopram to the extent where I feel fine. Just wondered if anyone in a similar boat has started on the interferon as I know it has a known side effect of causing depressive moods.

Tim

[hall2]

hi I’ve had depression and in the past and I’ve been taking Pegasys for several years with no problems.

[Timjonze in reply to hall2]

Ah that’s interesting and good to know - thanks

[AndyT]

Hi Tim,

I’ve had episodes of depression over the years, both before and since starting on Pegasys.

It’s always been relatively mild and like you I’ve found that citalopram controls it well. It’s normally been triggered by work stress and/or other identifiable factors and hasn’t been any worse since being on Pegasys.

I did have an episode about 18 months after starting Pegasys so we agreed to stop the medication for a couple of months to see if that made any difference. It didn’t, so I started Pegasys again and got back on track by addressing other issues and using citalopram for about 6 months. I’ve had one other fairly short episode since (again resolved with citalopram) and have now been on Pegasys for nearly 9 years and it works very well for me.

I know caution is needed with Pegasys and depression but in my case it hasn’t been a problem.

[Chicagopv in reply to AndyT]

My doctor didn't put me on it because of my depression/anxiety. That's why I'm on Jakafi.

[Timjonze in reply to Chicagopv]

Yeah mine said the same thing, but I wondered if my depression being well controlled made it possibly ok

[Chicagopv in reply to Timjonze]

Seems like people are advising you to go ahead and try it. I got on Jakafi, also because of intolerable itching.

[Timjonze in reply to AndyT]

Thanks Andy … I’m keen to try it over hydroxy so might give it a go

[AndyT in reply to Timjonze]

That was my view at the time, knowing that hydroxy was an alternative if Peg didn’t work out but I’m glad it has!

[Leveret20]

I also have a history of depression and anxiety. I started Pegasys a couple of months ago. I did have a couple of black episodes in the first couple of weeks, but I have learned (thanks to CBT) not to engage with the thoughts and feelings and just let them pass. I am hoping this will continue. So far not engaging has worked and the episodes were gone the next morning. It helps that I can say to myself "OK, that's just reaction to interferon, I don't have to worry about it". I guess there will always be side effects, and "you pays your money and you takes your choice"!

[InWonderland80 in reply to Leveret20]

What do you mean with CBT?

[Leveret20 in reply to InWonderland80]

Sorry - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

[Timjonze in reply to Leveret20]

Thanks Leveret20. Valuable to hear your experience. Tbh I would sooner go with hydroxy than deal with occasional black episodes even if they’re possible to ride through.

[Leveret20 in reply to Timjonze]

Yes, we are all different! I can ride through a transient black episode better than I could tolerate the side-effects of hydroxycarbmide - I had to stop HC after 4 weeks as my skin was peeling and my kidneys did not like it. There is no one answer that suits everyone...

[gjh8733]

i was on Besremi for 18 mts and was aware that my anxiety and irritability levels were significantly increased during that time especially during dosage changes. I have been off it now for 3 months taking Jakafi and emtionally feel more stable again

[InWonderland80 in reply to gjh8733]

Did you react fast with anxiety or after a while?

[gjh8733 in reply to InWonderland80]

Within a month

[MsLadyAnello]

This is a decision for your MPN specialist and psychiatrist or psychobiologist. There is real reason for being careful if you have depression. Any occurrences of suicidal ideation is definitely a strong factor. I don't know if the new interferon formulations have improved this situation but am not aware they have.