Re: withdrawal symptoms from interferon?

I have stage III melanoma (NED since March 2005) and decided against interferon but I can indirectly answer your question since you haven't received other responses yet. In spite of not doing interferon, I ended up with a lot of symptoms which people in treatment get and also had concerns that I might have a metastatic recurrence. I found it incomprehensible that I went from being healthy to having widespread chronic pain coincidental to melanoma. In my case I think it's likely or at least possible that my body mounted its own autoimmune response which is part of why I haven't recurred but makes me feel lousy. In terms of your situation, some people do have side effects after they stop interferon so that may be part of it with you. I've also heard of interferon causing thyroid issues in some cases. The reason I mention that is one of my doctors recently found out I had an underactive thyroid and the reason he tested that was I had widespread tendonitis throughout my body. He said thyroid issues can cause tendonitis. It's hard to know why you are having the issues you are having, but withdrawal wouldn't be the first thing I'd think of. I'm sorry you are in pain and hope someone can help you. Regards, Carver