Stage IIIa 1/2 way thru year treatment

If you really want to continue taking Interferon, I would consider a dose reduction. I reduced my dose by 25% at about the 3 month mark, and it helped for a while to reduce the severity of some of my side effects, particularly the mental ones. I also took a couple breaks (2-3 weeks) from treatment during the course of my treatment (I made 10 months out of 12). One of the breaks was helpful, the other didn't help much at all.

You sound like you are having a very difficult time with the treatment and I'd consider stopping it all together if I were you. Fatigue is par for the course for people taking Interferon, but I think the migraines, balance issues, ear pain and extreme muscle tightness are concerning. Think about whether the relatively minor statistical benefits a person typically gets from Interferon are worth your diminished quality of life.

I did Interferon just like you because I wanted to do what I could to help myself, but I got to the point where I felt it just wasn't worth it anymore. Maybe you're at that point now.

If you really want to continue taking Interferon, I would consider a dose reduction. I reduced my dose by 25% at about the 3 month mark, and it helped for a while to reduce the severity of some of my side effects, particularly the mental ones. I also took a couple breaks (2-3 weeks) from treatment during the course of my treatment (I made 10 months out of 12). One of the breaks was helpful, the other didn't help much at all.

You sound like you are having a very difficult time with the treatment and I'd consider stopping it all together if I were you. Fatigue is par for the course for people taking Interferon, but I think the migraines, balance issues, ear pain and extreme muscle tightness are concerning. Think about whether the relatively minor statistical benefits a person typically gets from Interferon are worth your diminished quality of life.

I did Interferon just like you because I wanted to do what I could to help myself, but I got to the point where I felt it just wasn't worth it anymore. Maybe you're at that point now.

If you really want to continue taking Interferon, I would consider a dose reduction. I reduced my dose by 25% at about the 3 month mark, and it helped for a while to reduce the severity of some of my side effects, particularly the mental ones. I also took a couple breaks (2-3 weeks) from treatment during the course of my treatment (I made 10 months out of 12). One of the breaks was helpful, the other didn't help much at all.

You sound like you are having a very difficult time with the treatment and I'd consider stopping it all together if I were you. Fatigue is par for the course for people taking Interferon, but I think the migraines, balance issues, ear pain and extreme muscle tightness are concerning. Think about whether the relatively minor statistical benefits a person typically gets from Interferon are worth your diminished quality of life.

I did Interferon just like you because I wanted to do what I could to help myself, but I got to the point where I felt it just wasn't worth it anymore. Maybe you're at that point now.

Hi.  I had a lot of issues while on interferon as well.  I did the full year, and to be honest, it did not get any easier.  Regarding ear pain, I had this problem as well – caused by fluid build up behind the ears.  Dr said basically I was so congested that my ears weren't properly draining.  I went in thinking I may have an ear infection b/c the pain was so bad.  I took an allergy pill – zyrtec – the entire time on treatment to help with congestion and increased allergies, and when ear pain was bad, I added sudafed.  I took a sudafed every day the last month of treatment b/c it got so bad.  I also had balance problems.  Fluid in ears can contribute to balance issues.  I suggest having someone check out your ears to see if this may help.  I just went to my local urgent care. 

Hi.  I had a lot of issues while on interferon as well.  I did the full year, and to be honest, it did not get any easier.  Regarding ear pain, I had this problem as well – caused by fluid build up behind the ears.  Dr said basically I was so congested that my ears weren't properly draining.  I went in thinking I may have an ear infection b/c the pain was so bad.  I took an allergy pill – zyrtec – the entire time on treatment to help with congestion and increased allergies, and when ear pain was bad, I added sudafed.  I took a sudafed every day the last month of treatment b/c it got so bad.  I also had balance problems.  Fluid in ears can contribute to balance issues.  I suggest having someone check out your ears to see if this may help.  I just went to my local urgent care. 

Hi.  I had a lot of issues while on interferon as well.  I did the full year, and to be honest, it did not get any easier.  Regarding ear pain, I had this problem as well – caused by fluid build up behind the ears.  Dr said basically I was so congested that my ears weren't properly draining.  I went in thinking I may have an ear infection b/c the pain was so bad.  I took an allergy pill – zyrtec – the entire time on treatment to help with congestion and increased allergies, and when ear pain was bad, I added sudafed.  I took a sudafed every day the last month of treatment b/c it got so bad.  I also had balance problems.  Fluid in ears can contribute to balance issues.  I suggest having someone check out your ears to see if this may help.  I just went to my local urgent care.