Posted by mtom on May 21, 2019, at 15:12:06
In reply to Re: Why depression much worse after naps, anyone else? » mtom, posted by beckett2 on May 20, 2019, at 19:59:24
Interferon is an Immune System Stimulant, ramps up your immune system to fight Hep C and sometimes for Cancer. I've heard it's hard to tolerate. Also, many people get depressed on it - it is one of the pieces of evidence that led to the "Inflammatory Theory" of depression - a ramped up immune system increases inflammation which is part of the immune response, and this inflammation may be getting to the brain. See other posts discussing inflammation, anti-inflammatories and depression.
Immunosuppression is used for more severe flare-ups of Lupus, especially if severe symptoms and/or organ damage is occurring. Often corticosteroids are used in this case, sometimes stronger drugs if the flare up is potentially life threatening e.g. anti-rejection drugs.
As mentioned I take Plaquenil for Lupus, an anti-malarial. They don't know exactly why and how it works, it's felt to somehow "modulate" the immune system in Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, without actually suppressing it.
I drank Green Tea for years. Sort of went off it last year and now drink decaf coffee. Never felt the Green Tea helped with anything (I drank 2 to 3 cups most days).
> A friend took interferon for Hep C and the resulting depression was very difficult to tolerate. I was wondering if immunosuppression was used for Lupus. I hope your depression medication is able to deal with this side effect well enough.
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> Can you tolerate green tea? Some people who cannot handle caffeine well do alright with it.
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> When we were talking about sleep, I forgot the term 'sleep drunk'. That's how I felt often after napping.
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poster:mtom
thread:1104337
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