Hepatitis C and Vasculitis

I have hepatitis c, high blood pressure, and vasculitis.  I am a nonresponder to Rebetron.  However, during treatment with Rebetron I had no symptoms of the vasculitis. The biopsies indicated "vasculitis"...but the doctors have said that it does not look like normal purpura in that the areas are not dry, crusty, and do not have blisters in the center.  The areas are usually on my lower legs and feet, red, raised, painful to the touch, and fade away like a bruise.  I am presently taking colchicine for the vasculitis but it doesn't help.  My doctor is considering Interferon injections for the vasculitis and says it will also help keep the viral load down.  Dapsone doesn't seem to be a good medicine for me because of it's effects on the liver.  I need to be able to make an informed decision.  Is there any other medication used for vasculitis which would be "safe" for someone with my medical conditions?  Is it safe to take Interferon for an extended period of time, and has there been clinical trials on this?  Can Interferon 1)cause the hepatitis c to become worse, 2) cause cancer?  Thank you for your assistance.

[Georgia18]

I've been on peg-intron/ribavirin for five weeks and my vasculitis has completely abated.  Now I want to get rid of the hyperpigmentation it left behind!  I'm supposed to be on this treatment for six months and my viral load has already dropped in the first four weeks from 300,000 to 10,000, and all my enzymes are way below the top number for normal, whereas before they were above normal numbers.  Outside of being somewhat tired and very thirsty, the effects have not been bad.  Also, my vasculitis was as you describe yours.

[Georgia18]

PS  Also have high blood pressure that was always fluctuating on meds, but has been pretty low normal for the last month (with same meds).

[meki]

Georgia - this post was originally written in 2000 - so the original folks may not be responding.

But it sounds like you're doing so very good!

Congrats on the incredible lack of sides and the good turn in fast response that you're taking!

That's prime!

Welcome to the board.

Meki

[lalsunstar]

Vasculitis + hep c
My Dr won't give me any kind of treament an he is the best infecious desease doctor in Fla.
I live in bradenton