IMMUNE SYSTEM

SORRY HIT THE WRONG BUTTON

I HAVE A QUESTION.  MY HUSBAND HAS AN IFECTED FINGER, FROM WHAT HE DOES NOT KNOW.  HE IS ON ABOUT 12 PILLS PER DAY FOR THIS INFECTION FROM WHAT HE IS TELLING ME, (HES NOT WITH ME CURRENTLY HE'S AWAY)  BUT HE IS TELLING ME THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD THE REASON THEY ARENT WORKING IS BECAUSE HIS IMMUNE SYSTEM IS DOWN.  NOW HE BELIEVES IT BECAUSE HIS PLATELETS ARE VERY LOW, BUT I AM SAYING ITS THE HEP C AFFECTING HIM.. COULD ANYONE PLEASE GIVE THEIR OPINION ON THIS.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
BRILORRA

[Bill1954]

It’s important to understand that none of us in here are medical professionals; only HCV patients with an interest in helping others.

From the information you gave us, it’s hard to determine if your husband is currently undergoing treatment for his HCV.

If so, the interferon can suppress white blood cells and reduce the ability of the immune system to combat infection. This is often monitored by ‘absolute neutrophil count’, available in his Complete Blood Count (CBC test). If this is the case, medical intervention may be required. Preferably, an injectable drug called Neupogen is ordered to encourage production of white blood cells. If this isn’t available, a second option would be to reduce the dosage of interferon, but this can reduce his chances of clearing the virus.

From your profile, you mentioned he’s currently working here in the U.S. and is having a difficult time finding medical care. I believe he can go to an emergency room and receive care if needed, regardless of immigration status; and cash still works well for doctor visits and labs if I’m not mistaken. All of this is admittedly quite expensive without insurance though.

If he *is* on treatment, he should be under the care and monitored by a doctor regardless, for reasons such as this.

Platelets are primarily responsible for blood clotting, and have little direct impact on immune response, to my knowledge.

Where is he working in the states? Perhaps a member here can recommend a facility to you?

Best of luck—

Bill

[CoWriter]

I don't know of any antibiotic that would give you 12 pills a day.  That just can't be.

When somebody has cirrhosis, not all antibiotics can be used because many of them can hurt the liver further.  So they're limited in what they can prescribe for the infection.  So maybe what they gave him is not one of the strongest antibiotics but that's what's safe for him.

[CoWriter]

In July she posted about him not being put on treatment because "his numbers were too high".

[Bill1954]

Thanks for the info; also from her profile:

"My husband is ill with Hep C and Compensated Cirrohsis of the liver. I am trying to learn how sick he really is, by gathering information from professionals.  He is currently in the USA and is having a very hard time getting medical attention.".

Thanks... are you on the west coast, or a stay-up-late right-coaster :o)?