RA factor post tx

[roostermom]

Hey guys - I hope all of you that have finished with triple tx w Incevik (and of course all other folks going through various forms of tx) are getting great test results back.

Question for those coming on the Incevik tx - how much do your bodies hurt? My RA is at 18, 4 points higher than normal range and Everything hurts. Another lasting side I that I can sleep for 24/7! Still tryin get my thyroid back to some normalcy.

Anyone out there having these issues??

[pooh55811]

First, I am not finished with treatment yet (Interferon, Riba, Incivek). I still have 27 of 48 weeks to go. Therefore, even though I have aches and pains, I am still on treatment (which is probably causing those aches and pains, although I had some of them before treatment).

I am not totally clear about your condition other than you have finished Hep C treatment and have an elevated RA (factor?).

I do know that either/both Hepatitis C or/and Interferon can cause some abnormal lab tests and can trigger some autoimmune responses. (Hope I am explaining that properly.)

Here is one recent article about this:

http://www.*************.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/53/55491/double

"There are several ways hepatitis C can affect a rheumatologist's ability to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis:

1) many patients with hepatitis C have a falsely positive rheumatoid factor

2) patients with hepatitis C can suffer joint pain and swelling, looking very much like rheumatoid arthritis patients

3) hepatitis C patients do have lower levels of anti-CCP antibodies compared to the rheumatoid arthritis patient."

Another article:

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/bonkovsky-2.html

"RHEUMATOLOGIC and AUTOIMMUNE MANIFESTATIONS
Myalgia (muscle pains), fatigue and arthralgias (joint pains) are common manifestations of HCV infection. HCV-related arthritis commonly presents as symmetrical inflammatory arthritis involving small joints. The joints involved in HCV-related arthritis are similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This sometimes makes it difficult to differentiate true RA from HCV patients with positive rheumatoid factor but without RA. HCV-related arthritis is usually non-deforming and there are no bony erosions in the joints. A marker called anti-keratin antibodies has been studied to differentiate true RA from HCV related arthritis. In a recent study, 71 patients who were rheumatoid factor positive were tested for anti-keratin antibodies. Anti-keratin antibodies were detected in 20/33 (60.6%) patients with true RA and only 2/25 (8%) patients with HCV-related arthritis (10). Patients with HCV-related arthritis seldom respond to anti-inflammatory medications, and although there are no controlled trials to address this issue, it has been recommended to treat these patients with combination antiviral therapy of interferon and ribavirin (11)."

"Interferon therapy of HCV infection may also trigger the development of autoimmune diseases, the most frequent of which is autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). This may lead transiently to hyperthyroidism, but eventually to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and to the need for life-long thyroid replacement therapy (Bonkovsky & Mehta). "

This is a good article but rather long to copy and paste. Here is the link:

http://www.jrheum.org/content/37/8/1777.full

I hope these links and article help.

[wtbleep]

So many of us are now post-tx but there doesn't seem to be much info out there about what to expect or how soon you can begin to feel "normal".  I have found that my body, joints/muscles all still ache and my headaches, although no longer 24/7, have not really improved that much.  I am UND 8 weeks post and my other sfx are better but these remain.  Stress continues to be an instant trigger.  Fading rash remains but is not itchy.  Lots of hair falling out.  What is a high RF?

[roostermom]

My enzymes are normal for the first time in years!! My body just hurts everywhere. It is worse now than when I was taking the interferon

[working dog]

i still have some sx...but i feel like its too soon off tx to worry about them...nothing bad though...3 months off tx so far...my blood work is a little low....my liver enzymes are normal...as of a couple weeks ago.....billy

[roostermom]

I meant to say coming off the tx! Very sloppy typist.

Any one having high RF numbers coming OFF treatment? I finished on 12/20/11