Relationship of Seasonal Allergies etc. to HCV

[curiouslady1]

We hear a lot about oral substances being filtered through the liver.  I was just curious about the inhaling of pollen and the brushing up against plant toxins etc. and what involvement the liver has in processing such materials if any.  I am aware that allergies are an autoimmune response but wonder about HCV status and the incidence of such autoimmune responses as well as the role of the liver in detoxification of such substances internally. Would anyone care to put this curiosity to rest?

[suezeeque]

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease.  Just like rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, autoimmune thyroid disease, etc.

I don't really understand your last sentence above.  You want to know about the immune system overreacting POST cure?  Why would that happen?

[curiouslady1]

I am not taking interferon.  I am also not asking about potential reversals in chronic disease such as diabetes and thyroiditis.  That train has left the station in my opinion.  My question has to do with the infection itself altering the functioning of the immune system so that, when the infection is cured, the immune system overreacts.  

[dointime]

PS - I never got the rashes before my tx so I guess that's not really so relevant to your question re. relationship to HCV.  Still, it shows that there is a tipping point before the immune system starts overreacting and it is not easy to stop it once it starts.  Just removing the stimulus doesn't necessarily stop it.  

dointime

[dointime]

I got a serious rash on tx.  After I finished I still used to get mild rash flare ups for 2 years.  It seems to me that when you ramp up the immune system with interferon it does not just all calm down again right away when you stop.  In fact, if you are unlucky, it may never calm down again at all and you are stuck with these chronic inflammatory conditions.  

For me, that is one of the scariest things about interferon.  (The other one being the brain fog which also takes it's time to clear.)

dointime      

[susan400]

All I can say about this right now is that since stopping my last treatment 10 days ago on the Riba and I think 17 on the Peg, my allergies have been acting up horrendously.  It's like non-stop hacking, nose running/dripping, constant throat clearing, eyes itching, etc., etc.  I normally have seasonal allergies, but it seems to me like they've been kicked into overdrive.  Hopefully, I haven't gone into a sinus infection.  I know on my last labwork, taken a 10 days ago, it was my last day-I'd had my Riba on that morning and my last Peg shot a week previous, my white cells were a lot lower; but, I imagine that with TX stopped, they've come back up.  Would the lower white cells 10 days ago have somehow made me predisposed to a sinus infection?  I hope not.  I'm going to need to be helping my Dad out for my mom's knee replacement surgery next week and I want to be well for that.  On 09/02 they were 2.9 and the neutrophils were 1.7, which in the whole scheme of things isn't all that low.  It's just that nothing I've tried to do for these dumb allergies seems to be working.  Tried, Allegra one day, Benedryl another, saline nasal rinse...., was wheezing on final exam-Dr. noticed it as well and asked me if I had asthma..., anyhow, I've had to use my asthma inh. twice since (rescue type) since stopping TX and normally I can go like 8 mon. and never need to use it.  Oh well.   I'm going to try and forget about it all and go to a movie!   Susan400

[suezeeque]

Is there any reason to think that once the immune system has "attacked itself", that will reverse after the virus is gone?

I don't think so...  I wish it were true.  My type 1 diabetes disappearing after cure?  That would be awesome.  But I don't think it will happen.  The damage is already done.

[curiouslady1]

I am pretty close to being UND but I still had an allergic response today.  I was hoping that it would start calming down.  I'm also concerned about the arthritis as well as whether the LP will be bad this winter as it has been.  I guess I will just have to wait and see.  

[DoubleDose]

I have had the same reactions for decades...and I fully believe that HCV creates a heightened state of 'immune response', so that any little thing triggers full immune system response...hence quick and frequent allergic reactions to almost any little trigger....chemicals, smells, weather, pollen, animal hair, stress, etc., etc.  I think its why many of us seem to also suffer from Fibromyalgia....and related 'autoimmune' type syndromes.  I think the virus does the work, then little triggers cause the full blown response.  In 'normal' people the system is probably in a very low key 'immune' state, so it takes a LOT more to trigger allergies...or it takes very specific triggers to activate an individual's allergic response.  And us...well just about everything known to man can trigger an allergic response in us...because we are right on the edge of one almost all the time without any trigger!!!  

Does this resonate at all with any of you?   Its my little theory....so thats my 2 cents!!!    The sad thing is even after being 9 years SVR, it still persists in me.  I think the interferon also helped to train my body to have a constantly cranked up immune response to everything....  Oh well, can't win 'em all!!!!

DoubleDose

[curiouslady1]

I went to market today and, of course, there are lots of flower vendors there. I came home and crashed and woke up with a G . . . awful sinus headache.   I just started acquiring a lot of allergic reactions in the past few years.  Since I am treating now and hoping for UND soon I am worried about tramping in the woods (and doing just about anything that might upset the applecart) but really want to do some hiking.  I should also ask about what sort of medicine to take to control the symptoms.  

[working dog]

good question...for the last 15 years if it rains and then the next day its sunny with the wind blowing i get so tired...whnen the sun starts to go down i feel much better...i also get freaked out from mold...hope someone explains this...billy