bone density results after treatment.

I've read a lot of articles about how interferon in combination with ribavirin decreases bone density so I got a bone density scan after complete around 44 wks of therapy.  I'm happy to report that I'm still within normal range and that the tx had no impact on that part of me.

[Marcia2202]

I had one done during tx. There is a study I posted some time ago, that concluded that SVR had a positive impact on bone density. Let's see if I can find that thread.

[IMstacie]

that sounds interesting, I hope you find it.  I just took the labs for my 6 mo test.  I should find out next week.  Couldn't make it a full 48 weeks because I was crashing and just couldn't get anything elevated, so doc convinced me to stop a few wks early.  I know that 48 is no magic bullet but i would have crawled to the finish line if he wouldn't have been so convincing.  I remember he told me "oh, you will be virus free, but you will also be dead."

[Marcia2202]

I haven't been able to find it. It's really annoying me, but I've spent too much time looking for it.

I'm rooting for you big time!!!

[Rockerforlife]

AbstractObjective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ribavirin on bone mineral metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had been treated with interferon and ribavirin.

Methods: Twenty patients (3 female, 17 male) with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled. Age range was 6 to 15 years (mean ± SD, 11.15 ± 2.3 years). Thirteen patients received combined interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin therapy (Group 1), and 7 patients received only interferon alpha-2b (Group 2). Both groups were treated for 12 months. Bone mineral density, z-scores and biochemical bone markers were evaluated in both groups before and after treatment.

Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in age or gender. Mean lumbar vertebral bone mineral density and mean z-scores in groups 1 and 2 before and after treatment were not significantly different. In both groups, serum and urinary biochemical values and bone markers were all normal and there were no differences between the pretreatment and post-treatment values.

Conclusion: Contrary to studies in adults, we did not find any ribavirin-dependent changes related to bone mineral metabolism in our pediatric study groups. Further studies are needed to obtain more detailed information about the effects of ribavirin on bone mineral density.



http://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Abstract/2005/11000/The_Effect_of_Ribavirin_on_Bone_Density_in.16.aspx

[Isobella]

Throwing my 2 cents in.....having numerous broken bones prior to tx, I was pleasantly surprised to have a normal bone density scan after 48 weeks and SVR.

Pulling for you!!!!!

Isobella

[orphanedhawk]

After yearsof falling off horses with nothing to show other than a scrape here and there, I broke my arm jumping into bed, well missing the bed, 4months after interferon treatment.

Keep your vitamin D up and avoid those bucking matresses.

[orphanedhawk]

After years of falling off horses with nothing to show other than a scrape here and there, I broke my arm jumping into bed, well missing the bed, 4months after interferon treatment.

Keep your vitamin D up and avoid those bucking matresses.

[charm27]

I also had a bone density test done after tx and all turned out very well.
Was told the old  bones are very good.


Charm27

[IMstacie]

thanks Rocker - and it sound like everyone is faring well in this department.

[GoofyDad]

These a joke in here somewhere about you jumping a bone with real density, but I'm too dense to figure it out.

[newleaf09]

I had bone loss but after a lot of round & round in the doctor dance (thought it would end with SVR but not for me) it's apparent that my bone loss was caused initially by liver damage keeping me from converting vitamin D, further compounded by malabsorption of D from diarrhea caused by another drug (not the hcv/riba combo).  Took many months for the D situation to straighten out but it looks like a year of rebuilding bone with Fosamax should set things right.

[portann]

Hi Newleaf.

I remember you asking that I let you know about my bones density after treatment, so here's my news:  I'm in normal range, which is nice stuff for me.

I somehow didn't get a copy to compare with my pre-tx scan - the doc simply said 'normal' and we moved on.

When I think about it now, I had a really super result pre-tx, so maybe I'm still normal but nowhere near as good. I'll check about any changes but it appears I got off light.

Hope the Fosamax works for you. I know it requires a lot of sitting up, which a pal always complained about. It worked for her, though.

Yuk, glad you brought this up. I remember being nervous about this one in particular. It's one of those subtle changes that impacts even a walk in a dog park. A neighbor (a dog lover) got knocked down by a friendly dog in a dog park nearby and broke her hip. That's crazy.

Susan

[newleaf09]

Glad it came out well.  Might want to look at actual scores just for curiosity's sake but normal is normal is good is good. My D deficiency induced bone loss is one of the repairable ones, thank god.  Will have another bone scan in October to confirm the hoped-for improvement. You just sit up in bed for an hour the morning you take Fosamax or go ahead and get your butt up and start your day, not a big deal.  Just can't eat breakfast or take your vitamins until the hour is up; bugs me a little more not to drink a coke for an hour.  No matter how healthy I get I refuse to give up coca-cola.

Rocker, I already know that coke causes eyebrow cancer or finger pimples or something else.  Please don't bother to tell me.

[IMstacie]

cleans those battery terminals also - (beat you to it Rocker) ;)

[Marcia2202]

I still haven't found the study where they recorded improved bone density after achieving SVR. People who did not achieve SVR did not have improved bone density.

It is not the study Rocker posted.

[Marcia2202]

Here is a link to something mikesimon posted

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/From-Journal-of-Viral-Hepatitis-Prospective-Study-of-Bone-Mineral-Density-and-Metabolism-in-Patients-With-Chronic-Hepatitis-C-During-Pegylated-Interferon-Alpha-and-Ribavirin-Therapy--/show/723527?personal_page_id=889322#post_3822429