Hepatitis C treatment and weakened immune system

[cajuncrazy]

I'm  in my last 13 weeks of Hep C tx and immune sys. so poor I am constantly catching everything.  Any suggestions?

[illo]

Hi Cajun,

I'm having a difficult time getting rid of frequent bronchitis because my WBC is low.  I haven't started tx yet, I'm on Alinia.
I know the standard tx shuts down your body from 'growing' and reapairing.  It shuts growth down so the virus can't replicate, but nor can your immune system repair itself.
It's a tough road.

[Kalio1]

I hear you on that! When I started crying from TV commercials I knew something was up! I think it really puts us "on edge" emotionally to take this concoction. The first few months were the toughest for reining in emotion for me. Even today I was talking to my son about the new movie coming out about Bobby Kennedy and that made me cry! The meds seem to cause emotions to be "right there" so to speak, be it anger, sadness even happiness or laughter. It doesn't seem to matter, they are all accentuated.

I hope you can get the support you need during your tx. I found it quite difficult to admit I had to give up my caretaker/fix everything for everyone persona and lower the bar for myself. Learn to let things go and take care of ME. Learning to put myself/my health first has been a big challenge for me on this treatment. I know that is hard for many and especially for women.

It does help to come here and know others are going through this and they know what it is like. I don't think unless you have "been there" and done this tx you can relate.
You can feel fine one hour and the next be down for the count which makes it hard for people to understand.  The lack of stamina makes it hard to plan activities, get things done, etc.

It does help to remind those around you that you are on these drugs that affect you not only physically but emotionally now and again. We look "fine" so people assume we are fine.
Anyone who has done this tx knows looks can be deceiving.

Hope you are hanging in there! You can do it!

[sass_blue]

thanks so much for your words of support...they mean a lot to me (made me cry!!).  Ive never been so much of a cry baby before lol!!

[Kalio1]

My goodness, that is a lot to cope with on tx. How about the teens help out with the little one and help cook, clean, etc. so Mom can rest?

Having raised 3 kids myself I know it's a long shot to get teens to do anyting we want them to..

My heart goes out to you, you are strong an brave. Hang in there.

[GrandOak]

As friole indicates, you need to watch your ANC level as an indication on where your immune system is at.  This number is computed using your WBC as one of the factors in the equation.

I've also seen studies which indicate that despite chemo-induced low ANC numbers, that HCV patients may not be at the same risk of contracting illnesses as others with low ANC numbers because the Interferon we pump into us actually stimulates our overall immune system.

[friole]

What are your absolute neutrophils?  Look at your last CBC and look for "ANC" of "#NE" There are several kinds of white blood cells and neutrophils are the main infection fighting ones.  It could be that yours have dropped radically and that you might need Neupogen - a drug thata boosts white cell production.

If your ANC is under .75 (also stated as 7500) you might need this.  I started Neupogen about my 11th week on tx

[sass_blue]

I started treatment 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I also have 3 teenagers and a 5 year old at home.  I would also love to know how you do it.  Any tips or suggestions about how to make coping with kids on treatment easier would be really appreciated!!

[goldyn]

it was right at the last 2months when i started breaking out with the infections i had strep throat, and then an kidney infection back to back, how low is your anc, are you on any rescue drugs?

[cajuncrazy]

Thanks for responding to me.  This is my first time in this chat, in the whole time of my tx.  I wish I would have done this earlier.  I apprciate any reponse.  Good luck to you.

[Kalio1]

I had a strep throat too and have had half a dozen eye infections. I figured it was from being on tx but I don't know for sure. I asked the yee doc if it was from being on tx and he said "maybe, maybe not" LOL, not too helpful, sorry. Haven't had yeast infections but I have heard others say they have and also some get UTI's. I notice small cuts or injuries heal very fast on tx.

I don't know how you tx with teenagers! You are one strong lady!

[cajuncrazy]

I mean actual infections.  I have had strep throat, yeast infec. , eye infec.  I have 3 kids all teenagers and they all go to school.  I'm sure alot is caused through the kids and the general public.  I've taken to wearing medical masks.

[Sally01]

You are almost there. yeah.  Stay out of crowds and wash your hands frequently is my advise.  Too much at risk to have to stop early.  Lots of water too.  If you do get a cough or congested, please do not ignore it.  See your doc and if a simple antibiotic doesn't staighten things out, keep looking for opportunistic weird things.  Also my advise is to keep your labs up to date and if there is a drop in wbc's or any other immune system numbers, ask your doctors if it is time to consider rescue drugs like neupogen.  Hang in there and keep us posted.

[Kalio1]

Welcome, sorry you aren't feeling very good. Do you mean you are catching colds or flu viruses? Im unclear on what you mean by "catch everything" do you mean infections? Are you sure it isn't symptoms/side effects from treatment rather than something you caught? Are you around a lot of children or babies or just lots of people in general? Tx often makes me feel like I must have caught something! I get a clogged up head and stuffy nose that feels like a cold coming on at times but it never turns into a cold. I get sore throats pretty regularly after the shots. I hear quite a few people complain of coughs from treatment too.

I haven't caught anything since I have been on Interferon but then again I am not around people hardly at all.