Hepatits C, treatment

[Laika]

My husband had just begun treatment for hep C.  He is 59, stage 1.  He was 2 or 3 wks into treatment when he developed chest pain.  He has had a CAT scan, revealing a mass of some kind which may or may not be an infection, has completed a course of antibiotics, but the pain has now moved to the other side of his chest too.  Still, he does feel better and is back at work.  His hep C dr has terminated treatment for the time being, and he goes back to the pulmonary dr tomorrow.

I have not "sat in" on my husband's visits to the dr, so I don't really know what they've told him.  My question is--does anyone know if there is a connection between hep C or hep C treatment and lung disease?

Thanks,

Laika

[mistybean]

No, but it is possible to have a lung heart problem as well as Hep c.  I think the doctor did the correct thing to stop this treatment untill they figure out what is going on.  Good luck

[NYgirl]

My platelets are going down down down each week.  I am just now at the lowest number of "normal" but I don't know what this means (considering it looks like it will keep on going every test).

Anybody know much about these little suckers?

[jmjm530]

Glad to see your hgb back in the green zone ! But keep checking it every week or so until it stablizes. If it gets too much above 14, ask your doctor about cutting back the Procrit some. Regarding platelets -- if you're low "normal" you're doing better than a lot of us. I'm 118 now and have been as low as 80. Some people treat with much lower platelet numbers. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Goof shows up soon and asks for a a low-cost platelet loan :)

-- Jim

[cuteus]

Laika! long time! are you almost a yr post tx? I was trying to remember if it was you or Layla.

The tx can cause aggravation of existing respiratory conditions and perhaps trigger some latent ones. Silvermoon had to be hospitalized during tx from the asthma aggravation, but did not stop tx. Another member here, recently had a chest pain of unknown origin with no other symptoms(cough, fever, etc) and it turned out to be some "subclinical" infection that the Z pack took care of, did not stop tx either.  It seems that we might get "subclinical" infections that might go undetected and untreated during tx, and add to some of the misery we feel.

I hope he gets his pulmonary condition under control. He must be dissappointed.

take care

[Laika]

Hi Cuteus, glad to see you're still here!  As I recall, you cleared right around the time I did.  I finished in mid-August 2005 and return in Feb to be tested again.

Yes, my husband is disappointed.  I worry enough for both of us, since that is unfortunately my nature.

Your comments sort of tracked what the dr told my husband (I think!)  So, somehow that is comforting.

Thanks,

Laika

[NYgirl]

Just got back the CBC on the twice weekly 40,000 x 2 Epogen my hgb is back up to...............13!!!!!!!

No WONDER I feel so much BETTER!!!

Just though I would post that so people can see how VALUABLE Epogen/Procrit is when the anemia hits!

I went from almost 15 down to 9 in just over a week and it was so painful it's beyond description.  Getting it up to 11 helped MUCh but this...it almost NORMAL!!!!!!!! :)

[Karay]

My lung collasped 2 years ago while I was on peg/rib. I was in the hospital for 9 days - NOT GOOD!  I ended up getting off the tx due to this - could not face that happening again.  I'm back on & crossing my fingers for no lung problems!

[NYgirl]

I think all we all do is worry!  ;-)  As soon as i saw that one going down down down I was like help help help please what does this mean heeee hee.

HonestlY i like to know what it all means and does instead of letting something like that anemia come up on me (which I did know about but never fully understood.

[NYgirl]

You always make me laugh dont you?

I'll keep an eye on the little suckers...I dont expect problems but I do investigate all of my numbers on my paperwork so thoroughly that I had to ask.

I feel like I would like my hgb to stay right here so I am going to be watching that it doesn't get too high - which is something I would NOT have thought of believe it or not as stupid as that sounds.........for so long Ive prayed for it to go UP I never thought about it going up TOO MUCH!

[johnisme]

You said........Question for all you smarties... Kinda leaves me out then don't it?

Glad to see your doing so much better, stay well kiddo

[beamishboy]

did my 3rd shot tues. nite- trx suks!!! but i am confident am beatin down the nasty virus..saw my doc tues aftrnoon   -he was v pleased w bloodwrk,said my alt was now normal-"very quik response" i came away inspired,but difficult feelin to sustain....the posts here help alot--i am experiencing slight lung congestion(no big thing) and lotsa time on the porcelin throne(enuff 'bout that)        JIm Jim-i am doin the cider thing,also hi-fat w my riba dosage.....not hungry at all,but i am certainly not a skinny man yet..lost anothr 4,5 lbs--i now weigh 210--at 6' 3"--don't want them lil buggrs hiding in my body no how!!! takin 1200 riba w/ lotsa watr---It is All Good if i can Clear my body & regain former energy&strength& mind

[Califia]

Hello there, old chum.   So sorry that your husband developed complications & could not stay the course.  Cuteus was right:  pulmonary complications are rare, but interferon has been known to cause interstitial pneumonia, worsen sarcoidosis, and so on.  The above-mentioned Silvermoon also developed pneumonia and had to be hospitalized for over a week.   Her situation was life threatening, so it's a good thing your husband's doc is exercising caution.  Let's hope those new drugs leave that fabled pipeline soon.

[FlGuy]

Doc told me the danger zone for platelets is south of 30. During TX mine have bounced between 65 and 120 but are usually in the mid 70's. Can't see any reason why they fluctuate.  There was discussion whether Neumega is a remedy for low plats while on TX.

[jaroman]

My plats. have gone straight down too, but have hugged 55 for the last few weeks.  Doc is kinda concerned, but I dont have any signs of bleeding(bruising,bloody nose, gums).  Doc also said there is no drug to boost plats that works very well.  Of course, I am in Costa Rica!

[Laika]

Hi Califia...good to see your smiling face here!  Are you feeling good again?  My hair is starting to grow in finally.  I highlight my hair, and in record time I've got ROOTS--and glad to have them!  During my treatment, hovering at this website daily, I didn't remember any lung complications.  In spite of how serious it all sounds, it does make me feel better that it is likely something that is connected with the interferon, which is hopefully reversable, and not lung cancer.  This really, really makes me feel better.  At the same time my husband began having trouble with his chest, his best friend at work suddenly died, making us both more edgy about our health.

Did you have a 3-month test last month?  I surely do hope you are well.  Thanks for being here,

Laika

[Laika]

I wish you the best with your current course of treatment.  My husband is hoping to get this lung thing behind him and get on with his treatment, but one thing at a time, right?

I truly value your shared experience, thanks.

Laika

[chellski]

hey! great news about ur hgb!!! now, will you still take the procrit?  (you are on procrit, right?)  glad to hear your good news, and hope all is well with you and your family!
be well,
chelle

[FlGuy]

hgb, platelets and ANCs..That stinks, the trifecta of TX.  At least with your Ambien you can sleep through it.  Got my Rx for Ambien this am, pick it up on the way home.  Ah, sleep, perchance to wake up 8 hours later.  (Apologies to the Bard)

[Califia]

LAIKA,  it's great to feel human again, isn't it?   It's too bad that the two of you can't share a victory over  the evil entity.  Yet, that is.....

Well, thanks so much for asking, and here's the news I've been keeping quiet about:  my 3-month PCR shows NEG.   Am truly springing back to life, although the hair remains pretty scraggly.  Perhaps ratty is a better word for it.  And speaking of ratty hair,

COUG, back in the day when I looked like this _intentionally_,  of course I frequented the Sound of Music, being a bit flipperized, if you get my drift.    However, perhaps in deference to Dirk, I never committed any heterosexual acts on his club's premises, or that of any other musical den of iniquity for that matter.   (Too busy shmoozing, I guess. )    It's sad we carried away this souvenir from what was in many ways a remarkable scene, but at least we're still walking.  Lots of good people left us far too early.

[GoofyDad]

NYgirl: "I feel like I would like my hgb to stay right here so I am going to be watching that it doesn't get too high -"

Good move. I read where if they get too high they can blow the top of your head right off. No kidding. I saw a picture on the internet - looked like a giant zit filled with cream of elephant soup. Like John Belushi meets Mt Vesuvius or something.  

Jim: "I wouldn't be surprised if Goof shows up soon and asks for a low-cost platelet loan..."

No ****. I'd trade a night with Merrianne and Ginger for a pickle-jar of platelets right now - 40 and falling last week.

Neumega is nasty stuff and can cause complications. Not often prescribed. Procrit can also be platelet friendly. It seems vioxx had some pro-platelet properties not shared by other Cox II drugs, but they ain't making that no more.

Hoping to get #12 in this week at full-dose, then we'll see what next week brings.    

[dutch_boy]

NYgirl,  I'm celebrating for you!  Getting your anemia under control is a huge battle with this tx and you have it well under control!  I'm happy for you......and a little envious I must admit.  Mine dropped almost 7 months ago to 7.3 and even with 60,000 units of Procrit weekly it is still stuck at 7.3. I've tried to get my dose of Procrit up to 80,000 but the doctors tell me I don't weigh enough with all my weight loss. So for the past many months I've dug down deep, told myself to grit and bear it....and keep living my life.  I am one of those "oddballs" that Procrit didn't jumpstart my Hemoglobin but at least it did help in keeping it stable at 7.3 without going any lower! Now that you have your Hgb under control maybe you will feel like YOU again!  Congratulations again.

Laika, So good to see you post again.  I am so happy you are doing well.  I have no words of wisdom for your husbands situation.....Some good suspects are above however.  I hope he finds out soon what is causing the problem and hope he is able to resume his tx.  Good luck to you both. You were one of those people who helped me a great deal at the beginning of my tx journey last January......I only have 5 weeks to go! What a ride!
Best to you, Scott

[Forseegood]

Hey, you know where I stand Sweetie, couldn't be happier, you so, so derserve your SVR, ... 60 weeks in the jungle, whew!!!And everyone loved your witty and thoughtful dispatches from there as well...

[GoofyDad]

One great big ol' fat ass <b>Horaaaaaaay</b> for you!

[honey11]

Hi Laika,,,,Sorry to hear your husband had to stop his tx but his other health issues are more important now.  I know its got to be hard on you going through all of this but know you are a strong lady and this will be one more hurdle you will get over!

Califia,,,ha Whats the big secret???  This should be a day of celebration and yesssss,,,,we are all very interested in this great news!  Congratulations,,,,,Looks like you got it licked!

Ina,,,I'm glad you are still on the meds and feeling better! I'm sure its not much fun to be sick on top of interferon sick! Glad to hear that someone jumped in to help you through it and keep you going.  Take care of yourself!