Interferon and the Immune System and MRS O.

[NYgirl]

Has anyone else noticed since they have been on Interferon that their immune system has been greatly STRENGTHENED?  Everyone in my family and everyone at work is very sick...except me.  I stopped and realized last night that honestly - aside from the sx flu symptoms stuff...I can't remember the last time now that I had the common cold or a flu bug or something.

I really believe that the Interferon DOES teach our immune systems how to fight.  Alot of us do go through white cell problems - mine have finally settled out even though my doc did not ever put me on Neup but preferred to let my body deal with it - but aside from those issues I really think........I am the healthiest I've ever been in my entire life.

Has anyone else noticed while people around you seem to drop like flies of the bug ... you don't?

I have to admit - always having been the one to GET everything...it's really AWESOME to be the one who does NOT.

I just didn't really THINK about the INF doing this - I mean we focus on the IFN killing the virus but this part of it's job is just HUGE and I hope it continues!

--
Val...............mission accomplished!  Talk about wanting to just WEEP.....your gift meant more than you will EVER know.  Even my mother started tearing up...she was like MY GOD these really ARE the most compassionate people I've ever heard of in my life.

Compliments to you and to the forum.  It's so amazing when someone goes so far out of their way to help someone else - that in this day and age it's almost like a literal miracle and people are just awe struck!

[jmjm530]

If you thought things were dicey around here yesterday when some were complaining about your posting, just wait until you see what happens when there's an alcohol/drinking thread. LOL.

Anyway, newer research suggests that moderate social drinking is OK as long as you're not treating. My doctors think it's OK as well. Heavy drinking is an altogether different story.

Side effects are slowly getting better but it's been a very long road. At some point post treatment you just have to stop looking at them as side effects and accept them as the "new" you. A bit sobbering but that is life. Thanks for asking.

-- Jim

[niceguy2007]

jim i think keeping off the alcohol after u SVR would be a good idea :)  and how about takign milk thistle post SVR?

how r ur tx side effects improving now?

[jmjm530]

Forsee: though we've gotten into some rows huh? how about Alcohol Thread?
-----------------------------------
That was simply you being wrong and me being right. LOL. Look, I have more heated debates than that with members of my own family. The point is neither of us called each other names or made it personal. I have nothing against debate.

[jmjm530]

And you know, even if one of us of did lose our cool a little, that's OK too, because we have a history of respect for one another that is understood underneath it all. That foundation, however, isn't there with many and that means you really should be xtra carerful in how you choose your words. Well, enough jabber for tonight. Just had two glasses of wine, you know. LOL.

[jmjm530]

I think I found your diabetes thread and I'll post some thoughts down there.

[niceguy2007]

nygirl, i think its the ribavirin thats keep off the cold and flu.  if u look at the little flyer in the riba pack, it mentinos influenza A and B as a indication.

[honey11]

Same here,,,,year of tx,,,nothing like flu and colds but my dr had already told me that you don't get sick while on meds.  Thank goodness because with the sides rolling in daily,,,don't think I could have handled anymore illness in a day lol

[tonybuck]

The wife and I shared a laugh when she told me I hope you don't catch what I have right now which is a cold. We both looked at each other at the same time and said NOT and I said the interferon owns this house and your cold bug is not invited.
       On another note I remember hearing some people here had not had any fever blisters return after tx. Boy if I did not have to deal with those mouth sores agian what a bonus to tx.Take care!!!

[jmjm530]

(WIPING THE COMPUTER MONITOR WITH ALCOHOL :) )
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Someone here (I think here) recently posted that waking up the immune system is like waking up a sleeping Giant. In other words, you better have a d*mn good reason and be prepared for consequences. Of course, getting rid of the virus is a d*mn good reason for many, but the consequences of an altered immune system are still not all that well understood and can very well account for many of the problems some of us have post treatment. BTW you might try Echinacea drops for your cold and respiratory symptons, although I may have a leftover Peg shot if you'd prefer :)

-- Jim

[Alady1620]

That is wonderful for you, NY.  

I have only caught one little bug while on treatment and it was when my WBC dropped very low.  I can't really complain either.

[amommy]

I did not get sick at all on tx (except for how sick tx made me) but I have had every single little bug that goes by since I've been off tx.  Every once in a while i'd like to give myself a little extra Peg shot! LOL

[amommy]

I did not get sick at all on tx (except for how sick tx made me) but I have had every single little bug that goes by since I've been off tx.  Every once in a while i'd like to give myself a little extra Peg shot! LOL

[Mister beagle bailey]

I think that maybe because we are taking drugs for a virus and the cold and flu are caused by viruses that we are fighting them too.  It is something to think about.

Beagle ;)

[cuteus]

I have been off the drugs for two yrs now.  It is post tx season, and still no colds or influenza.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Wow! 2 years post and still no flu or colds.  Now that is something to think about.

How are you doing?  Still living on L.I. ?  

beagle

[cuteus]

will do! sending some germs your way, JM!

kidding aside, some of us end up with more than a cold, I had to use albuterol many times due to bronchospasms brought about by a cold or the flu, at least 2-3 times a yr.  In my case, I rather have the benefit or long term effect of no colds or flu. I like breathing too much.

[timlotus]

For me this is a very important thread. I too have had no viral infections (no colds, flu, cold sores) since starting treatment. This is despite a number of bugs going round in my area. I am now 12 months post with SVR.

However I have had post treatment symptoms which I am sure are due to a turbocharged immune system. My symptoms have not been as limiting as Jim's but they include wandering joint pain and skin problems. I am glad to say these are subsiding gradually.

I wonder whether there is a correlation between these immune based symptoms and successful treatment? It obviously isn't a perfect correlation, but it would interesting to research this. I suspect that people vary quite a bit

It seems the whole treatment thing is a trade-off between the benefits of eliminating the virus (or at least giving the liver a rest from it if you don't get SVR) and the perils of an over-revved immune system.

[BJ1fish]

I have been on and off treatment for 7 years. Had the sx but never missed work. I finished 72 weeks on infergen on 9/25, I had to miss the last two days of work due do having sleep 20 hours a day for the last 4 days and a nasty ear infection I gotlast week.Either I used up all my willpower are there is something with the interferon

[Tater-ToT]

Wish I could say the same...

I have cleared the HCV, & just since I stopped TX in April, I have been sick twice, First time I would up getting one of the worst most painful head colds I can ever remember having in my entire life... & This time, I am just now trying to get over a dreaded ear infection.... So no correlation there for me!
I Think I'm Jealous...LoL...!!!
:( Whaaaaaa!!!!

[cuteus]

I will probably be on LI for at least three to 4 yrs more, even though I want out to a warmer climate NOW!
you stay well and warm.

[rosygirl]

I, too, have not been sick since on treatment.  My whole house had the flu last year but I didn't get a sniffle.  My son was sick with a 101 fever last week and I didn't get that either.  No cold, flu or anything except side effects.

[NuttiNetty]

When I was on tx I too did not get as sick as others around me. It has been 5 years now, and in the last two, I have been sicker than I can ever. I have just posted a question regarding this. Perhaps it is only a "blessing" of good health for a short time? I don't know. But I hope the rest of you don;t have to go through what I am presently going through, with the lingering side effect of the memeory loss and depression.

[susan400]

I've treated many times and come off of treatment many times.  When I'm on treatment, I rarely ever get a cold.  Flu-I've rarely ever gotten even before I started treatments.  But, now I also get flu shots every year, too.  Usually, after I've been off of treatment for a period of time, I get colds.  It's happened after the most recent treatments (not counting this last one).  They take a long time for me to get done with it, too. I've just completely my 3 month post treatment phase from this last round.  We'll see.... There's always hope that this time will be different.  Also, when I'm on treatment, I'm  avoiding crowds whereas, when I'm off of treatment, I'm going into crowds (more germs).  The church I'm attending now has a membership of over 5,000 people.  They're not all there at the same time but, in the last 2 weeks I've been to two large scale special events where there were over 3,000 people in the main church sanctuary where I was sitting.  The 3 overflow areas had more.  So, when colds, flu's and strep go around, it seems like it snowballs.  Fortunately, I'm counting on the fact that if I get exposed, MAYBE this time, I'll have enough RIBA still left in my system to help w/the anti-viral properties.  I was on 1600mg a day when I was treating, so I would think that 3 mon. after, with a half-life that it's supposed to have, that there would still be some antiviral floating around!   Jim-I still have the itching a lot. I don't notice it much until I get in the sun, or exercise and then, it's like WHAM!  Itchy-itchy.  And still the sleep problem, too.  I don't know if it's rosacea, but I have the red dotty rash on my cheeks again.  LFT's back in the 100's again.  Well, that's all.  Susan

[Morgaina]

I just got a cold but was the last one in the class to go down. It's easier than my normal viral thing this time so thats nice, but I dont think it's going to be a new improved immune system. Schools have to many bugs to fight!! (I think some of my kids have nuclear waste under their fingernails!)