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!

[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