Long term side effects Pegasys/Riboviron

[liongirl]

In 2008 I under went tratment for Hep C virus.  I was on Pegasys interferon with Riboviron.  While on treatment my bone marrow became depleted.  Now after a year and a half later thought my viral load is undectable my bones still hurt.  Is this a common side effect of the treatment will the pain ever go away.

[Trinity4]

Lalapple had severe Neutropenia due to bone marrow suppression post tx and I believe was hospitalized for it.  She was on Neupogen during much of her treatment and I believe they continued the Neupogen after treatment as well.

[mikesimon]

No, I don't think that it a common side effect.
Interferon does suppress bone marrow which accounts for the drop in platelets often seen in patients treating. If one had a pre-existing bone marrow disorder treatment may exacerbate the problem. Neutropenia is also the result of interferon's bone marrow suppression and occurs in a significant percentage of people who treat. It seems possible that bone marrow issues could persist post treatment and, in fact, autoimmune thrombocytopenia has occurred in some patients according to articles I have read. I believe that treatment with steroids is one approach.and that, if and when, the thrombocytopenia resolves the steroids are withdrawn.
It seems that possible that your bones may be hurting for a different reason such as arthritis. I would think that there are tests that could determine your bone marrow function and ascertain if that really is the problem.
Good luck,
Mike

[newleaf09]

She means suppression of platelet and neutrophil production by the interferon.  Mine was the same, requiring rescue drugs to stimulate neutrophil production.  I was down to 30,000 platelets at the end.  Platelet production was still suppressed at the 6 month post checkup but I think it's probably normal now after 10 mos.  Your bone marrow should be working properly again.  You can have a CBC (complete blood count) done to reassure you that it is operational again.  

I don't think that is the cause of your bone pain.  I think you should visit an orthopedist and see what he can figure out or what kind of doctor he can refer you to to figure it out.  nyg's suggestion about vitamin D is not bad.  I had bone loss on TX due to lack of vitamin D. Bone loss can cause bone pain.  Your family doctor or an endocrinologist could order a vitamin D test and a bone density scan to be sure that your bones are okay and could start correcting things if they are not.

[nygirl7]

Did you mean your red blood cells became depeleted?  That should have resolved at the end of treatment regardless. Sorry I"m a bit confused at your post!

[nygirl7]

I've never heard of bone marrow being depleted before......not from SOC anyway.

Some of us take 2,000 mg of Vitamin D a day.  Those of us who have undergone treatment often have very low Vit. D levels (even those of us like me who drink tons of milk and eat ice cream which I thought would help).  Try that for a while hopefully it will help!