since I've learned of my hepC, I have often wondered if I caused the JRA in my daughter. I probably had it before she was born. Wonder if anyone has ever heard of a connection.
I don't personally, but one of my best friends does. She has also treated for Hep C in the past, and cleared. Unfortunately she said the virus has returned after many years of remission. She's had the RA for a long time. It's a devastating disease. She takes Embrel to manage it. I think she has some other autoimmune issues, too. No fun.
Yep. I have RA. I came down with it the last two months of my first round of treatment. RA can be an extra-hepatic manifestation, it can be genetic and it can definately be aggravated by interferon. As far as the genetic side, usually you are at risk if you have a direct family history such as a mother or father (my mother had it), the risk lessens the further down the family chain.
I had apparanetly tested positive for the RA factor 7 years before I ever did treatment my hep C and never knew it. Interferon insulted the heck out of it and I became extremely symptomatic with severe hot swellling and redness.
If I were you, I'd seek a consult with a really good rheumatologist to make sure what's going on. It is even possible to have a negative RA factor and still have RA (serum negative RA). It's nothing to p lay with as it is a progressive disease and does a tremendous amount of damage within the first year if not watched closely.
Mouse