hsCRP level of 25

[Bobby1952]

   Has anyone had their level of CRP (C Reactive Protein) tested. As some of you may remember I have been getting recurring bouts of Pericarditis since I treated with Interferon. I have had 4 bouts of it in 15 months. None of the specialists that I have seen know what causes it to keep coming back.  

   I recently did some blood work and my hsCRP was "25". It shouldn't be above "1". It measures the amount of inflamation in your body. My cardiologist says it in beyond his field and that I should see the Reumotoligist again because there is nothing wrong with my Heart and it may be Autoimmune.

   Has anyone had their CRP measured either before or after treatment. I am curious because the Cardiologist says it could be elevated from the Hepatitis C which makes no sense to me because I have been UND for 15 months post tx.

Thanks
Bobby

[evangelin]

Here is the article.  From my own study, a person doesn't have to have full blown celiac disease to have an intolerance to gluten products.  It seems to trigger inflammation in a lot of people.  Because it has been associated with hepatitis c and interferon use, it may be something to try.  You can buy some gluten free bread at a health food store and avoid cereals that have it for a month and see what happens.  I eat a lot of rice instead of bread  and it takes me about 4 days to get better after eating something I shouldn't.  Of course my inflammation is obvious because various joints get sore swollen and itchy.  Inflammation is inflammation and I think most integrative Dr.s look at gluten first anymore because so many people have improved without it.  I of course don't think the gluten is the cause of the autoimmune problem but it sure seems to exacerbate the inflammation.
Ev

Titre du document / Document title
Silent celiac disease in chronic Hepatitis C: Impact of interferon treatment on the disease onset and clinical outcome
Auteur(s) / Author(s)
DURANTE-MANGONI Emanuele (1) ; IARDINO Patrizia (2) ; RESSE Marianna (3) ; CESARO Giuseppe (1) ; SICA Antonello (1) ; FARZATI Bartolomeo (3) ; RUGGIERO Giuseppe (1) ; ADINOLFI Luigi E. (1) ;
Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)
(1) Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Second University of Naples Medical School, Napoli, ITALIE
(2) Laboratory Medicine, Second University of Naples Medical School, Napoli, ITALIE
(3) Division of Immuno-Hematology, Second University of Naples Medical School, Napoli, ITALIE

Résumé / Abstract
Goals: To assess the impact of interferon treatment on celiac disease onset in hepatitis C patients and to clarify its clinical relevance and outcome. Background: Hepatitis C is associated with autoimmunity, which can be exacerbated by interferon treatment. Cases of celiac disease activation during interferon treatment have been reported. Study: Retrospective evaluation of 534 hepatitis C patients with or without symptoms compatible with celiac disease onset during interferon treatment and 225 controls. Anti-transglutaminase antibodies were assayed. HLA-DQA1 and -B1 loci were typed. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was applied to confirm the diagnosis in antibody-positive patients. Results: Anti-transglutaminase antibodies were detected before treatment in 1.3% of hepatitis C patients and in 0.4% of controls (not significant). Eighty-six percent of patients with anti-transglutaminase antibodies showed activation of celiac disease while on interferon. Symptoms ranged from mild to severe, and interferon had to be discontinued in 2 of 7 (29%) patients. Symptoms disappeared in 6 of 7 patients after interferon withdrawal. Onset of symptoms compatible with celiac disease during interferon therapy was significantly associated with the presence of anti-transglutaminase antibodies (OR 53). Conclusions: In hepatitis C patients, the activation of silent celiac disease during interferon treatment is almost universal and should be suspected, but it uncommonly requires interferon treatment discontinuation. Symptoms subside after interferon withdrawal.
Revue / Journal Title
Journal of clinical gastroenterology   ISSN 0192-0790   CODEN JCGADC  
Source / Source
2004, vol. 38, no10, pp. 901-905 [5 page(s) (article)] (29 ref.)
Langue / Language
Anglais

Editeur / Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Hagerstown, MD, ETATS-UNIS  (1979) (Revue)

[evangelin]

Here is the study I told you about.  It may not be significant but my sister in law that had the pericarditis has also been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthrits so she obviously has some autoimmune issues too.  I can't get her to try the fish oil/olive oil.  I guess it seems to simple to work and she must not be having enough pain to try anything.  I remember back that their was an issue with gluten causing big problems in many people with hepatitis c.  It seems to be triggered by the interferon.  I get lots more inflammtion when I eat much bread.  I will see if I can find that article .

[Bobby1952]

   I have been taking a good OMEGA 3 supplement. I will try the Olive oil each day also. Takes weeks to get an appointment with the Reumy DR.

Thanks
Bobby

[evangelin]

I hate to hear you are having such serious problems. My sister inlaw almost died from undiagnosed pericarditis.  They kept sending her home from the emergency room telling her she was having panic attacks.  She finally got to the right Dr. who dug deeper and found low and behold she wasn't just hysterical after all. They caught it in the nick of time.
I am going to say a prayer that you will get to the right Dr. who can help you unravel this mystery.  I sure miss HR sometimes.  He was super smart like Dr. House without the rudeness.  I'll bet he would have some ideas.  
I actually know two people that had this .  The other was the daughter of a friend that also went undiagnosed who died young and very suddenly from it.  You are fortunate they figured out what it was before it was a catastrophe.
My sister in law never had any reoccurences so it likely is very different from your situation.
Are you taking any supplements these days.  Fish oil comes to my mind because people with rheumatoid arthritis can use it to dial down the immune system a bit which makes the body back down on attacking itself.  I have a form of RA and have used 3 grams of fish oil along with 2 tsp. of olive oil to stop attacks which come and go for me.  I didn't make it up or anything.  I found a study (Pubmed) that showed excellent improvements with this combo and I tried it and also had good results.   I tried it with just fish oil but it didn't work nearly as well with out the olive oil. This also agreed with the study results.  I know that  vitamin E is often recommended to take along with fish oil to guard from oxidative stress that I guess is similar to HR's warning about PPC going rancid.  I buy fish oil from Wal-mart because I  theorize that they have a faster turnover than most. ( I could be wrong )  I always keep it refrigerated.  I don't know if this relates at all to the type of inflammation you are experiencing but thought I'd throw it in since fish oil is considered good for the heart.  
Sorry I got windy but pericarditis struck a personal note.
I hope for your total recovery,
Ev