fibro and hep connection?

[ohio nurse]

Dr Dietrich, can you tell me your take on Hep C and Fibromyalgia? I have both and believe there must be a relationship. Also The fibro has tripled in intensity after treatment, any ideas on how to kick it back down?????

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

There is no specific link between HCV and fibromyalgia or treatment that is in the literature. However, interferon treatment does accelerate the course of autoimmune diseases. For example thyroid problems happen with interferon commonly. When you go back and look at the people who developed thyroid disease, they all had anti thyroid antibodies BEFORE treatment!
What this means is that if fibromyalgia is an immune mediated disease, then interferon can make it happen sooner than it would have anyway.
One tough disease, followed by another is difficult to comprehend. Good luck! DTD

[proud48]

I too am an RN and post 2 year treatment and have elevated CRP, sed rate up and down, positive RA and Sjogrens. My rheumatologist thinks the with the years of HCV and then Tx. I now have a immune system disorder. I have never been so tired and have joint and muscle pain every day.  
sadd  

[Boni58]

I am also a nurse and have just been dx with fibromyalgia and have worsened bone and joint pain post tx for hep C

[truredhead]

A related discussion, need to know about immunizations before tx was started.