Welcome to the forums. I don't have any specific knowledge or first hand experience with autoimmune hep c to share, but do have post-tx autoimmune issues, which [evidently] were brought on by the interferon.
Just so you know, Malcolm is on extended holiday(and thus iincommunicado) for the next several weeks, at which time he can resume this conversation.
I wish you the best, for moving beyond all of the treatment and side effects, and onto a better life.
Antwinnie said
May 29, 2013
Hello Millani,
I appreciate your responding. I tested AIH negative in 2006 w/biopsy and positive for both last fall w/biopsy, My odds for successful treatment went from 80/20 to 50/50. I completed interferon/ribavarin and cleared first month and hope to remain SVR. My doc explained the AIH may surface once the virus clears and I understood this and will climb this hill. I started neupogen 2 months back, once a week and post treatment it's up to twice a week.
I've always felt the rapid advance of the virus leading to cirrhosis over 6 years was due to an underlying condition (I can now identify AIH) coupled with failure to treat.
Its so important for HCV patients to be proactive, stand their ground for medical care and seek support within the liver disease community. I attend a group and found a lot of common ground there and reading forum posts.
mallani said
May 29, 2013
Hi Linda,
My understanding is that Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are completely different. They sometimes co-exist which can be confusing. Back in 1988, before the HCV test was available, my Hepatologist thought I may have had AIH based on an elevated ANA and IgG. I had 12 months of Prednisone and Imuran, which of course did nothing. It probably aggravated my HCV. Have you had treatment for AIH? It commonly leads to cirrhosis, whereas Geno2 HCV rarely does. I presume you had Interferon and Ribavirin which cleared the Geno2 HCV, but you are left with AIH. If you are SVR, you will probably need a course of steroids. It's a shame you weren't treated before you developed cirrhosis. Good luck .
Antwinnie said
May 29, 2013
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and wanted to intro myself. I was diagnosed 2006 w/genotype 2, a stage 1 (biopsy). Quit all alcohol then and hadn't used drugs in 35+ years. Did all my blood work faithfully and fell thru the medical cracks, now stage 4, cirrhosis stage 1, plus auto immune hep C (2nd biopsy). Finished treatment on 5/22. First 3 weeks were tough and did ok with annoying sides for the next 5 months, cleared virus in 1 lasts. My liver area and right shoulder have hurt since the 2nd biopsy. The last month of treatment I felt lousy, tired, cramping (electrolyte test on the low side of normal), fatigue, joint aches, nausea, etc. have appointment w/hep doc Friday to discuss autoimmune.
Hi Antwinnie,
Welcome to the forums. I don't have any specific knowledge or first hand experience with autoimmune hep c to share, but do have post-tx autoimmune issues, which [evidently] were brought on by the interferon.
Just so you know, Malcolm is on extended holiday(and thus iincommunicado) for the next several weeks, at which time he can resume this conversation.
I wish you the best, for moving beyond all of the treatment and side effects, and onto a better life.
Hello Millani,
I appreciate your responding. I tested AIH negative in 2006 w/biopsy and positive for both last fall w/biopsy, My odds for successful treatment went from 80/20 to 50/50. I completed interferon/ribavarin and cleared first month and hope to remain SVR. My doc explained the AIH may surface once the virus clears and I understood this and will climb this hill. I started neupogen 2 months back, once a week and post treatment it's up to twice a week.
I've always felt the rapid advance of the virus leading to cirrhosis over 6 years was due to an underlying condition (I can now identify AIH) coupled with failure to treat.
Its so important for HCV patients to be proactive, stand their ground for medical care and seek support within the liver disease community. I attend a group and found a lot of common ground there and reading forum posts.
Hi Linda,
My understanding is that Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are completely different. They sometimes co-exist which can be confusing. Back in 1988, before the HCV test was available, my Hepatologist thought I may have had AIH based on an elevated ANA and IgG. I had 12 months of Prednisone and Imuran, which of course did nothing. It probably aggravated my HCV. Have you had treatment for AIH? It commonly leads to cirrhosis, whereas Geno2 HCV rarely does. I presume you had Interferon and Ribavirin which cleared the Geno2 HCV, but you are left with AIH. If you are SVR, you will probably need a course of steroids. It's a shame you weren't treated before you developed cirrhosis. Good luck .
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and wanted to intro myself. I was diagnosed 2006 w/genotype 2, a stage 1 (biopsy). Quit all alcohol then and hadn't used drugs in 35+ years. Did all my blood work faithfully and fell thru the medical cracks, now stage 4, cirrhosis stage 1, plus auto immune hep C (2nd biopsy). Finished treatment on 5/22. First 3 weeks were tough and did ok with annoying sides for the next 5 months, cleared virus in 1 lasts. My liver area and right shoulder have hurt since the 2nd biopsy. The last month of treatment I felt lousy, tired, cramping (electrolyte test on the low side of normal), fatigue, joint aches, nausea, etc. have appointment w/hep doc Friday to discuss autoimmune.
Anyone else dealing with autoimmune hep c?