Autoimmune Hep from interferon treatment for HCV?

[Trish77]

I'm wondering if anyone here acquired AIH as a result of interferon treatment for HCV  or are aware of anyone who did?  Have been reading this is possible (haven't seen statistics yet, still reading) and wanted to ask the question.  I don't have AIH, just some things I've been reading make me take this particular situation a little more seriously and that other autoimmune disorders can present with AIH.

Thank you.

Trish

[Here987]

Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) is considered by most researchers to be another Autoimmune Disorder. It certainly can make you feel as if you have flu.
I'd stay away from the race car in the garage! I have AIH; I don't even put gas in my car myself if I can help it.
Any time you pee brown or become jaundiced, you definitely need to get to a doctor. (When this happened to me, I had become so confused that I just thought it was funny and didn't mention it to anyone; my judgment was WAY off because of toxins developed from liver disease.)

[missnanny]

When you all comment that the treatment is causing other autoimmune issues, get the info from the pharmacist or look it up on line (name of drug, MSDS - what is in it?)

Accutane for instance has a buylated inert ingredient.  It causes more harm, and can even cause males and females to become sterile. (My view) The HELLP Syndrome has the look of some type of BUTYL or 2-butoxyethanol in the meds that new moms are given during childbirth or around that time.  (Researchers should ask this group, "Do you notice any short term memory loss?"

You sound very, very ill Jody, based on the congestion that is showing up.  Are you very TIRED?

I would get in to see the doctor as soon as possible; have someone go with you,
and insist that they focus on the anemia (the fatigue)

and give them my tips ... Regular bloodwork will usually say you are OK when you know you are NOT ok

or just simply say that the lab tech must LOOK at the RED blood cells

Primary exposure in 1997:
"1997.  I  jaundiced, peed brown"

What was going on right then?

& for NOW ...

you shared,

"My husband has a race car in the garage & he was working on it. starting it up, etc"

If this was the exact time when 'the cold symptoms' and congestion started

I think the 2-butoxyethanol is an additive in super high octane fuels,

In Vietnam they said they mixed Agent Orange with Jet fuel 4 & jet fuel 5
(EPA lists these as having a pesticide registration number)
and this chemical is a pesticide ...

Just one of many exposures possible.  I strongly suspect the Vietnam Vets were harmed by this other chemical 'in the mix'

http://www.valdezlink.com/re/achemicaltosuspect.htm  

There are many incorrect views in medical science that prevent discovery ... but there is proof: the anemia that doctors are looking for in Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. I suspect this anemia is a primary cause of death for these, and for others with similar amounts of exposure to Ethylene Glycol MonoBUTYL Ether: AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA.

http://www.valdezlink.com/re/thecfidsview.htm

These web pages are ones I have written to express what I'm finding out about exposure to 2-butoxyethanol.  I have no medical background; however, unless and until doctors and researchers list exposure to butyl as a cause of flu symptoms, they aren't aware of the most probable cause of 'the flu'

http://www.valdezlink.com/re/researchupset.htm

[Jody515]

Hi,
Yes, I do understand about autoimmune disorders & that they run in my family.  It is coming out all over & thruout, with my older brother, my 2 daughters, & quite a few cousins, all coming from my Mom's side of family.
What I was saying that the doctor told me at the end of my treatment for hcv, was that the diseases, (both of them) only go into remission & one could re-activate & cause the other one to re-activate.
I was vaccinated for Hep A sometime in the 80's because of fear of exposure in my line of work.  I was also vaccinated for Hep B.
I do take the flu vaccine every yr & this yr also intend to get the pneumonia one but I have a terrible virus right now which means it will be toward the end of Nov before I can get either one at this point.
How about you, how are you doing, well I hope & Best wishes back to you.

[Here987]

Jody, many people develop AIH after having HCV, due to the stress on the liver that HCV causes. However, only people who have a gene related to autoimmune disease will ever develop AIH. You're right, treating people who have both HCV and AIH is a balancing act: the doctor must decide which of the two illnesses will be most helped by a particular drug, or the most harmed.

I don't understand -- you say " He informed me at the of my tx for the HCV".

Yes, AIH never goes away, but it can be managed, controlled. It's an autoimmune disorder, and all ADs are with you for a lifetime. Those of us who have one are at increased risk for others.

Watch out for the development of any other ADs, such as celiac disease (the most common one, affecting 1% of the general population, a greater percentage of those with ADs).

Have you been vaccinated for Hep A? Those of us with only AIH are strongly advised to get the vaccine for Hep A and C, as our livers wouldn't handle another disease well.

Stay current with pneumonia vaccine and flu shots. We are particularly vulnerable to any added problem.

Best wishes.

[Jody515]

My husband & I are both doing fine but according to my hepatologist who is the director of the transplant dept locally, I am only in remission on both counts.  He informed me at the end of my tx for the HCV, (will always be on meds for the aih) that either one could activate & cause the other to activate & it could result in me needing a transplant down the line.  I don't think so because I am very careful about everything that goes into my mouth, no alcohol at all & nothing I think that would harm me.  I think very positively.
I understand about your throid & hope & pray for you that it does not continue after tx. It is a possibility though but think positively.
Take care, Jody

[Trish77]

Thanks for sharing that, Jody.  It adds somewhat to the picture.  I hope you and your husband are both doing well now? It seems you've cleared both AIH aand HCV?  

I have hyperthyroidism at the moment due to treatment - I expect it to go away when the treatment does and if it doesn't, I'll deal with that too.  

Take care.  

Trish

[Jody515]

Hi,
I have AIH & was treated for HCV.  I acquired one or both at about the same time in 1997.  I  juandiced, peed brown & went to family doctor thinking I had the type of hepatitis you get from eating or being around someone contagious (type of career I had that put me in danger of certain factors) I think that is called Hep A but not for sure.  Anyway, Dr tested me for all types, came bk neg, & continued to test me for 6 months because of high enzyme levels but they eventually went down & nothing showed up during those 6 months.  In Aug of 2001 my husband had a total physical & due to him having tatoos acquired in Viet Nam & due to bk then them knowing nothing of blood diseases, they lined all the boys up for Nam & gave them shot after shot in a line, need I say more about that.  Anyway, due to these factors they tested him & he came bk positive for HCV.  Well, when that occurred, I went spastic remembering my jaundice in 1997 & what had happened a few wks before my jaundice.  He had been under the hood of his truck working high off the ground.  He ripped his chest wide open, came running & I of course took care of the bleeding as much as possible prior to getting him in my car to hospital not knowing I must have had an open cut somewhere.  To make a long story short, when I found out about his HCV, I ran bk to my dr & found out that I was now testing positive for HCV.  Took me 6 months to get in with a gastro dr.  When I finally did, he did a biopsy.  The biopsy went to 3 diff places & all came to the same conclusion that being I also had AIH which was doing all the damage to my liver.  So the treatment for the AIH came first & that went on until 2005.  He didn't want to treat me for the HCV, he was afraid because you are not supposed to mix the drugs.  So I found the nearest Hepatologist at the teaching hospital across the river & he was willing to do so.  I had the easy type to treat that normally only takes 6 months but due to the AIH I was treated for 10 months & was extremely ill from it.
Sorry this is long & all typed in same paragraph, just wanted you to know that I didn't get the AIH from the treatment but quite possibly from having HCV & not knowing it.  HCV doesn't show up right away obviously in alot of cases.
I have heard though of others contracting AIH & other autoimmune diseases from the treatment.  Hope this was helpful.  Jody