Anaemia and muscle disease during TX

[fay57]

Hi, Has any one ever developed muscle disease while on TX , also is anaemia usually treated or just considered as "normal" . My son has developed both of these detected in blood tests and is having severe muscle pain. His hep nurse says they are normal while on tx . He also has a high white cell count poss due to chest infections. His Hep c nurse seems unconcerned it is me , his mum, who questions . He has been very ill while on tx and I feel it may be beyond the norm . I know this tx is awful for everyone but something is not right. He often cries with the pain even though he is on lots of strong pain meds.

[meakea]

Fay, anemia on treatment is to be expected.  The pills that Matt takes (riba) are what are making him anemic because they cause a drop in the hemoglobin or red blood cells.  Most people on treatment find that their HGB (hemoglobin) will drop below normal and, anything below normal, is considered to be anemic.  Many times nothing is done about the anemia -- unless it gets too bad.

There is a limit to how low the HGB should go and it varies from doc to doc as to when they will do something about the anemia.  I've been holding in the 10 range with my HGB and there is no treatment needed for me so far, yet I am anemic.

If Matt's HGB gets to a point that the doc thinks is "too low", then the doc will either reduce his dose of riba or will add a shot called Procrit to increase his HGB.  It varies from doc to doc as to what they will do.

Do you know what his HGB level is at this point?

As far as him developing "a muscle disease", I don't know anything about that but keep asking his docs about that until you get a satisfactory answer - one that you understand.

Best of luck to you and Matt!!

[jmjm530]

Many people complain of flu-like symptons from the treatment drugs including muscle aches. Not sure how common "severe muscle pain" is though and I think that should be looked into. As to anemia, yes, it can be treated to some extent with the helper drug Procrit (epo). There are guidelines for starting Procrit although some doctors vary from the guidelines and take symptons as well as the rate of hemoglobin drop more into account. Is your son treating with a hepatologist (liver specialist) or a gastroenterologist? Hepatologists are generally far more knowlegeable especially when it comes time to treat and can usually be ound at your larger teaching hospitals. Consider seeing one for a second opinion and personally I wouldn't let the "severe muscle pain" slide, but none of us are doctors here.

-- Jim