Aa
itching
My arms and legs have been itching since about 2am. I really can't tell for sure if I have a rash (I think I do), because I have bumps anyway due to an over production of keratin (pre-tx condition, not new). It seems more bumpy than usual but is not red unless I scratch it. Do I really need to call the dr, or is it safe to assume it's not an allergic reaction at this point? I will be taking my 4th shot monday morning and I'm on double therapy. This doesn't look like any allergic rash I've ever had(I get alot sometimes) and I'm sure the dr is tired of hearing from me all the time by now.
I also need to know what a pcr number is? I thought it was the same as viral load but my pcr is much lower than my viral load was 6 or so months ago. I had all this figured out and had a seizure right when I started needing it. Now I can't remember alot of it.
I also need to know what a pcr number is? I thought it was the same as viral load but my pcr is much lower than my viral load was 6 or so months ago. I had all this figured out and had a seizure right when I started needing it. Now I can't remember alot of it.
The only other thing my husband's hepatologist prescribed for itching was Triamcinolone ointment. You might ask your hepatologist and a dermatologist if that's something you could use.
Advocate1955
Advocate1955
I cannot offer you anything on the skin problem. I did look up the excess keratin diagnosis and it sounds like you are not supposed to scratch those little bumps. You are already using all the OTC and lotions I used and the Hydroxyl, but about 4x more than I used. This sounds like one for the dermatologist.
Is it normal to have this kinda drop without tx?
Yes. It could actually be that much of a difference from one week to the next. It makes no sense, but the virus is constantly dieing off and replicating. It is not significant unless there is a 1-log drop. To calculate that you move the decimal point over once. Therefore a 1-log drop from 5,570,000 is 557,000. I don't think it has anything to do with the epstein barr. However there does seem to be a connection which you pointed out.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2011/03/are_the_epstein.html
The HCV - EBV Connection
Despite their differences, research has demonstrated a unique connection between the Hepatitis C and Epstein-Barr viruses.
• As published in an October 1999 edition of The EMBO Journal, Japanese researchers observed that the Epstein-Barr virus was detected in 37 percent of the tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma examined, and was especially frequent in cases with HCV. Upon further analysis, they surmised that EBV acts as a helper virus for HCV replication.
• As published in an advanced online edition, the December 2010 Journal of Medical Virology documented another connection between the two viruses. According to the researchers, infection with Hepatitis C induces reactivation of EBV in B cells - an important cell in the immune system.
Most of us already have EBV lying dormant in our bodies. Although a connection has been found between Epstein-Barr and Hepatitis C, there is no reason for anyone infected with either virus to be concerned about their relationship. However, the discoveries that Epstein-Barr helps Hepatitis C replicate and that Hepatitis C reactivates Epstein-Barr could prove invaluable as the search for better real-life solutions to these two viruses continues
Yes. It could actually be that much of a difference from one week to the next. It makes no sense, but the virus is constantly dieing off and replicating. It is not significant unless there is a 1-log drop. To calculate that you move the decimal point over once. Therefore a 1-log drop from 5,570,000 is 557,000. I don't think it has anything to do with the epstein barr. However there does seem to be a connection which you pointed out.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2011/03/are_the_epstein.html
The HCV - EBV Connection
Despite their differences, research has demonstrated a unique connection between the Hepatitis C and Epstein-Barr viruses.
• As published in an October 1999 edition of The EMBO Journal, Japanese researchers observed that the Epstein-Barr virus was detected in 37 percent of the tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma examined, and was especially frequent in cases with HCV. Upon further analysis, they surmised that EBV acts as a helper virus for HCV replication.
• As published in an advanced online edition, the December 2010 Journal of Medical Virology documented another connection between the two viruses. According to the researchers, infection with Hepatitis C induces reactivation of EBV in B cells - an important cell in the immune system.
Most of us already have EBV lying dormant in our bodies. Although a connection has been found between Epstein-Barr and Hepatitis C, there is no reason for anyone infected with either virus to be concerned about their relationship. However, the discoveries that Epstein-Barr helps Hepatitis C replicate and that Hepatitis C reactivates Epstein-Barr could prove invaluable as the search for better real-life solutions to these two viruses continues
I've also been over doing it this week and I'm thinking the itching might be a histamine reaction from stress, Which happens to me from time to time.
Thanks, I'm on hydroxyzine 100mg a day and the way the rx is written I can go up another 50. I've been on it for years due to many unexplained rashes and unexplained itching (w/o rashes). I've had alot less allergic reactions since I've been on it. Usually my med reactions are on my chest but this is on my arms and legs. As far as lotion I can only use gold bond medicated and fragrance free Aveeno due to chemical sensitivities. When I talked to the dr (pre tx) about possible sx and what to do about them, I was already using most of the basic remedies.
So PCR and viral load are the same thing? That's what I thought. When I was dx'ed in feb of this year my VL was 5,570,000. On oct 11, before I started tx, my pcr was 2,410,000. I was also dx'ed with eppstein barre in feb and I know it helps the virus replicate. Is it normal to have this kinda drop without tx? Could it mean I have a better chance of success, or could it just mean I cleared the eppstein barre and the hcv is just replicating slower now?
So PCR and viral load are the same thing? That's what I thought. When I was dx'ed in feb of this year my VL was 5,570,000. On oct 11, before I started tx, my pcr was 2,410,000. I was also dx'ed with eppstein barre in feb and I know it helps the virus replicate. Is it normal to have this kinda drop without tx? Could it mean I have a better chance of success, or could it just mean I cleared the eppstein barre and the hcv is just replicating slower now?
Well, I had my Primary Care Doc prescribe to me some nifty little
anti-itch pills, calle Hydroxyzine (aka Atarax), when I got itchy on my Tx, but mine started from the sun, and started on my torso, but rose to my head. I felt mine was an allergy, because of the all over itch feeling.
The reason I like the Hydroxyzine is because, it stopped my itching, and had no noticable side effects.
anti-itch pills, calle Hydroxyzine (aka Atarax), when I got itchy on my Tx, but mine started from the sun, and started on my torso, but rose to my head. I felt mine was an allergy, because of the all over itch feeling.
The reason I like the Hydroxyzine is because, it stopped my itching, and had no noticable side effects.
AS advocate said, it is probably from the ribavirin. I found when I was on the double therapy that Gold Bond Medicated lotion was about the most helpful of all over the counter products. I didn't start itching as early as you have but treatment may be compounding the excess keratin problem. Sun was a definite factor in my ribavirin rash and I had to stay out of it.
Advocate is also right on the PCR or viral load test. You may see your viral load shown as "copies" or "international units." Each lab's copies are a little different. Thus they developed the international unit (IU) methodology. I think most people here post in IU/mL. At least, I hope they do because copies can be so different. (For example, at LabCorp, IU is about 2/3 copies). Nonetheless, I think if you get two PCR tests in one day, they will be different anyway. The experts don't see significant difference unless there is a log difference (that is, if the viral load changes by 10%).
from PubMed --
.PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a revolutionary method developed by Kary Mullis in the 1980s. PCR is based on using the ability of DNA polymerase to synthesize new strand of DNA complementary to the offered template strand. Because DNA polymerase can add a nucleotide only onto a preexisting 3'-OH group, it needs a primer to which it can add the first nucleotide. This requirement makes it possible to delineate a specific region of template sequence that the researcher wants to amplify. At the end of the PCR reaction, the specific sequence will be accumulated in billions of copies (amplicons
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/genome/probe/doc/TechPCR.shtml
Advocate is also right on the PCR or viral load test. You may see your viral load shown as "copies" or "international units." Each lab's copies are a little different. Thus they developed the international unit (IU) methodology. I think most people here post in IU/mL. At least, I hope they do because copies can be so different. (For example, at LabCorp, IU is about 2/3 copies). Nonetheless, I think if you get two PCR tests in one day, they will be different anyway. The experts don't see significant difference unless there is a log difference (that is, if the viral load changes by 10%).
from PubMed --
.PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a revolutionary method developed by Kary Mullis in the 1980s. PCR is based on using the ability of DNA polymerase to synthesize new strand of DNA complementary to the offered template strand. Because DNA polymerase can add a nucleotide only onto a preexisting 3'-OH group, it needs a primer to which it can add the first nucleotide. This requirement makes it possible to delineate a specific region of template sequence that the researcher wants to amplify. At the end of the PCR reaction, the specific sequence will be accumulated in billions of copies (amplicons
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/genome/probe/doc/TechPCR.shtml
It's probably not an allergic rash, per se, but just a skin reaction to the Ribavirin. I would call the doctor and ask about it. Some of the things that help: stay moisturized, don't take hot showers, pat your skin dry, use a moisturizer, drink lots of water. You can ask your doctor for a prescription called Hydroxyzine and an ointment called Triamcinilone to see if those help with the itchiness.
A PCR is the viral load. Your viral load changes daily and can go up and down, but since you are on SOC (Interferon and Ribavirin), it should be going down now, indicating that treatment is working.
Advocate1955
A PCR is the viral load. Your viral load changes daily and can go up and down, but since you are on SOC (Interferon and Ribavirin), it should be going down now, indicating that treatment is working.
Advocate1955
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