Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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kathy5854 02/26/2014

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at the end of my inteferon/riba tx 12 years ago. Non responder, boo. I experienced many years of extreme joint pain. I was eventually put on Orencia infusions to restore mobility. Now here is the good news: since being on new tx of sovaldi/riba, ALL my RA symptoms are gone. Doc said it may not have been RA but cryogobulanemia associated with HCV.
Anyone else have RA diagnosis? There is hope. Our future is bright.

ImKramer 02/26/2014

That's awesome kathy because as you know there is no treatment for cryo except getting rid of HCV; that can help!

allaboutliving 02/26/2014

Wow, that's great news! How long have you been on tx with Solvadi? Genotype? At what wk did you notice your had no more RA sx? Are you Und as well? Thanks for sharing.

kathy5854 02/26/2014

I have type 2B, non-detectable at 2 weeks, now on week 4. I had no joint pain by week 2. rib is giving me fits but I'll make it.

WarriorGal 02/26/2014

I have had RA for 40 some odd years and HCV longer but I did not know I had HCV until 11 years ago. I am Orencia and methatrexate for RA.

How were you able to tell your symptoms were gone if you were on Orencia? Orencia has me in remission for more than 3 years. My rheumatgologist told me recently that he believed if I reached SVR my RA might be cured too...but instead my liver doc thinks the Ra or Orencia are making me a non-responder. failed on trial and am on Sovaldi and Olysio currently. I'm 1B.

Have to look up Cyro again. I have before I never thought i had it. Besides, MY RA was confirmed numerous time - by biopsies of nodules that were removed from my wrist and also a biopsy of fluid drained from my lung. All came back RA. So i have it for sure!

WarriorGal 02/26/2014

Were you on Orencia alone?

How was your RA diagnosed? What was your sed rate and c-reactive protein? Did you have vectra?

Trissa01 02/27/2014

Very happy for you, joint pain gone! Enjoy! My RA factor is elevated, I think hcv triggers many auto immune disorders. Hoping for successful treatment soon.

dragonars 02/27/2014

Day 16 here my joints are feeling better also. Check your skin also. Lots of strange little spots are clearing up. So far no sides blood check in 2 weeks. Peace

deleted_user 02/27/2014

Good news Kathy!!!

kathy5854 02/27/2014

RASS- the doctor took me off Orencia 3 months before I started HCV tx. He said it would suppress my immune system. My RA was diagnosed with blood tests. I don't have a copy of old labs to share SED rate.
HCV doctor says having cryo will show a false positive for RA. So far, what he says is true.
This is my 3rd round of HCV treatment. Twice on interferon. I'm hopeful about being HCV non-detectable, but have been there before. So I know not to celebrate, just yet.
Thanks all for the positive notes! It's wonderful.

WarriorGal 02/27/2014

I wish you the best. What tx are you doing now???

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