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Lupus
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Posted 10/16/2010 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I was told after having some liver tests that I have Hep C, this of course makes my Rhuemy nervous as she said the immune system is what keeps it incheck. If she were to put me on an Immuno drug the risk of liver damage and failure is high. Apparently she took the risk with a previous patient like me and it didn't end well for either of them. I now take the lowest dose of Prednisone possible and alot of Vicodin to keep me walking without agony. I trust my doc and she swears she will do all she can to help me, does anyone else also have liver disease in addition to their autoimmune disease? If so pls tell me what your doctor did. :-)
Posted 10/16/2010 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey DMF....this is a very tricky situations. My thought would be to get a second and possibly third opinion form DR's. See how they would treat your case and what medicines they would use. I would think to keep your lupus under check that you would need to be on some type of immunosuppressant and have frequent (every few weeks) blood work done to check your liver.

Have you tried or are you on Plaquenil?
Posted 10/17/2010 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Heppatitis C is a virus.  It can hide out in your body for years, kept in check by your immune system.  Active Hep C infection can cause liver cancer.  Normal blood tests (liver function tests) won't detect active infection, nor will it detect or prevent cancer.  If you go on serious immune suppresents you could easily end up with liver cancer.  Listen to your rhuemy-she is smart.
Posted 10/17/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
yes I was on Plaquenil, that was the one she was willing to try but I had an allergic reaction to it. sad

And yeah that's what she said, that my immune system is what's holding the hepatitis in check...hence she doesn't want to risk suppressing the immune system. I do have liver tests done every month, I always know when the hep goes active...it's a distinct problem. I was first diagnosed with hep c in 1995, the year my son was born. It has wreaked havoc only 4 times since then, now in remission and praying the stuff stays that way forever. Sigh, feels like being stuck between a rock and a hard place and yes I have an appt for a 2nd opinion and my Rhuemy has been asking help of her fellow physicians since making a wrong move could cost me my life.
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