Hepatitis C Management

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Question:

After being diagnosed with hepatitis C (2b), I was placed on pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. Unfortunately, I had to discontinue treatment after 11 weeks because of side effects. My doctor tested my level 6 months later, and there was no virus detected. For more than 2 years, my liver enzymes have been normal. I also have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since treatment for hepatitis C, my RA has been out of control. I am currently taking indomethacin and increasing doses of prednisone. My rheumatologist does not want to try anything else because of my past liver problems. Would medications that suppress the immune system cause the hepatitis C to surface again? Do you know if this situation has come up before and how it was managed?

I do not see a major issue in treating RA in your case, especially because you have been free of hepatitis C for the past 2 years. Decisions regarding treatment of RA should be made independently from the HCV. Unless you developed cirrhosis from HCV, the same treatment options are available to you as to a person with no history of HCV.

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