Hep C Discussion Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!
Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Can Jaundice be a side effect of Hep tx
Post Info TOPIC: Can Jaundice be a side effect of Hep tx
Matt Chris


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1782
Date:
Can Jaundice be a side effect of Hep tx
Permalink  
 

Hello Dragon Slayer

High bilirubin levels IMHA can occur as a result of TX, it called Hyperbilirubinemia one of the factors is the Ribavirin causes Red blood destruction during treatment, also the other TX may exacerbate Hyperbiliruniemia.  Primarily your liver and some other organs transport the destroyed cells but with a cirrhotic liver you sometimes can't keep up. There is written documenttion in various DAA studies that some trialist get elevated bilirubins levels.

When I was on my Abbvie Trial of quad therapy (including Ribavirin) I had two bouts of Hyperbiliruniemia. I did notice two things that affected the onset which I considered causal 

(1)  Not drinking enough clean purified water. (which helps your body in numerous way )

(2) Not eating a clean diet ( avoiding foods that are hard for the liver to process, like fried foods, heavy spiced and processed)

The point is to help or unburden your liver,  with eating crappy foods its having a hard time keeping up with all the Drugs and processing them, especially for cirrhotic patients.

I did not have this issue (High bilirubin levels) before treatment and I have not had it since being off treatment. 

Matt 



-- Edited by Matt Chris on Sunday 19th of January 2014 03:35:24 AM



__________________

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

61 year old Geno type A1, F4 Cirrhotic, started 24 weeks on Harvoni 12-17-14 ,EOT-5 week = UND, 8-31-15 =UND , SVR-24 Baby YES! 
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi again, Dragon Slayer, jaundice isn`t normally a side effect of Hep C treatment, so I should imagine this is more to do with you diagnosis of Gilbert`s Syndrome. 

Best thing would be to discuss this with your doctor at your appointment next week.

Best of luck, good to hear things are going well otherwise!



__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
maddie


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 210
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Dragon Slayer, found an article that hypothesizes riba can cause jaundice in those with Gilberts.  "Gilberts Suyndrome and antiviral therapy of hepatitis c" ,Ann Hepatol. 2009 Jul-Sep;8(3):246-50.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19841506

I am on same meds as you just minus the riba. Took my third dose today. So far, so good.   Hope we reach our goal. 



__________________

Dx. 2005-liver bx.: stg 2/gr 1. at that time  - GT 1a multiple transfusions in 1981.  Started Sovaldi and Olysio 1/16/14  (No prior treatments) Q80K present.  UND week 4,8 and at EOT.   UND at wk 4EOT, Und at wk 8EOT  SVR 12!!!..SVR 24 :-)
Hep-C Dragon Slayer


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 73
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks Tig.  

 

Doing very well on the new treatment. Just finished Day 13.

 

From others in the forum and my doctors suggestions (actually her nurse !), I changed the times I take the tx. 

Was:

Solvaldi/Olysio and Riba around 8am and second Riba around 7:00 pm.

Had nausea, slight head aches and insomnia.  All very tolerable.

Now:

Olysio and Riba at 7:00 am and Sovaldi at 9:30 am second Riba at 5:30.

Only get nausea for 30 minutes around 8:15, drink some ginger ale and all is good. Head aches are very slight and throughout the day but by drinking water that seems to relieve it and now I fall asleep around 1:30 am versus 4:30.

since sx seem non existent, I am now just counting the days and weeks to EOT .....

 

On the jaundice, I have noticed my BM's have changed since on tx !!!  Color and texture (sorry not trying to be gross) and timing.  Based on color and texture, I kind of related that to the recent jaundice, that seemed to be common effects notice in past when I would get jaundice. Being on the new tx, first thought was maybe this was causing it but after reading your reply,  it may just be a coincidence in the timing.

 

 

 

 



__________________

GT 1A:  VL: 4,695,000, started treatment 1/6/13 with off label Sovaldi/Olysio/Riba     No Interferon due to Sarcoid  in liver and lungs.  Recent biopsy shows Cirrhosis level 5/6.  EOT 3/30/14. SVR 8 on 5/30/14
Tig


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 9284
Date:
Permalink  
 

I didn't experience any jaundice myself, but my doctor was always checking me for it. You're right about the high bilirubin levels being responsible for it. When the liver, from cirrhosis, HCV or other causes, is damaged enough to inhibit it's ability to process (convert) the bilirubin to bile, the result can be a visible yellowing of the skin and eyes. I don't know that treatment for HCV itself is responsible for yours but since you've had problems with it before, it may just be a continuation of that original condition. Your doctor is on top of it and he/she has your best interests in mind. I would wait for those tests and see what your current bilirubin level is, likely it will be elevated. How are you feeling otherwise? Keep in touch!

Tig

 

Heres some reading: http://hepatitis.about.com/od/symptoms/a/jaundice.htm



__________________

Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

Signature Line Set Up/Abbreviations   Payment Assistance

 
Hep-C Dragon Slayer


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 73
Date:
Permalink  
 

I have often had bouts of jaundice and was told by my family doctors in my 20's it was from an enlarged spleen.  In my mid 30's I was told it was from a higher level of Bilirubin and that was diagnosed as Gilberts syndrome ( three or more years with the same bilirubin levels is considered okay ?).

Most recently I have not noticed any yellow eyes or skin until my daughter told me this morning that she can see that the whites of my eyes are yellow. My wife said she did not notice until today as well.

Any one on the old tx or the new tx have signs of jaundice ?

 

I have an appointment with my doctor next week as a regular check up to the tx but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this.  My biopsy did come back as level 5 cirrhosis (none fatty and non alcoholic)

 

 



__________________

GT 1A:  VL: 4,695,000, started treatment 1/6/13 with off label Sovaldi/Olysio/Riba     No Interferon due to Sarcoid  in liver and lungs.  Recent biopsy shows Cirrhosis level 5/6.  EOT 3/30/14. SVR 8 on 5/30/14
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Can Jaundice be a side effect of Hep tx
Legal Disclaimer:

THIS FORUM, IT'S OWNERS, ADMINISTRATORS, MODERATORS AND MEMBERS DO NOT AT ANY TIME GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN ALL CASES REFER ANYONE HERE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.