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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Rising monocytes: cause for concern or am I panicking unnecessarily?
Post Info TOPIC: Rising monocytes: cause for concern or am I panicking unnecessarily?
Tig


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RE: Rising monocytes: cause for concern or am I panicking unnecessarily?
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MoM,

Try to drink a minimum of 2 liters per day and try for 3. You can actually drink too much water, so keep it around 2 to 3 liters/day. You can judge pretty accurately by the color of your urine. A dark or very yellow color indicates more concentration (high specific gravity) than desirable, it also tends to have more of a noticeable odor when too concentrated. A light or pale yellow is a good color to strive for.

Thanks for asking about my treatment. I ended treatment on Dec. 4th and will go in on the 27th of this month for my EOT +12 week viral load test. I was undetectable from week 8 of treatment and am excited about the possibility of ridding myself of this beast of 35 years. I'm also getting nervous about the upcoming test, as are most people waiting on such important news. If I can remain undetectable out to EOT +24 weeks, then SVR it is! The first 4-5 weeks post treatment were some of the most unpleasant for me actually. I had a real resurgence of the side effects experienced during treatment, nausea, skin problems and a combination of problems with my ears. Namely tinnitus and ear infections from the skin conditions. But the good news is they have improved and my strength is returning to almost normal. It will take up to 6 months to consider yourself clear of the medications completely but you typically feel better much sooner than that. Keep your eye on the prize, it seems a long way off but trust me, that day will come and your life will be better for it! Good luck smile

Tig

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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!

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mindovermatter


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Tig56,

I see from your signature that you are also undergoing treatment. How is it going for you, mate?



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31 year old Indian

Starting viral load 2.3 million

Started treatment: 31/12/2013 with pegylated interferon and Ribavarin.

Fibroscan score : 5.3 kpa

GT : 3

EOT: 16th June 2014
mindovermatter


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Thanks Tig and Jill,

Jill , you are right. I have been taking multi-vitamins daily.

I think during treatment one becomes sensitive to every little change in one's blood work.

And, yes, I am not having as much water as people on this forum suggest. I have about a litre to a litre and a half of water daily.

The fact that rising monocytes could indicate a recent viral infection had me worried whether HCV was replicating again.

Thanks, your responses have calmed me down a bit.



__________________

31 year old Indian

Starting viral load 2.3 million

Started treatment: 31/12/2013 with pegylated interferon and Ribavarin.

Fibroscan score : 5.3 kpa

GT : 3

EOT: 16th June 2014
Tig


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Hi MoM,

I agree with Jill's impression as well. The fact you're feeling better following your recent bout of illness, proves your monocytes were doing their job. Monocytes are considered part of the white blood cell family. The job of the WBC is to elevate when you're ill. They act as the sword in the battle against it. I would be thankful that you had enough left to battle your illness last week or you'd still be feeling poorly. As you know, Interferon and Ribavirin cause anemia and can cause all of your existing CBC level to drop. Your levels were still high enough to fight off your illness and will likely start to decrease now that you're feeling better, as well as continuing with treatment. Relax, you'll be fine! Good luck with Tx!

Tig

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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!

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Cinnamon Girl


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Hi M-o-M, I don`t think you need to be too concerned about your elevated monocyte levels, it does seem quite likely that they`ve increased as a result of your immune system`s response to a recent infection, taking into account that you weren`t well last week.  How does that compare with the rest of your latest cbc results?

As for the bright yellow urine, are you sure you`re drinking enough water?  Another thing that could be causing it is if you`re taking a multi vitamin which contains Riboflavin as that will turn your urine that colour.

I don`t think you have any need to worry about the virus being back, you`ve responded well to this treatment so far and I don`t think there`s any need to panic.  If you`re worried though I should think the best thing would be to speak to your doctor, to put your mind at ease.



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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.

 

 
mindovermatter


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Dear All,

I was in bad shape last week. I was extremely fatigued, my stomach was upset and I had cough

Now I have recovered. I am feeling much better. There are two things that I would want the experts here to chime in on.

I get my cbc done every week before the day of the injection. I am on Peg, Riba combination. I am in week 8 of treatment.

 

My monocytes have increased to 9%. The previous week they were at 5%. The week before that, they were at 1%. Is this of any significance? I was reading up on monocytes on the internet and a doctor said that a higher than normal monocyte level points to either a recent viral infection, thyroid problems, auto-immune disease or certain malignancies.

 

Also my urine has turned bright yellow. I am wondering if HCV viruses are active again. I was UND at 1 month of treatment. 

 



-- Edited by mindovermatter on Monday 17th of February 2014 11:31:45 AM



-- Edited by mindovermatter on Monday 17th of February 2014 11:39:45 AM

__________________

31 year old Indian

Starting viral load 2.3 million

Started treatment: 31/12/2013 with pegylated interferon and Ribavarin.

Fibroscan score : 5.3 kpa

GT : 3

EOT: 16th June 2014
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