Hep C/Hep C treatment and CML
Greetings! I have a specific question at the end of this text. The background is to provide clear context for the question.
In the late 1980s I was rejected as a blood donor and later told I had non A non B hepatitis. I was told by military doctors not to worry about it and nothing else was ever said about it. I just never tried to donate blood again.
I made the decision in 1998 after 16 years of honorable service (4 years short of retirement) to leave the USAF. I separated from the military not knowing the long term implications of having hepatitis C because I didn’t know I had Hepatitis C.
In 2003, I felt bad - faint and weak. I was taken to and subsequently admitted to the hospital. After being there a couple of days a doctor came in and asked me if I knew that I had Hep C. I said no and the process of tests, biopsy, etc. began and led to Interferon & Ribavirin treatment began.
I was on treatment for 6 months. During that time I was put on a number of other meds, 1) amphetamine for no energy, 2) Zolpidem because I couldn’t sleep, 3) Paxil because of extreme mood changes, and 4) Nupegeun shots twice a week because my bone marrow was not producing sufficient white blood cells.
The good news is that my Hep C has remained undetectable.
QUESTION: I have recently been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid (or Myelogenous)
Leukemia (CML). Could the possibly be a connection between my Hep C/Hep C Treatment/Treatment effects and CML?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Rich
Hi
. Welcome to the community! I'm glad you found us. First, I want to thank you for your service. I have the greatest admiration and respect for people who serve in the military.
I am so sorry to hear about your chronic myeloid leukemia diagnosis. Are you getting treatment now? From what I understand, there is no cure, but treatmemt can keep it in remission. We have a sister community for people with blood cancer that might interest you, Blood-Cancer.com. It is an active community that can be a great source of support.
We are not medical experts and I hadn't heard of a connection between hep C and chronic myeloid leukemia, so I did some quick research. These are among the first studies that came up: https://applications.emro.who.int/imemrf/J_Islamabad_Med_Dent_Coll/J_Islamabad_Med_Dent_Coll_2013_2_1_17_20.pdf and https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.15_suppl.e18557.
I hope you are able to get extra compensation from the military and full medical coverage given that you were misdiagnosed to begin with. Even more so, I hope that researchers develop a cure for chronic myeloid leukemia. I hope this helps. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)Thanks so much for your assistance!
That is very fascinating. My mom got treated for Hep C back in early 2000s with interferon. In 2007 she was diagnosed with CML. We don’t know how long she had Hep C but I know she had it when I was born since I now found that I have it (I’ve never taken any kind of drugs or even have a tattoo). We know I got it from her.
FYI My mom has been in remission for 8 years now! I hope you find the medicine that works best for you early to get you in remission faster.Welcome,
! I am glad to hear your mother in in remission. I hope researchers find a cure someday so she can be free of CML for good. Are you undergoing treatment now? I hope your hep C was caught early and that your liver hasn't suffered any damage. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
When I was diagnosed it was called non-A non-B. Told it was nothing to worry about either.
