purple red lesions. Sovaldi, peg, ribavirin day 17

[unsure]

 I'm new to the forum and very nervous.  I was diagnosed in 2007 completed the 12 months of treatment.  I'm a responder relasper.  I started getting these really itchy red lesions that would bruise badly about a year ago.  I'm 17 days in being treated with 12 weeks of Sovaldi, peg and ribavirin.  Today as the day has progressed I'm not feeling great but still able to keep in my routine.  My question is I'm still getting the lesions.  Noticed one day 15. I nervous the meds aren't working.  Genotype 1a.

[lporterrn]

Hi - You will need to ask your doc this. However, this may be because interferon lowers the platelets, which means that you would bruise more easily. If so, this is a normal side effect of the medication and not an indicator that the meds aren't working. Also, you have an excellent chance at success, so it is way too early to worry.

[unsure]

My doctor actually told me the lesions are an immune response to the hepatitis c and to treat the lesions you must treat the hepatitis.  Which is why I'm sooo worried the meds aren't working.  I don't want to break down emotionally but I scared.  Are the chances of clearing the same for a responder relasper?  I thought I'd be OK if I don't clear but now I'm not so sure I'm ready for this emotional roller coaster.  Unfortunately, its too late to turn back.  I'm going to keep pushing forward, keep my eyes closed and pray. I feel pretty decent and if I can take these meds for 48 weeks I know I can take 12. Other than hepatitis and healthy. 

[Mike]

Hi Unsure,

I completed the same treatment in April. I achieved an SVR12 , which means cured when taking SOL+INTF+RIBV.

I had some bruising issues, nothing really concerning, and some itching and small red bumps.

I was a previous partial responder (48 weeks of INTF+RIBV in 2001), GT1a, diabetic and high VL.

Sovaldi is a game changer and knocks the virus out quick. The Interferon and Ribivirin do the rest. Your on the best treatment available and the 12 weeks will fly by.

Hang in there - you have a 90%+ chance of for a cure!

Best wishes, Mike

[lporterrn]

Without knowing the cause, it is hard to speculate. But, if your doc said they are an immune response to hep C, then interferon will make this worse for awhile. Again, I can only speculate based on what you are telling me, but here is how to look at it:
When we have hep C, our immune system pumps extra interferon - in some people, it gets very overactive, and they get a more complicated immune response (many different types). If you add interferon to treat hep C, then you will also get this immune reaction.  It is temporary. If hep C was the cause, then if you treat hep C, the problem usually goes away. However, some people get these problems because it runs in their family, or for other reasons, and then treating hep C might not resolve it.