Two Questions. Interferon and JAK %

[shiftzz]

Had by 3 monthly consultation yesterday, bloods all ok, but my cough is still there.. The consultants are unaware of any possible link to interferon and have referred me back to my GP, the GP has ordered a chest X ray, clear, changed my BP pills, so he has very little else to go on...

The consultants can only suggest taking Salbutamol, if that doesn't help, then they may stop interferon for a while,, which is a worry on two counts, my HCT is under control, having reduced from 17 hydroxy a week to 3. No recent venesection. (see pic)

Issue, consultants don't read the side effects of the drugs they prescribe..

2nd issue, they advised that my JAK 2 test came back at 2% which they were pleased at, I didn't ask any questions, , does anyone know what the numbers should be?

[hunter5582]

Pegasys and hydroxyurea can both cause issues with the lungs that may manifest as a cough. If your chest x-ray is clear then that is likely. I am assuming the upper airway has been checked and that is not the issue. It may well be some sort of adverse effect from the PEG but it is hard to tell.

I would note the AEs are often dose dependent. You are on a fairly high dose (135mcg) I believe. It may be that a dose reduction would take care of the issue. It may also be that completely eliminating the HU could help. Following up with your care team certainly is in order.

The fact that your JAK2 mutant allele burden is only 2% is amazing! That is extremely low for someone with PV. It is an excellent sign regarding the efficacy of PEG. It is close to molecular remission. My current mutant allele burden is 26%. I hope I can get down to 2% using PEG too.

All the best.

[Flynn2107]

I had a small cough while I was using lisinipril for blood pressure, my primary Dr switched to a diuretic and my cough went away. Also, when my RBC and HCT were brought back to target with HU and phlebotomy I had to stop taking the diuretic because my blood pressure went back to target.

[Hopetohelp]

Are you on aspirin? Might sound crazy but my cough improved so much once I started taking it daily.

[shiftzz in reply to Hopetohelp]

No they took me off aspiring, been on it for a long time..