Thanks, I had my eyes checked by an Opthalmologist last month. I'm aware that Hydroxychloroquine can cause retinal damage.
I was surprised when he told me that NSAIDS were the most common cause of acute liver failure in Australia. You can buy most over-the-counter, and the worst offenders were Naproxen (Naprogesic) and Ibuprofen (Nurofen). He said many patients take them every day for long periods of time, and increased the dose when they became less effective. I knew they caused gastric problems when taken without food, and they also impair kidney function. They should be taken under strict medical supervision. Since starting the Plaquenil, I have noticed that my joint stiffness and muscle aches have gone, but I'll only take them for a month or two. Cheers.
TeddyTrout said
Dec 8, 2013
Malcolm, I am going through the same thing, I sure he told you to get your eyes checked straight away because the Hydroxychloroquine can damage the eyes. I have been on it for 3 years now and I had to do that. The doctor wrights a note and you give it to your eye doctor and they shouldn't charge you for the exams. It did help me right a way with the joins in the hands and knees.
alisaf said
Dec 6, 2013
Hi Guru, Thank you for reporting your Rheumatology visit. I'll be seeing one at Vanderbilt in Nashville TN 1/14. I have left sided foot drop and many aches and pains that I believe came from having Hepc for possibly 20yrs before Rx. with interferon, ribaviran in 2009. Neg fro HCV ever since. Glory Halleleuiah. I've been told that there a several pts at Vanderbilt with past hep c with similar symptoms, but no name seems to have been put to these sxs. Maybe I'll learn more from rheumaoligist. I like your attitude. We just keep plugging along and be glad we are alive. Take care
mallani said
Dec 6, 2013
Hi all,
Continuing my post-Rx saga, today I saw a Rheumatologist about my post-Rx aches and pains. It took 2.5 months to get an appointment and he looks after liver patients from most of the Hepatologists in Brisbane.
After checking my Xrays, blood tests and physical examination he concluded I had reactive arthritis caused by Interferon, and aggravated by 48 weeks of inactivity. He has seen a lot of arthritis caused directly by HepC, but this is confined to the joints of the hands and feet, has a typical biochemical picture and causes a fairly constant pain, unrelated to exercise. Post-interferon arthritis is very common and typically slowly resolves over a period of 12-18 months. Treatment is difficult in cirrhotics, as the most effective drugs are toxic to the liver. Although he has no problems with an NSAID like Mobic, provided it is taken no more than 3 times a week, he gave me a prescription for Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine), which is an anti-malarial drug that has anti-inflammatory action, that can be taken for long periods, without the risk of liver damage. He also advised me to have 3000 u. of Omega3 daily from Krill or Fish Oil.
Knee pain goes hand-in-hand with inactivity, due to wasting of the quadriceps muscles. He urged me to walk, cycle and build up my leg muscles to pre-Rx levels.
He was amused by my sore R. foot story and my Podiatrist visit. He pointed out that I had a small effusion in my R. knee, my R. forefoot was collapsed, and that I was weightbearing on the 2nd and 3rd. metatarsal heads. He thought this was also an Interferon( and age) related weakening of my plantar fascia. He thought the Mortons neuroma I reported in a previous post, was incidental. He agreed orthoptic shoes were the way to go and told me not to walk around in bare feet.
So I was patted on the head, told to exercise and try the Plaquenil, and report back in 3 months. Sigh.........................
Hi Jack,
Thanks, I had my eyes checked by an Opthalmologist last month. I'm aware that Hydroxychloroquine can cause retinal damage.
I was surprised when he told me that NSAIDS were the most common cause of acute liver failure in Australia. You can buy most over-the-counter, and the worst offenders were Naproxen (Naprogesic) and Ibuprofen (Nurofen). He said many patients take them every day for long periods of time, and increased the dose when they became less effective. I knew they caused gastric problems when taken without food, and they also impair kidney function. They should be taken under strict medical supervision. Since starting the Plaquenil, I have noticed that my joint stiffness and muscle aches have gone, but I'll only take them for a month or two. Cheers.
Malcolm, I am going through the same thing, I sure he told you to get your eyes checked straight away because the Hydroxychloroquine can damage the eyes. I have been on it for 3 years now and I had to do that. The doctor wrights a note and you give it to your eye doctor and they shouldn't charge you for the exams. It did help me right a way with the joins in the hands and knees.
Hi all,
Continuing my post-Rx saga, today I saw a Rheumatologist about my post-Rx aches and pains. It took 2.5 months to get an appointment and he looks after liver patients from most of the Hepatologists in Brisbane.
After checking my Xrays, blood tests and physical examination he concluded I had reactive arthritis caused by Interferon, and aggravated by 48 weeks of inactivity. He has seen a lot of arthritis caused directly by HepC, but this is confined to the joints of the hands and feet, has a typical biochemical picture and causes a fairly constant pain, unrelated to exercise. Post-interferon arthritis is very common and typically slowly resolves over a period of 12-18 months. Treatment is difficult in cirrhotics, as the most effective drugs are toxic to the liver. Although he has no problems with an NSAID like Mobic, provided it is taken no more than 3 times a week, he gave me a prescription for Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine), which is an anti-malarial drug that has anti-inflammatory action, that can be taken for long periods, without the risk of liver damage. He also advised me to have 3000 u. of Omega3 daily from Krill or Fish Oil.
Knee pain goes hand-in-hand with inactivity, due to wasting of the quadriceps muscles. He urged me to walk, cycle and build up my leg muscles to pre-Rx levels.
He was amused by my sore R. foot story and my Podiatrist visit. He pointed out that I had a small effusion in my R. knee, my R. forefoot was collapsed, and that I was weightbearing on the 2nd and 3rd. metatarsal heads. He thought this was also an Interferon( and age) related weakening of my plantar fascia. He thought the Mortons neuroma I reported in a previous post, was incidental. He agreed orthoptic shoes were the way to go and told me not to walk around in bare feet.
So I was patted on the head, told to exercise and try the Plaquenil, and report back in 3 months. Sigh.........................