Hep C Discussion Forum

Zlikster · Guru

RE: Post Tx aches and pains

Iris Dragonfly · Guru

Thanks for this Malcolm,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meloxicam

I will ask the Dr. for this, recently he gave me Tramadol, which I am afraid to take, siting hepatic failure as a side effect cry as well as addiction cry

Blessings, Iris

-- Edited by Iris Dragonfly on Sunday 8th of September 2013 10:11:19 PM

hrsetrdr · Guru

Malcolm,

Thanks for starting this thread, I shall bookmark it for reference, as "pain and stiffness" are a constant companion for me, these days. Mostly in various parts of the back, mostly upper region. I've stopped any kind of weight training at the gym, just doing cardio on the elliptical. I'm going for a 3 day fishing trip out of San Diego next week, but when I get back I think I'll speak to my GP about some kind of pain relief. Tylenol just doesn't work for me, but I won't take ibuprofen unless my gastro doc approves it. However, I feel a bit sheepish about asking my gastroenterologist for permission to use ibuprofen, almost like asking him if I can start drinking alcohol and using intravenous street drugs.

My primary care physican is big on prescribing SSRI & SNRI drugs for all sorts of conditions, unrelated to the original purpose that the FDA approved them for. some might actually work , the Nortriptyline he prescribed for cramps in feet & later in toes did work nicely.

JoAnneh · Guru

I, too am having much pain in my joints....
Wrist, ankle, elbow, hip and feet.
It's awful! My feet are in bad shape.
I have has to take my bracelet off as weight
Of it bothered my wrist.
I had even thought maybe Hep C is back.
After reading posts, I see this is common.
I will ask my doctor to do blood tests you
Had Malcolm.
My right knee bothered me going down stairs.
It has stopped lately. My right hip is still hurting.
It's great being off medicine.
I am glad there is medicine to take that's easy
On the liver.

mallani · Guru

Hi Matt,

It's pretty common to blame Interferon for all our post-Rx muscle and joint aches and pains. That may be true. After my 3 previous courses of interferon, I never had any problems, but I was younger then, and was not basicly housebound for 48 weeks.

The NSAIDs don't cure any conditions, just provide relief. All of them can cause gastric problems and other Sx, and there are a range of drug interactions. They should only be used with medical guidance. The newer NSAIDs are more effective, but should not be used for lengthy periods . Mobic and Naproxen are much more effective than Ibuprofen, and my doc and my chemist agree that Mobic has the least Sx. It is mostly used for pain and stiffness from Rheumatoid and Osteoarthtitis, but is also effective in non-specific disorders of joints, muscles and tendons. With summer coming over here, I hope that golf, sailing and fishing will strengthen my muscles and stretch the offending tendons and joint capsules. As I said, the pain and stiffness have gone, virtually overnight, but I don't want to rely on drugs for this. Cheers.

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Hi Malcolm, I`m so pleased the tests showed you don`t have RA or similar, and at least you`re getting some relief from your aches and pains, even if temporarily. Let`s hope that they will ease up, or better still clear up altogether as time goes by and you get your full strength back. You live an active lifestyle and that`s got to be better for your muscles and joints than sitting around all day!

My post tx experience has actually been quite the opposite. After years of being in almost constant pain with aching muscles and joints (while being severely affected with M.E./ C.F.S.) going through tx and clearing the virus has made a significant difference and at last I`m virtually pain free. I don`t want to crow about this when others are suffering, but I`d just like to point out to everyone that interferon tx doesn`t necessarily lead to these sort of problems, we are all different and how we respond post tx varies quite a lot.

Thanks for giving the test details and so much more helpful information, this is a very useful thread and I`m making it a `sticky`.

Cheers, Jill

Biggyb · Guru

Glad you brought this up. I am about 9 weeks post tx and i have been getting some really weird pains. Like arthritis in my joints, which i never had before tx. I dismissed it to age also. But maybe i will see about a blood test too.

Matt Chris · Guru

Hey Malcolm

Glad to hear you have found some relief from the joint and muscle pains. (Hit a birdie for me when you Golf)

This NSAID or Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is it for some other application as well as post SOC treatment?

Malcolm do you think these joint and muscle issues were due to the cumulative amount of Interferon (3 Interferon go-arounds) or do most HCV patients that used Interferon typically have this issue on 24 or 48 weeks of treatment whether they have one treatment or multiples ?

Again thanks for the detailed info on the tests. We really have to appreciate the forums format of being able to access archived information that gives important insight, and can answer questions on topics that may come up in the future for our members benefit.

The search engine feature is under utilize by some of our members because it can answer questions and give great insight into hundreds topics of interest.

Of course I realize their is nothing more stimulating than a good exciting thread to join in on but sometimes we need answers immediately and the search feature can really help.

Matt

-- Edited by Matt Chris on Saturday 7th of September 2013 09:22:55 PM

mallani · Guru

Hi all,

Since EOT, I developed some new joint and muscle pains, particularly in the knees, wrists and hands. I dismissed it as being age related and due to my 48 weeks of inactivity. As it didn't improve and I was overseas, I emailed my doc, who gave me a list of blood tests to have when I returned to Australia. He also recommended a NSAID called Mobic, which I didn't get until 2 weeks ago. I had been taking Nurofen with only slight relief.

Mobic is Meloxicam, one of the new generation NSAID's. It has little effect on the liver and does not cause gastric irritation, and it lasts 24 hours. Usual dose is 15 mg/day. It has caused a dramatic improvement to the extent that I can now work on my boat, and play golf without pain and swelling in the hands and wrists. I only intend taking it for a month. Hopefully my 'arthritis' will have settled down. That's only my experience, so I'm not trying to sell it!

The blood tests were reassuring in that I definitely don't have Rheumatoid arthritis or any other autoimmune problems. I had previously done the Rheumatoid Factor which was negative. The tests were:

CRP: C Reactive Protein, which is a non-specific measure of inflammation in the body.

antiCCP: AntiCyclic Citrullinated Peptide antibodies. This is very specific for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

ANA and ENA: AntiNuclear Antibody and Extractable Nuclear Antigen antibodies. Both are positive in any autoimmune disease, specifically from HCV or Tx.

ESR: Non-specific test for inflammation, but always raised in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Sorry to be longwinded and technical, but I have seen many posts where Members complained of post Rx aches and pains. These tests are a good way of seeing whether you have developed an autoimmune problem from Rx (including thyroid problems), or from HCV itself.

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~Bob~

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