Any one take pain meds on treatment?

I'm wondering what other people know about having to take a pain medication (Vicodin) on treatment. Will it affect the effectiveness of the Interferon or Ribaviron?

I ask because my viral load was way high, 20 million, and isn't coming down as fast as my doctor thinks it should have for success. Any info is appreciated. Thank You

[sfbaygirl]

I know that I couldn't have continued tx w/o pain meds. The ones w/o asprin or tylenol are the best, perhaps you can get them with neither. took them thoughout tx and I doubt I could have continued without them,  but who am I to talk as I relapsed today.  Many of us take them and don't relapse. Be sure you have a great dr. and listen to him.

[R Glass]

I am glad you asked the question. I am on Loratab, which is basically the same thing as Vicodin. I was more concerned about Liver damage and I never thought to ask about the effectiveness of the Interferon or Ribaviron. This will be interesting.

[Lady Lauri]

Hi, there is also vicoprofen, which is the hydrocodone with ibuprofen instead of acetamenaphine (sp?), which is in tylenol, many pain pill's and hurts the liver...especially if mixed with alcohol! The 2 mixed form a toxin very harmful to us heppers. I got it for pain instead of the ones with acetam. as was worried about more damage, tho I still don't take more than 2 a day, enough to take the edge off and they don't make me feel as sick as the others did. And I haven't even started tx yet, so figure I'll really need them later! It can be more harsh to your stomach tho, so must eat with and not with stomach problems.My hepatologist did say that we can take 200mg. of tylenol twice a day, but no more,and many here say they take tylenol PM on shot days. Anyway, the vicoprofen is another option.I doubt there is any interference of the tx as many get prescribed pain meds.
sfbaygirl, very sorry about the relapse :(                                Lauri

[Lady Lauri]

"drinking and acetamenaphine".....Not that any of us should be drinking at all.... that was for the ones who may still drink!

[FL_Gal]

I took pain meds during treatment, and still cleared early, so I guess it didn't alter the effectiveness of the IFN/Riba for me.  

FlGal

[warnerwh]

Thank you all for your help. My doctor told me to stay off the internet regarding hep c but this forum has helped me a lot.

[ladybug52]

Drs love to say stay off the internet. It makes them nervous when their patients have knowledge and are able to ask questions about their care. A good dr shouldn't mind that a patient wants to educate themselves about the disease....

[FloridaMouse]

I took both Darvocet and Lortab while on tx and I seemed to do o.k. I did itch real bad when I had to resort to the Lortab though.

Mouse
Genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished 48 weeks of tx on 4/13/07
Hoping for SVR on 9/20/07

[R Glass]

I find it strange how the Internet intimidates some Doctors. My Gastro. encourages it while my General Pr. rolls his eyes when I ask him a question about something I read on a forum. I agree with Ladybug in that it makes him nervous. He might feel that it is weakening his “self proclaimed” superior status.

[GrandmaA]

I didn't have a lot of pain but I liked Tylenol PM because it helped me sleep. Insomnia was my biggest problem with tx after I learned how to take the riba so I didn't get nausea.

[debnevada]

amen on the sleep issue.

you're all done with your shots now. wow!

[HappyDeb]

you say you are 20 mil. v.l., what geno type are you? and, how long of a haul are in in for ? 24,48,72.  I am geno1a started with v.l. of over 5 mil. on week 10 out of 48 and dropped to 300 v.l. at 8 weeks. Why do you need the pain pills ? When you take your first shot it is nothing, it will feel like the flu, so tylenol P.M.s do help, big time. with sx.and insomnia. When do you start the tx. ? ( treatment ) . Looking foward to hearing your history to understand better


                                             Happy Deb :)

[susan400]

I took Ultram which is a non-narcotic, prescription pain reliever.  I'm unable to take any type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and also can't take aspirin, so, things like Advil, Aleve, Motrin, are off limits for me.  Ultram is in a different class.  It's not Ultraset, but Ultram.  Sometimes people get those two confused.  Ultram has NO Tylenol.  

Susan

[ladywhy]

My Hep Dr. prescribed percoset...actually i get the generic form roxicet. It helps yet it exacerbates the brain fog as well as the fatigue...so i take only as needed.

[careing1]

I found an interesting article that gave me real benifits. I suggest you follow the link
http://www.keelynet.com/biology/hepatits.htm
As I have had improvment in my condition.