Determing RA, bone marrow issues??

  Hi all. Have not been online much. Missing a lot of post!

  Questions on RA, when to check for. Pre-tx......main reason for the many trips to the Dr.'s was leg pain, both throbbing pain off and on. Other muscle aches but would attribute them to 'getting older'.
  9 weeks into tx here, last 2 weeks pain is going to a 7-8 on the 1-10 scale. Mainly the legs, but pretty much all waste down the worst (no jokes please :}. Walking is difficult at times.
  Could this be signs of RA? I don't know much on RA and will be looking up info., but many here have it, deal with it. What test is run for this?
Also do know tx can affect the bone marrow. Time to check that out? Yes, I'll be asking my Dr., wanted some input from here also.

Taking Vicoprofen, but don't want to get into taking much. Any OTC pain relief for this that is safe on our liver and WILL work?

                  Thanks ahead for any input.                              LL

[Lady Lauri]

Let me add........also pain in the knees last year or so.
If neither of the above is the cause of this pain, anyone know what the h*ll IS the cause of it?
I don't mean just 'a symptom'  of Hep, I mean WHAT is it 'attacking' that cause's the muscle pain?
(and don't say just 'attacking the muscles' !!  :)

                                                                                LL

[FloridaMouse]

Hey there Lauri!  How the heck are ya?

I had hip and leg pain off and on throughout my entire 48 weeks of tx.  And it was debilitating for me at times.

As you know, I also have RA which has been caused by the Interferon.  Diagnosing RA in a hepper is not an exact science.  A lot of heppers test positive for the RA factor and don't actually have RA.  In my case I had a strong family history as my Mom, granny and several aunts and uncles had it.

For me, I developed severe and disabling swelling in both my hands.  Not only did they swell, they got very red and very hot.  I could not move  my fingers at all.  That was my first flare.  2 months later the same thing happened again in both hands, both feet and 1 knee.  When RA flares, it will usually (but no always) involve the same joint on both sides of the body.

The tests you would want to have done would be for blood tests for the RA factor and a blood test for your SED (sedimentation rate).  I would recommend that you have a rheumatologist take a peek at you and test you for Lupus and fibromyalgia as well.  These are also auto-immune diseases and there is a less than 1% chance that inteferon will cause an auto-immune disorder to surface. (I personally think it's a lot higher than that after speaking with others, but what do I know LOL).

Lauri, you may want to call Dr. Nelson too, he seemed very well versed on Hep C with RA.  Leads me to believe that he is pretty well versed when it comes to the other auto-immune issues that interferon can bring about.

Good luck to you and keep me posted.

Mouse (Missy)

[Lady Lauri]

  Hi there Missy :}
Soooo behind in the post here! Read, want to reply, blur, fog, sign off! LOL.
I will be going in for this. Was trying to hang till next appointment. Your right, he should know all my answers I need, etc.

Whats up in your tx plan? Haven't read much, you may have posted??

P.S. you...............................
The tests you would want to have done would be for blood tests for the RA factor and a blood test for your SED (sedimentation rate).  I would recommend that you have a rheumatologist take a peek at you and test you for Lupus and fibromyalgia as well.  These are also auto-immune diseases and there is a less than 1% chance that inteferon will cause an auto-immune disorder to surface. (I personally think it's a lot higher than that after speaking with others, but what do I know LOL).

Thanks for that answer! I don't want no more freaking desease's !! No thank you, I've had enough.
(hopefully :}
                                                                             LL

[FloridaMouse]

LOL yeah, I didn't want the RA either.  But hey, now that I got it I wouldn't mind sharing it :)

I'm going to start round 2 of treatment on December 11.  Just saw my GI today, got all the labs for the first month set up and Walgreens should have my drugs on the 4th or the 5th.  I'll be a Tuesday shooter this time.

So what's up with you, when's your next PCR.   Oh yeah, from what doc Nelson says we don't have to worry about you 'cause he's gonna cure you LOL.

By the way, my doc said that Dr. Nelson and Dr. Schiff down in Miami are the best in the state.  Aren't we just a couple lucky little girls!

Missy