EOT aches and pains

[rk2761]

Hi,

I'm about four months post-treatment and I'm feeling increasingly achey. I have pains in my joints, esp. hips, lower back and hands. Knees too. I had thought it was just because I was out of shape and needed to do some strength training, but that doesn't seem to be working. The other thing that's going on is congested sinuses - I'm always sniffling and sneezing. That started my first month on treatment and while it has improved since I've been off, it's not gone.

I kind of think the two things are related, but maybe I'm wrong. Inflamed sinuses and inflamed joints. I'm going to book an appointment with a doctor.

Had anyone had a similar experience? Has any tried anti-inflammatory drugs? I am using an anti-inflammatory diet - but I've always eaten that way so I really didn't have to change much.

rk

[rk2761]

Hey!  I did that too. About the second or third week I was back at the gym ramping it up. I've slowed that down some.  

I've never heard of Callanetics? I do a yoga class once a week and it does seem to ease the aches. I'd try hot yoga but I think it would be deadly to have a hot flash while in hot yoga! I'd probably spontaneously combust.  : )

Well, I'm going to see my doc and a physio-therapist next week. Maybe I just need time. At 55 things just don't heal as fast as they used to (unfortunately they fall apart more rapidly.)

rk

[Tekelcat]

I think the chances are good it will improve. I went back to my weight machine, power walking regime almost as soon as tx ended and it was a disaster. My joints got inflamed, my spine ached, and my muscles just said, no ma'am, and stiffened up. I changed to yoga and, would you believe it, Callanetics, which used to be in vogue in the 1980s and all the gentle stretching and building core strength and rebalancing seems to be working. I walked 4 miles yesterday and my joints hardly acted up at all. Time and patience. Good luck!

[rk2761]

Hi,
I've heard of cucumin before and will check it out along with Limbrel. Hopefully this is just a passing stage.

rk

[Dannyboi7]

Sorry to hear that,it will probably all subside within the next few months.Did you try a supplement called curcumin with bioavailability,it does wonders for that.

[ceanothus]

Unfortunately, there are occasional cases of auto-immune reactions being triggered by the virus (as it was in me), and other cases of these auto-immune problems being triggered by the interferon itself. This is one of the reasons we are all so eager for non-interferon treatments to make it through testing and get on the market. For the sinus problems there are many approaches different doctors might recommend. I personally get best results from a nightly spray of Flonase, a steroid nasal spray. For the joint problems you should see a rheumatologist, but its hard to find good ones AND its best if you see one who can communicate well with the doctor who treated your HCV, so it's best to ask them to recommend someone.

If your liver health is compromised in any way it's best to avoid NSAIDs. There is one very different anti-inflammatory drug which is technically not a drug but a "medical food". It's called Limbrel and it does provide a modest amount of relief for me. It is extremely safe but does require an Rx. My hepatologist gave his approval for me to take it even though I'm cirrhotic. Good luck to you, and please share whatever you learn as there seems to be a bit of a shortage of shared knowledge on this problem.