Gall bladder problems after tx

[jazzy578]

I have been off tx one year today, but this past week had a real scary gall bladder attack. I did some research and found out that 50% of chronic hep c patients have gall bladder disease.  Since I have never had a problem with this before, do you think the 11 months of harsh tx of interferon and ribavirin could cause my gall bladder to become weak and diseased?  Anyone else had this problem?  

[HectorSF]

"Hepatitis C infection and Gallstone Disease"

http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2010/10/hepatitis-c-infection-and-gallstone.html


Cheers!
Hector

[paen53]

I had some really rough months 6-12 months post tx. I came out of it much like you - with a wonky gall bladder and Achilles tendon probs. The GB seemed to get better on its own, though it's watched with my 6 month imaging that I still need to do because of my cirrhosis dx - still "sludgy" but no more pain as long as I eat a low fat diet. Over indulging with nuts does end up with a bout of pain though, but only if I hit the pistachios too hard.

The Achilles tendon pain does subside - with time and with exercise - the very thing that makes it hurt unfortunately. Walking is good with proper footwear; also if you do yoga, a downward dog is a great stretch for it.I increased my massages due to the post tx muscle pain and had her work on my feet and calves during the worst of times. Still do, but not as often as before. It only returns now if I get lax about exercise, so a good reminder for me.......

I concur - it's terribly frustrating, even with an SVR in our pocket, but stay positive - it can get better!

[HectorSF]

After reading your posts it seems clear to me that you should see a professional to help you. Since it appears to be related to being bedridden and inactive for some period of time. Patients that are hospitalized for long periods of time are often send to Physical Therapy after being in the hospital before they can return home to there normal life.

It is normal for the body to atrophy if it is not used. That is why people who go into space must exercise. It is why liver transplant patients must get out of bed the next day and learn to walk a mile around the hallways of transplant centers before they are allowed to be discharged to go home.

You have tried for 3 months on your own. Obviously it is time to try something different.
PTs work with individuals by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability.


Hector

[slideman]

I sat and cried by myself too. I think most of us do that, your are not alone. Tx is very difficult to deal with and when you mix chronic pain with it it gets real hard. I stand with my toes on the edge of a step and stretch like that for ten seconds at a time. It really works well for me.
If your Dr is at all like mine they will be very reluctant to give you any pain meds. For me the aches and pains were hard enough, but the psychological drama and feeling of doom really got to me, when I was in my quiet place. I found that AD's made me sick. I tried them prior to tx and could find one that didnt make me sick. So I elected not to use them. Maybe that wasnt a great choice, but I got through it. Now its like a bad dream. You know the type where you know it was just a dream, but you remember the details and cant really describe them to anybody else. Now I have a little brain fog once in a while but it dosent last long. In 2wks I go for my 3mth vl test hoping for und of coarse. Right now I'm happy and feel a great sense of accomplishment to have gone the whole 24wks.
Nothing lasts for ever, you can do this!!
   Larry

[jazzy578]

I finally saw a doctor three months ago and he told me to stretch out those tendons several times a day, which I have been doing, but still no positive results.  I hope over time they will heal because, as you said, these types of conditions are very painful.  There are times where I have a few moments when I am alone where I just hang my head and tears fall because of the discouragement of not being able to  resume my active lifestyle and feeling fatigued because of fighting against the pain that results from each and every step I take.  I am a special education teacher and every day has been a huge struggle since this has happened. I know it is not directly related to taking SOC, but indirectly because I didn't move while on tx.  I hope all who treat realize they must exercise as much as possible so this doesn't happen to them.

[slideman]

I had my gall bladder removed after tx in 2001, and I think  it was about a year later. I cant say if it was from tx, but I know several people that have had theirs removed who didnt have hep at all. I also had surgery on the back of my right foot 2 yrs ago. I had a bone spur growing that was as big as a nickel and growing through my work boots...LOL. The surgeon told me it was brought on by carrying heavy things and working hard in general without stretching the tendon properly. I also went rounds with plantar faciatis? In both feet. People take their feet for granted to often. Here again I dont know if it was from hep, but it sure hurt. Check out stretching exercises for that Achilles. It helped me overcome the pain very quickly.

[jazzy578]

Another good point, one which was not mentioned to me.  I was bedridden with a hemoglobin of 8, had extreme vertigo which left the room often whirring around me for days at a time, daily fevers, just to name a few problems.  All brought about by the treatment.  Prior to that I was an exercise fanatic, and a vegetarian. Taking any type of medication was not ever on my to do list, ever.  If I had known that I would lose my ability to take one step without pain, I would have moved regardless of all of that.  I hope many will read this and learn from my huge mistake.    

[orphanedhawk]

Thanks! I sometimes am concerned about whether I come across too harshly.
Although I don't know your situation, why you were bedridden I'm going to take this as an excuse to remind everyone, its important to keep moving.
Its not always easy. Often, I have to force myself to do my stretches, take a walk, but it will help keep our bodies healthy.
We do tx for our livers but we need to keep moving for all of our body to be healthy.

Jazzy,
I don't have a gall bladder, it went with my transplant.
I take fish oil and haven't had any problems.
Good luck.

[jazzy578]

You're right.  It doesn't matter.  I guess I am rather negative because since tx I have developed problems with my Achilles tendons making it very painful and difficult to walk as a result of being bed ridden throughout tx.  So even though I am SVR, my health is now worse, at least temporarily, and I think I am looking for more evidence of that fact.  But, you are right, that is non-productive.  Thanks for the wake up.

[orphanedhawk]

My mother has stomach pains which turned out to be her gall bladder.
She never had hep C or took intense meds.
Gall bladder problems are not uncommon.

Just because your gall bladder problem showed up now, doesn't mean it has anything to do with tx.

Besides ,what does it matter?
Go forward. Take care of your health.

Good luck
OH

[1oftheclub222]

I found out I have some gallstones when i went to get my ultrasound when i first found out about the hep C,  the doctor also told me that gallbladder problems are common among Hep C patients.   I had no clue there was a problem...they never said I had to have my gallbaldder removed or anything yet, but it does explain why I had some stomache issues before I guess.

have you had any stomache problems before?  maybe you had it before but it is just acting up now?