Hep-C was cured but the drugs gave me Arthritis and other problems

I was on Rib. and Peg-intron therapy for 12 months. The drugs nearly killed me, I was on about 10 other drugs to help with side effects. I fell many times, passed out in public, fell out of bed, used a wheelchair, crutches and a walking stick (still use the stick). Lost 50 lbs, body hair, chipped my teeth when I fell on my face, cracked bone above eye and was fired from my job(I'm suing over that). I was cured, my problem now is the drug therapy gave me Arthritis (and other problems).  I never know where the pain will be, ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, etc.
For the past 2 weeks my left shoulder has been really hurting and now I see that my neck, left side by collar bone, is swollen.  I know that arthritis/gout is caused by the Peg-Intron therapy....does it ever go away? Insurance paid Thousands of dollars for transfusions, hospitals, drugs, 5 specialists, physical therapy...etc.,etc.  Will I always be crippled?  My doctor gives me a deal, I don't have insurance now, but I ONLY see him when I HAVE to. Has anyone else gone through all these things?

[beamishboy]

No,i have not experienced all your problems...but i do wish you well & hope that things improve in your life...What a row to hoe!...GOODLUCK

[cuteus]

geesh! did they treat your anemia with other things than transfusions? it seems as if they let things go too long for you!  The drugs can cause some of the joint and other problems, but the lack of oxygen to the tissues and organs could increase the damage even more.  I hope it goes away, how long ago did you treat?

[see me]

Ron, I'm so sorry you have had all these problems after treatment.  One would think you would feel better - at least that is what I'm praying for.  It is scary to think this could happen.  But, something else must be going on or maybe your body just needs time to clear the drugs.  The thought of having a transfusion really is scary.  I'm sure there are other viruses in blood that still have not been detected - just like the hep c virus in blood when millions (I assume) got transfused.  Don't give up - keep researching and asking questions.  I pray you begin feeling better soon.

[niceguy2007]

Ron,

sorry to hear of your problems.  you may want to consider taking natural treatments for your arthritis. please consider drinking aloe vera juice, its really good for arthritis.  talk it over with your doctor. we are all here to help you.

ps how old are you, if i may ask?

[Rhon]

I was taking Procrit for quite a while.  When I passed out at Albertson's and fell on my face, I just went home to bed.  When I started to faint at the 99 Cent Store an ambulance was called, I was so dehydrated they had to take me to a hospital for 2 I.V.'s, then another hospital for 2 transfusions and more I.V.'s.  I was finished with treatment one year ago this month and I do feel better, except for the Arthritis.  It has taken one year to get all the med's out of my system. I'm 58 years old...I used to look 38 before treatment, I look my age today. Hair turned white.

[see me]

Ron, I'm so sorry you have had all these problems after treatment.  One would think you would feel better - at least that is what I'm praying for.  It is scary to think this could happen.  But, something else must be going on or maybe your body just needs time to clear the drugs.  The thought of having a transfusion really is scary.  I'm sure there are other viruses in blood that still have not been detected - just like the hep c virus in blood when millions (I assume) got transfused.  Don't give up - keep researching and asking questions.  I pray you begin feeling better soon.

[deboracadabra]

I also have had a myriad of unpleasant side effects of ribavirin/peg-intron, both during and post treatment. Now post for 24 months (after 12 mo. of near-death experience): Arthritic pain constantly that I can only take naproxen for and how good is THAT for your liver?! Mental deficiencies (memory loss, organizational & concentration difficulties). Thyroid off the charts (Graves Disease; subsequent radiation, & pills for the rest of my life). Compromised auto-immune system: each passing cold or flu is a risky situation. Constant fatigue: I feel I can NEVER get enough sleep.  Depression that MUST be medicated by the lowest dose possible so as to not affect the liver. These were not revealed to me before treatment, although I am sure they were finely printed on the rx tearsheet that I read 50+ times. Oh, yeah; the side effects were ONLY about DURING treatment!  I am sorry about your situation, but I don't think it EVER goes away. It's like we have to always be waiting for the other shoe to fall.  And medical 'authorities' and/or govt. agencies (read: Social Security!) don't want to recognize these after-effects as true disability. (Don't get me started!) I am truly thankful that the HCV is non-active so I can confidently be around my dependent 84 year old mother, and 2 lovely grandchildren, but I DO wonder often if there can't be a better way to deal with the problem.  The treatment nearly kills you, then afterward you TRY to live, but what of the quality of THAT life?  What an enormous trade-off! Please keep in touch through this thread: I am interested in knowing of your progress.

[Gee-ma]

Wow! Finally someone who knows how I feel! My tx. led to dead thyroid,diabetes,hypertension,bad joint pain and memory loss-big time.Truly I don't know if Hep C or diabetes is worse and if I get kicked off of disability-medicare- how will I ever pay for meds. and tx.? I am still so tired all the time and tired of feeling like no one believes me.My Dr. promised me a "full recovery" and tho virus-free, I feel way worse now.But I keep tryin'.....

[deboracadabra]

And it is reassuring to know that I am not alone.  I want to ask you; did you receive the SSI because of tx, or were you already on?  And what about losing it; is that really a possibility?