Hepatitis C ,Pain and High Blood Pressure

[dina57]

I have been dealing with hepc for over 9 years, I have now encounter high blood pressure.  When my pressure goes up I experience legs, arms bone pain in my joints and muscles.  My upper stomach seems to bloat and have sharp pains shooting through my liver.  Is there any way to relieve this pain other than the oxycodone 15mg?

[Diane12855]

I have the same issues... never paid attention if the pain and bloating came at the same time as the blood pressure spikes. You need to be treated for the blood pressure because it puts more strain on a damaged liver, as well as your heart, brain, kidneys, arteries and any other part of your body that gets blood to it.

All I have ever used for pain is Ibuprofen. It pretty much takes care of it and it isn't addictive.

I agree that diet and exercise is important too.

[mikey999666]

yeah, swimming and eating healthy.  Start my wading in the pool for about 15 minutes a day, then start swimming for 10 minutes a day for a week, then up by 5 minutes every week till your swimming 30 minutes a day.  then start swimming 40 minutes every other day.  All through this eat healthy, No diets, just eat healthy, Everyone knows what eating healthy means.  Eating should be your #1 priority, not work or other obligations, it's your body your life.  Lay off the sodas (high fructose corn syrup) if you really crave a soda, drink a soft drink with real sugar in it, in moderation of course.  Take fish oil also.  Lay off the caffiene.  Drink alcohol in moderation if at all. If you have joint pain, tryig weaning yourself off.  Try marijuana in small amount.  Smoke a little only to see how your body reacts.  Smoke very little, like a tine half puff.  It only works on some people,not everyone.  If it doesn't work, then continue with your oxy, but in the long run, oxycontin will affect your liver, heart and brain.  Your body will become addicted to it.  but just try swimming, in your case it will increase your bodies natural pain killers.  It will be hard at first, but then you'll become dependent on the feeling you get after swimming for 30 minutes.  that's my two cents, try it if you wish.  Again if you're going to try marijuana for pain relief, try only a little the first time very little. see how it affects you, if you don't feel better then don't do it, if it takes the pain away, then your one of the lucky people who find pain releif in a non-toxic plant.  Marijuana is not a poison you cannot o.d. on marijuana.  U can o.d. on oxy, aspiriin, tylenol, ibuprofen, and any other pain pill on the market.  Eat well and swim on.  

[puppiepaws]

heck join the crowd me toooo.......... it stinks  but we gotta think positive..take care

[sierranvgrl]

Hi Dina,

Thanks for your post. I just realized, after reading this, that I experience the same thing. For example, today I have the shooting pain, my upper abdomen is bloated, and my BP was pretty high at the doctor today. I have never realized there may be a connection. I just finished up treatment, so my body is a mess right now, but this is something I have experienced since my HCV diagnosis (and before, but didn't know what was going on). I wad going to say I had the high BP first, but in fact I have probably had HCV over 20 years....I merely had the high BP diagnosis first. I got my HCV diagnosis just over a year ago and can't seem to get my BP under control.

I have also experienced the bone/joint pain, but I assumed it was just treatment related. I will have pay more attention now and see if there is a connection there as well. I wish I knew how to ease the pain, but my docs prescribed me oxycodone as well...which I am trying to avoid.  

Hopefully someone will have some input :o)

Take care,
SNG