Hepatitis Researcher

[St. George]

I am having some serious joint pain from the daily Infergen and would like to know what type of over the counter pain reliever ( tyelenol,alleve,advil) you may recommend?  The reason for my question is because I read somewhere that aspirin can blunt the effects of natural interferon and also realize that my body needs the PRO-INFLAMMATORY effects of the Interferon and don't want to take any kind of NSAID or substance that may blunt this effect.

[nygirl7]

You really are some trouper.  I am constantly amazed at how hard you are battling this disease.

I wish there was something I could do to help you on this latest round...so I'll say a prayer and send you my best wishes.

You really are quite the warrior.  Hang in there my friend.

[Deb_c430]

Low RBC & WBC, can also cause difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath.  Severe bone ache, as the "big" bones femurs and such are where those BC are made.

Has anyone heard the FDA has pulled or limited use of procrit? My GI  just pulled me off it, now only neuprogen.  

Your CBC's determine your WBC & RBC levels.

If such is the case, vicodin won't help, body needs the BCs.
Best of luck!
Deb

[Lady Lauri]

  How far into tx are you now?

LL

[Lady Lauri]

My labs are so so, Hgb better and pain is hitting extreme?? Don't want to go to anything stronger than Vicodon :{
Going to look over again as have not heard of that Harry.
I can not have procrit either way. What test will determine if it's bone marrow issues?

LL

[HARRYBEADS]

Deb hit on it, what is your red blood cell count?, if it is low you get anemic and will suffer muscle and joint pain sometimes extreme. The Docs can give you procrit to help stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red cells.
My team has me on a low dose of morphine sulfate slow release.This helps with the neuropathy from the extra hepatic diseases, and helps with the muscle/joint pain but procrit helped more.

Harry

[sfwandwow]

u are right my dr told me the same thing

[Deb_c430]

Oh ok thanks, :>) I  guess I will go back to just tylenol.  I do use a hot water bottle, tub soak  a lot also, except  it makes ribo rash worse, some times  got pick  the poisen to deal with, I suppose.

I find it  so annoying that the medical proffesionals give you the wrong info! GRR
Deb

[Hepatitis Researcher]

Tylenol in small doses is routinely recommended for IFN related hyperinflammatory conditions/sides. While the Cycloxygenase system is a major contributor to the proinflammatory syndrome associated with the activation of "innate' early responses to IFN, it is not entirely clear how necessary this part is for the summary activation effect  that this  enhancement of antigen presentation/CTL education/activation finally has. Thre are no trials, just as there are no trials testing the potential detrimental effects of eg milk thistle on the SVR rate of SOC. Thus thinking is by concept only and recommendations are based merely on echoing the voice of the majority, this being a safe position.

With re to acetaminophen, its precise actions are still ill defined and it is called a cox3 inhibitor. I doubt  that it will substantially interfere with the overall antiviral effects of IFN and the resulting immune cascade, but see above.

[jmjm530]

More important, NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (advil, motrin), and naproxen Alleve) can be dangerous because of the low platelet count most encounter on treatment. I was told not to take NSAIDs on treatment. The preferred pain reliever on treatment is Tylenol, but quantities should not exceed 4-6 a day, but please check that disage with your doctor. BTW that dosage also includes other meds in the acetaminophen class such as Anacin as well as ingredients in cough medicine, sleep aids, etc.  Best to make a list of all drugs , both OTC and RX and review with both doctor and pharmacist.

Hope you get some relief soon but at least we know you're not injecting water :)

PS You might also try some basic stuff like wet heat and some of the analgesic topicals. I'm currently using Tiger Balm for muscle strain.

-- Jim

-- Jim

[sfwandwow]

nsaids are anti-inflammatory meds.. I got taken off neupogen for it being to high...

[sfwandwow]

nsaids are anti-inflammatory meds.. I got taken off neupogen for it being to high...

[Deb_c430]

Have you had a CBC lately? WBC ok? I had to go on Neuprogen for it. I also just started daily infergen also.  What do you mean by NSAID? My Nurse said Aleve was a good substitute for tylenol.
Deb