Legs killing me

Im am on my 24 week of daily infergen, one shot of procrit and 2 shots of nuep per week. My problem is my legs are killing me. I get sharp pains all the way down them and when I sleep they stiffen up. Im not sure what might be causing this, it seems to be worse after I take the nuep. If anyone has had the same problems and can give me any answers I would appreciate it. Thanks joe

[meki]

I was diagnosed with Interferon caused Neuropathy --- and diagnosed last week with Fibromyalgia --- which the Internist advised me is very common in HCV individuals and with those who have taken treatment..

I don't think she meant that EVERYONE will get the problems of Neuropathy and Fibro --- but - that those who do have it - there is a certain distinct percentage who have had HCV or had HCV/Treatment.

So - there are medications available for the pain.

And you should go see your doctor - because in all honesty - there is absolutely NO reason - in this day and age of medication that you should be feeling pain - you've already got enough problems.

And the NEUPOGEN can and does cause pains in the bones and other places.

So - read the sides on the neupogen - and see if that might be what is happening.

Much luck to you - and hope everything works out!

Hugs,

Meki

[comeagain]

I´m on week 35 and got terrible pain in my legs after last shot 3days ago mostly in my lower part of the legs frontside.

Think it must be the interferon yesterday it hurted so much I was thinking if this goes on i dont now if I can do the remaining 13weeks, I took some meds  that I´ve got for headaches 2 tramadol and one asperin and it helped.
Today its thank good much better,although i havent been taking any meds.

Try to get something for it I dont think its something dangerous though instead the meds is helping you get rid of it.

How can I say that because this is second time I`m on soc and I`ve been having leg pains several years before ever txed its just that during tx it increased about 10 times.

That was on first tx this tx its not even as before tx except for shorter times, and 3-4 months after first tx i felt better then ever, good luck with your treatment and try to get some meds for the worst pain.

ca

[CoWriter]

The medication insert for Neupogen says.....

"Mild-to-moderate bone pain was reported in approximately 33% of patients in clinical trials. This symptom was readily controlled with non-narcotic analgesics. Generalized musculoskeletal pain was also noted in higher frequency in patients treated with NEUPOGEN."


So decreasing the dose or the frequency of the Neupogen injections would probably help (with your doctor's permission, of course).  How can you do that?   By timing your shots and blood tests perfectly you can improve the results of the neutrophil count and then you wouldn't need so much of the Neupogen.

This info comes from a side effect management booklet written by some of the top hepatologists.  Here's what they recommend......


"Note:  lower neutrophil counts will be recorded if the blood for the CBC is drawn within 24 to 72 hours of peginterferon administration. Consider drawing the CBC 1 to 2 days
BEFORE peginterferon administration."


"For maximum effect, give (the Neupogen) at least 24 hours BEFORE peginterferon administration."


(Page 87)
http://www.projectsinknowledge.com/Init/G/1628/1628-Handbook.pdf

[CoWriter]

You also take Procrit which can also cause bone pain.  Are you taking the Procrit on the same day as one of the Neupogen shots, maybe?  

[comeagain]

Today I`v got the pain back and i can´t describe it any better then you my legs are killing me.
I never taken any procrit or neupogen I have during whole tx have been having low WBC 1.5- 2 ( it should be 3.5- 8.8 ) also neutrophils low 0.5-0.7 ( should be 1.8- 7.5)

ca

[cdb1976]

i ache  and have LOT"S of joint pain  back and neck and i haven't taken any treatments yet    I don't know about that treatment!!

[comeagain]

As I`ve said in my first comment to this post I had it before treatment, aswell as joint pain , lowerbackpain stiffnes in whole body and that was because of the HCV infection that I`ve had for 35 years.

I think its a very good reason for treating getting rid of those problems

ca

[DoubleDose]

Just to be clear about treatment, I have to state that treatment usually causes the liver damage to halt, and the liver functions to normalize, but in many people successful treatment often does not eliminate many of the extra-hepatic problems that have developed over the years.  In fact, for some of us, certain of those issues have worsened.
My joint, back and neck pains are often worse than before tx, and my fatigue is often more pronounced at times.

Do the treatment to prevent liver degradation and liver failure, etc.  Don't automatically expect treatment to get rid of the day to day symptoms that have developed over many years, often decades.  The interferon can actually exacerbate the problems in certain people.  You may be one of the lucky ones, that see their symptoms go away completely, but I would bet that this is not the most common outcome for most.

DoubleDose

[FoieGras]

Check with your doctor, it may be Restless Leg Syndrome. Typically it's a hard-to-describe pain in the legs, worse at nite. Some people describe it as a sensation, not pain, that makes them want to move their legs.

Gets worse with anemia - what's yer hemoglobin?

No good drugs for that - one of the newer ones apparently causes relapse in gambling addicts - go figure. They used to treat with quinine.

Ya need to find out why you have it (if that's what you have), and correct the problem that's causing it, eg anemia.

[seabean]

I was also diagnosed with Fibromylgia (fibromyalgia) and Neuropathy in both legs, feet & hands.  My neuropathy is also from the Interferon treatment. I even made a phone call to the Manufacturers.  The person I spoke with said that they had heard it was common.  As Meki stated there is medication available.

We don't mean to scare you.  YOU may not have the same thing, but don't thing oh, it just a pain that will go away tomorrow.  If it is bothing you, make an appointment with your doctor.

Best of luck,
  Judi