Pain Meds

[ladywhy]

Is anyone taking or taken prescription (narcotics) pain meds for bone pain and other sx? And what are they? Just curious. Oh yea..another question. Has anyone had B12 shots for energy...and was it helpful? Thanks for your input. My hep dr. seems to think it may be helpful and relatively benign.

[bobbyullc]

i took b-12 all the time on tx and it seemed to help with my energy level. i did them myself 4 times a week.

[jmjm530]

I gave myself 3 or 4 B12 injections during treatment and recently up started again. Not sure if they were helpful, but they did dramatically raise my serum B12 per blood testing before and after. The docs that I consulted with all said it couldn't do any harm, so if your doc says give it a go, why not.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Did you say B12 injections 4X a week? If so, why did you decide on 4X a week and what dose were you taking per injection? I assume you did the injections IM?

I know there are no set protocols but my NP suggested to me once every other week and I was under the impression that most take b12 from once a week to once a month.

Also, do you know what your serum b12 was prior to the shots and what it was after? I had a dramatic rise after only one injection. Lastly, and most important, did you feel better from the shots.

Thanks for any info.

Be well,

-- Jim

[missy60051]

I have been one to still suffer pain.  I'm 13/48.  I do have to say my pain has subsided compared to what I dealt with in my first 8 weeks.  The Dr.'s I've dealt with so far started me with Tramadol 50 mg. Then Relafen750mg.  I give up they don't work.  I had a friend that gave me a 750 vicodin.  I was in heaven.  My pain was gone.  My problem is I am in between Drs., so I'm waiting until next Monday to fully discuss theses issues.  Who knows maybe he thinks I'll abuse it and get addicted.  What ever!  Irregardless, I don't know what your pain level is, but you have a right to not suffer.  That was quoted by a very good friend which is a retired Dr..  On another note liver friendly issue is hard to come by.  I have had to take on a whole other out look on the fact the pain is what it is and it's not going to go away.  It's a part of treatment and instead of fighting it accept it.  Get plenty of rest and keep busy.  The more you sit around the more pain you'll get.  I know,sometimes easier said than done.  Take it one day at a time and listen to your body.  Rest is the best and it helps me.  You don't want to over do anything or you will pay for it.
Good luck in finding your answers
Missy

[w.c. missy]

i am taking b-12 in liquid form, i bought it at whole foods, and put a dropperful in my water bottle 2 times a day.  i am also starting omega 3's, and alpha lipoic acid (any vitamin store has them).  i've read some really good benefits from them, and my nurses gave a thumbs up.  for pain i take ibuprofin, anxiety - xanax, and to sleep - ambien.  if i get a bad headache, i take a fiornal - which my doc approved.  everyone has different pain levels, so hopefully your doctor is compassionate about helping you out.  i'm lucky - my docs will help with anything to ease side effects.
beast of luck!
peace,
w.c. missy

[nygirl7]

My doc gave me a script for Percocet for the pain very easily.  I tried to take them ONLY when I really needed (because they have tyelnol or advil in most of them) and I didn't want to stress my liver by taking "two every four hours" or something like that.

They did help.

All hep docs know about the pains so they are pretty helpful it seems - it was suggested to me by someone here to call and ask for something and I did and he didn't give me any aggravation (so many doctors over prescribe for some patients that the other doctors seem worried to prescribe ANY narcotics these days...but in this case they understand).

Good luck!

[Lilla]

forgive me, but is your pain caused from taking another drug (such as Neupogen), or do you in general have pain from HepC?   and, if that's the case, is your pain all over or localized?    

I am curious because I am in week #17 out of 24, and with exception of headaches occasionally, I can't say I have any type of pain.    The energy thing is the biggest complaint I have.    Feel like I gasp for air, lightheaded, etc. and simple tasks are not simple.....they're a real effort it seems.

Missey - you said you take B12 from Whole Foods.  And alpha lipoic? I heard recently that the alpha lipoic was good to take along with selenium. Curious if you know any more on that?    Is B12 a capsule, tablet, liquid?   If one is anemic, does the B12 help?    I only have 7 more shots to go.

thank you!

[Kalio1]

I use them, I take Vicoprophen for bone pain and other various pain issues. The pharmacy had to scramble because it isn't very common but it works great.

It is not processed by your liver, it is processed by your kidneys.

None of the OTC products worked for me.

[Lilla]

I re-read your post; you do say Liquid B-12. Sorry.

[w.c. missy]

here's some info on B12.  i don't have much pain, except headaches - occasionally muscle aches, (which i think is caised by the anemia).  so far, ibuprofin has been fine for that. be well!
w.c. missy

What is vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells [1-4]. It is also needed to help make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin because it

[R Glass]

I haven’t started treatment yet but, for the last 5 years, I was on Zocar for Cholesteral, Diovan for Blood Pressure, and Loratab for Pain, all of which tell you not to take if you have “LIVER RELATED PROBLEMS”. It seems to me they would test for “LIVER RELATED PROBLEMS” before prescribing the meds. I quit taking all of it (including alcohol) after I had the Bombshell droped on me about HepC, all except the Loratabs. Since I quit drinking, my Blood Pressure is normal (go figure). My Dr. said taking 2 Loratabs a day would be OK but NO ALCOHOL. They help me in 2 ways, for the chronic pain (caused by years of construction), and they help knock the edge off when I need a drink. I know some of you do not approve but, it works for me and is better for me than Jim Beam. If the truth be known, I would rather the Jim Beam but, those days are gone and one day the Loratabs will be to.

[missy60051]

Stay tuff!  1 to 3mo. it gets easier.  You do what you have to to make it work for you.
It helps knowing the drink will only cause more harm.  Remember that!
You'll get your life back one day.
Missy