Aa
When do the subtle aches and pains stop...
OK 4.5 months post 48 weeks and I'm so over the remnant aches and pains, mainly in my hips and lower back. certainly no where like they wer ewhilst on treatment but still lngering like a bad smell. It feels muscular, like if you rub the muscles it feels like you have just done a vigorous work out in the gym and the muscles are screaming for forgiveness... anyone else still have this post treatment?
(of course it could just be that I'm getting older - 48 - and am attributing too much to med side effects)
(of course it could just be that I'm getting older - 48 - and am attributing too much to med side effects)
By the way, I should note, that there are many examples of people with arthritis having pain-but from myofascial issues instead of the arthritis itself. It is possible that a doc would miss that. Even if arthritis shows up, still look at the involved muscles as well.
your always thinking what i'm thinking...it's so weird! :O) GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE I GUESS!!! heeheehee!
how much exercise did you get while on tx? If you could not keep a regular schedule with exercise, your muscles might have atrophied a tad, and it will take some time to build things back.
It could be as simple as that.
I had some aches before tx, enhanced by tx and not as bad post, but still there to some extent. nothing OTC meds can't handle though.
It could be as simple as that.
I had some aches before tx, enhanced by tx and not as bad post, but still there to some extent. nothing OTC meds can't handle though.
My take on all this is that the tx does create some problems that may last for quite awhile. I am two years post-tx, and am SVR, and still have regular flare-ups that involve the ribs, back, neck, and hips. I also now get a red malar rash (mild) as in Lupus, when I over-exert for several days (outdoor work), or when I get too much sun, or when my stress levels are very high. This is often accompanied by 'Lupus-like' symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, aches and pains, brain fog, and stomach distress. Sounds a little like the old HCV symptoms.......
I think it all has to do with an over-revved immune system, that still acts like it is on interferon. The day to day syndrome feels a lot like fibromyalgia...and THAT puzzling syndrome may also be an autoimmune condition.
I am concerned that many of my post-tx symptoms seem to have 'settled-in', or have become somewhat recurring and chronic. I also feel more frequent periods of mild depression and lack of motivation after finishing tx. Oddly, I sometimes felt more focused, and energized while on tx.....
The post-tx issues need much more study by the researchers...to determine what their cause is, and what treatments or strategies might work to diminish them. Either we have some ongoing autoimmune after-effect from the tx, or the HCV itself changed our physiology and nervous systems, OR there may be something to the viral persistence research, which may cause ongoing immune system dysfunction, even though the virus is mostly eradicated in our bodies (as far as can be detected in blood and liver).
The skeletal symptoms are very discouraging, and need to be addressed by the medical community. SVR's deserve to be HAPPY SVR's!!!!
DoubleDose
I think it all has to do with an over-revved immune system, that still acts like it is on interferon. The day to day syndrome feels a lot like fibromyalgia...and THAT puzzling syndrome may also be an autoimmune condition.
I am concerned that many of my post-tx symptoms seem to have 'settled-in', or have become somewhat recurring and chronic. I also feel more frequent periods of mild depression and lack of motivation after finishing tx. Oddly, I sometimes felt more focused, and energized while on tx.....
The post-tx issues need much more study by the researchers...to determine what their cause is, and what treatments or strategies might work to diminish them. Either we have some ongoing autoimmune after-effect from the tx, or the HCV itself changed our physiology and nervous systems, OR there may be something to the viral persistence research, which may cause ongoing immune system dysfunction, even though the virus is mostly eradicated in our bodies (as far as can be detected in blood and liver).
The skeletal symptoms are very discouraging, and need to be addressed by the medical community. SVR's deserve to be HAPPY SVR's!!!!
DoubleDose
jane i have the exact same issue going on...hip and back pains...but i am overweight and attribute alot of it to that...tx no doubt makes it worse for me, the hip aches began after starting tx and mostly affected me as i sleep and sit down...i would also go to a bone dr too if i were you and get an mri. as a matter of fact that is exactly what i'm planning very soon. what are those drs called???
we need to make sure there is not something like arthritis envolved too... after i end tx i am planning on just really building those muscles up around those areas with excersizes that the bone dr suggests. i know we need strong muscles active in those areas to help the bones work right and minimize the pressure...
also keep in mind that those meds are in our system for at least 6 months after stopping tx. that is when they finally say its safe to get pregnant again. so we have to be ready to wait out the detox part after ending tx.
let me know what you end up doing and finding out about it and i will do the same for you ok?
sandi
we need to make sure there is not something like arthritis envolved too... after i end tx i am planning on just really building those muscles up around those areas with excersizes that the bone dr suggests. i know we need strong muscles active in those areas to help the bones work right and minimize the pressure...
also keep in mind that those meds are in our system for at least 6 months after stopping tx. that is when they finally say its safe to get pregnant again. so we have to be ready to wait out the detox part after ending tx.
let me know what you end up doing and finding out about it and i will do the same for you ok?
sandi
Hi, I know this sounds overly simplistic, but have you tried Sam-e and maybe Glucosamine & Chondroitin & MSM. Many docs prescribe it for arthritis but many also take it for muscles aches of any kind. Best thing about it if it doesn't work you don't have to keep taking it for a result, just don't buy it again. Hope this helps.
When I said the treatment is also toxic, I meant interferon and riba of course.
Have you been to a chiro. or massage therapist?
I have a feeling you might have myofascial trigger points. The way to tell is if you press the muscle, and it hurts somewhere else, it is a trigger point. Sometimes they don't refer pain, but just hurt where you press. I have them in the same area. Trigger points are muscle knots that can cause a wide variety of symptoms that would surprise many. The virus is myotoxic in nature, and it is those toxins that accumulate in the muscles, and is also a perpetuating factor. I (am not a doc) but would suggest a deep tissue massage followed by drinking lots of water for a few days after. It may take more than one, because muscles have to be retrained. After the knots are worked out, then a stretching program would help.
I have read most of Travell and Simons medical book on myofascial trigger points, but an easier and less expensive book is from Claire Davies-The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook.
If you all will allow, I would like to share an opinion I have on common symptoms and how they might be related to trigger points-but there is not much written because many hepatologists are not specialists in myofascial issues.
Symptoms of dizziness, headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, etc that we get are also symptoms of sternocleidomastoid trigger points. Muscle and joint aches can be cause by them. Arrhythmias can be caused by trigger points in the right pec muscle around the 5th rib (yes, the right side). Carpal Tunnel symptoms are usually caused by neck muscles called the scalenes. Back pain can come from trapezius or rhomboid trigger points. TMJ can be deactivated by working out trigger points in the trapezius, temporalis and masseter muscles. Hip pain can come from the erector spinae (spinal muscles) or quadratus lumborum.
Having chronic myofascial pain can also cause sleep disturbances, depression, and fatigue. I have mentioned these ideas to my PCP and he agrees with me. I don't think enough research has been done on the 2 topics together.
The longer a trigger point has existed, the longer it takes to de-activate and retrain the muscle. When one part of the body has had to compensate for them from another part, the syndrome can "move" as the body needs to be balanced properly again.
My wife gets them a lot because she works on a computer all day, and I have learned how to work out her knots to a degree.
Remember, IF that is your problem, it may take several attempts and drink a lot of water. Deep tissue massage moves the lymph fluids and toxins so it is important they get flushed otherwise they will settle right back. The treatment is also toxic itself.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
John
I have a feeling you might have myofascial trigger points. The way to tell is if you press the muscle, and it hurts somewhere else, it is a trigger point. Sometimes they don't refer pain, but just hurt where you press. I have them in the same area. Trigger points are muscle knots that can cause a wide variety of symptoms that would surprise many. The virus is myotoxic in nature, and it is those toxins that accumulate in the muscles, and is also a perpetuating factor. I (am not a doc) but would suggest a deep tissue massage followed by drinking lots of water for a few days after. It may take more than one, because muscles have to be retrained. After the knots are worked out, then a stretching program would help.
I have read most of Travell and Simons medical book on myofascial trigger points, but an easier and less expensive book is from Claire Davies-The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook.
If you all will allow, I would like to share an opinion I have on common symptoms and how they might be related to trigger points-but there is not much written because many hepatologists are not specialists in myofascial issues.
Symptoms of dizziness, headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, etc that we get are also symptoms of sternocleidomastoid trigger points. Muscle and joint aches can be cause by them. Arrhythmias can be caused by trigger points in the right pec muscle around the 5th rib (yes, the right side). Carpal Tunnel symptoms are usually caused by neck muscles called the scalenes. Back pain can come from trapezius or rhomboid trigger points. TMJ can be deactivated by working out trigger points in the trapezius, temporalis and masseter muscles. Hip pain can come from the erector spinae (spinal muscles) or quadratus lumborum.
Having chronic myofascial pain can also cause sleep disturbances, depression, and fatigue. I have mentioned these ideas to my PCP and he agrees with me. I don't think enough research has been done on the 2 topics together.
The longer a trigger point has existed, the longer it takes to de-activate and retrain the muscle. When one part of the body has had to compensate for them from another part, the syndrome can "move" as the body needs to be balanced properly again.
My wife gets them a lot because she works on a computer all day, and I have learned how to work out her knots to a degree.
Remember, IF that is your problem, it may take several attempts and drink a lot of water. Deep tissue massage moves the lymph fluids and toxins so it is important they get flushed otherwise they will settle right back. The treatment is also toxic itself.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
John
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