calf pain

I was told 6 months ago i had hep ''c''.total mystery thou how.only real health issue at moment is terrible calf pains like cramp.i can see my calf muscles twitching and moving.i have had to stop work over this,the pain and heavy legs are unbearable.I have not even had any treatment yet for the hep''c''.i have tried quinene and tonic water but no good.is it related to the hep''c''.no GP,has helped as yet.
Dave..

[nygirl7]

I'm sorry the only thing I ever did was try the quinine water and it seemed to help me although I have read to make sure you have enough potassium.

You really do need to follow up with your hepC you can't just pretend it doesnt' exist - unfortunately by the time you see symptoms it's often very late in the game and a lot of damage has occurred.  I had no idea I had it and when I was diagnosed I was already stage 3 or 4 (cirrhosis). It's often called the Silent kIller for this reason.

And by the way you don't have to have done drugs or have tattoos to have this disease - I believe 40% or so of the people with it have none of the classic ways in their history. If you've ever had an innoculation or a dentist or some surgery you are risk.

[HectorSF]

Yes quinine water and eating bananas for potassium have worked for me. I had crazy bad leg (feet & hand) cramps during treatment and somethings occasionally now. I find it usually happens if my legs are not straight when I sleep. If you feel it coming on straighten your legs (keep your knees locked) and try to walk it off. Yes, the pain can be excruciating!!!

I tried this technique a few times when others things didn't work. It seemed to work most of the time. It sounds "crazy" but anything to stop cramp pain.

"Pinch your upper lip right beneath the nose hard(below your nostrils)and hold it until the cramps ease." I don't how or why it works. But it is worth giving it a try."
I have also heard of people using this variation "pinch the bridge of the nose (pretty hard) for 5 to 10 seconds. Until you feel the cramp dissolve".

Good luck!
HectorSF

[GrandOak]

I don't know about the pinching remedies, but suppose if you pinch your seeds hard enough, the calf pain goes away. ;-P

Seriously, muscle cramping and insatiable itching are common with liver damage, particularily cirrhosis.  Diet and exercise can minimize the onsets.

There are some meds (Benedryl OTC or perscription) which can alleviate the itching.  However, since itching is internal rather than topical, all you can do is be alert to the onset and take the meds.

If the muscle crap, which sounds to be the calves more than others, sets in, walking it out is about the only option.  I have found that if you work the muscle which is cramping from different angles, it can help loosen it up.  Not sure which is worse, the calves or the sides.

I have heard weight can also play a factor in the muscle cramps.  However, bottom line is that these are common symptoms of liver damage NOT HCV. (i.e. Liver damage can occur for various reason other than HCV and it's the damage not the disease which is causing the onsets.).