muscle and joint pain

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone has any muscle and joint pain before tx?  I told my dr that I had very bad muscle and joint pain and he told me to go to my regular dr (which I dont have one) because he thought it was not from the Hep C...I dont know what else it could be from and I have tried taking Tylenol, Tylenol 8 hr, and Tylenol Arthritis...Please I am open to any suggestions on what works. Thanks Jill

[Dale_Ray]

Jill: Same issue here but my started with treatment in October. Really a nagging, tooth ache like pain in from waist down. Ice tired hot baths, heating pads, Tylenol Extra Strenth and Darvon. Nothing has helped yet. I find if I walk more than normal it seems to increase the pain at night. I told my wife if thay offered something I would take a shot in each of my joints if it would stop the ache. If you find the cure let me know:) Dale

[hep62pj]

i had really bad muscle/joint pain right after my shot for a short time about 2-3 months into tx but it went away and i havent had any trouble since then, i have been off of tx for about a year ... and yea over the counter pain meds did not help much... but smoking weed did, also it helped alot with the headaches. Not telling anyone to go out and by some pot but it helped me... i really wish that you could get med marijuana in NJ my brother in law just found out he has beginning stages of glaucoma and it would help him

[grvygirly]

I have called and told him about a month ago about this and he told me to go to my regular dr, that he didnt think it was because of hep c...and I have no other conditions...I hate my dr...I think im going to call him and see what he can do and if he doesnt do anything to help me, I am going to tell him that I am going to find a real dr...I dont think he takes this disease seriously. What do yall think I should do?...and I agree about the weed thing, they should make it legal.lol...Thank yall so much for listening to my problem...Jill

[Eyedeas]

Joint and muscle pain are classic symtoms (symptoms) of Hep C.  A lot of doctors tend to try and treat each individual symptom we have as separate items.  That's how most were trained.  

A lot of us here are "middle aged" LOL where these kind of things start up anyway, but you will find the muscle aches, RA type symptoms, fatigue, Brain Phog, depression and numerous other symptoms to be common to probably at least 90% of the Heppers here and most of these symptoms manifested even before the diagnosis of Hep C.  Sure, some of it's aging and the associated problems, but these things are often much worse and appear sooner when you have Hep.  

Get in your doctors face or get a new doctor.

Kim

[grvygirly]

I just called and left him a message w/ his nurse, when she or he calls me back I am going to let them have it if they dont do anything to help me...I am 29 and have chronic hep c and I think I have had it for 5 yrs and geno 1a...I dont know if that matters but I have alot of pain...I just found out in Nov.2005 so I am new to all of this...Thanks so much for the information...Jill

[cuteus]

GIs and hepatologists do not treat every extrahepatic condition associated with hepatitis. They deal with things liver related and refer you to dermatologists, primary physician, rheumatologists, neurologists, etc for the other conditions. I had a neurologist for the sciatica and carpal tunnel, my PCP gave me the pain meds, and dermatologist the skin meds. It is unusual to find a hepatologist that will treat all symptoms.

the best combo that worked for my aches was the Vicoprofen with extra ibuprofen, it really helped through the day.

[Dale_Ray]

Jill: I bake these wonderful special brownies that seem to take my mind off of the pain and dealing with doctors. At times the only side affect I've noticed from them is paranoia around police, driving extremely slow and laughing at nothing. I can live witht the sides I suppose. What were you talking about legalizing? Dale

[Dale_Ray]

I keep pounding along and so far so good. I'll mention the drug you are taking to my doctor next visit. If I could find relief for the muscles and joints I think I would quit whinning so much ha! At night it's like I want to stretch my legs all night but the more I stretch the worse then hurt. Never had this problem prior to beginning treatment. Are you doing okay with your sides now? Dale

[grvygirly]

Im not doing tx yet, but I still have the pain, is that normal? My dr said for me to come back in a year...and I also asked for a bx and he said no...and I dont have insurance...so I dont have a pcp...so im screwed...I feel like im just sitting around waiting to die...It sure is deppressing having a jerk for a dr. and him not taking me seriously. He laughed at me when I asked for a biopsy...Thanks to all of you, Jill

[dyce]

I too have a lotta a joint and muscle pain. I take 1 or 2 lortab a day ,about 12 hours apart. It really helps and it's helping me cope with the tx better. My doc will tx for any sx's I have , so it sounds like your doc is holding out.

Dyce

[can-do-man]

Heck think about it, im hoping to dream about it. Oh what a dream that could be.

[hep62pj]

send some of those brownies my way dear....

haaaaaaaaa

[Dale_Ray]

I'll be boxin them up this evening. Don't be offended by the seeds or the stinginess. It gives it texture and character. Please have a orange or bright green bean bag availble within 10 minutes of swallowing and stereo speakers should be set on mid range so as not to draw the attention of neighbors. The scary noises coming from the bean bag does not mean it is alive so don't freak. Dale:)

[grvygirly]

Yes I do get treated like sh!t w/ no insurance...Thank you for the number and info...and yes my dr is a twerp pompous a** He was more concerned about me might having intestinal problems or whatever gastro drs do..lol..instead of the hep c that I know for sure I have...I have been depressed, I also just had a baby in Dec.2005 and May 2004 so my hormones are all screwed up too...Im sure I need to go to lots of different doctors but its impossible at this moment until I get some insurance...I hope every1 is doing good today...Thanks again for the support, Jill

[dyce]

The flu bug is tring to leave but todat I had terrible gas pains with the runs, man ya talk about kissin your toes I was bent over so far. Any how what ya gonna do! Thats bogus ya can't hold down the pain meds because they really do help. Maybe ya need to eat a brownie with em(LOL).

Dyce

[can-do-man]

Hi there, so sorry about the problems your going through. I haven't read through all your post just know you have no insurance. Are you working? Is there any way you can get on medicade? If you can that would help solve alot of your problems. Some states are easier then others to get on it. If your income is low and you don't have much in assests. You might have already checked into it but thought i would bring it up. Best of luck to you. Your only 29 so the odds are that your liver isn't in to bad of shape. Again good luck and if theres any questions on how to work the system im sure some of us maybe could help you there.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I didn't have pains until I began treating, but for a few nights after shot night, I get some kind of neuropathy where I have an irresistable urge to straighten and flex my legs.  I guess like a restless leg something.  I have to take sleep aids to get thru it.  Prior to treatment, I did alot of flexibility exercises though, and that may have headed off any joint pain.  Shut up can-do-man......

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I didn't have pains until I began treating, but for a few nights after shot night, I get some kind of neuropathy where I have an irresistable urge to straighten and flex my legs.  I guess like a restless leg something.  I have to take sleep aids to get thru it.  Prior to treatment, I did alot of flexibility exercises though, and that may have headed off any joint pain.  Shut up can-do-man......

[giddyup]

Some information I've found says that upto 75% of people w/hep c have Cryoglobulinemia which can cause aching joints. I've been using vicodin for the past few years before, during and after tx Now I'm taking oxycodone which has no Tylonol like Vicoden does.

I't seems that people get varying amount of pain from this condition.Of what I've heard it can be very painful for some. The aches stop when hep c is cured.In my case I'll be starting a treatment with 4 6hr infusions of Rituxin. If this doesn't work then the doc says it's not Hep c thats causing the aches. Hep c does cause joint aches.I don't know what part of the country your in but if you let us know maybe we can help you find doctors.You might also try a rheumatologist.Sorry your in pain. giddy

[can-do-man]

What i do? I agree with you sometimes I have an irresistable urge to straighten up. Maybe you could tell me more on this when you said....I did alot of flexibility exercises though. Could you please explain that a little better? I mean was it with your legs pulled back behind your head or what. You know can-do could use a little support here sometimes too. :)

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Did you know that yoga is great for flexibility?  When I was taking formal classes I could get in poses my teacher couldn't because I have double jointed hips, so I really can put my feet up to my head, even if I am not working out!  Just think about THAT!

[Dale_Ray]

I think this joint thing might be sort of universal for our group. BUT, your doctor sounds like a twerp and you should look into possible test programs in your area that will help with the cost. Make sure you talk to someone about how your feeling. That laying around waiting to die comment could mean the blues are settling in and you need to see someone. I did and it really helped.

Dyce: how you doing buddy. We've gotta figure out this joint thing. My doctor has tried me on several meds for the pain but I have this weird system where anything to do with pain pills gives me vertigo and I hurl. That is worse than the pain when you toe nails pass by your adam's apple. How are your other sides doing. Didn't you have a touch of the flu? Dale

[grvygirly]

HI, Thank you all for the advice, it means alot to me that I am not the only one w/ problems...I called my dr and left a message on Tues. and I have not heard from him yet...Its a little disappointing...I dont know what else to do...Thanks again and I hope everyone has a good day!

[amb23]

Hi, I am having terrible joint and muscle pain also.  I was also diagnosed with hep c about the same time as you.  I just got this pain a year ago.  I have been sent to every doctor under the sun and no one will help me.  I am not on any treatment yet.  I am having a biopsy June 23.  Meanwhile I have to live with this terrible pain.  I am taking lortab now and it is the only thing that really works and not for long.  I hate taking it because I am an x-addict now getting addicted to pain pills, go figure.  I can't work beause because I can barely walk at times.  Let me know if you get any better answers.