neuropathy &hep c

[haroldh]

I've had hep c 40 yrs I guess and the last 6-8 mos I seem to be developing neuropathy in my feet. The bottoms feel like pincushions, I did the interferon tx a couple yrs back and wonder if that has anything to do with it. Maybe it's just my age,57, I hope not.  Any input?

[hepcandme]

Surprised that your doc recommended NSAIDS since they are so bad for one's liver? I am not overweight or diabetic either and eat a very liver friendly diet but still wondering how to deal with the pain. I plan to start treatment soon so will let you know if this helps with the PN. Happy to hear that you are able to walk more. I miss the hiking so much but simply can't scramble up and down hills anymore

[WyoSue]

I, too, have had PN in my feet for several years now. Used to love walking, but now can't walk more than 20-30 minutes without intense burning sensation in the soles of my feet. Went to a podiatrist 6 yrs ago. He sent me to a rheumatologist, who put me on RA meds (plaquenil & methotrexate) and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds like Aleve and Advil). Nothing helped the burning sensation. I'm not overweight or diabetic and don't have cryoglobulinemia (as far as I know). Probably an extrahepatic manifestation, but I won't know until I get treatment and SVR (if I ever do). However, since I started a low-salt, organic, liver-friendly diet, the burning sensation has become less frequent, so I'm walking more.

[hepcandme]

I have peripheral neuropathy that for many years I thought was arthritis but now I am convinced is a side effect of the Hep C or liver disease. Very painful and not much can be done about it. Really sobering to visit a podiatrist who pushed my toes up and down while I was laying on my back and I couldn't tell if he was pushing the toe up or down! Since I no longer take Advil which worked so well for pain, my doctor has been experimenting with a few drugs to try to reign in the constant pain caused by peripheral neuropathy:  Celebrex - which did nothing for me, acetaminophen - which would give maybe an hour of relief and just today began using gabapentin. I'll let you know how it works. Sad because I Love to walk and walking more than 2 miles just really makes my feet and legs hurt

[ceanothus]

Well, I'm in the same situation. Three long ago back surgeries, with the first one involving a transfusion that gave me the HCV. Fast forward 30-plus years and I've developed cirrhosis and after three treatments (all including interferon) I'm finally free of HCV, but the back stuff has never ended and recently the nerve stuff in my feet is getting worse. Doc thinks its coming from an inflamed sacroiliac joint and I'm trying to get approved for physical therapy but if that doesn't work we will try steroid injections in the joint. Good luck with yours!

[haroldh]

My blood sugar is fine but my back, a whole different story..I've had three back surgeries and they'd love to try again,not a chance. Thanx for your input, I really appreciate it!

[ceanothus]

I agree that it's possibly an extra hepatic manifestation, but it can also have many other causes! Diabetes is a big one, so how is your blood sugar doing? Spinal problems are another possible cause, if nerves are pinched or inflamed. Please talk to your doctor about this. Remember, we are not doctors here and can't diagnose problems.

[haroldh]

I'm glad your husband beat his HCV and hopefully his neuropathy will improve over time. I am on my 6th day so 78 more to go, so far no side effects worth mentioning.

[cheflady]

Hi there my hubby treated for hepc because the hep doc told him that it would stop his neuropathy from getting any worse. He finished his 24wk triple tx at the end of April which worked but it as made his neuropathy worse!

[sunru]

I've had the same thing going on for last two years..neuropathy in two toes and painful walking barefoot,bottom of feet **outch**  Must be effects of hcv. I've read many others with hcv have it. Aging and hcv = fun fun.

[pooh55811]

Hepatitis C itself can cause a lot of extrahepatic manifestations. One of the extrahepatic manifestations of Hepatitis C is  Peripheral Neuropathy. So it is quite possible that your Peripheral Neuropathy is an extrahepatic manifestation of your Hepatitis C infection. (I developed Peripheral Neuropathy, most likely from the Hep C I had. I had the Peripheral Neuropathy long before I ever did treatment so I know for a fact it was not from treatment.)

From HCV Advocate

"Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) is characterized by numbness, burning, pins and needles sensations, crawling skin, and itching that occurs most often in the hands and feet, but can appear in other areas of the body. People with HCV-related PN should be tested for Cryoglobulinemia. In one study, it was found that 15.3% of people with HCV were diagnosed with PN. Treatment consists of treating the underlying disease (HCV) and avoiding any medications that cause or that can make PN worse. It is also advised that patients should avoid or reduce alcohol consumption."

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Extrahepatic.pdf

Best of luck with your next treatment.