sides

I'm 23 weeks into 48 and my leg and calf muscles are cramping and bothering me so much.  I'd like to here from any who experienced this and what they did to relieve these sides.

Thank You,  Robin

[mikesimon]

I had terrible leg pain but the pain was more in the bone than the muscle. My shin and ankle hurt badly. That's not to say I didn't have muscle pain but the bone pain was probably the debilitating feature. I suspected that it was a result of Epogen (Procrit) but  I'm not sure really about the cause. There wasn't anything I could do that would help aside from Percocet which I took when the pain became unbearable. Often I couldn't walk 100 feet without terrible pain. Mike

[woodbeegood]

yea - those cramps are the pits aren't they? i even got one in my ankle of all places one night-i was advised to drink lots more water-sometimes i think i will float away-lol i have also heard potassium &/or calcium will help-mine seemed to ease up after a week or so-like most of these other sx-just about the time you think you get one figured out-a new one pops up-hope this helps-take care & hope this sx passes quickly for you!

[Califia]

Robin,  I'd like to second WBG's recommendation that you hydrate even more.   And I'd recommend adding magnesium to the above-mentioned mineral mix.    Taking a gram of magnesium has always worked for me in this regard, whereas the calcium/potassium approach is always less effective and not as immediate as the magnesium.  Mg's also quite calming.   And don't forget to stretch after the contractions.  

MIKE-- Procrit is _definitely_ the culprit, as the pain is caused by increased bone marrow activity.   Whoops, come to think of it, I have a shot to do today.

Ain't we got fun?

[honey1616]

Awwww Me too Califia! Procrit day I mean!!  There seems to be a treat in store daily for us LOL   I'm glad you guys have said this is normal because lately,,,I have had same thing,  Seems like bone pain in my leg.  I had a plate put in my leg several years back and that is one that is hurting so bad.  I look like a cripple trying to walk LOL  I have been taking tylenol to relieve it and hope it lets up soon.  How you feeling these days Califia?

[mikesimon]

Thanks. I always suspected that but could never get verification from anyone. Mike

[Sioux]

I was like Mike. Mine felt more like bone pain. I also was on procit. Hang in there and ask your doc to give you an rx. I was on vioxx. Am now taking celebrex.

[kennedge]

oh those bones...

yes i had severe leg pains on tx...but in the bones...never did procrit or epogen...but my best guess was that the body was pulling  from the bone marrow to keep up platelette production...vicodin to the rescue....cramps eat your banannas and potatotes...

[Califia]

No complaints, ma'am, thank you so much for asking, still virus-free and enjoying the nice lull in the storm.  (Referring to my own tx, that is!)    When is your last shot?

[fsplink]

Hey,it's my Procrit day too! I just hate those stupid shots, they hurt so bad. I guess I should be grateful we have Procrit and can stay on the treatment.


Honey, I know what you're talking about I said the other night I need to get some crutches! It's my feet that hurt so bad though. Of course, I had trouble with them before treatment.


My computer has been down and out(at Best Buy repair center) for the last few days. It makes you realize how much you value all the people and advice for this forum. I really missed it.


Oh, one more statement. My husband can be a real a****** on treatment. I hope we don't murder each other before this is over. And he's 6 weeks behind me. That means when I'm through I still have to bite my tongue.

[honey1616]

Califia,,,Sunday is shot and that will be #43,,,Actually won't be through until end of Jan.

Fsplink,,,haha Whats up with the hubbies misbehaving and acting like a@@@  LOL  Do they think they are only ones on tx??  Actually my husband is finishing up 3 weeks before me so he still will have the honors of putting up with me LOL
I also have achy feet,,,the bottoms and noticed a few months before starting tx,,,they hurt alot,,,,chalked it up to getting older but must be a hep c symptom,,,I guess!  Hang in there,,,this will be a flash of our past before ya know it!

[layla]

I had the same thing throughout tx. No bone pain but muscle and cramping in legs and at times in my feet. I drank even more water and I added a banana a day to my diet. I beleive that did help but it did not go totally away. It was terrible for me and I'm sorry to hear your having these cramps to. I'll tell you by the time I finished 71 weeks of tx I didn't have much muscle left. I've been off tx since mid July and it is just now quickly starting to build back up. I didn't even realize how weak my muscles became BUT it does get better after tx. LL

[relentless]

Relax....I was 5,000,000 +, 1b, stage 3 grade 3, and I was negative at 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 58 weeks.  Drink water all day long...... grid for the worst and you will most likely be disappointed...good luck

[newco]

http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C466089.html

I've had a lot of leg cramps in the past before I knew I had HCV I had even started taking quinine tablets to resolve. I was also taking Soma for restless leg muscles. I had read some info that this tx will dehydrate you and possibly deplete some essential vitamins. The link above gives some good info on leg cramps. I know they hurt like hell. My first shot was saturday and most of the pain I had was in my legs so I am going to keep a watch on my liquids and potassium. Potassium has something to do with regulating the electrolytes in your heart so you may want to discuss the cramps with your doctor.
Newco

[Astrolady]

Foot pain is a way of life for me -- bunion surgery, broken ankle and broken foot, however the pain has intensified alot it starting about 2 weeks ago, I'm on wk #5.  I'm still not sure if the pain is from the tx or wet weather.  I've always used my foot pain as a barometer to predict rain.

I started feeling pain in my ribs (flu pain) last night and continuing,  how would I know if this is the flu and not sx???

[relentless]

Water...water...and more water.  I did pegasys and 12 riba for 48 weeks and the sides were not to bad.  Had a little bit of everything.  Headaches, splitting skin at fingernails, rash on chest, dry and bleeding nose.  All were very managable.  Used avenno shower oil for dry skin, soaked once a week in avenno bath stuff, krazy glue for splitting fingers, humidifer for dry nose when sleeping, quit coffee and swithced to one cup of tea a day,  got plenty of rest and drank at least a gallon and a half of water a day.  I would get up to pee at least twice a night.  I believe water is the most important thing.  Pegasys doesn't clear throught the kidneys as much as the other interferon but riba does.  you have to keep flushing the system.  It worked for me.  I didn't loose any weight or experience night sweats of naseua.  I also started yoga 3 mornings a week and rread several books on coping with catastrophic illness and meditation.  I would suggest taking the tx experience as a journey that will come to an end but requires doing things differently than you have been doing things.  You will tend to be less frustrated if you embrace the fasct that you will not be your OLD SELF for 12 months or so.  I am now 5 months post tx.  Negative at 2 months and feeling great right now.  I look forward to my December 6 month test.  Remember, drink gallons of water and expect to feel bad....you won't be surprised....except for the good days.....then your will feel fantastic.  Good luck all

relentless

[newco]

Your the first to say a nose bleed now I feel better since I had one on Monday and it kinda freaked me out. 1/48 I guess I can expect just about anything but I am not sure what to think of this doc I have, I am a 1a, vl 3.3 million, mild inflamation (inflammation), and my ultrasound was very good and no elevated enzymes. I didn't know my vl was 3.3 till yesterday and it depressed me when he said that it is harder to treat above 3.0 all I can do I guess is do it and hope for the best. When I originally got a diagnose it was from donating blood and came up pos A and positive C and neg B. Too another series and he said I didn't have A. So that was a relief. Then Monday he said I had A.??? Apparently he didn't review my case to well at first. Does anyone know how serious it is to have A and C? I've searched the net and mostly find info on hepC, with HepB. I am just confused with the high Viral Load compared to all the rest of the tests being so good. I'm just hoping at my three month I am responding.
Thanks Newco

[Tony-z]

rsterling

I have also had a minor Case of muscle spasm. In the calfs and back.
  I have found that eating a good diet, drinking lot, lots of water or clear liquids and supplementing with a multi Vitamin, also extra Calcium, Magnesium and Alpha lipoic Acid helped. If your cramps are to bad, the Dr can give you muscle relaxers to help.

            Good Luck


                TonyZ

[sgabb]

Boy these sx sound like fun :> I already have been getting pain in my legs and feet for a few months now.  I have been feeling lousy for a few years now and am wondering if alot of these are sx from the hep c.  My wife is already loading me up with vitamins and minerals... multi vitamin, vitamin c,e,high b complex, biotin, calcium, and potasium.  if there are any others you can suggest, please let me know. I just got home to find my Meds waiting for me.  Friday is more real every passing minute.  the doses my doc has me on are 180mcg of Pegasys once a week and 1200mg of Copegus daily.  Does this sound right? and any other ideas of what I can expect Friday?
thanks...        Shawn

[Soleus]

HAV usually resolves within a month or so but can be more serious in someone with HCV. Your Doctor should have recommended getting vaccinated for HBV. You already have and immunity to A. You should always get copies of your test results. If you know which lab did your test you should be able to get your results on there web site. I know Quest Diagnostics has this service. Your Doctor is not inspiring me with confidence ether.

Mark

[relentless]

Shawn,

I did my weekly shot on Saturday night just before bed.  I figured I would sleep through any major side effect.  I also figured I would have one day of the weekend to feel as normal as possible, since the sides wane as the week goes on.  Then Sunday I would just lay around all day and soak in tub for hour at end of day.  That schedule worked well for me.  While my production at work suffered, I didn't miss any time.  Good luck.  I was also on 180 pegasys and 1200 riba.

[honey1616]

Shawn,,,My first shot was the worse for me and I had to take that first one at drs office mid afternoon.  About 6 that evening,,,I was shaking so bad and so nauseus.  I finally fell asleep about 10 and slept through night. Next shot,,,I took a couple of tylenol about 7 in evening and took my shot at 9 and later when I went to bed,,,,Nothing and slept through the night and its been like that ever since.  If you can take first one at night before going to bed,,,,Clear anything for the weekend,,,Just in case,,you are not feeling good.  Some people do great and others ok and some not so great so just plan accordingly,  You will do ok,,,,I was so nervous that first day at drs office,,,,my blood pressure was way up and always been very low,  They asked me what was wrong but I was so scared,,,,I knew this was the beginning of a long year for me.  I often wonder if that is why my first shot was so terrible.

[DownThisRoad]

I had huge leg pain, mostly in my calves and upper thighs. I was told it could be due to the Pegasys that I had to take during my tx meds, starting around week 7.

I don't know if it was the Procrit or not, I just know that I had huge leg pain all during my tx meds and time on Procrit.
~dtr.

[DownThisRoad]

OOOO, brain fog still exists OFF the tx meds.  I meant to type in Procrit in my above thread.  "I was told it could be due to the Pegasys"      no...not Pegasys but Procrit.
~dtr.