Continued Discussion of Post-Tx problems, rib and spinal pain...etc. (Eisbein)

[DoubleDose]

I wanted to open a new thread on this topic, because the thread way below from a few days ago under 'relapse' is almost full.

The issue of ongoing problems after successful tx (and unsuccessful tx, for that matter) seems to be of interest to many on the forum, and ranges from problems with depression, joint pain, rib and mid-body pains, erectile dysfunction, thyroid issues,eye problems,and you name it, etc.

My current problem, which has really flared up in the last two months, is intense rib and spinal pain, ranging from the hips (mostly right side) to mid-back, shoulder blade and ribcage (again mostly right side).

Any forum members with comments or questions on these issues are welcome to enter the discussion.  There is no readily available body of knowledge out there as of yet, regarding post-tx longterm side effects.  The drug companies are not jumping up and down to do retrospective studies on these issues, and most of the doctors seem to downplay the prevalance or even existence of these interferon related after effects.

Many of us seem to be wondering how to address post-tx problems, and I would like to hear what our members are experiencing AND doing about their sx.  What have your doctors said in regard to these problems???  

Thanks for input, and further questions, problems, etc.

DoubleDose

[GoofyDad]

I have sometimes have had abdominal discomfort that I alternatingly attributed to liver pain, or just a mild IBS type condition. That went on for years. In the year before starting tx, I noticed that the compression caused by my kid whacking me in the belly really sent a schockwave through the abdominal cavity. This is probably about the time I was entering stage 4.

I cleared by week 4 of tx, and since then that abdominal stuff has been gone, gone, gone (and don't let the door hit you). I'm on week 25/26.

Next I'm hoping to do something about this sardine-like halitosis :( Until then I just take a spoon of mustard and olive oil sauce followed by crackers, a few times each day. It all blends together quite nicely, not unlike the perfumes wafting from a Sicilian deli.

[jmjm530]

My understanding is that there are no pain receptors in the liver and therefore costochondritis -- which is fairly common -- would be one of the first things a doctor would investigate when someone complains of liver pain.  I have read various theories (mostly here :) ) about the relationship between costochondritis and hep C and/or tx drugs, but never investigated it independently.

Overall, I fall somewhere in the middle of these discussions, firmly believing that there are real long-term risks from the treatment drugs, but at the same time -- as often said by kalio -- many of the complaints you hear are very common in certain age ranges, regardless of Hep C.

What may happen however, is that the physical stress of treatment, may age us a little -- it certainly runs us down -- and therefore bring out some of these aches and pains earlier.

What is safe to say is that there still is a lot we don't know about this disease, its treatment and the ramifications down the road.

Hopefully you're making best efforts to enjoy your SVR beyond the problems you're having. You did mention earlier going on a fitness/nutritional program and that made a lot of sense. Just keep in mind that athletes who really push their body can be the first to become arthritic. LOL. No free lunch here I'm afraid. Not even any food stamps :)

-- Jim

-- Jim

[DoubleDose]

Very interesting indeed!  The costochondritis problem might just be responsible for much of the rib and abdominal pain that many with HCV seem to experience, as well as those on tx.  

I wonder if it is really a typical extrahepatic symptom of HCV, and that very few people are realizing that their 'body pains' may be more rib generated than anything else.

Anyone else reading this thread, please feel free to comment on your particular experiences with rib, chest, or upper abdominal pain, liver pains, mid-back, and shoulder blade problems.
If anyone has active, current problems of this nature, you might want to press on the ribs in the rfront and in the back to see if this elicits more pain.  Also, twisting the upper torse in different directions can also produce pain, if it is a costochondritis type issue.

If it is indeed all related to the autoimmune aspects of HCV, and of Interferon therapy, then at least we are on a path to some sort of potential treatment.

DoubleDose

[Califia]

Alright, let's face it, we're all just groping in the dark, but as a group betcha  we have more than our fair share of hindsight.   [ouch]   As for seeing clearly into the future,  that's why we keep Forseegood around.   Give that woman a top hat and a white cane and let the tapping begin....

[bwave2u]

that is great news for you. thanks & keep on sharing.(pre & post tx sx:) the web sites i get reffered to, and trust me, i am very grateful for the sites! sites on clinical trials and such. I can't read a word of it. so i guess i'll literally be lead blindly into my next round of whatever they throw at me:) Peace, & take great care.

[Califia]

bwave:  If only we could change the font on these comment boxes.  It's like typing with the eyes closed.  Btw, just to share a little good news for a change, my lousy vision on tx cleared up within 3 months off the drugs.   Even the little retinal hemmorhages repaired themselves.

DD:  Curioser and curioser.  You may or may not remember that both I and Britgirl, was it, or Layla?  were diagnosed with costochondroitis during treatment.   Inflammation of the ribcage, upper left side for me, and no, we're not talking Manhattan--and what a blessed relief it was to discover that it wasn't cardiac related.   So here's a crazy idea.  What about a little self-treatment with medicinal mushrooms, reishi and cordyceps in particular, which are known to modulate the immune system?   Paul Stamets's site contains a wealth of information.   He's an internationally known mycologist, very generous with his time, and willing to respond to email questions about medicinal fungi.   I mean, maybe we gotta get a little off-road with this one, because waiting another three or five or ten years for a medical miracle could really try the soul.