HCV and palsy

Question

Does anyone have nerve palsy as a result of HCV?  I have muscle wasting in my right shoulder from damage to the spinal accessory nerve and hearing loss in my left ear (nerve related).  When I told my neurologist I had been dx with HCV he had the local hospital librarian do some research to see if there are any similar documented cases related to HCV.  I recieved the results of the research in the mail yesterday.  It sites about 5 different cases of central nervous system problems from HCV.  He just had his assistant send it to me and didn't recommend anything.  I have been seeing him for a few years and he follows the problems to be sure they are not getting worse.  I also see the tx can cause some nervous system problems.  Now I worried the problems will be worsened by tx.  Anyone else have this?  GI-PA any thoughts?  Thanks, caruu

CARUU · Answer

Thanks for the insight to possible neurological impact from HCV.  It helps to possibly answer some questions why (for no obvious reason)I have nerve related muscle wasting, hearing loss and other symptoms.  Maybe I'm not crazy after all :-).  I'm feeling better after three weeks of low dose Paxil.  Now I have to talk myself into tx! caruu

willing · Answer

Hi, though HCV replicates primarily in the liver and does most of its damage there, there is sparse but consistent documentation for non-liver complications caused by the presence of the virus, including neurological ones. Ecidence of hcv infection and replication in central-nervous-system cells is only a couple of years old and I don't believe any mechanism for the neurological complications of HCV has been proposed yet: it's not surprising that the hospital's research didn't turn up very much. However, the chances of aggravation caused by the meds rather by the virus seem pretty remote (of course everything feels worse during tx): neuropathy is listed as a rare complication of interferon. Best wishes.

CARUU · Answer

oops, I hit the send button too soon.  Anyway, I've had EMG's and they aren't fun, but they have shown that the problem is stablized and not worsening.  I've had PT for numbness and tingling in my right hand and I have ulna nerve problem in my right elbow.  Can't lean on it at all!  The PT included nerve glides that help some.  The hearing loss is just there and I've never had any treatment for it.  Don't know if anything can be done.  I also had neuroma's removed from my left foot.  Don't know if all/any of this can be blamed on the HCV.  The best thing seems to be exercise and stretching.  How are you doing on tx?  I hope you are handling it well and kicking the dragon's butt! caruu

CARUU · Answer

Hi Moonbaby, I haven't started tx yet.  I go back to the GI on 9-16.  I am 2a, 140,000 viral.  I have had the nerve problems for several years.  I haven't been treated for them, but I've had several EMG

Galen · Answer

The stats you find on nerve problems caused by HCV seem to be pretty sketchy to put it mildly.  I've suffered from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS, compressin of the nerves and blood vessels in the shoulder/neck area) for many years and the docs always related it to the way I am built and the type of work I do.  Many other hairdressers have the same thing and no hep. Injuries to the nerve at the C5, C6, C7, C8 can cause all kinds of problems to the nerves they connect to.  In my case I was in a car accident many years ago and had a whiplash injury.  It gave me no problems until 10 years later.  I finally had to have part of my left elbow removed and the ulnar nerve repositioned to stop the constant stress on the nerve.  I had been in pain from my ear to my fingertips.  It got a lot better with time and PT, but flares up now that I am on tx.  I do think tx can aggravate existing nerve problems but I don't think it causes them.

moonbaby · Answer

I have heard the EMG is pretty uncomfortable. I am glad the problem is stabilized for you, especially the hearing loss. 
Just took my first shot Wed. and don't know who is kicking who's butt right now but I think I am on the receiving end for the time being. I am a 1a, 301,000 viral load. I hope you can start tx soon.I am sure you already know, 2's and 3's are easier to treat and have a shorter duration of treatment. It would be interesting to know if your neuro problems are from the hcv or merely aggravated by it. I am not sure if there is a test to determine. Anyway, good luck to you!

Love and light,
Moonbaby

moonbaby · Answer

Hi Caruu! I had been diagnosed with everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to brachial plexus injury during the last couple of years. I was experiencing numbness/tingling in my left shoulder and arm. I even thought I was having a stroke one nite because the numbness crept up into the left side of my neck/face. My primary wants to obtain an EMG but I have not so far. Gastro suggested neurontin but I am already taking so much medication...gastro also said that hcv predisposes us to all sorts of neuropathies. Just did first shot wed. nite and certainly hope it doesn't worsen. Have you started tx? Are you taking anything for the neuropathy? Moonbaby

HCV and palsy

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