Two questions: Biospy and joint pain

[Dawn703]

Some of you may or may not know, but I have not had a biopsy. Not sure why my GI never did one, he said he would def do if I decided to wait on treating. My question is could he tell from test results the state of my liver?

A little over a year ago I was in a bad car accident and had an abdominal CT, which stated the liver is unremarkable. Also when I had tests done for severe digestive issue right before I was diagnosed I had an ultrasound done, which also showed the liver was of normal size and shape (unremarkable); but it showed an abnormality in my pancreas so I had an MRI done, which also stated the liver was unremarkable.

The reason I am asking this now is because I have an appt with my GI on the 24th of this month, my EOT is August 8th. Most of you are more experienced in this stuff than I am; should there be a biopsy done even though all results state my liver is normal? I am very curious and obviously concerned about the state of my liver, but don't want to ask him to do one or have one done if it may not be neccessary.

Second question well request. Over the last couple of weeks I have developed some moderate joint pain (I know this is normal during treatment), that seems to get  worse at night when I am TRYING to sleep. I take tylenol and do some stretching, meditating, and breathing, it only takes the edge off. Any other suggestions, more natural please, (I don't take opiate based pain medications) would be welcome.

[willbb]

Hi Dawn..

I would concur with Hector that at this point a biopsy serves no purpose.d. Whatever damage you have  inadvertently causal from virus will cease once the immune system stops having to heal and scar the liver.

Actually many doctors  currently are forgoing biopsy ,being the therapy  now has such increased chances of success


Joint pain is very common when treating  most often caused by the INF..
Best to you going forward ..

Will

[Dawn703]

Thanks Hector and Dee, I really value your opinions.

Hector you are in my thought alot believe it or not. No matter what, you are there for anyone who needs help, selfless people are a rarity. Although I have found so many on this forum.

Without a doubt I will stick to treatment, would never consider not. I thank you for wishing me SVR and I wish you your health as well as hope svr is in your future as well.

[Dee1956]

Hey there, I am sorry you are going through the joint pain
I had it as others on here have described.  4 months post tx it is much better
While on tx I would do heat and ice and put my legs up when they really bothered me
I have heard that systemic enzymes can help with inflammation in the body however I do not know if that is safe to take on tx
I know that pineapples have a natural  anti-inflammatory action (bromelian)
I have heard that MSM (sulphur) can help as an antiflammatory.  Before treating I used to take a systemic enzyme, I may go back on it.  My doctor also told me I could take ibuprofen though I only took it when it was really bad.
I have a vitamin book that tells you what vitamins or supplements to take when there is a problem I will look it up
My best to you
Oh, the biopsy, I agree with Hector.  For myself, it was a very good thing I had a biopsy because my blood work did not indicate how damaged my liver was.  When first diagnosed I was told I had plenty of time to think about tx as HCV was slow moving, then they did the biopsy and I was transitioning into cirrhosis, then there was a real hurry to treat.

[HectorSF]

"could he tell from test results the state of my liver?"
All he could tell was that you don't have complete cirrhosis. Whether you have stage 0-3 liver disease it is impossible to tell from lab work. But than again it really don't matter now as it can't be changed and if you achieve SVR that is all anybody can due to heal their liver disease caused by hep C.

An ultrasound, CT scan or MRI can not diagnose the stage of liver disease and are never used to do so.

"Unremarkable" do not mean you don't have fibrosis, it only means the anatomy and architecture of the liver appears normal. All a ultrasound and MRI can tell is if you have a change in the anatomy and architecture of the liver. Normally the only time this would happen is if the liver becomes enlarged (inflammation) or shrunken (cirrhosis), develops nodules on the surface (cirrhosis) or they see a lesion (a growth) in or on your liver.

If you can complete treatment and are undetectable and achieve SVR their is no reason to have a biopsy. Your liver disease, whatever it is, will stop progressing and the liver will health itself in time.

Perhaps others can help you concerning your moderate joint pain.

Stick with your treatment. I wish you SVR.
Hector