Post treatment- lingering issues peg+riba+incivek

[Gerbils]

I was treatment naive. I finished treatment of 24 weeks was UND at 4,8, 16, and 25. Finished incivek in Aug, finished shots on 12/01/11, and riba on 12/07/2011. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled with the results and know it hasn't been that long.  I have some difficult symptoms and I wondered if anyone else had them after treatment. I am not calling them side effects because I am not taking the meds anymore. I have body aches most of the time (pretty severe ones). They are only relieved occasionally but usually I have to take motrin (I'm actually using ibuprophen but motrin is a shorter word). I am now trying not to take motrin because I don't think you should take it everyday, but it's really hard. I also still have sinus problems, ear problems, and severe joint pain (one shoulder, hip and elbow). At first I thought the meds had just exacerbated conditions I already had such as sinus and allergies, but I did not have a shoulder problem at all, my elbow is painful when moving it, it is weak, and is painful to the touch but there is no redness or swelling or anything. I just developed a bunch of inflamation in my mouth that is inside my lips. You can't see anything from the outside but I look like I have a fat lip. The inside of my lips almost looks like the ridge of a burn but it wasn't burned. When my upper lip swelled this morning I thought I was having an allergic reaction to something so I took some benedryl but now I can see the bright red skin inside my lip (almost like a burn) and it is still swelled. I have it inside the bottom lip too but it isn't as swollen as the top. It just came up suddenly about 8 hrs ago. I am not as sharp mentally as I was before treatment but have improved alot since stopping the meds. I am not exhausted and not as crabby. I had some sever joint pain in my hips during treatment and nearly couldn't walk at one point but it improved. The joint issues seem to be getting worse. My joint pain does keep me from doing some things (I can't lift anything heavy like a turkey breast or put weight on my arms or do any pushing or pulling) and the body aches are far worse than anything I had during treatment. I just wondered if this sounds familiar to folks who have treated; if it does did you have any similar symptoms after treatment or know of someone who did? And if you did get any of this, did it go away at some point?
If you are new to this and getting scared please realize that I very likely no longer have hep c thanks to these meds and this does not happen with everyone. We are all different and some people do not have any negative effects from the medications.  Take care and thanks, everyone.

[copyman]

It is to soon to expect to feel better. The treatment drugs are very powerful and harsh drugs and take time to leave the body. Ribavirin takes months to clear the body. And like some of the others said interferon can have long lasting and even permanent damage.
My feelings are it is still worth it to be clear of HCV.
Hope all or most of your problems subside soon.
best of luck

[Jillybean65]

About 2 hours after I take the ribavirin, my lips swell up. It's annoying and I feel like I should be in a David Lee Roth MTV video. It does go away a few hours, and because of then deflating, they end up being really chapped....day after day. In in my 16th week post Inc. My month is also miserably dry with sores, to the point that I barely eat, and keep losing more and more weight. Between my mouth and lips, I'm a bit self conscious taking to people and being around them. I know part of my problem is I have constantly had a scopalomine patch for nausea on, which dries up all the mucus membranes. I can't wait to be done with all this....

[copyman]

Sorry to hear how you are suffering.

Are you drinking plenty of water /gatorade/ juice ? Drink at least 8 glasses a day.

Ask your pharmacist for something called "magic mouthwash". This is something they can mix up for you without a prescription. You can do a search of this forum for more information on it.

Hope you feel better soon  

[crossroadsec]

Good to log on n "see" you. I'm week 25 of 48. Ditto all ur symptoms. I hurt so bad n it's getting worse daily. Headache is almost constant. Allergies, nosebleeds.
I'm really believing that it will pass post tx. For the first time I'm afraid I might not make it through this semester. I'm determined.
My granddaughter saw a commercial n asked why anyone would take something that caused so many side effects.  I told her I want to live and see her graduate from college. I want to see her become a mother. I want to get married again and go teach English in an impoverished country.
In other words, I took the risk like we all did. Hang onto the hope that our immune systems will recover. Be patient w yourself..
Xoxo Karen :)

[belle19]

so sorry to read about your after effects.  i hope you go to a doctor to have your mouth checked out.  they dry santa ana conditions here in san diego have certainly given me dry lips and cracked sores in the corners.  i use aquaphor.  it really helps my lips.  i also have a bump on my tongue.  i thought i bit it but after 2 weeks i still have it.  it's gone down but it's still there.  i'm having it checked out.  good luck with everything.  i'm sure it'll all work out.  keep me posted.  have a safe new year's.  belle

[crossroadsec]

I didn't mean to downplay ur symptoms. I know you're hurting and I'm sorry. Truly. I got weepy reading ur post.  I guess I just identify w you and feel somewhat comforted that we're not alone. I'll send prayers n good vibes ur way. We'll live this day to our best. xo Karen :)