The connection of Hepatitis C, Gout and Arthritis.

[Rhon]

I was on the 12 month treatment for HepC.  During treatment I had to use a cane, then crutches, then a wheelchair....now I use one crutch.  Days ago I got on the Net to see if there were others like me.  Found out that in 2004 there were many reports of people with HepC/Arthritis/Gout (all at same time).  My question is, do a lot of the people on this board have this problem?  Also, is the Arthritis/Gout caused from the treatment?  I am now clear of HepC, but I suffer from Arthritis and am usually in pain.

[PatchesNJ]

I never had joint pains until I started treatment.  I

[cuteus]

I was under the care of a rheumatologist for joint pain in my hands, shoulder, lower back and a slight elevation of the rheumatoid factor. The first time I went to her, she did all the usual bloodwork and no conclusions. The next year, she stated that there seem to be a relation between some chronic hepatitis and arthritis, she did all the viral tests and came up with hep c+.
I also treated, pains worsened during tx, and reached SVR. The pains are considerably less than during tx, but about the same as before tx, with some things like shoulder bursitis rehashed during tx. I am planning to return to this rheumatologist and pursue her knowledge of things. I think that all the years with hcv must do some irreversible damage in some of us. Did you have any pains before tx?