pain

[missyg23]

how do the doctors treat the pain?? before treatment and after?

[rooferguy]

I changed my diet, started being more active ... stretching and taking pain medication as I can ..

[missyg23]

thank you all so much..will get back after the fifth..i call it 'D' day...thanks again

[ceanothus]

We don't have enough info (or training) to be sure, but it does sound like you might be experiencing an autoimmune reaction to the Hepatitis C virus. My intial diagnosis came after I sought medical help for multiple joint pain and a complete workup showed elevated liver enzymes. That was back in 1986, when Hepatitis C didn't even have a name yet and little was known about it. For years my doctors thought I had two unrelated problems! My arthritis was treated with massive amounts of a multitude of NSAIDs (no doubt contributing to my fairly rapid progression to cirrhosis) until enough was learned about it. You should get a thorough workup by a good rheumatologist, but be careful to choose one who can communicate well with your hepatologist, and be sure to check with your hepatologist first before starting any new meds. NSAIDs are bad for an already injured liver, but some of the other options might help. I get some relief from Limbrel (a "medical food" available by Rx only) and some relief from Plaquenil, another Rx. Both are ok'd by my hepatologist. Some people get a lot of relief from steroid injections into specific joints, although I've given up on them due to mixed results myself. It's usually permissible to take small amounts of Tylenol, and my hepatologist has also approved the use of Voltaren gel, a topical NSAID that is applied externally to the painful joints and is absorbed through the skin but mostly stays in the joint rather than going into your bloodstream. Anyway, there are a number of options, but it will depend on specifics that we don't have. I hope your biopsy comes back fine and wish you the best of luck in treating these problems!

[cheflady]

hi just a  thought but could the pain be perpheral neuropathy my hubby got it and sounds like same pain in same places testing for that is how he found out he got hep c. He started triple tx and as been told that although getting shut of hep c it could prevent his neuropathy from getting any worse. Might be worth running it with your doc and see what he says. Best wishes keep us informed

[ActingBrandNew]

Here is some info I copied for you from a site. You can go to the link under it which will give you more info on extrahepatic manifestations of HCV. In terms of pain management...there are many treatments for people for various conditions. Talk to your doctor about what is best for your particular situation.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition characterized as inflammation of the joints. Hepatitis C-related arthritis (HCVrA) is estimated to affect about 4% of the HCV population, but since most patients will not see an arthritis specialist the true number is likely higher. Hepatitis C-related arthritis is classified into two groups – polyarthritis and mono-oligoarthritis. Polyarthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis but is less serious. Mono-oligoarthritis affects the medium and large- sized joints – typically the ankles.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Extrahepatic.pdf

[missyg23]

i get my biopsy results results the fifth of march. and discuss which treatment i'll be getting. i do have pain i've been dealing with joint pain, neck and shoulder flare ups. so bad i have to go to emenrgency room. but lately headaches are joining in. feel like absolutely crappy all the time. i'm treated for depression so that makes feeling like crap all the tolerable. i don't know what is affected by my cronic hep c.it's made me feel a little better knowing something is wrong and i'm not crazy or something. so that's about it, to answer your questions, and thought ibrupion was a no no ???? just sick and tied of beg blah blah blah

[Advocate1955]

My question exactly.  What kind of pain?  Most people with HCV are asymptomatic and do not have any pain related to their HCV.  Pain from side effects of treatment (such as cold/flu-like symptoms) can usually be treated with rest and fluids, or some doctors advise a little ibuprofen, but best to check with your own doctor.
Advocate1955

[ActingBrandNew]

What kind of pain are you talking about? Pain from a non HCV related issue or pain brought on my treatment issues?