post hep c treatment subcutaneous nodules

[frogdog]

About six months after unsuccessful treatment for 2b I have developed multiple subcutaneous nodules in the areas above both elbows and many places of old trauma (sutures, scars, etc.)  The biopsy results are not back yet, but initial look at the slides shows purpura surrounding the cells.  The skin is quite bruised looking. I had 22 weeks of PegIntron and Riba, but developed retinal holes.  I relapsed to my pretreatment viral load of 10,500,000 within a couple of months. Pretreatment liver biopsy showed stage 1 damage with minimal periportal scarring. Is there any information about these nodules?  Are they related to the disease or the treatment, and do they resolve in time?

[salsy]

Thanks for your response, have you just finished tx too? i did the 48 weeks and have had 3 negative tests one at 12, 24, and 48. Im a (was) genotype 4d/e.
I still get liver pain but I did during tx as well eventhough i was clear and my alts went down to 10..
My pretreatment bx was stage 1 grade 2. Im wondering if perhaps the fibrosis is causing the pains i get?

[sfbaygirl]

That is the most painful thing!  Sorry you had to go through that.  I too had those symptoms years ago in the hospital.  I went through an outpatient surgical procedure and ended up in the hospital two days later with septis and this horrible joint pain. I cried just to bend my knees to get up. My wrists, knees, elbows etc were so painful. They had no idea what it was.  They kept me for a week and finally did the Hep C test and it came out positive. I used a wheelchair for a month and eventually got rid of that excruciating pain. Morphine didn't even help.  I really feel for you.  My worst fear is it coming back.

[salsy]

Ive been off treatment for 4 months, I had terrible arthritis which started 3 months into the 48 weeks. That has only just started to susbside thanks to some vitamin c injections given to me by a doctor/naturopath who believes it was caused by an overload of toxins in my body which my liver was unable to deal with. Anyway Im left with a large nodule on my left elbow just under the skin. Its possibly a rhumatoid nodule im told; its larger than a pea and quite hideous. I keep plasters on it.. I guess it will get biopsied evenutally and taken out. Treatment nearly killed me with the pain from having all my joints swollen up, i couldnt walk or bend my knees, even rolling over in bed nearly made me cry. If it comes back I dont know what ill do...

[rochammer]

Hi  frogdog

I never heard of purpura so I did search came up with this one of the causes

[frogdog]

"frogdog" is a nickname for French Bulldogs.  I use it in memory of my Frenchie, Cosette, my petfriend for eight years.  As for the nodules and purpura, The only visible evidence of them is the bruising.  They are contained in the fatty tissue just beneath the skin.  They are sensitive, but not really painful.  I certainly have to "keep my elbows off the table"!  As I learn more I'll post.  Thanks for all your thoughts and wishes.

[sfbaygirl]

I started tx a month ago. I don't know what stage I am, I was stage 1 about 4 years ago. I am genotype 1a. Have you been going through all that joint pain since month 3?  I don't know how you did it, it is so exrusiating. I have heard it takes a while after tx ends to feel better, hopefully that will be the case.  Do they call it arthritis?  What kind? Are they giving you anything for it that helps?

[sfbaygirl]

That sounds like our Jumanji game! Were these things raised or did they bleed if you picked at them or anything.  I can't stand bumps and always scratch or fuss with them.  They seemed to move from one  placer to the next too.

[sfbaygirl]

What do these things look like?  Do they itch or anything?  I love the name, it reminds me of how I was sure to turn out on tx, a frog.  How did you come up with the name?

[beamishboy]

i developed a node on my inner wrist& the winestomping shin stains;are we to worry?week 28 startin monday-at the end of this unamusement dark ride i will look&feel like i got shanghaied by carneys&put to task of cleaning the tiger cage

[sfbaygirl]

I was asking what it looked like because before tx, I had these ingrown hair like things it seemed all on my legs and forearms for several years. They are still there, but since I have been on tx, they have seemed to clear up.  One of my legs is almost normal too!  I couldn't wear short etc. b/c it looked so ugly.

[returntosender]

I have purpura on my legs around the site of some old shin injuries.  I looked like I was crushing grapes or something.  It is related to hepatitis and I think that cryos have something to do with it as well.  Amazingly enough, during the year I have treated with PEG/RIBA both legs have gotten better - one leg almost looks normal.  This disease causes some really wierd side effects.

[amommy]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you.  I just wanted to tell you I am thinking of you and hope that you get some answers soon.

[rochammer]

Hi  frogdog

I never heard of purpura so I did search came up with this one of the causes

[Alady1620]

I'm sorry that I don't have any answers for you.  I just wanted to say hang in there and keep researching.

[zzzztime]

sorry to cut in. just a quick? I posted a comment on the 5/19 infergen thread and I see my name on the thread but i cant see the post. does anybody else see it?