severe aches post tx

[inpain2013]

I completed my treatment may 2013.. within 2 weeks all my fatigue returned but a month later the bodyaches/pain have not gone away.. I was using the interferon/ribv tx and my dr gave me tramadol to help ease the muscle aches.. Tylenol.. advil.. aleve. none of it works to take away the pain.. she says that a month after tx I should not be having this ,much pain and fatigue.. I am waiting on a cbc,cmp and viral load.. so much of what is have read on this forum focuses on fibromyalgia secondary to tx.. so basically my question is .. is anyone having similar post tx symptoms ?? and is there any direct link for interferon/ribv tx and fibromyalgia?? plz help .. I am barely able to function..

[ceanothus]

I agree with Dee, you haven't even gotten the drugs out of your system yet, so it is a very poorly-informed doctor who would be expecting you to feel like your old self again already. It takes 3 months to eliminate the interferon and 6 months to eliminate the ribavirin. Keep drinking very large quantities of water, as this will help cleanse your system of the drugs. Gentle exercise like walking or swimming or yoga will help your muscles work better and with less pain in time. Most of all don't let yourself be depressed by fears of permanent problems or by a doctor who makes you think it's all in your head. Most of us have some after-effects and most of us very gradually get over them.  Overall it seems that the majority do recover within 6 months, but a few take only 3 months and a few take 12. A really small number do end up with a long term problem known as post-interferon syndrome, but I believe this isn't worth worrying about unless you've gone beyond 12 months post-EOT without recovering. You are still just barely done with tx, so give yourself a break!

[dontworry_behappy1]

Yes many people are claiming to have post treatment joint and muscle pain. There are many concerning posts with no direction what to do about it.  I do agree it does get better with time but what do you do in the mean time?  
"chemocare.com" under "managing side effects" then to "muscle pain" at least gives you much need info and a direction to deal with the pain.  
This post treatment pain needs to be addressed.  Under "muscle pain" is a list of questions you can answer that will help your doctor get to causes and relief.   Don't let this get the best of you.  Yes the treatment isn't easy...but
post treatment needs some attention by the medical profession.  The joint and muscle pain is uncomfortable and a diary of those events to your doctor
will confirm it not just in your head.  Read managing side effects at
"chemo are.com".  Once again, Interferon is a chemotherapy drug.  This isn't
new information to the medical profession or hepatitis C treatment.  If I would
have listen to my post treatment body pain, made a pain diary and asked for relief....I think I would have been much happier in the post treatment experience.  In fact, I'm taking my own advice and calling my doctor first thing this morning.   I'm getting some help with this "it will get better with time" time!

[Dee1956]

Hi, if you finished tx May 13th you are very early in recovering from the tx.  It is normal to feel this way after such a difficult tx.  Are you still drinking a lot of water?  The riba takes about 6 months to get out of your system.  It will get better.  Not sure why your doctor is telling you you should not be feeling like this.  That is a lie.  If you go up to the top, click on magnifying glass, type in post tx sx you will find many people just like you.
I was just like you.  It takes time to recover.  Doctors like yours make me so angry.  They think you are done with tx so they don't need to help you any more
Try to do some gentle stretching or walking, even a walk up and down your street will get blood flowing and help you feel better.

Again, the tx is very difficult and it takes time to recover

Good luck, Dee

[dontworry_behappy1]

Hi There.  Take the time to read "muscle pain" under "side effects" at
"chemocare.com".  Interferon in a chemotherapy drug and your symptoms
are listed under "muscle pain" as a side effect of interferon.

Breast Cancer & Hepatitis C chemotherapy Survivor