Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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beachymom 04/05/2014

But I have a serious problem and not sure if it's side effect related or not. If anyone has experienced anything like while on TX, please tell me.

Ok, I have had joint pain and weakness from the first few days. I figured that was part of sides and just deal with it. Last week I noticed I could not walk around the block without feeling like my ankles would snap in half and was sooo painful. Well, last night it felt like my whole hip rotated out of socket and I heard a "snap" or felt it... Not sure. It hurt but not unbearable. All I was doing was pivoting to turn around and walk. Last night I woke up in extreme pain and could barely sleep. Felt like really bad sciatica which I have had before in other leg from shingles and car accident/disc issues. I can usually power through it. This is my left hip, buttocks, leg and ankle/foot and always has issues with right side. This definitely nerve pain shooting. Extreme pain. Cannot get up or sit down on toilet without help!!! I can't take anything for pain. I feel like a 80 year old lady who needs a walker!!! I had hoped as day wore I could work it out but I can't even step up or down the back porch stoop without leading with the other leg can't bend over either. Could the RIBA be doing this to me??? Weakening my joints? What the hell is going on????

deleted_user 04/05/2014

Beachy... I don't have any experience with the new med that you're on but I'm sure others that have will chime in here soon.

I did TX with interferon and riba and I did have the horrible weakness and some generalized achiness/pain but not to the degree that you are describing.

The meds seem to affect everyone a bit differently, as far as side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this. Is there a contact person, such as a nurse, that you can call that's affiliated with the med company that you can call over the weekend until you can talk to your doc on Monday?

LoveEachOther 04/05/2014

Can't help you on the Riba part, but my mom did only interferon in the 90's (didn't work) and she now has peripheral neuropathy and vasculitis within the last 7 years. She can't walk more than 100 feet without stopping cause her hip locks up as she says.

If yours is medicine related then I would imagine it will go back to normal after you stop. Maybe not right away, but gradually.

packedsand 04/05/2014

Definitely contact your doctor. I DO think the riba can cause joint pain and weakness. I've only been off of it for 1 day so it's too early for me to tell. Now that I am Undie at least I am not so afraid to take aleve or ibuprofen for joint pain !!!

catmagic 04/05/2014

I am not taking Riba either, beachy, so I don't know.
But for sure call your doctor on Monday! Okay?

ImKramer 04/05/2014

Yes you sound like something else may be going on. Best to see your Dr. Not every health issue we experience is related to HCV and/or treatment.
Many days I feel like I've fallen down the stairs a few times or been in a rock tumbler; everything aches deeply but your description sounds very acute.
Better to get some medical assessment.

WarriorGal 04/05/2014

sounds like a pinched nerve or something else structural. does not sound like a side effect to me.... this is beyond an achy joint. The good news is it may be treatable by PT, chiropractic, or acupuncture. Call your primary.

allaboutliving 04/05/2014

Beachy, I agree with everyone else & you need to check in with your doc. I did 57 wks of riba & I have 7 herniated discs in my back & neck. This is definitely something more than a normal sx associated with Riba. You should call your doc but if it gets worse or the pain is intolerable & you go to the ER, remember to take at least a day or two of your meds as they do not stock them at the hospital. I passed out while picking up someone from surgery & was admitted to the ER. They told me I couldn't have my next dose of HCV meds until they cleared it but I insisted & took my Incivek dose with fat on time regardless of their approval or not. Get it checked asap. Hope you have some relief soon.

Arabella1 04/06/2014

I wish I had an answer but I do not, I hope you feel better and that its just a temporary thing while your body adjusts to the meds.

beachymom 04/06/2014

Thank you everyone. It has been a very bad weekend. It turns out this pain is a neuropathy from the shingles virus and can be activated in like .13% of patients with hep c on tx. Lucky me! I have chronic shingles anyway, but somehow the Ribavirin or Sovaldi or combination has ramped it all up with weakened immune system. Or something like that. Hopefully it's a sign the hepc is dying... Lucky for most people it's rare to get shingles on tx. For me it's made it so I can't walk with out limping and need assistance getting up out of a seat and can't sleep for the pain. If you've ever had them, you understand. I feel like I need to put out to pasture and shot!! My doc told me that my liver can handle some ibuprofen to try and bring down some of the inflammation and should effect treatment.So I sent my hubby to store to get some! I sure hope it helps!! Thank God my doctor is available on weekends!! And called me back in less than 10 minutes!! So if you are the praying type or the type to send positive vibes for healing, I sure could use some right now. I am bad shape. The pain is so intense at times that I'd have to give it an 8 when it stabs. And I don't do that lightly...

beachymom 04/06/2014

Should NOT affect treatment. Sorry...

catmagic 04/06/2014

Oh, dear girl... I've never had shingles but have seen those ads on tv about it - how painful it is. Take the Ibuprofen - I sure do for the headache, so you really must if it helps knock some of that pain down. 8 on pain scale with high of 10 - that is BAD! I feel so sorry for ya - all that stress from the meds delivery debacle, and now this. I'm sending you my own form of healing vibes - green ribbons by the millions to surround you. But you have to clean them up - lol - later, MUCH later. Oh, get the hubs to do it.

beachymom 04/06/2014

Aww, thanks Cat. I am trying to set my head to think this is my body's last hurrah before I win! Nothing worth having ever came easy, right?? People have been through much worse, and I am thankful for such a good support system. I don't know that I could get through this alone. Throw all the ribbons you've got! ;-)

beachymom 04/06/2014

Oh, yeah. The stress definitely can cause shingles to emerge. I would send a word of caution to anyone who has ever had shingles to be sure and let their doc know prior to tx, and to set up a pain mgt plan in advance. Just in case. I know it's rare, but some people tend to fall in those tiny cracks. Like me. I did a little research and ribavirin CAN be the culprit. Actually read where in studies TOPICAL applied ribavirin can get rid of shingles but that politics prevented it from being developed and marketed for that purpose!! Farking pharmas!!!

allaboutliving 04/06/2014

Oh Beachy...does it never end. My dad suffered with shingles & I know he was in pure misery. Wouldn't you be the lucky girl to get the rare onset with tx though. Your stress just trying to get your meds alone was enough to bring them on I'm sure. Super that your doc was available this w/e. Got to love the response from him. I'll send some healing energy your way & positive thoughts as well. Hopefully a little ibuprofen goes a long way & gives you some relief.

I like your avie by the way. My bff is an artist who paints mermaids & tropical artwork. Just went to a show at Craig Park in Tarpon Spring where her work is featured. Meditate on the water & beach ... I do that a lot. Thinking of you.

beachymom 04/06/2014

Thanks all about! If I was a bit closer to ocean I could see, but I have to settle for smelling and hearing it as I am doing good to make it yo bathroom right now!! And sort of width I has a catheter! Lol! Two Advil liquid gels down the hatch! Hoping it helps... I haven't had any since last September, so maybe it will!!

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