If you are ONLY getting the pain or weakness when you have the flu that's likely the cause, but you might want to see a doctor and have it checked out. HCV can trigger autoimmune diseases like RA but you'd like have joint STIFFNESS all the time if it was RA. Do you take flu shots to avoid the flu?

Thanks WarriorGal: I think I am taking the flu shot too early in the year; late september. It seems like after the 6 month protection period, then I get the flu, where-as, when I didn't get the flu shot, I would get one in the rainy season.
I do get stiff IF I dont continually exercise, although I count house-work as exercise! I suppose I should get tested for RA, because perhaps it is better to be diagnosed and medicated early on with it, but I dont take any western medicine as of now, I just eat healthy, and the exercise thing

It could also be OA... but again if it's only along with the flue, then it seems to be flu-related. There are natural arthritis remedies. Ginger is an antii-inflammatory and ZYFLAMEND is a combination of several natural arthritis herbs that my doctir recommends.

Hmmmmm
I'm currently on Inteferon and I have been enduring some pretty intense joint pain in my knees and ankles. It has been accompanied by strong muscle aches and cramping.
Starts on Saturday following my shot and doesn't let up till Thursday or Friday. I can't find anything to help.

i started triple in 2011 and successfully finished in 40 weeks. I had pretty bad arthritis in my ankle, and some discomfort in my knees when i started

in two weeks i'm going for bilateral knee replacement, so clearly it got a lot worse, but i'm not sure it's the interferon

i have no proof, but i believe it's 40 weeks of inactivity weakened the muscles around the joint and that provided less stability

Good luck on the knee surgery, Joe. I have noticed a lot of Heppers and Ex(cured)Heppers with this type of problem.

and i also know know a LOT of people over 50 who have no HCV who have bad knees and some need knee replacement. It happens. OA - osteo arthritis - comes to most as we age. Like cars, our parts wear out.

But if it's RA, THAT has a known connection to HCV. RA is an autoimmune disease, OA is not. Drs can tell the difference.

I treated with 48 weeks of Peg/Riba several yrs ago. I too cleared the virus thankfully, but it took a toll on my body...triggering what are apparently permanent autoimmune responses, incl chronic joint pain, lupus and RA. Judging from many reports I've seen, this seems to be more common than was ever anticipated -

I have a lot of joint pain and muscle pain - a rheumatologist Dx me w HCV - I went to Dr because my toes and thumbs swelled like sausages - During 24 weeks of interferon while on triple (which I failed) I did develop psoriasis - two rheumys told me they would never give me immunosuppressive drugs. One said I would allways have HCV and only my immunine system held it down - the other said I couldn't take it because my liver had experienced damage - One said he thought my ills were HCV related and would go away? IDK - I have not been formally Dx w psoriatic arthritis - my symptoms match w Arthritis, PsA (my RA factor is neg) I also have Fibromyalgia symptoms. I can't believe that I was so sick all these years and never knew it (30 yrs) I am grateful to have cleared HVC (my one year post test is July) but I have permanent damage. And I agree w age we all get weaker; suffer hand, neck, hip joint pain; loss of strength, but I'm suspicious because for me; my pain and loss of mobility hit all at once.

Interferon would have never cleared HCV - I had to use the Gilead Sofos/Ledis combo - I would love some OT posts addressing these add on issues - I've checked out to arthritis boards but I feel out of place discussing HCV - Today I'm searching the Internet for solutions and trying to see if I can get a Dx of some kind. IDK - would like to get back some of what I lost

I also have PsA...I'm in week 6 of s&o...I had been doing fine before tx..week 4..it hit the fan...I was undie day 18 and my liver panel excellent. .today they wanted to prescribe celebrex..Insurance wouldn't cover it...gave me ketoprofen. .haven't taken it yet..but every joint hurts..After tx I am going back on ldn that kept the psoriatic arthritis a d psoriasis under control for years.