I feel your pain. Really, I'm having empathy pain just reading about it. I have 7 disc herniations in my back & neck with arthritis & degenerative disease as well. I take nothing for pain but I too love ice. I go to the chiropractor & that's a big help with massages as well. The bio freeze provides some relief. When I have joint pain I take Curcumin that I get from the Health Food Store. I love that too. When it was super painful I went & got acupuncture as well. Chronic pain really does a number on us so I hope you get relief quickly.

So sorry AAL. I called a chiro today, but they weren't in at that time, so I shall try again tomorrow. I haven't been to one in 15 years - yeah, I know I am "young" (35 - hcv at age 3), but then again, I didn't know I had HCV then up until 2011.

And, honestly, I did not know that HCV could cause any arthritis and many of the other things it can cause until I joined this group. Otherwise, I would imagine I would have some of the same issues like many of you do with doctors not wanting to prescribe medicines or order procedures cause they "feel" that that isn't what is wrong with you......sigh.

I was considering some sports cream or some supplement that helps with sore joints/muscles. But was just hoping that it was a sore muscle (that normally went away in a day or two) and not some permanent damage, i.e. nerve damage, disks, etc. If those in fact are permanent, I wouldn't know.

I feel like cause we have HCV, we have "heightened", more intense pain receptors and super-sensitive ticklish skin. Wonder if that goes away with treatment.

Leo, if it's muscle spasms & strain then heat is the best tx. If it's inflammation then definitely ice. I bet the chiro will help you if you can get in. Yes, you are young but you have been fighting a virus for your entire life. It's kind of like fighting a cold or flu 24/7 for decades. That extracts a big price & toll on our entire bodies. No doubt about that. I have pain every day. I don't expect to ever be pain free. I was surprised by my former doc who told me not to bother to do tx for HCV since it wouldn't help my back & neck anyway. Duh...what about my freaking liver doc? Needless to say he hasn't been my doc for a long time! Bio Freeze is great for easing the pain a bit & I get it at CVS or Walgreens. I had some Lidocaine patches for a time & they were great for 12 hour relief but I didn't think they were good for my liver so I stopped using them. You'll have to keep me posted now on how you're recovering & what works for you. I'd hug you but it might hurt. xxoo

AAL - such a sweet lady. I always loved those friends that gave hugs cause I generally wasn't that outgoing, but welcomed the love. It's not even the physical part of the hug that matters, but instead, the selfless emotions of trying to help a friend that transfers the most.

I woulda kicked that doctor in the liver and sent him on his way!

So far, the ice and motrin 600s are what works, but I limit both, of course. I will ask the chiro what helps, but do I have to tell him/her that I have HCV? I mean, not for medical warning, but more for the complications of what medicines or supplements that may be suggested for me to try?

Must be the Fukashima again...lol...I blame everything on the Fukashima, although it did get hit AGAIN...I slept with leg supports, I think this heat and barometer bouncing is really crazy in AZ probably in FL too..wow I ached everywhere...thank God ...this too shall pass and it came to pass...as the Bible says...the leg cramps and toes pointing NSEW...give it a break...ahhhhhhhhhh tears....I am just startting to realize the arthritis from this dragon....
Better this afternoon...picked out new color tile for bath...any donations are accepted

I have had neck problems and got relied from PT. Also had a nasty bout of bursitis in my shoulder.

If you think its muscular ARNICA in ointment and orally from health food stores is good. Also Tiger Balm ointment. I used to use AspraCream with success for arthritis but that was before i knew I had HCV and now I'd be a bit concern about the absorption of aspirin. There is also something called ICYHOT and heat patches.

BUT, you might want to get it checked out to check for disc issues, especially considering the numbness - sounds like a pinched nerve -- or bursitis that responds well to cortisone injections.

Hope you get relief soon.

lol, MsArt. Well maybe you can sleep on your new tile floor - just kidding, don't do that. I can't even imagine sleeping on a carpeted floor now, much less a tile one. Lay down on it if my temp is too high, sure. But can't sleep on the ground anymore, despite my meager age. I blame that on Fukashima too :P.

So true about the joint dysfunction from the Hep, as I am a bit young to be having any arthritis related pain, and as far as I know, it doesn't run in my family. And, it is crazy coincidental that my mother's back went out around the same time as my neck. She is getting better after a week, but, like me, not 100%.

Don't worry AAL and MsArt, October S&L is going to be here for us soon enough!! @--',-------

Thanks WG. I called the PT, the same one I saw in Nov '13 cause of my vertigo - which, oddly I had more episodes of it since my neck started hurting real bad....BUT, glad I called first cause the PT said that even though I was a patient, they start all over, basically saying that I have to have pcp refer again......ah phooey! For a chiro - I don't need a referral....geez.

When I was looking it up, I ran into that word, bursitis, but didn't investigate. I haven't had an accidents or injuries to cause it, cept the fact that I woke up with it. Didn't really think much of it. It will go away by tomorrow like usual. Nope. I must have looked too fast at some REALLY cute guys in my dream or something.

I will be sure to ask about those you suggested, as I don't even know if they affect the liver. Sucks that I even have to take that into consideration now............but NOT FOR LONG!!!!!

I did tell my chiropractor about my HCV because I was getting ready to start tx & my GI didn't want me on supplements. It's part of your health history & the chiro actually has some manipulations that help stimulate blood flow to the liver & helps release toxins so it might not be a bad idea to have the discussion..

The arnica gel is a great tip & it also works well on bruises to help them heal faster. I bruise like a ripe peach from Hep so I should buy Arnica by the gallon or become less clumsy. :-) Fukashima is now my word of the day ladies. We will be on tx soon & gonna kick some dragon arse.

I wonde rif it is that "frozen shoulder" thing? There are Physical Therapy exercises that help with the pain, and I use a heating pad. I am also to young for all the joint pain that I have, I'm only 51 yrs old. Mine got much worse after I treated with Interferon, but was getting bad, before I Treated. I was cured though, and wish good luck to you and MsArtNut and everyone else, holding out for the Interferon free ultra new Treatments

Thank you Cassy. I looked up frozen shoulder and it very well could be. I would hope that a chiro or even a PT can fix it if that's it. And, I wonder if this kind of arthritis or joint troubles get resolved after curing with treatment. I know WarriorGal is hoping it will help with hers and I can understand why.

Going on the eighth or so day and "pain in the neck" (had to do it) is a little better. Felt great in fact just after I woke up, but not long before some of the pain and strain reared it's ugly head. Seems it is mostly in my shoulder now, which is still causing my arm to feel weak and feels like a "rush of blood" is going through it - kinda like tingly, but not asleep. From what I read, it could take longer to heal, I am just impatient.

Here's hoping the new treatments don't increase arthritis like the INF did for most of you!

I have no suggestions to make that haven't already been made or that you haven't already tried, but almost in pain reading about it. I hope and pray you get over this real soon. Sorry it's happening. Sometimes, it's just BS piled on more BS. Doesn't sound very Christian, but that's how we feel sometimes.

Thank you very much for the prayers, Marilyn!

Your honesty is refreshing and completely understood!

"When it rains, it pours", eh? I know that must have been how you felt right before being treated! So glad you made it through the "weather"! :)

I set up a chiro appt on Mon. I will report back on this thread when I get done at his clinic.

LEO

Went to the chiro today. Since I was a new patient, he had to go over the whole demonstration, but I didn't mind. Next time he said the appt will be quicker since that was done. I haven't been to one in 15 years, so whether it "straightens" me out or not, it all rests on insurance limits.

I was happy to know that he wasn't going to do an x-ray first, which is what my 1st chiro did way back then. I don't want to have neck pain AND walk around like a FIREFLY!

I told him about my neck, but I DID NOT tell him about my hip/right leg being off kilter. He figured it out. And he went on to do 2 sections of my back, both sides of my neck, and only the right hip/leg (old chiro used to do both). Plus, he used the mentholated arnica stuff on both my shoulders.

I chuckled cause that liquid started reacting after a minute or so, and I said, "It's hot, or cold. I can't decide." lol. It was actually cold sensation though. He believes it is the fact that I have 2 pillows, so now down to one for as long as I have to.

I go in again on Wed and until I am helped in that area or insurance visits run out, whichever comes first. Ice then heat is also recommended. All else fails, then I can go to Physical Therapist after my chiro visits are through. Onward and "UP"ward!

And, Marilyn (or anyone), this is for you (hilarious!):
http://on.aol.com/video/baptism-cannon-ball-517966325

Glad to hear the adjustments are started Leo. Relief should be on the way now. I adore my chiropractor. :-)