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Was taken off on treatment
After being on treatment four months, my Doctor and I decided to take me off interferon and ribavirin. Whatever is going on with me is crippling me. Severe arthritis and pain that makes everyday things impossible. My Doctor said that if it is the interferon causing my problems it should take two or three weeks for the drug to wear off but if it don't then it might be rheumatoid arthritis. It has been a week and a half since my last shot and the pain is not slowing down. I am 29 years old and in college. The only way I am able to hold on to anything in my life right now is because everything I have to do, I can do sitting down most of the time. At work I sit down till someone comes in to check in (At a Hotel ) three days a week. I have classes at the college two days a week. But besides that all I do is sit at home. I tried to go shopping the other day and I was on my feet for an hour limping around and the next morning I was even worse than I usually am. Worse pain and stiffness. It really ***** when your in so much pain you can't even stand on your own feet. I am miserable!!!!! I am taking really strong pain medicine that barely dents the pain_ just enough to go from want to cry, to hurting so bad I'm super cranky. I am a strong person but I'm at the end of my rope. I never get a break from the pain. It evens wakes me up in the middle of the night and early in the morning, in worse pain that it started with. I guess I should wait another week, before I make an appointment with a rheumatologist, to see if it gets better but I seriously don't think it will. And even if I go see this Doctor, will he be able to help me or is this something I'm going to have to live with for the rest of my life? Any thoughts?
If it was normal joint pain I'm sure I could live with it but it is not. It is crippling me and I can barley walk. I woke up five times last night in more pain than I can handle. This morning two of my knuckles are swollen so It's definitely doing something to me.
I have treated 8 times and I hate to tell you I have joint pain all the time. My Dr told me it could also just be the Hep C as they have done all kinds of test and my bones and joints are fine. I hope you feel better! I take Alieve and live with it.
I will probably call and make an appointment tomorrow thanks for your comment but unless they can fix what's going on I doubt they can help with my pain. I am taking Percocet now and it doesn't even help enough to not be miserable for even a minute
I am sorry you are having so much pain and so much of a problem with treatment. I know it must be very difficult.
First of all, the drugs can stay in your system for up to 6 months or so. They will decrease in terms of plasma concentration, but it takes a long time to get them out of your system. Therefore, it is most likely that the pain is not going to be gone in 2-3 weeks. I don't know where your doctor came up with that time frame. It hopefully will lessen with time, but 2-3 weeks is really not enough time for the drugs to get out of your system. Mostly, we talk in terms of several months when it comes to side effects disappearing.
Second, the pain may be from the drugs. If so, hopefully with time it will diminish and disappear. It is also possible that the Interferon has triggered an Autoimmune Disease. Or the hepatitis C may have triggered an Autoimmune Disease.
I think it is a good idea to see the Rheumatologist. He/she may be able to help you get through this pain until it can be determined if this pain is drug level related (a side effect and and will go away) or if it is an Autoimmune Disease.
Some of the tests they use to test for Autoimmune Diseases can be elevated when one is on treatment. Sometimes they will return to normal several months after treatment. So it may be a little difficult to figure out what is really going on so close to ending treatment.
I waited 8 months before making an appointment with a Rheumatologist and then another 3 months to see the Rheumatologist and be tested. So it was 11 months after end of treatment that I was tested for Autoimmune Disorders. I originally made the appt. because I had joint pain and skin problems that did not go away after 8 months post end of treatment. I had the joint problems before treatment and had hoped they would go away with treatment.
I am not saying you should wait. Obviously you need to see a Rheumatologist soon. The Rheumatologist should be able to evaluate you and help you. Best case scenario, the joint pains disappear eventually. Worst case scenario, you have an Autoimmune Disease. There are many effective treatments available for Autoimmune Diseases now. These treatments help slow down and/or prevent progression. Plus they treat symptoms such as pain. In addition, the Rheumatologist will be able to offer you something for pain relief when you see him/her.
Best of luck. Keep us posted.
First of all, the drugs can stay in your system for up to 6 months or so. They will decrease in terms of plasma concentration, but it takes a long time to get them out of your system. Therefore, it is most likely that the pain is not going to be gone in 2-3 weeks. I don't know where your doctor came up with that time frame. It hopefully will lessen with time, but 2-3 weeks is really not enough time for the drugs to get out of your system. Mostly, we talk in terms of several months when it comes to side effects disappearing.
Second, the pain may be from the drugs. If so, hopefully with time it will diminish and disappear. It is also possible that the Interferon has triggered an Autoimmune Disease. Or the hepatitis C may have triggered an Autoimmune Disease.
I think it is a good idea to see the Rheumatologist. He/she may be able to help you get through this pain until it can be determined if this pain is drug level related (a side effect and and will go away) or if it is an Autoimmune Disease.
Some of the tests they use to test for Autoimmune Diseases can be elevated when one is on treatment. Sometimes they will return to normal several months after treatment. So it may be a little difficult to figure out what is really going on so close to ending treatment.
I waited 8 months before making an appointment with a Rheumatologist and then another 3 months to see the Rheumatologist and be tested. So it was 11 months after end of treatment that I was tested for Autoimmune Disorders. I originally made the appt. because I had joint pain and skin problems that did not go away after 8 months post end of treatment. I had the joint problems before treatment and had hoped they would go away with treatment.
I am not saying you should wait. Obviously you need to see a Rheumatologist soon. The Rheumatologist should be able to evaluate you and help you. Best case scenario, the joint pains disappear eventually. Worst case scenario, you have an Autoimmune Disease. There are many effective treatments available for Autoimmune Diseases now. These treatments help slow down and/or prevent progression. Plus they treat symptoms such as pain. In addition, the Rheumatologist will be able to offer you something for pain relief when you see him/her.
Best of luck. Keep us posted.
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