Re: distracting pain; could it be portal hypertension? Help!

[Guest guest]

Hello !

Might I suggest a Nettie Pot for the sinus infections? And that u see a Ear,Nose, Throat and Allergist... I love my ENT Dr. he is the best! U may have a blockage or a spur in ur sinus cavity. Good Luck!

Tonda

Tonda Mabe

To: Hepatitis_C_Central Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 10:15 PMSubject: distracting pain; could it be portal hypertension? Help!

Hey all, it's , the "lurker." Now that is a strange word isn't it!?Anyway I'm hanging in there but have been having some troubling problems. I am probably 6 or 7 yrs post treatment that didn't work. Geez, time goes by-I can't believe it's been so long! HepC has become my past, present & future. Don't worry I try not to wallow in it-I have nine kids in their 20's(including son and daughters-in law) so when I'm not feeling bad I don't even think about it. And that's the problem right now . . . I've been constantly sick and feeling awful more often than not. Here's a quick list of some of my HepC complication diagnoses:HCV related arthritisPortal hypertensionCryoglobulinemiaGERDNeuropathyI have migraines ALL the time, don't know if they're medication related, HepC related, pain med related, marriage or child related. I have a lot of pain issues, swollen and painful joints, lots of pain in the winter here (MN)

because of the cryo, as well as flu like aches and pain from time to time. I've taken oxycodone and the extended release foroxycontin for probably five years. I haven't really pushed for higher dosages-I was up to 20 mg(extended release) twice a day and have 5mg(regular) and will take up to four of those for "breakthrough" pain. I've wanted to stop taking all of it because I'm just sick of the stigma and the hassle getting prescriptions every month, but also I hate that if I feel good one day I still have to take it or else my body goes bananas! Are all pain meds like that? Well I started going down, now take 10mg twice a day and get a lesser amount of the 5mg. My plan was to wean off and take nothing. About a year or so ago I started having intermittent chest pain. It's pretty localized and I'm pretty sure it's in the esophagus. It's been a few years since my last endoscopy but then dr. said I had "significant changes" in the appearance of

the lining of stomach and esophagus. I've been taking prilosec for at least three years, I take zantac and have been eating Tums like candy. In spite of that I have the pain more and more to the point that it's a notable day when it's NOT there. Some of the advice I'm looking for is what do you think is causing it? The pain can be so intense that I can hardly stand it, if it's bad enough my regular pain meds do little more than dull it enough so that I can relax and be distracted from it. Now that I've reduced my dosages I can only just take the edge off the pain. Could regular GERD reflux cause pain that severe? Should I be worried about things like varices? I'm thinking that's where portal hypertension leads.Another issue is that I've been on antibiotics constantly. I keep getting sinus infections that don't respond, I've had pneumonia twice in the last year and a half. In October I realized that certain antibiotics really aggravate the

nausea, stomach discomfort and chest pain and so quit taking levaquin after 8 weeks. Within a month I had another sinus infection, a bad one and still can't get rid of it. So back on antibiotics-first one caused no problems, second one did irritate all the GERD/portal hypertension symptoms.Does ANYONE else have chest pain that is extremely bad? And does anyone have problems with constant infections? Should I be insisting on a new endoscopy? I've done a lot of searching and can't figure out if non bleeding varices could be causing the degree of pain I'm experiencing. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, I only post when I'm at at my wit's end with whatever problem I'm having and I don't know why but somehow understanding the "what's and "why's" make it all more tolerable.

[Guest guest]

, you have your hands full, for sure. I can't help with your pain issues, but perhaps I can offer some advice for the constant sinus infections. I have had such infections all my life. My daughter sent me a Neil Med kit which contains packets of a salt and soda mix and a bottle to mix the salt and soda with warm water and to squirt the solution up into the nose. T his rinses the mucus and infection out of the sinuses and prevents the infection from getting too bad. This has worked very well for me and perhaps it can work for you.

I remember the pain I had for years before I found out I had Hepc and during treatment. I'm in remission now and so grateful. New meds are coming out and perhaps there will be something that will work for you soon.

T ake care and hang in there.

Sharon

Hey all, it's , the "lurker." Now that is a strange word isn't it!?Anyway I'm hanging in there but have been having some troubling problems. I am probably 6 or 7 yrs post treatment that didn't work. Geez, time goes by-I can't believe it's been so long! HepC has become my past, present & future. Don't worry I try not to wallow in it-I have nine kids in their 20's(including son and daughters-in law) so when I'm not feeling bad I don't even think about it. And that's the problem right now . . . I've been constantly sick and feeling awful more often than not. Here's a quick list of some of my HepC complication diagnoses:HCV related arthritisPortal hypertensionCryoglobulinemiaGERDNeuropathyI have migraines ALL the time, don't know if they're medication related, HepC related, pain med related, marriage or child related. I have a lot of pain issues, swollen and painful joints, lots of pain in the winter here (MN) because of the cryo, as well as flu like aches and pain from time to time. I've taken oxycodone and the extended release foroxycontin for probably five years. I haven't really pushed for higher dosages-I was up to 20 mg(extended release) twice a day and have 5mg(regular) and will take up to four of those for "breakthrough" pain. I've wanted to stop taking all of it because I'm just sick of the stigma and the hassle getting prescriptions every month, but also I hate that if I feel good one day I still have to take it or else my body goes bananas! Are all pain meds like that? Well I started going down, now take 10mg twice a day and get a lesser amount of the 5mg. My plan was to wean off and take nothing. About a year or so ago I started having intermittent chest pain. It's pretty localized and I'm pretty sure it's in the esophagus. It's been a few years since my last endoscopy but then dr. said I had "significant changes" in the appearance of the lining of stomach and esophagus. I've been taking prilosec for at least three years, I take zantac and have been eating Tums like candy. In spite of that I have the pain more and more to the point that it's a notable day when it's NOT there. Some of the advice I'm looking for is what do you think is causing it? The pain can be so intense that I can hardly stand it, if it's bad enough my regular pain meds do little more than dull it enough so that I can relax and be distracted from it. Now that I've reduced my dosages I can only just take the edge off the pain. Could regular GERD reflux cause pain that severe? Should I be worried about things like varices? I'm thinking that's where portal hypertension leads.Another issue is that I've been on antibiotics constantly. I keep getting sinus infections that don't respond, I've had pneumonia twice in the last year and a half. In October I realized that certain antibiotics really aggravate the nausea, stomach discomfort and chest pain and so quit taking levaquin after 8 weeks. Within a month I had another sinus infection, a bad one and still can't get rid of it. So back on antibiotics-first one caused no problems, second one did irritate all the GERD/portal hypertension symptoms.Does ANYONE else have chest pain that is extremely bad? And does anyone have problems with constant infections? Should I be insisting on a new endoscopy? I've done a lot of searching and can't figure out if non bleeding varices could be causing the degree of pain I'm experiencing. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, I only post when I'm at at my wit's end with whatever problem I'm having and I don't know why but somehow understanding the "what's and "why's" make it all more tolerable. ------------------------------------It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found the support you need with us. If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just click the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/Happy Posting

[Guest guest]

,

Indeed it is probably the GERD, Several years ago,my husband was due to leave for Canada for Air Force manevers with The Canadian Air Force. I woke up that morning with the worst crushing pain in my chest. Since I was a nurse and a CPR instuctor, I told my husband honey get me to a hospital. I am having a heart attack. We ended up in the ER, and although my heartbeat was a bit slow, it was not a heart attack but GERD. Yeah I felt stupid, but the symptoms were very much the same.

But to make sure ask your doctor, for a repeat test of your GERD.

Love

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

[Guest guest]

With the neti pot be sure you use distilled water with your neti pot solution. They have found that tap water has been contaminated. I will find the article and post it here.

Love,

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

To: "Hepatitis_C_Central " <Hepatitis_C_Central > Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 9:33 PMSubject: Re: distracting pain; could it be portal hypertension? Help!

Hello !

Might I suggest a Nettie Pot for the sinus infections? And that u see a Ear,Nose, Throat and Allergist... I love my ENT Dr. he is the best! U may have a blockage or a spur in ur sinus cavity. Good Luck!

Tonda

Tonda Mabe

To: Hepatitis_C_Central Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 10:15 PMSubject: distracting pain; could it be portal hypertension? Help!

Hey all, it's , the "lurker." Now that is a strange word isn't it!?Anyway I'm hanging in there but have been having some troubling problems. I am probably 6 or 7 yrs post treatment that didn't work. Geez, time goes by-I can't believe it's been so long! HepC has become my past, present & future. Don't worry I try not to wallow in it-I have nine kids in their 20's(including son and daughters-in law) so when I'm not feeling bad I don't even think about it. And that's the problem right now . . . I've been constantly sick and feeling awful more often than not. Here's a quick list of some of my HepC complication diagnoses:HCV related arthritisPortal hypertensionCryoglobulinemiaGERDNeuropathyI have migraines ALL the time, don't know if they're medication related, HepC related, pain med related, marriage or child related. I have a lot of pain issues, swollen and painful joints, lots of pain in the winter here (MN) because of the cryo, as well as flu like aches and pain from time to time. I've taken oxycodone and the extended release foroxycontin for probably five years. I haven't really pushed for higher dosages-I was up to 20 mg(extended release) twice a day and have 5mg(regular) and will take up to four of those for "breakthrough" pain. I've wanted to stop taking all of it because I'm just sick of the stigma and the hassle getting prescriptions every month, but also I hate that if I feel good one day I still have to take it or else my body

goes bananas! Are all pain meds like that? Well I started going down, now take 10mg twice a day and get a lesser amount of the 5mg. My plan was to wean off and take nothing. About a year or so ago I started having intermittent chest pain. It's pretty localized and I'm pretty sure it's in the esophagus. It's been a few years since my last endoscopy but then dr. said I had "significant changes" in the appearance of the lining of stomach and esophagus. I've been taking prilosec for at least three years, I take zantac and have been eating Tums like candy. In spite of that I have the pain more and more to the point that it's a notable day when it's NOT there. Some of the advice I'm looking for is what do you think is causing it? The pain can be so intense that I can hardly stand it, if it's

bad enough my regular pain meds do little more than dull it enough so that I can relax and be distracted from it. Now that I've reduced my dosages I can only just take the edge off the pain. Could regular GERD reflux cause pain that severe? Should I be worried about things like varices? I'm thinking that's where portal hypertension leads.Another issue is that I've been on antibiotics constantly. I keep getting sinus infections that don't respond, I've had pneumonia twice in the last year and a half. In October I realized that certain antibiotics really aggravate the nausea, stomach discomfort and chest pain and so quit taking levaquin after 8 weeks. Within a month I had another sinus infection, a bad one and still can't get rid of it. So back on antibiotics-first one caused no problems,

second one did irritate all the GERD/portal hypertension symptoms.Does ANYONE else have chest pain that is extremely bad? And does anyone have problems with constant infections? Should I be insisting on a new endoscopy? I've done a lot of searching and can't figure out if non bleeding varices could be causing the degree of pain I'm experiencing. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, I only post when I'm at at my wit's end with whatever problem I'm having and I don't know why but somehow understanding the "what's and "why's" make it all more tolerable.

[Guest guest]

Yes that is true... But they really do work well!Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerrySender: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:02:28 -0800 (PST)To: Hepatitis_C_Central <Hepatitis_C_Central >ReplyTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Subject: Re: distracting pain; could it be portal hypertension? Help! With the neti pot be sure you use distilled water with your neti pot solution. They have found that tap water has been contaminated. I will find the article and post it here.Love,Janet "There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"Frederick Faber To: "Hepatitis_C_Central " <Hepatitis_C_Central > Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 9:33 PMSubject: Re: distracting pain; could it be portal hypertension? Help! Hello !Might I suggest a Nettie Pot for the sinus infections? And that u see a Ear,Nose, Throat and Allergist... I love my ENT Dr. he is the best! U may have a blockage or a spur in ur sinus cavity. Good Luck!Tonda Tonda MabeTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 10:15 PMSubject: distracting pain; could it be portal hypertension? Help! Hey all, it's , the "lurker." Now that is a strange word isn't it!?Anyway I'm hanging in there but have been having some troubling problems. I am probably 6 or 7 yrs post treatment that didn't work. Geez, time goes by-I can't believe it's been so long! HepC has become my past, present & future. Don't worry I try not to wallow in it-I have nine kids in their 20's(including son and daughters-in law) so when I'm not feeling bad I don't even think about it. And that's the problem right now . . . I've been constantly sick and feeling awful more often than not. Here's a quick list of some of my HepC complication diagnoses:HCV related arthritisPortal hypertensionCryoglobulinemiaGERDNeuropathyI have migraines ALL the time, don't know if they're medication related, HepC related, pain med related, marriage or child related. I have a lot of pain issues, swollen and painful joints, lots of pain in the winter here (MN) because of the cryo, as well as flu like aches and pain from time to time. I've taken oxycodone and the extended release foroxycontin for probably five years. I haven't really pushed for higher dosages-I was up to 20 mg(extended release) twice a day and have 5mg(regular) and will take up to four of those for "breakthrough" pain. I've wanted to stop taking all of it because I'm just sick of the stigma and the hassle getting prescriptions every month, but also I hate that if I feel good one day I still have to take it or else my bodygoes bananas! Are all pain meds like that? Well I started going down, now take 10mg twice a day and get a lesser amount of the 5mg. My plan was to wean off and take nothing. About a year or so ago I started having intermittent chest pain. It's pretty localized and I'm pretty sure it's in the esophagus. It's been a few years since my last endoscopy but then dr. said I had "significant changes" in the appearance of the lining of stomach and esophagus. I've been taking prilosec for at least three years, I take zantac and have been eating Tums like candy. In spite of that I have the pain more and more to the point that it's a notable day when it's NOT there. Some of the advice I'm looking for is what do you think is causing it? The pain can be so intense that I can hardly stand it, if it'sbad enough my regular pain meds do little more than dull it enough so that I can relax and be distracted from it. Now that I've reduced my dosages I can only just take the edge off the pain. Could regular GERD reflux cause pain that severe? Should I be worried about things like varices? I'm thinking that's where portal hypertension leads.Another issue is that I've been on antibiotics constantly. I keep getting sinus infections that don't respond, I've had pneumonia twice in the last year and a half. In October I realized that certain antibiotics really aggravate the nausea, stomach discomfort and chest pain and so quit taking levaquin after 8 weeks. Within a month I had another sinus infection, a bad one and still can't get rid of it. So back on antibiotics-first one caused no problems,second one did irritate all the GERD/portal hypertension symptoms.Does ANYONE else have chest pain that is extremely bad? And does anyone have problems with constant infections? Should I be insisting on a new endoscopy? I've done a lot of searching and can't figure out if non bleeding varices could be causing the degree of pain I'm experiencing. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, I only post when I'm at at my wit's end with whatever problem I'm having and I don't know why but somehow understanding the "what's and "why's" make it all more tolerable.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had a liver transplant because the Hepatitis C killed my liver.

Portal hypertension does lead to varices, and you should get another endoscopy.

If one of those veins burst in the esophogus, you can bleed to death. The

doctor can band the varices so they won't bleed. What you really need to do is

see a hepatologist and check everything out with your liver, and get a liver

biopsy. Cirrhosis causes portal hypertension. It sounds like your cirrhosis is

decompensated, which means the liver is damaged to a point where there is no

other way to cure it other than a liver transplant. You should go to a liver

transplant center to be evaluated for a transplant. Please get to a

hepatologist and get yourself checked out and taken care of. The hepatologist,

or even a gastroenterologist, can refer you to a transplant center for an

evaluation.

Take care of yourself.

Penny

>

> Hey all, it's , the " lurker. " Now that is a strange word isn't it!?

> Anyway I'm hanging in there but have been having some troubling problems. I am

probably 6 or 7 yrs post treatment that didn't work. Geez, time goes by-I can't

believe it's been so long! HepC has become my past, present & future. Don't

worry I try not to wallow in it-I have nine kids in their 20's(including son and

daughters-in law) so when I'm not feeling bad I don't even think about it. And

that's the problem right now . . . I've been constantly sick and feeling awful

more often than not. Here's a quick list of some of my HepC complication

diagnoses:

> HCV related arthritis

> Portal hypertension

> Cryoglobulinemia

> GERD

> Neuropathy

> I have migraines ALL the time, don't know if they're medication related, HepC

related, pain med related, marriage or child related. I have a lot of pain

issues, swollen and painful joints, lots of pain in the winter here (MN) because

of the cryo, as well as flu like aches and pain from time to time. I've taken

oxycodone and the extended release foroxycontin for probably five years. I

haven't really pushed for higher dosages-I was up to 20 mg(extended release)

twice a day and have 5mg(regular) and will take up to four of those for

" breakthrough " pain. I've wanted to stop taking all of it because I'm just sick

of the stigma and the hassle getting prescriptions every month, but also I hate

that if I feel good one day I still have to take it or else my body goes

bananas!

> Are all pain meds like that?

> Well I started going down, now take 10mg twice a day and get a lesser amount

of the 5mg. My plan was to wean off and take nothing.

> About a year or so ago I started having intermittent chest pain. It's pretty

localized and I'm pretty sure it's in the esophagus. It's been a few years since

my last endoscopy but then dr. said I had " significant changes " in the

appearance of the lining of stomach and esophagus. I've been taking prilosec for

at least three years, I take zantac and have been eating Tums like candy. In

spite of that I have the pain more and more to the point that it's a notable day

when it's NOT there. Some of the advice I'm looking for is what do you think is

causing it? The pain can be so intense that I can hardly stand it, if it's bad

enough my regular pain meds do little more than dull it enough so that I can

relax and be distracted from it. Now that I've reduced my dosages I can only

just take the edge off the pain.

> Could regular GERD reflux cause pain that severe? Should I be worried about

things like varices? I'm thinking that's where portal hypertension leads.

> Another issue is that I've been on antibiotics constantly. I keep getting

sinus infections that don't respond, I've had pneumonia twice in the last year

and a half. In October I realized that certain antibiotics really aggravate the

nausea, stomach discomfort and chest pain and so quit taking levaquin after 8

weeks. Within a month I had another sinus infection, a bad one and still can't

get rid of it. So back on antibiotics-first one caused no problems, second one

did irritate all the GERD/portal hypertension symptoms.

> Does ANYONE else have chest pain that is extremely bad?

> And does anyone have problems with constant infections?

> Should I be insisting on a new endoscopy? I've done a lot of searching and

can't figure out if non bleeding varices could be causing the degree of pain I'm

experiencing.

> Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, I only post when I'm at at my

wit's end with whatever problem I'm having and I don't know why but somehow

understanding the " what's and " why's " make it all more tolerable.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the good input. I do use a neti pot, however once a sinus infection

is really bad the neti pot doesn't work-actually it seemed to give me a terrible

headache. Over christmas I got advice from a friend telling me to steam my

sinuses . . . so I filled the bathroom sink with boiling water and about 5-6

drops of eucalyptus oil, put a towel over my head and VOILA! It took several

times the first day but it worked! I have to keep doing at least once a day to

open it up but at least I have a way to lessen or eliminate the pain and

headaches.

What bothers me is WHY am I plagued by these infections-sinus plus two

pneumonias in the last 2yrs-one took almost 5 months to clear up, and I'll find

out Monday if I've finally cleared the second one. I have constant fevers and

there are times when I feel just like I did after about 20 weeks of pegIntron

and ribavarin-totally wiped out!That is usually when I have a higher fever.

I've heard that reflux can be painful but I didn't realize it could be as

painful as a heart attack. WOW. I've been on acid reducers for several

years-according to my pharmacist there isn't really anything else for me to try

and that is not encouraging. I can't seem to pinpoint any certain food, and just

doesn't seem to be rhyme nor reason to when it will come and go. It can last for

days or here one day and gone the next, but rarely does it disappear for more

than 5-6 days at a time, also, despite having the GERD and portal hypertension

diagnosis for 5 years I've only had the pain for about the last 9 months or so.

I do have an appt with my doctor at the University of Minnesota, it's hard to

get in and I have to wait till mid-March. He is supposed to be " Mister " HepC and

Liver transplant of the Midwest-or so I'm told. Though honestly, sometimes I

feel like he's not that interested-and won't be until I'm a transplant patient.

Well maybe that's just the way it is, it makes sense from a doctor point of

view.

I don't know if this will make sense but I'm the kind of person that needs to

understand WHY somethings happening and hear from others that that is what

they've experienced as well. It does not lessen the pain or discomfort but I can

handle it much better if I know what it is and why it's happening.

> >

> > Hey all, it's , the " lurker. " Now that is a strange word isn't it!?

> > Anyway I'm hanging in there but have been having some troubling problems. I

am probably 6 or 7 yrs post treatment that didn't work. Geez, time goes by-I

can't believe it's been so long! HepC has become my past, present & future.

Don't worry I try not to wallow in it-I have nine kids in their 20's(including

son and daughters-in law) so when I'm not feeling bad I don't even think about

it. And that's the problem right now . . . I've been constantly sick and feeling

awful more often than not. Here's a quick list of some of my HepC complication

diagnoses:

> > HCV related arthritis

> > Portal hypertension

> > Cryoglobulinemia

> > GERD

> > Neuropathy

> > I have migraines ALL the time, don't know if they're medication related,

HepC related, pain med related, marriage or child related. I have a lot of pain

issues, swollen and painful joints, lots of pain in the winter here (MN) because

of the cryo, as well as flu like aches and pain from time to time. I've taken

oxycodone and the extended release foroxycontin for probably five years. I

haven't really pushed for higher dosages-I was up to 20 mg(extended release)

twice a day and have 5mg(regular) and will take up to four of those for

" breakthrough " pain. I've wanted to stop taking all of it because I'm just sick

of the stigma and the hassle getting prescriptions every month, but also I hate

that if I feel good one day I still have to take it or else my body goes

bananas!

> > Are all pain meds like that?

> > Well I started going down, now take 10mg twice a day and get a lesser amount

of the 5mg. My plan was to wean off and take nothing.

> > About a year or so ago I started having intermittent chest pain. It's pretty

localized and I'm pretty sure it's in the esophagus. It's been a few years since

my last endoscopy but then dr. said I had " significant changes " in the

appearance of the lining of stomach and esophagus. I've been taking prilosec for

at least three years, I take zantac and have been eating Tums like candy. In

spite of that I have the pain more and more to the point that it's a notable day

when it's NOT there. Some of the advice I'm looking for is what do you think is

causing it? The pain can be so intense that I can hardly stand it, if it's bad

enough my regular pain meds do little more than dull it enough so that I can

relax and be distracted from it. Now that I've reduced my dosages I can only

just take the edge off the pain.

> > Could regular GERD reflux cause pain that severe? Should I be worried about

things like varices? I'm thinking that's where portal hypertension leads.

> > Another issue is that I've been on antibiotics constantly. I keep getting

sinus infections that don't respond, I've had pneumonia twice in the last year

and a half. In October I realized that certain antibiotics really aggravate the

nausea, stomach discomfort and chest pain and so quit taking levaquin after 8

weeks. Within a month I had another sinus infection, a bad one and still can't

get rid of it. So back on antibiotics-first one caused no problems, second one

did irritate all the GERD/portal hypertension symptoms.

> > Does ANYONE else have chest pain that is extremely bad?

> > And does anyone have problems with constant infections?

> > Should I be insisting on a new endoscopy? I've done a lot of searching and

can't figure out if non bleeding varices could be causing the degree of pain I'm

experiencing.

> > Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, I only post when I'm at at

my wit's end with whatever problem I'm having and I don't know why but somehow

understanding the " what's and " why's " make it all more tolerable.

> >

> >

>