(((((puckertoe)))))

First you need to see a rheumatologist, if you're not already.  Only a
rheumy can give you information directly relating to your conditon.
Prednisone is not the only drug available.  I've had RA for 9 1/2 years
and don't take it!  The pain even when controlled can come and go.
It's not consistent all the time.  Let your feelings help you take care
of yourself!

Take care,

Vickie B.

Hi,

I was just wondering if you tried Tahitian Noni Juice to help relieve
the pain. Tahitian Noni Juice is natural and doesn't cause the other
negative side effects that prescription drugs often do.

Doctors worldwide have endorsed noni juice as a natural health healing
product. In fact, according to Dr. Solomon's documented data, out of
25,000 people who drink noni, 1,675 of them suffered from arthritis. Of
those 1,675 invididuals, a remarkable 1,307 of them felt Tahitian Noni
Juice helped with their arthritis symptoms.

It won't hurt to try it. Noni can help you, it can't hurt you.

To your health,
Aaron
aaron@aaronortega.net

"Does Noni Juice really work? http://www.nonilove.com

first  presuming you are taking interferon alpha-2b understand:

the thyroid issue is listed as a common [minus 5%] side effect:

Endocrine System Disorders (<5%)   aggravation of diabetes mellitus, goiter,
gynecomastia, hyperglycemia, hyperthyroidism, hypertriglyceridemia,
hypothyroidism, virilism

as to the arthritis, cramping, etc.:

also listed: Other (<5%)
arteritis , arthritis , arthritis aggravated , arthrosis , bone disorder, bone
pain , carpal tunnel syndrome , hyporeflexia , leg cramps , muscle atrophy,
muscle weakness, polyarteritis nodosa, tendinitis , rheumatoid arthritis,
spondylitis

" Interferon : A naturally occurring substance that interferes with the ability
of viruses to reproduce. Interferon also boosts the immune system."

ie: RA is an increase in auto-immune activity, and interferon can 'raise' that
activity.

BUT! also know that interferon is understood to:

"Interferon (IFN) was sought in simultaneously obtained samples of synovial
fluid (SF) and serum from patients with a variety of rheumatological diseases.
IFN was identified in 11 of 84 samples of SF and 10 of 84 specimens of serum.
IFN positive specimens were contributed by patients with rheumatoid arthritis
(RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, seronegative spondyloarthropathies,
pseudogout, coccidioidomycosis and unclassified arthritis. Significantly, IFN
was frequently found either in SF or in serum but generally not in both of the
simultaneously obtained fluids. The highest titers of IFN found in SF were from
patients with RA."

so - which is the chicken and which is the egg?

did you 'already'  have increased levels and the treatment is accentuating it?,
or, did the treatment itself suffice and help the flare along?

Ribiviran lists autoimmune phenomena (e.g., hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism,
sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis) inthe side
effects also. also myalgia, back pain, pruritus [itching skin], eczema, rash,
and dermatitis.

while it would be a long shot [and only part of the picture] - you might look
at:
http://www.hepatitis-c.de/abstract/50.htm#english -  Labs will show fasting
transferrin saturation of > 60% and ferritin > 300 ng/mL.

t'were me, i'd be getting a referral to a rheumy, and make sure that the new doc
is in total communication with my current one! this is going to take good
coordination to realize the most benefits for relief.

labs can be misleading re cause and effect:

Traditionally, the IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) has been the mainstay serologic
test in evaluating patients with suspected RA. Although reasonably sensitive
(75-80%), the specificity of rheumatoid factor in RA is modest (60­80%).
Importantly, the absence of rheumatoid factor posi­tivity in the majority of
cases of early RA is a major void diagnostically. Furthermore, the diagnosis of
seronega­tive RA is a common diagnostic challenge given the fact that numerous
arthropathies can be considered in the evaluation of seronegative inflammatory
arthritis. In addition, a substantial number of diseases may have rheumatoid
factors and arthritis (SLE, parvoviral arthropathy, hepatitis C, sarcoidosis,
occasional patients with pseudogout, seronegative spondyloarthropathy and PMR)
creating potential diagnostic problems in differenti­ating these entities from
RA.

the build up of other symptoms is not all that unusual with hep

pred 'is' a strong med, and with your hep caution is a good thing!

as to the pain - the combination of doc's should be able to help some with that.

other treatment options can only be derived with more complete testing to
determine just what is 'really' going on.

exercise: what shape are your liver and kidneys in?  exercise with lowered
function might create new problems.

'should'  you be terrified? who is to judge? - but it's sure as heck
understandable!!!! welcome to our club! you will find a whole bunch of folks who
can identify with what you are feeling and will share support with you while you
try to find better answers.

be well

paul