Pain in heels.. Interferon related or not?

[beckyluck]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had painful heels especially when walking while being on Interferon? I’ve been on interferon for around 9 months and every so often I struggle to walk due to the pain, it does ease off and it happens randomly. I didn’t have this before taking interferon. I have heard that it could be due to dehydration so was just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar.

Thanks in advance 😊

[hunter5582]

I have never heard of this specific issue due to the IFNs. The IFNs can cause arthralgia or myalgia but I do not think that sounds like what you are describing. Suggest you consult a MPN Specialist experienced with managing IFNs to get the best answer to your question. Meanwhile, there is no downside to improving hydration. It may not help but it certainly will not hurt.

[beckyluck in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you for your response hunter5582 😊

[Jamesxyz]

Hi,

Did you get an Xray? If so did it show anything?

[beckyluck in reply to Jamesxyz]

Sorry for the delay, I haven't been to the doctor's yet, I will be speaking to my consultant in the next few weeks so will see what she says.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hi beckyluck, so sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain in your heels, best to speak to your haematologist and also your GP, just to get it investigated, it may not be anything to do with the interferon or your MPN, so best to get it looked at. Best wishes, Maz

[beckyluck in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you Mazcd, I will be speaking to my consultant soon but am thinking of getting an appointment with the doctors anyway.

[Ovidess]

I'm on Besremi and for a similar period of time. I'm also having unexpected feet problems, and assumed it was an arthritic reaction to the meds (or to --??). It feels as if my arches have fallen, or as if I no longer have a spring in my step, so that I seem to be pounding the pavement instead of walking. I'm taking hyaluronic acid with MSM as a supplement, and am playing a wait and see game, hoping I'm experiencing some weird seasonal joint crankiness. My next doctor appointment is in April.

[beckyluck in reply to Ovidess]

I hope you get some answers when you see your doctor this month. My pain is just on my heels when I walk, I also have really tight calves.

[Mufftreacs]

pain in heels.

Hi,

I was on Peg interferon for some time and tried everything that might help my painful heels. My podiatrist was at loss.

Quite by chance, I had to change to Rux as my ET progressed to MF. In approx one week, the pain had disappeared. My MPN consultant was quite surprised as she did not think painful heels could be connected to Peg. However, I think it is a side effect of Peg but quite a rare one. I had painful feet for well over a year and at times walked with a stick. After changing to Rux the problem simply went away. I think my consultant was most interested and made a note of it.

Hope this helps.

Katie

[EPguy in reply to Mufftreacs]

Could be a pattern showing in this thread, your case especially. The US FDA encourages pts to report adverse events, esp ones not on the label. Other countries likely have something similar.

[beckyluck in reply to Mufftreacs]

Hi Katie,

When I mentioned it to my consultant she said that she hadn't heard of this side effect, it started not long after I started on Peg interferon and its not changed over time, so I thought maybe it is just a coincidence? But its not going away, I don't have it all the time and I also have really tight calves, I think I will get a doctors appointment anyway just incase it is something else but will also mention what you have said to my consultant next time I see her.

Thanks Katie x

[Mufftreacs in reply to beckyluck]

Beckuck heels

[Mufftreacs in reply to Mufftreacs]

Hi Beckyluck,

My consultant did not think it was anything to do with peg for months and months. She said it was plantar fasciitis. However, when I had to come off peg , having progressed to MF and the pain went away almost immediately, she was interested and made a note of it.

Hope this helps.

Katie

[Mortysdad]

Hi Beckyluck, I have been on Pegasys since Nov 2022 and it was only 3 months ago I started having pain in my heels. It would get very painful to even walk on. It was mainly the right one so I just thought I must have come down hard playing racquetball and injured it. It comes and goes but is never gone for more than a few days. I was thinking possibly plantar faciitus as it follows those symptoms. I mentioned it to my Hemo a few weeks ago as she always asks if I have any bone pain, but when I said heels, I could see no lights went on. Keep us posted though as maybe there's something here. All the best!

[beckyluck in reply to Mortysdad]

Hi Mortysdad, yours sounds just like mine, I will keep you posted as and when I get any more info. Thanks

[gilded]

Hi beckyluck. I’ve been on 90mcg Peg interferon fortnightly and 1 aspirin daily for about 2 years. I have ET CALR+. Some weeks ago I developed a lump on my left heel. Putting on footwear, I was careful to avoid touching it, as it was painful. I consulted the podiatrist and he diagnosed a corn and removed it. I’m 80 years old and never, ever before have I developed corns on my heels, (only the occasional corn on my toes). Am unsure if this heel corn is connected to ET, but thought I’d mention it for what it’s worth.

[beckyluck in reply to gilded]

Hi gilded,

Thank you for posting, I have no lumps at all which is very frustrating, I haven't heard a connection between ET and corns before but will mention this to my consultant. I hope you do not develop any more. x