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MedHelp Member's Question

Just learning so dont crucify my questions GALEN and SKAGWAY

by Holly12, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
Please understand I was just diagnosed! You could have answered my question in a nicer way...I thought these forums for were people who wanted to reach out and feel better about the understandings of it all.....
Member Comments (31)

by mikesimon, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: Holly
I understand how you could be put off by the curt reponses to your post. But, you should know that many of us here are fighting with every bit of strength we have and when you ask about a little alcohol it is offensive to some of us. Most of us here would never dream of drinking because we are much too serious about our health. I understand why you might feel the need to ask but you should understand why we aren't very gentle with our replies. Don't get too upset with us. We really are a compassionate group for the most part. Good luck. Mike

by Revenire, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
Welcome Holly -- I was new here once. I was diagnosed, biopsied, ignorant and scared almost a year ago. Honestly, I've never felt put-off by anyone here; quite the contrary. I don't know any of the people here offline, never talked to anyone on the telephone, never exchanged private email, etc. but they've answered my questions and supported me through 44 weeks of this journey. This is a very, very supportive group of people.



I understand you're new to this and a lot is going through your mind right now.



Alcohol is the kiss of death for people with HCV, it accelerates the replication of the virus. If a person clears the virus and had no major damage when biopsied I suppose they could have a glass of wine on occasion etc. after 6 months to a year of getting a sustained virologic reponse (SVR). I wouldn't because I am Stage 3 on the scale of liver damage so any alcohol consumption would rattle my cage a bit too much. I will celebrate my SVR with apple juice and a cigar.



Scott



by MajNeni, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
On my son's 21'st birthday (during tx), I had a glass of champagne - good French stuff - and it tasted lousy to me!  Some have said that beer, etc. don't taste like much after tx.

Taking a drink on tx is like doing tx that day for nothing.  You have to love one thing or the other... some doc's call alcohol "Miracle grow" for the virus.  There's evidence that it negates some of the effects of the tx drugs.

Maj Neni  

by MajNeni, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: Everyone/Revenire
Another group being shafted is prisoners.  (Many sources if you search, including last year's NIH Consensus Conference on HCV; but little to no media or government coverage.)  Estimates are that 25% have HCV; yet in most prisons, most states, they get no testing or tx.  Whatever they did, whatever they're in for, however unsavory some of the prisoners are, most of these PEOPLE did not get sentenced to death in a court of law; yet in many cases the result is the same.    MTCW

Maj Neni

by oldhippiechick67, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
on the contrary Maj, I have read that some people's docs said a drink or two during tx wouldnt hurt. Think it was speed/meth/cocaine that is the Miracle Grow for the HepC virus. But I agree with the "No alcohol for any reason" rule many of us follow.  There was a time when I thought they would have to pry the beer can from my cold cirrhotic fingers.  But luckily I tired of the ball and chain (beer addiction), and quit it before I even knew of the evil Hep C having taken up residence in my body.  Anyways, I think common sense would tell you not to drink or smoke cigs after all the evidence that has been published as to health implications.  Addiction is a bear. A BIG, BAD, BLACK, GNARLING, DROOLING, FROTHING, RABID GRIZZLY BEAR. If you can get by with drinking one wine on Christmas, & one on July 4th YEAH for you.

It's your body, your liver, your life, do as you please.   HAVE A MARVY DAY Y'ALL!    



by MajNeni, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
Oops, I think that last post was a response to posts on another thread.  Brilliantly clear day outdoors, but foggy "indoors" today.  MN

by MajNeni, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: OHC
I'm the foggy one... I meant.  Your post got between mine.  



The alcohol question is complex.  Of course addiction can be a tough individual factor; another factor, perhaps more critical, is what stage/grade one's liver is in.  But I really have been told that stuff (above) about alcohol, and also read about the other "Miracle Grow" drugs.



Hope the Procrit and Neupogen are giving you some peace - let's try for 5 good days this week!  My doc lets me take Alleve when it kicks up.

Maj Neni



by Revenire, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: MN
Foggy day today? Me too, seems like the last 200 have been though. I've got stomach cramps like nobody's business today, 1st time in 44 weeks of tx too. I think mixing Zinc (doctor recommended it and then I researched it and found it help the interferon -- now he tells me), Ribavarin and a multi-vitamin with a strong cup of coffee got me!



Anyway, yes I also read about the prisoners with HCV. Horrible.



My feeling toward disease is: I don't care how someone got it they deserve to be cured, treated, etc. and damn the money.



Take care,



Scott

by DH Bill, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: Maj/OHC
You two always seem to cheer me up, thanks I need it. I'm sitting here in my sweats which is like my P Js haven't been out the house for several days shaved or showered and this is coming from hyper guy who normaly takes 1 or 2 showers a day being so active then.

Sometimes I feel there is a lot more to the physical on tx. It seems maybe we are working out a lot of the garbage we have ingested over the years or am I just full of some left over sixties bulls#$t. With the wierd dreams and fluctuating emotions I just wonder.

Holly, didn't mean to step on your thread but this can be a long road at times and I'm only on shot#14.

Bill

by mumovsix, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
thought i would jump in on this rather than open a question i went to see my liver specialist on thursday for the first time i have genotype 3a he done a load of normal bloods which i am awaiting the results of i have been booked in for a biopsy and ultrasound i asked about starting treatment and he said he wouldnt do it unless there was damage to the liver because it would be dangerous to me unless there was fibrosis i am from the uk so i know things are a little different here but does this make sense to wait until damage has occured surely it would be better while i am relativley healthy has anyone else ever started treatment before damage occurs i could really do with some advice

by Sioux, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: DH Bill
Boy do I know how you are feeling.... I'm on week #33 the ups and downs...The REALLY WEIRD dreams, I can always make my hubby laugh when I tell him about them. Today I don't feel like doin' much more than being a couch potato. It's cold and rainy here, so that doesn't help the old aches and pains. We went from 80 degrees to 40 degrees in about 24 hours.

I hope everyone's day is going well. Happy Trails, Sioux

by Tosser, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: OHC and Everyone
I'm still hating it for having tooooo much beer to drink at my New Years party two years ago, before I even found out I had Hep-C. I use to drink a beer or two every day after work just to take the edge off. But now I have completely quit and really don't miss it. I drank for in moderation for 30 years as I imagine did so many of us here. I'm looking forward to a more aware and healthier lifestyle in the future, and to live as long as I can for my loved ones. Thanks to the support I get from them and from all of you, I will survive this, and I hope you all do the same!

Tosser

by MajNeni, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: DH
Well, Bill, at least you can go and open the front door... I'm sitting here at my computer for a cozy afternoon, and I don't think I could go to the door in my outfit.  Interacting with folks on the board is the most relaxing thing for me now.  I know I have verbal diarrhea; anyone who's tired of me,  just skip the majneni posts...

I do think many of us are cleaning up our acts.  I don't know about you, but I don't have the oomph to act up.  I eat little, so I try to eat well; etc.

And I think you meant you are already on shot #14!  What an achievement!  

M.N.

by jonihs, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: Mumofsix
I'm pretty new to this also, but I do know that we 2's and 3's are by far the easiest to tx. and have the best SVR results. Also, the younger and healthier(ie. liver) that raises the odds also. If it were me I'd do some serious talking and if that doesn't work, find another Dr., and if that doesn't work, raise some Holy He--. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong (dennis Miller)     Joni

by britgirl, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: Mumovsix
I am from the UK and was a genotype 3a too. I believe your doctors are a little bit behind the times. I go to a major teaching hospital in London,  amongst the best for liver issues, and , as from next year, they will treat all 2s and 3s without even bothering with a biopsy as the odds are so good (about 80%). When I had my biopsy, 3 years ago, I was told that they would not offer me treatment unless I had moderate damage (fibrosis). Well, I did have it, so they recommended treatment. As I said, things have moved on and most doctors realise that odds of 80% are too good to ignore. It is only 6 months of treatment too, not a year. I refused treatment at first, as I was worried about long term side effects but I eventually decided to go for it. The irony is that I am indeed one of the few who have developed permanent damage (hypothyroidism) but this is less important to me than the fact I got rid of the virus.

by britgirl, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: Holly12
When I originally saw your question I knew what kind of response you would get!!!! Don't let it put you off. People on this forum are very knowledgable and very kind, but VERY anti alcohol, as you can probably understand. I am in the minority in that I do drink now I have finished tx. My liver is important to me, but so are other things in life.....

by Galen, Nov 08, 2003 12:00AM
To: Holly12
I am sorry you were offended by my response.  I only meant to say that I was pretty sure that you already knew that we would say that it is not safe to drink alcohol