WOW

A few people have asked if I have Hep c  I don't my husband does.  Boy,this alcohol thing has everyone fired up.  It's true that everyone has they're vices as hepper 38 mentioned. Smoking, overeating drinking etc. We all can't quit everything I guess. I understand that alcohol is probably the worst thing you can do to your liver,with hep c.   Sorry I got everone so upset, but it sure has given us all alot to talk and think about!!!! I will keep you all posted. I think there are alot of good caring people here.

[kimberlynn]

I forgot to tell you all that I do worry about my health. I never touch advil, sinus meds nothing. If I have a headache or whatever I just suffer through it. I've heard that pain relievers are alot worse on your liver if you drink. I don't let my husband touch any of that either. I hope that will help some.

[shastri20032003]

My major vice is smoking.I am on week 12 of 24, UND at week 4 by Gods Grace. Have been smoking right thru tx..tried to stop but just could not do it

Was a heavy drinker before being diagnosed for hep C last september. Beer,whisky,wine,gin,vodka....you name it and I was having it. Stopped overnight as you rightly mentioned booze causes the most damage for those who already have hep C

Having cigarettes decreases your chances for successful treatment by 7% if you are geno 2 or geno 3
But consuming alcohol while having hep c probably decreases your chance of successful treatment by probably 70%??(i guess there may not be a study on this as the thought itself is too ridiculous and they probably didn't want to waste time and money on it )

I agree with you that everybody has vices which are difficult to break but we also have relate these vices to the disease we have..which ones are more harmful then the others...... I hope I have made my point
Wishing you the best
Regards

[goldenrule]

My problem is the smoking.. However, since finishing tx @ # 36 last week, I have decided not to take my life for granted. The desire is so strong in my heart to stop smoking. So, FIRST, i began asking GOD to give me GRACE to stop. SECOND I went to get some nicorette. This week was my first week, and yes, I have "fell off the wagon" a couple times, but guess what? I WILL NEVER STOP TRYING. Or give up.. I keep telling myself to think positive, and when I fail, i dont get bogged down with guilt. Today I am having a good day. Trying to keep myself busy here at work. IDLE TIME IS BAD BAD BAD!!!!!

I think you should find a good church and get plugged in. Establishing a personal relationship with God has gotten me off of many drugs and toxic people.

TRY JESUS!!!! HE WILL ALWAYS COME THROUGH!!

[ladybug52]

You sound like a nice person. I'm sorry if I was harsh, I smoke and am FAR from being as healthy as I would like. I'm eating chocolate as I type. Mm-mm. All the good things are bad for us.
Take care.
Bug

[ladybug52]

Gladly! How are you doing? Work and tx and grandbaby ok? I have mine tonight and my husband is dealing with while I snuck on the computer and past the fridge to replenish the chocalate fix.
Hugs,
Bug

[FL_Gal]

You have chocolate??????  SHARE!!

[antman]

while it's true that we can't stop everything, especially all at once. there is an incentive for those of us with hep C. i can't prove it, but it seems any toxins we put in our body stress the liver and the immune system. two things that are already under assault by the hep C virus. i think the other reason alcohol is such a touchy issue here is that many of us (myself included) have struggled with addiction issues. and to have fought the battle and won, it's irritating to see others treat it with such casualness. (if that's a word!) eventually we had to make a choice, health or continued abuse. no one made it for us, and we all had to bear our own burdens. good luck Kimberlyn, eventually you and your hubby will make a decision, either way.

[antman]

sure we all have or had vices. but what you don't seem to realize is that alcohol in the xcess that you earlier told us about is severely damaging to the liver. when one has hep c it is already being under chronic assault. when you drink heavily it poisons the liver and damages it even more. i'm not upset, it's not my liver we're talking about. you seem to care about your husbands health, otherwise you would not be here. it should be his highest priority to stop the booze immediately. it's terribly immature of him to say if you don't quit he won't. if he doesn't care about his own liver/life who will? if you don't realize the gravity of his drinking, ask the Dr. if it's ok to drink like that with hep C.BTW- i used to drink heavily myself but quit almost 2 years ago to start tx. so i know what i'm talking about. good luck.

[orphanedhawk]

If you wanted to kill a weed in your yard, would you fertilize it?  This is what you are doing having HCV and drinking.  Alcohol is damaging to the liver. Using alcohol when you have HCV and a damaged liver is like taking the virus to an orgy. Do you want these destructive buggers that can KILL your husband, to multiply?
   I didn't know I had HCV until I had severe cirrhosis. I love wine. I live in wine country. The news proudly announces the latest medals our wines have won. I quit drinking. I love wine but I love my life more.
   But, I drink coffee, eat chocolate, icecream and smoke my medicinal herb, moderately.

[meki]

" Using alcohol when you have HCV and a damaged liver is like taking the virus to an orgy"

LMAO -- how apt!

Kimberlynn... Alcohol is a poison.

Mentally and physically.

Alcohol is feeding the Virus. It is like sticking your hand in the crocodile's mouth and believing it won't snap shut.

Drinking Alcohol - is like adding more virus power to the virus - allowing it to become stronger and making the liver weaker....

It's the KRYPTONITE to your Superman Liver.

So - if your life, his life means that much to you --- you'll find a way to do what is right.

Talk to a doctor --- talk to some specialists...

Know that half the people on this board have had problems with alcohol or drugs. They know what they are talking about --- and they've been where you are now.

But they also know that it has to be YOUR choice.... YOUR decision... or your husbands.

They can't make your mind up for you.

They can only point you in the right direction with the knowledge that they have.

I'm very lucky - I never had to battle alcohol or drugs... But there are some VERY GOOD people here who have had to...

Ask them what woke them up...

Maybe you'll find your wake up call... I would think knowing that you have a disease that will kill you --- with little bugs crawling around in your system --- would be enough of a wake up call... But for some people --- the disease of alcoholism has more control over them than self preservation.

You have to choose.

Good Luck - and many warm thoughts for your difficult struggle.

Meki