after treatment tottie

[cgd914]

My long 48 weeks will end 04/28 and at the time have been undetectable since week 12.  I am planning a vacation to Europe in the middle of May.  I don't want to risk any chances of acheiving SVR, is it safe to have a few cocktails while I am touring thru wine country?   I had mild fibrosis at the beginning of treatment.

[Forseegood]

oh, I just re-read your post and I see that the person said six month post treating, didn't pick up on that before (forgive me, long day)...I still think that's a bit much but there you go...

[Forseegood]

Please know that I really value your posts - youre a very witty guy and very intelligent, always like seeing your name here...but sometimes the best of friends can disagree once in awhile, and sometimes it's just that, you happily agree to disagee...

My doc actually pointed out Dr. Dietrich, (my docs on the net and loves it and he knows a lot of these hepatologists from conferences, my docs relatively famous in the field as well) as a doctor he very much disagrees with on this subject...two drinks a day is even a lot for a few women (since some women can't metabolize alcohol as well as most men) without ever having had hepatitis...and right after treatment that does sound a bit much...to me at least, although of course people are free to disagree...probably people have heard enough from me on this subject anyway, ha ha!

I guess it comes down to the fact (as I said previously) that with some open ended questions like this, we all have to weigh any info we have carefully, and make our own conclusions with our respective doctors...you might agree with me there...hope all is well with you and have a great weekend!

[cuteus]

Like you, I had mild damage at stage 1, had a couple of drinks while on tx, maybe 3-4 in 74 wks. Post tx I had some champagne at a wedding, about 4 wks after EOT. PCR was still negative about two wks later. And remains negative. I drink occassionally now. If you had mild damage, finished tx and have SVR, many drs say it is ok to have a few drinks now and then. I even read dr Dieterich say the same to someone in ask the dr.
Is there any chance you can have the PCR just before you leave? That would be about 4 wks post tx and should give you a good indication of your SVR.
TRY to get the PCR before. Just to have an idea. The one month PCR correlates closely to the 3 and 6 mo PCR.
ENJOY!

[Califia]

Well, damn!  Time sure flies when you're in. . . . purgatory.  This is just to say howdy, and warm congratulations on a long, hard run brought to the finish line.   Just wait until two days pass without any riba passing your lips--you'll be amazed and thrilled (or some semblance thereof) at how quickly the fog begins to lift and your eyes recover focus.  I, too, would like to stay in communication to swap some more tales about our months in the underworld.   Way to go, guy!

[jmjm530]

Speaking of being succinct, in spite of your self-described -- let's call it brain vacation -- I've always found your posts among the most intelligent and well written.

Bill, it's  been quite a journey hasn't it. LOL. I truly admire your fight early on, and your willingness to step up  when things initially didn't look so good.

Congratulations on your last shot tonight. You and your SVR will be in my prayers, and hopefully, in the not too distant future, you'll be sitting down with some of those books I know you love.

Yup. I'm pretty near the end myself, and thanks for your well wishes.

-- Jim

[Bill1954]

Re: comment #33--Your response was particularly well thought through. A lot was said with very few words, my friend. Final shot night for me this evening, followed be a week of riba. I know you're close on it yourself, and wanted to offer my best wishes.

Keep in touch,

Bill

[What Next]

Thank you all So much for your advice last night i didn't get to read it until now i fell asleep at the computer again and my husband put me in bed. I feel alittle better today but again shot day tonight so here i go again Lol I thinkit is weird how i always seem to feel better just before it all starts again well i will close for now thank you all so much i did not get to call anyone today i sleep all day again. maybe Monday.

[sirensong]

The number for "Be in Charge" is 1-888-437-2608.  Sorry to hear you are having a hard time.  I am getting quite the education myself these days!  

CDG-wow-have a great time, you deserve it.  Sounds absolutely wonderful.  Gives me ideas for when I am done.....hmmmm

[carpedi]

My doc said a glass of wine a day would be ok after treatment and that my liver was probably in better shape at this point than a lot of people's. However, since my whole body has been under seige from the meds for a long time and I don't expect to recover instantly, I limit it to an occasional glass of wine ... but I wonder about even that. I sure wish somebody knew definitively!

[NYgirl]

I think you need to just be as moderate as possible with drinking because of the liver damage - if treatment is OVER then I have always heard a glass of wine wouldn't hurt you (like it could DURING treatment) I don't know his liver damage but please remember there IS liver damage in there and alcohol is the worst thing besides hep when having this.

I probably would want to sample the wine too...so I think I would have just made a different vacation knowing I am too weak to deal with THAT.

Kind of curious with a liver disease why you guys ARE going to wine country LOL.  

Have a great time and ASK YOUR DOCTOR...none of us in here are doctors and although we can guess about things none of our words should be final.

[friole]

cgd -  How could it hurt to have  a few glasses of wine after treatment, especially since your fibrosis was mild to begin with.  Sounds like a once in a lifetime trip.  Enjoy and practice moderation.

what's next -- sounds just awful.  It doesn't sound like the normal Riba bumps everyone seems to have.  Perhaps you do need the AD's modified - I don't know.  Soothing baths sound like they might help.  Perhaps even a massage -- fisheress was given one for her birthday and said it was wonderful. You have completed 10 weeks -- congratulations on your accomplishment.  Will you get a PCR at 12 weeks?  I don't know what your stats are -- would you mind telling me?  I am 58, female, 1a, beginning vL 1.52 milliion, clear since 20 weeks (hooray), will do 35 tonight.  
frijole

[mikesimon]

I don't think that an occasional glass of wine would be harmful if you have eradicated the virus <B>but that would not be clear until at least 3 months(and 6 months would be better) after you have stopped TX.</B> The middle of May is a bit too soon if you are stopping on 4/28 and in the event that you are not clear alcohol could be harmful. I don't think that drinking would necessarily  affect your chances of achieveing SVR but if the virus is present alcohol is a bad choice. I'm sorry to say this but I do think I am right unless there is something I am missing. Regardless of what you decide I wish you the best. Mike

[sindog]

hi,
I was told I can never drink again. My liver is stage 3, grade 3 and probably a factor. I agree with Forseegood, do some research and talk with your doc. You just went through an ordeal to save your liver, treasure it. Don't get me wrong, I used to be the fun guy at the party.

[NYgirl]

Said:  Don't get me wrong, I used to be the fun guy at the party.


Oh that was you I was hanging around with?????  :)

I just personally don't think its worth it until at least a six month PCR says clear and yeah...in the olden days I would have drank the VATS of wine...forget the bottles.

[can-do-man]

Glad to see you out of that dog house. If you would just stop chasing them cars it would save you a whole lot of trouble.....

Wolf Wolf

[fishdoc]

Hey sin.. glad your back!  Don't know if you saw the thread way down the road a piece, but all my dads side are from wyoming.. born in ten sleep, some still live in green river, casper, and gillete, brother still in worland.......  nice country!

[FlGuy]

Here is a question, asked and answered by Dr. Dietrich on the subject of alcohol after tx.  Granted, it's more than a month post-tx...

"I am entering my sixth month since being treated for Hep C. My liver appears to be in good shape. I am still Negative. Is drinking any worse for me than anyone else?"
"Sounds like you a cure in the making? I don't think moderate alcohol intake, that is 1-2 drinks, glasses of wine or beers per day would put you at any more risk of liver disease than anyone else at this time. It will take your biopsy several years to normalize, but it will eventually get back to normal. Congratulations on your cure! Remember everything in moderation! DTD"

Personally, I don't drink much - 3 beers a year would be a lot. But, I am a proponent of taking my lfe back from HCV and tx. If I a taking the trip of a lifetime I would not fail to experience what it has to offer.  In moderation, of course.

[Dale_Ray]

For me week 4 thru 12 were just horrible with the sides. Couldn't eat, sleep or swallow enough water. Kept a itchhing rash and dandy headaches. Nickle taste in my mouth and fever and chills. At week 12 in started backing away and I have been feeling really good ecept the fatigue which ain't goin away until the treatment is over. I sympathize with you so much but it will turn the corner so hang in there. I am taking Pegasus / Copegus / Nupogen / Ambien / Lexapro / Tylenol Extra Strenth. Biggest problem for me right now is the joint ache. With all of this and talking to so many I appear to be just about average with the side affects. Stay safe. Dale

[Dale_Ray]

You've spent all this time trying to protect an organ that keeps you alive and been successful why put this same organ in harms way over a drink. They sell cokes in Europe. Personal opinion. Dale

[NYgirl]

It's one of those subjects that is truly going to go by personal decision since there is not set answer right?

It's a matter of are you willing to take the chance or not? And it's interesting to see some say Yes some say No and nobody has an answer whatsoever.

As an alcoholic I know first hand...there is ALWAYS a way to say YES and while the harder answer is no...it's one most people will no take.

Will it damage or hurt SVR?  Don't know.

[jmjm530]

Trouble/relapse with drug addiction (and I imagine this includes alcohol) is a known side effect of the treatment drugs.

I'm going to stay away from the discussion regarding how much harm a drink here or there will do on treatment (or off) -- but I will say this --  If your husband has ever had ANY type of drinking or addiction problem, I would then treat his current craving for alcohol as a potentially serious side effect of the treatment drugs and have him discuss with his doctor ASAP. BTW I suggest Fiji water -- almost as expensive as a drink but a lot more liver friendly :)

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

I remember you posting that the other day.  It's such a shame that he has gotten a mind set on that it's "ok".

Does he realize the REAL fact that every ounce he drinks stops the treatment until it's OUT of his body?  Heck even one HOUR chance of giving the virus to replicate is too much!  Giving it five MINUTES chance of growing is just too much! Is viral breakthrough worth a drink to me? H3LL NO! Treatment is tough enough  I want to make this a ONE TIME THING!  

It's such a shame. Everybody knows ... I've drank more in my day than most (and yet still less than some ;-) but right now...just can't.  The chance of a viral breakthrough during treatment is too high...and too rough a mistake to make and then say "wow I shouldn't have done that" you know? Its not like eating a piece of chocolate cake and feeling guilty later on.

I tell myself when I'm done...either way...I can have one then....whatever I want LOL that way at least I'm not thinking "forever" and "forever" is the word that has ALWAYS historically freaked me out and caused me to relapse.

If you don't mind i'll say a prayer for you both...it's such a HARD Thing - I can really relate. The Christmas party at work this year was literally torture so I went home early.

[doll face]

While I was on tx I had an  occasional glass of wine Same as Cuteus  mybe 4-5during my 72 week tx. Since I had no damage the doctor said once in a while wouldn't hurt. Didn't have any till I came back with my first negative PCR. Since finishing tx I was now told that a few wouldn't hurt,just to not over do it.
I agree that you should try to get a pcr doe beforeyou leave, it will give you a pieceof mind, and if you do relapse for any reason you will know that it is not from the  few glasses of wine.

This discussion will always be a big debate in the hepatitis world so you will always hear from both sides. Unless you have had a problem with alcohol in the past, I wouldn't ler it worry you too much

Have a wonderful vacation.

[Dale_Ray]

Cougar my doctor explained it to me this way. Any alcohol works as an accelerator on your liver. I asked the question: This is because of the Hep C. His response was that Alcohol was bad for your liver and health even if you didn't have the hep C. I lost two uncles who were in their 50's because they liked alcohol way to much and I haven't touched the stuff in years. I use to smoke and I know how hard that was to stop and I still know that I would like to suck the bottom out of a pack of Salem Lights so the want is strong. We all have things to deal with. My focus now is watching my kids and grandkids grow and spending as much time for as long as possible with them. For me that means they are more important than alcohol and smoking. That is my reason though.

Debby: I'm glad you don't drink anymore. It's great how you always take personal responsibility for your situation and never fault anyone else. Your my hero. You improve my days, my skin rash and my addiction to fudge pops. Don't leave me for at least 32 more weeks ha! Dale