alcohol after svr harvoni

[fingertips3]

has anyone had a glass of wine after svr with Harvoni?

[fingertips3]

THANK YOU Carl.... I was on a 12 week tx became UND after 8 weeks then celebrated with a few  bottles of Odul's that weekend.....Even though it only has 0.5 alcohol i got a buzz & have been totting medical Marijuana during my entire tx on Harvoni (Pot is TOTALLY NON TOXIC to the LIVER!!!).....  I just took my last Harvoni pill on Saturday 4/4/15...UND EOT....alt 19/ ast 24!!!  will have my final labs done in June to see if I am SVR......Will keep you posted!!!!  



gt 1b ....stage 1 fb  ....... v/l 18 MILLION in late Dec 2014

[fingertips3]

SORRY for the delay in answering this question!!! Started Harvoni on Jan 11, 2015  I took my last pill yesterday!!!!!  UND EOT waiting to hear if I am SVR in June will keep you posted!!!






gt1b stage1 fb ...v/l 18 MILLION when i had my 1st blood test in late Dec 2014

[Ekkiemom]

I would like to chime in here just a bit....I'm going to have to agree with HepC in regards to "behaviors" of each individual. With that being said there were many times someone would come on forum looking for the approval of our members to just say that it was ok to drink and like now a variety of answers.
Since I'm a recovering dual addict  person you become very familiar with the individuals that probably have a problem with alcohol, and to be fair there are those who are genuinely just seeking info that don't have addiction problems.

For those on forum who have never had to deal with alcohol addiction I would like to also say, "that's wonderful"! You know when to stop...for others we don't.

The subject is not Taboo Carl..just information among forum members. I choose not to drink because I never forget where I came from, so alcohol is not an option, so goes the drugs and so we live each day with the knowledge we are recovering "not cured"......

I think this is why some members have the opinions they do and sometimes the truth is not what we really care to hear..

We all make our own choices in the end right or wrong and have to live with the choices we've made..
Just my opinion and no disrepect to any poster
Peace and Serenity,
Deb

[hepcandme]

I don't think it is a taboo subject, Carl

But some queries about this issue seem like they come from an alcoholic's perspective - as if they are seeking approval from their friends to begin drinking again. So I appreciate your observation:

"Now if you have liver damage it's another story. If you have a drinking problem, it's another story"

Those who Do have a drinking problem are probably least able to make those distinctions. Although I am not an expert on those topics, I have asked others about how they would read comments from those who have broached this subject with us just to see if I was being too judgmental. They assured me I was not.

I think you're right about those who have no liver damage. On the other hand, those who have more serious liver disease shouldn't even consider it. Just too risky. Why throw away your life for a cold beer on a hot day or a glass of Pinot Noir at a dinner party?

So, even though I never was a beer drinker, a toast to my health next time you're on the boat would be welcome!

All the best to you, Carl.

I can hear the excitement in your voice from your latest news and I'm getting happy vicariously from your excitement

[Carlhcv]

Some people need to lighten up a little. I've never been much of a drinker at all but a beer or two on the boat tastes very good. It's also fun to get drunk once in awhile at a party or special event. An undamaged liver can handle this. My pre-tx Fibroscan was 4.1 even after having hep C for probably over 30 years. If my current tx is successful I will go back to enjoying alcohol as I did before. I've abstained for two years. If I go SVR and since I don't have any measurable liver damage, I'm going to get smashed and celebrate. Why do some think this topic should be taboo? Very few people are teetotalers. Now if you have liver damage it's another story. If you have a drinking problem, it's another story. I am fully capable of enjoying alcohol in moderation and also getting drunk with friends a couple times a year.

[cakes8267]

But then again, no one on this forum is a doctor.  Really, everyone should ask these questions of their own doctor and just listen to their doctor.  

[AWorriedMom]

I would like to address something you said in one of your posts. You said that your doc said that your Stage 3 fibrosis will go away in 2 years. If you heard him correctly, I believe he should not be telling you that. First of all, everyone's body is different. The HALT C studies that followed 3000 patients for quite a number of years did biopsies on patients who had SVR after treatment, and patients who did not have an SVR but did maintenance doses of interferon. In the patients who had SVR, those with minimal fibrosis (stage 1) had the best results in having their livers return to normal in 5 years. Each stage up from Stage 1 took longer and didn't have as many people who went back to a normal or near normal liver. When they got to Stage 4, one step,away from Stage 3, if I remember correctly, only 20% went back to near normal. Everyone had some improvement over time, but certainly not enough after two years to drink with friends every weekend,  there are no guarantees that your Stage 3 liver will ever be normal again. It would be sad if you ruined your chances by drinking every weekend.

[hepc4Sandi]

Best to you also Lynn. Wishing long dragon-free lives for us all. Thanks for the info.
~Sandi

[flyinlynn]

Yes we are all in different situations re liver damage with my F4 cirrhosis of 7 years now. When I make SVR after 24 weeks of Harvoni and Ribavirin for part of treatment alcohol is not on my menu for life. For those with less damage say F0 / F1 that is a personal decision. Just wanted people to know non alcohol does not mean alcohol free.

I have been told I cannot even have a NA  beer ever again for life.

Best to all
Lynn

[flyinlynn]

Is that your 4 week on treatment test or your 4 week after end of treatment (EOT) test?

Are you still taking meds? If you are still on treatment when will you be done?

[fingertips3]

Hey keep; Get my 4 week v/l results next week will let you know if i'm UD

[fingertips3]

Thanks for your concern & SUPPORT dude!!!!!!

[fingertips3]

GOOD POINT!!!

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

'Forgot to ask. Are you SVR or EOT?

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

"I like to drink wine on the weekends with my friends... Do you consider that a drinker??"

Yes that's a drinker. Why not give your liver a break? It's been through enough hell with the virus. Why do you have to drink anyway? Can you have a virgin Mary? Now my true opinion. You are playing with fire. You are trying to save your life not ruin it. I bet it throws all your numbers out of range. Why gamble with your life?

[JimmyMose]

Well lets look at some of the options.
1 go and drink and maybe mess up treatment or cause more harm.
2 Go and not drink and make up a reason (lie) if you don't want to mention tx HepC.  "I haven't felt too good after drinking lately and decided i would try a few months without it."   or whatever. Only if you can resist drinking achocol.
3 Make excuses or the truth and don't go.
4 Get help from a support group or friends who understand.

Best of luck somethings are eaiser said then done.  It's your choice best of luck.

[Livelife777]

As you can see we are all very passionate in regards to keeping our livers healthy.  We do understand the importance of living our lives alcohol free, as many of us have endured years not knowing when/if we would face a liver transplant or death because of Hep C.
The question that your asking can only be answered by you. Only you know if
that occasional drink will end up being more then on occasion.  It's your life and your decision.
Wish you well in obtaining SVR.
....Kim

[fingertips3]

I have NOT had any alcohol since being on tx but i do get STRONG CRAVINGS on  the weekends!! I have only told a few CLOSEfriends that i have Hep-c  my family does not even know.I keep making excuses when invited to gatherings  because everybody is DRINKING!!

[dontworry_behappy1]

All this talk about when can I drink.  I have seen this over and over asked and re asked.  The other day I read about pre treatment hepatitis C screening.
On of the point was....if people ask if they can drink and when....they most likely have an problem with alcohol.    

[sniperbob1950]

i'm sorry but if you survive this terrible monster disease  I would think the last thing you should worry about is   can I have a drink  do you know how many people would like to be in your shoes  sorry seems like a petty problem

[Mattsmom218]

I haven't asked my doctor that question yet. I have an active social life where my friends do like to consume alcohol especially during football season. Only my best friend knows I am in treatment now so what I've been doing is taking my cup and filling it with cranberry juice to look like cranberry/vodka. I don't like to have conversations with people about why I'm not drinking its none of their business. I choose NOT to drink during treatment. I plan on having an occasional glass of wine on the weekends when I go out to dinner or hang with friends after tx-- but that's it.  I am so grateful and blessed to be non detected right now and I am trying to get myself as healthy as I can be.

I have stage 3 fibrosis and my doctor told me all that will go away in about 2 years. My liver will be like new!

[hepcandme]

Sobriety is the new black

[Ekkiemom]

Hi there, an answer to your question...no fibrosis does not go away, however your liver will regenerate.

Peace
Deb

[Ekkiemom]

Hi.. you are the only one that can make that decision. And I think I can speak for a few here on the forum, and that is we are all here to help with any questions that are asked, however if you were maybe looking for the community to in some way make drinking ok I doubt if you will find many that would support.
I think each person knows what is right and wrong for them. I wish you good luck and continued health
Peace
Deb