new hep-c - what are the do's and dont's

What can i do to preserve my liver and why cant we have that wonderful cup of coffee anymore. Why does our viral load flexuate. And can diet help lower it. And what about smoking? Im having a very hard time quiting with my new news. I know no alcohol but what else.

[silly little rabbit]

Hello
I was told the caffine would only dehrydrate us and it is very inportant too drink lots of water, it might sound silly or I thought so when something so simple was told too me but I did and sure enough It did help
Listen too your body it will let you know what it needs..rest, water,exercise ect ect.
Exercise was another biggie both for your mind body and soul.
"smiles" Respectfully, silly little rabbit

[Forseegood]

are you on treatment now? the answers to your questions will depend on whether you are on treatment or not.

[cuteus]

If coffee did not bother my tummy when I treated, I would have continued drinking it. There is no reason to stop all mental health foods! I drank coffee before tx, at times during tx and after tx, I am enjoying it once more.
AS for taking care of your liver; any activity that is beneficial to your general health; exercise, non processed foods and flours, no excessive alcohol, no smoking, etc. Anything that is beneficial to your whole body, should be good enough for the liver.
Some folks take things like milk thistle and other stuff in adittion to the good diet.
If you have time to read, scroll to existing threads here and in the archives. Lots of good stuff to read. I found stuff on hep c, not only in the hep c archives but in all the other archives for the other hepatitis(es) as well. Not sure why they are there though.

stay well

[jmjm530]

Many doctors suggest losing weight prior to tx if you're at all overweight. I know this is a b*tch if you also want to stop smoking, but you asked. :)

Also, make sure you touch bases with your doctor regarding any meds you're taking (other the conter or other), vitamins or supplemnts , since at this point you're so close to treatment. Some doctors, for example, do not recommend milk thistle during treatment, and there may also be a "window" before treatment. Personally, I'd nix all alcohol with two months to go. For weight loss and stopping smoking, long walks are great. Start gradually and work up to 40-60 minutes. During tx you may have to adjust. Also, look into an organization called SmokeEnders if you feel you need a little more motivation to stop. http://www.smokenders.com/ I successfully stopped smoking with their course about 20 years ago. Teriffic group support and skills that could carry over into your Hep C treatment.

That said, don't try too much at once because it's generally a formula for failure.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

I drink my coffee all the time.

Some people cautioned that because the Riba gives some people a "speedy" effect...watch the coffee but with the anemia I would have PAID for the speedy effect and drank a lot of coffee but did NOT count it towards my required WATER a day.

The water is CRUCIAL and the coffee is not the same thing for some reason.

[worrywortmom]

I havent started treatment and the doctor said it will probably be in two months before i start.

[worrywortmom]

Iam a little over weight. I weigh about 145 should weigh about 125 for my height, but was told not to lose weight because I could possible lose alot on treatment. Is this true, or should I start dieting now?

[jmjm530]

I'd work the weight issue out with your doctor then. Some people do lose weight on treatment but some also gain.

-- Jim

[mistybean]

I drink coffee all the time.  No worries.

[Karay]

The first couple of days after I started I woke up w/the shivers.  I find hot baths help alot.  My doctor allows me 4 Advil a day for my muscle/headaches.  I find that its unbearable if I don't take them.    Good luck with your treatment!

[silly little rabbit]

Hello everyone.
Wow LvdByGod!
I thought I was having what I refer too as a mental moment , I thought I had posted on the right place "grinz" thanks for keeping me on my toes lol..
As for the blister and stuff mine did not last that long on my lips but that balm my Dr gave me really made things better.
I am sorry too all of you I thought I had told you that I just compleated (Oct 3RD) my tx.
I had 6 months of  interfion along with some pills I take with it twice a day.
I still feeli like I am taking it though, I seem too be more tired now that during.
you people are truely wonderful, It feels so nice too come on this sight and see I have posts I can not explain how lucky I feel too have come across this sight and meet all of you.
I hope everyone is doing well, respectfully
silly little rabbit

[silly little rabbit]

Re  worrywortmom
Hiya.
I started out at 200lb and now weigh 130 however I have stopped worrying and chose too have fun with this .
Heck I have not been this small since high school.
So my husband and I went shopping and for the first time in years I can wear and try things that I have not been able too do.
AND wow do they have some really cute stuff in my new size.
I might be without hair but I can still dress and get my hubbys attention..BIG GRIN
My point here is that with my husbands help I have been able too find positives as I deal with the physical stuff, and have fun I do.
Respectfully Rabbit

[strator]

When I was starting treatment it was suggested I do my shot  2 hours before I usually go to bed, so I do tylenol at 9 and shot about 10pm figuring I sleep through some of the sx. The chills did wake me up big time the first week. Now(shot 9 tonight) I don't notice bad chills though I seem a little cold or hot all the time. After 1st 2 weeks shot doesn't seem to knock me for a loop as much. Drink that wawa, sometimes when I don't feel that well I realize I was slack on my water intake. It's like the little sx buggers don't like to get wet- 'hose em down!' and they run back to shore for a while.
Rest well, be healthy
Don

[chellski]

got those too after shot night in the beginning!  - i would take two tylenol pm to help me sleep thru it all....generally wake up feeling okay....i'm week #32 (tomorrow nite) you DO get thru this and there is light at the end of the tunnell!!
good luck to you - hope to hear from you soon
michelle

[Dweav]

Well seeing that your getting ready to start. I  would start drinking the water now

[sindog]

Hi, I ask my doctor alot of questions that come up on this forum. I asked about coffee. He said coffee is fine. When tx starts, he said coffee tends to dehydrate you, so try to drink an additional cup of water for every cup of coffee. By the way, I took my first shot and Riba yesterday. Took the shot at 4pm and felt great until 10 when I went to bed. Then got the shivers real bad. Thought I was gonna lose by breath. This morning my head hurts a little, but otherwise ok.

[vegas777]

this is a link on how to understand and live with fatigue...I found it helpful for me...




http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Fatigue_guide.pdf

[MerrieJane]

My understanding is that since coffee is dehydrating, you need to replace it with equal amount of water.  Because I have 1-2 cups in the morning...I try to up my water to about 80 oz/day.  Also....I am SO not losing weight.  In fact, I am up a good 5 pounds in 2 months.  I was looking forward to a little weight loss.  The pesimest within says....figures!    :)) (side smile with a double chin!)

MerrieJane

[sindog]

Thank you all for your suggestions and concern. I did take my shot a little early on Friday. I have a PA that works under my doctor, she set up the appointment to show me how to do it. Man, I drank a ton of water all day but I still got the worst chills of my life. The good thing is, is that the next day wasn't too bad and Sunday and today I felt fine. Still drinking plenty of water.