Aa
Shall I wait one year before start therapy?
I was 40 this month and my present has been hepatitis C. I am waiting for the byopsy results, have no apparent synthoms (other than tired) but I know that it has been with me around 20 years already. I was recomended to start therapy as soon as I could. The question is: If there are no sign of Fibrosis (let alone cirrosis), Should I rent a house and start this year or wait to do an extension and with the house done, start next year?
Hello!! When I first came to this board, I asked about having just one glass of wine during treatment and WHEW!!!! I heard all about it!!! I was also called an alcoholic!! After I was treating for 8 weeks, and became UND, I went to eat with my friend and did have one glass of wine. But that was it until I finished. Now on a social occasion I will tend to have several glasses. I am not considered SVR yest, I have 3 more months of the "waiting game" But believe me, that when I am deemed SVR, I will make up for lost time!!! I do not drink alot, I , like you love my wine!!!! I think its really important to take care of yourself now and during treatment. Its only a year, compared to the rest of your life. I know its frustrating and "life changing" my remember its only TEMPORARY!!!
Best of luck to you
Best of luck to you
understand your frustraton, the amount of information on here can be overwhelming and/or depressing, but also very helpful if you take some time to process and don't become alarmist.
I was only diagnosed this month with Hep C, but have had auto immune dseases for years, Ergo I had long ago stopped drinking, and for occasions we choose non-alcoholic beers and wines, some of which are quite tasty, and this allows us to participate with friends and famly, without compromsing our immune systems.
If you can realize that the joy of living is based on having things lke fresh air, friends, blessings, and even faith, you can get past the idea that alcohol must be a vehicle within that joy. It's not the real cause of joy, only a medication that sometimes intensfies both good and bad thoughts and emotions.
You may want to learn more about what alcohol converts into. Several chemicals that are as toxic and cousins to turpentine, the breakdown of alcohol is not just a friendly solvent, like water is, it is a highly charged toxic soup the liver tres to deal with immmediately to prevent actual damage.
the damage to a healthy liver may be repairable, but each drink takes it toll and if your body already carries a ticking time bomb, why would you want to toy with making it go off?
Also, remember that, God forbid your liver should start to fail, you inclusion in any transplant list is predicated on you not being alcoholic or a drug user. So should you wish to enjoy your grandchildren, it would be better to get past the hard decision, and think in terms of your future.
Try to keep n mind there a thousands of very interesting people to befriend who do not drink, and ergo tend to not run in the same crowds, but nevertheless will prove to be deeper and more meaningful friendships than those the drinking crowd will afford you.
Perhaps it might help to sit down with an empty bottle of whatever, and say goodbye old friend, and have a good cry. We often tend to lean on alcohol for comfort when lonely, courage when in a crowd, or just plain change of venue. In the end though, alcohol contributes to many behaviors which lead to exposures to HIV/HCV as it weakens the persons will to avoid potentially dangerous behaviors.
While not everyone contracts HCV this way, enough have, and will, to really stop and ask ourselves, was alcohol such a good old friend after all.
Hope this helps, and remember saying goodbye to some things in life can be a hello to better things to come.
Merrybe
I was only diagnosed this month with Hep C, but have had auto immune dseases for years, Ergo I had long ago stopped drinking, and for occasions we choose non-alcoholic beers and wines, some of which are quite tasty, and this allows us to participate with friends and famly, without compromsing our immune systems.
If you can realize that the joy of living is based on having things lke fresh air, friends, blessings, and even faith, you can get past the idea that alcohol must be a vehicle within that joy. It's not the real cause of joy, only a medication that sometimes intensfies both good and bad thoughts and emotions.
You may want to learn more about what alcohol converts into. Several chemicals that are as toxic and cousins to turpentine, the breakdown of alcohol is not just a friendly solvent, like water is, it is a highly charged toxic soup the liver tres to deal with immmediately to prevent actual damage.
the damage to a healthy liver may be repairable, but each drink takes it toll and if your body already carries a ticking time bomb, why would you want to toy with making it go off?
Also, remember that, God forbid your liver should start to fail, you inclusion in any transplant list is predicated on you not being alcoholic or a drug user. So should you wish to enjoy your grandchildren, it would be better to get past the hard decision, and think in terms of your future.
Try to keep n mind there a thousands of very interesting people to befriend who do not drink, and ergo tend to not run in the same crowds, but nevertheless will prove to be deeper and more meaningful friendships than those the drinking crowd will afford you.
Perhaps it might help to sit down with an empty bottle of whatever, and say goodbye old friend, and have a good cry. We often tend to lean on alcohol for comfort when lonely, courage when in a crowd, or just plain change of venue. In the end though, alcohol contributes to many behaviors which lead to exposures to HIV/HCV as it weakens the persons will to avoid potentially dangerous behaviors.
While not everyone contracts HCV this way, enough have, and will, to really stop and ask ourselves, was alcohol such a good old friend after all.
Hope this helps, and remember saying goodbye to some things in life can be a hello to better things to come.
Merrybe
I have just re-read the hole thing and I can just say that I am glad you all are in the other side. Thank you again for your support. My chest is about to explode, crying in sadness and rage. I was reading the forum last night till late and I got very scared...
I will catch up with you after my results. For now, I am off to Spain to tell my father to open the 'non openable' botels reserved for collection and drink the best of them with my familly, before the 12th, that I will be back for the results. That will be it until I finish my treatment.
I will catch up with you after my results. For now, I am off to Spain to tell my father to open the 'non openable' botels reserved for collection and drink the best of them with my familly, before the 12th, that I will be back for the results. That will be it until I finish my treatment.
Try water with thin sliced cucumber and lemon or lime or both...
Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
You don't go on -- heck that's what a forum is FOR... Reading, writing and communication!
Meki
Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
You don't go on -- heck that's what a forum is FOR... Reading, writing and communication!
Meki
just to give you some insight into my story, around 15 years ago I used to like my wine as well, by this time my youthful twenties days of getting hammered, etc were long gone, (I found I couldn't take the hangover from just 3 glasses the next morning after I was out of my twenties)
I at least maybe matured in this ONE respect, lol....so I'd just enjoy an occasional glass of wine with friends, mostly if I went out to dinner, and I went out to dinner 4 times a week, if not more in those days. I considered myself not an expert by any means, but somewhat familiar with wines and good food. I really liked the occasional Cabernet, but a good Bordeaux or Pinot Noir would rock my world. I really liked going up to wine tastings in the Napa Valley, etc...
I also lived in Berlin so I got a pretty fair understanding of good German beer, which I loved as well. But then, all of sudden, really....like overnight....drinking just didn't agree with me anymore. I would drink a glass of something, then I'd get a tremendous headache right after...well, I wasn't having this, but it wouldn't matter, I'd try, and try again, till I just finally gave it up entirely. When it isn't fun, it isn't worth it.
That was like, 15 years ago or something, and I really think the hep was telling me something, or something was telling me something! lol...but I'm so glad I stopped at that point, because I am in pretty dang good shape now at 53 and having this for 30 years or so. But what I really found out, is that after the first year or less (I still missed it, particulary at social events, etc.) , you just get used to not drinking alcohol, and then it's just no big deal at all. I remember I felt kind of odd at parties, but then it was more about having something in my hand while I was talking to people, it's like you need *something* to do with your hands. So I'd just drink some fizzy water with lime, whatever, and I found out that I had just as much fun, had just as much personality, without alcohol in my life. And boy, was it lovely to wake up in the morning completely refreshed, without having to drink coffee or whatever. Now it's been so long, I hardly remember what it was like, and could care less really. My life is just as good without it, if not better. I think with me, it was kind of a habit, a habit that I just got over and it was fine. Don't even think about it or miss it at all now. Sometimes I think I just psyched myself into thinking that I needed that to have fun with my friends, or enjoy a good dinner, etc...but that was just in my head. For me that is. My mother enjoys a good glass of wine with dinner, and I hardly notice she's even drinking it. Anyway, I do go on dont I? ha ha, just sharing my experience, it's not that bad drinking fizzy water, or flat water either!
I at least maybe matured in this ONE respect, lol....so I'd just enjoy an occasional glass of wine with friends, mostly if I went out to dinner, and I went out to dinner 4 times a week, if not more in those days. I considered myself not an expert by any means, but somewhat familiar with wines and good food. I really liked the occasional Cabernet, but a good Bordeaux or Pinot Noir would rock my world. I really liked going up to wine tastings in the Napa Valley, etc...
I also lived in Berlin so I got a pretty fair understanding of good German beer, which I loved as well. But then, all of sudden, really....like overnight....drinking just didn't agree with me anymore. I would drink a glass of something, then I'd get a tremendous headache right after...well, I wasn't having this, but it wouldn't matter, I'd try, and try again, till I just finally gave it up entirely. When it isn't fun, it isn't worth it.
That was like, 15 years ago or something, and I really think the hep was telling me something, or something was telling me something! lol...but I'm so glad I stopped at that point, because I am in pretty dang good shape now at 53 and having this for 30 years or so. But what I really found out, is that after the first year or less (I still missed it, particulary at social events, etc.) , you just get used to not drinking alcohol, and then it's just no big deal at all. I remember I felt kind of odd at parties, but then it was more about having something in my hand while I was talking to people, it's like you need *something* to do with your hands. So I'd just drink some fizzy water with lime, whatever, and I found out that I had just as much fun, had just as much personality, without alcohol in my life. And boy, was it lovely to wake up in the morning completely refreshed, without having to drink coffee or whatever. Now it's been so long, I hardly remember what it was like, and could care less really. My life is just as good without it, if not better. I think with me, it was kind of a habit, a habit that I just got over and it was fine. Don't even think about it or miss it at all now. Sometimes I think I just psyched myself into thinking that I needed that to have fun with my friends, or enjoy a good dinner, etc...but that was just in my head. For me that is. My mother enjoys a good glass of wine with dinner, and I hardly notice she's even drinking it. Anyway, I do go on dont I? ha ha, just sharing my experience, it's not that bad drinking fizzy water, or flat water either!
Dear all;
I am overwelmed by your sincere responses. I take good note of them all. I know that to be in the safe side, I shouldn't drink at all. I know too that, as research is concerned, there is a clear cut in terms of alcohol abusers with hepatitis C: they are 6 times as luckly to develop cirrosis than those who don't have the virus. The damage a single drink or two at day depends not only in the state of the liver but also in many other factors, like your diet or simply the resistence an individual has... There is no way to test this so far so nobody knows.
Don't you worry nygirl7 and meki, I know how to look after myself, I can stop after one whenever I want to, but I never had to do it against my will. I just find it VERY hard to get around the idea, as I strongly believe that the art of making spirits (specially wine) and the even more dificult fine skill of searching, tasting and sharing the experience with friends and family enriches one's personal life, as it does knowing and talking about literature, cuisines, traditions or different cultures (I could see cultural differences here: alcohol is not evil to my understanding).
It is not about not being able to perform without it, it is more like having made the conscious decision of wanting to live with it and enjoy it with all it brings. I see that I am not luky and perhaps the romanticism, love and passion I have for wine will have to be repressed some how. After all, in the scale of things,other matters are more important.
As per the options about the treatment, I will inform myself properly about the VX950 and the possible time to wait for it. Thanks mreemet... good tip too! ;-)
From now on, (and for everybody's piece of mind), I have the pleasure to announce that I have just become a frustated alcoholic (for american standards) OR a poor sad individual unable to fulfil the requirements of her family and cultural heritage.....
.... but I will take revenge when I am cured.
Love to you all
I am overwelmed by your sincere responses. I take good note of them all. I know that to be in the safe side, I shouldn't drink at all. I know too that, as research is concerned, there is a clear cut in terms of alcohol abusers with hepatitis C: they are 6 times as luckly to develop cirrosis than those who don't have the virus. The damage a single drink or two at day depends not only in the state of the liver but also in many other factors, like your diet or simply the resistence an individual has... There is no way to test this so far so nobody knows.
Don't you worry nygirl7 and meki, I know how to look after myself, I can stop after one whenever I want to, but I never had to do it against my will. I just find it VERY hard to get around the idea, as I strongly believe that the art of making spirits (specially wine) and the even more dificult fine skill of searching, tasting and sharing the experience with friends and family enriches one's personal life, as it does knowing and talking about literature, cuisines, traditions or different cultures (I could see cultural differences here: alcohol is not evil to my understanding).
It is not about not being able to perform without it, it is more like having made the conscious decision of wanting to live with it and enjoy it with all it brings. I see that I am not luky and perhaps the romanticism, love and passion I have for wine will have to be repressed some how. After all, in the scale of things,other matters are more important.
As per the options about the treatment, I will inform myself properly about the VX950 and the possible time to wait for it. Thanks mreemet... good tip too! ;-)
From now on, (and for everybody's piece of mind), I have the pleasure to announce that I have just become a frustated alcoholic (for american standards) OR a poor sad individual unable to fulfil the requirements of her family and cultural heritage.....
.... but I will take revenge when I am cured.
Love to you all
that this old tired conversation has at least gotten more civil< I can also name several prominent hepatology docs who say the same thing as what NYGirl said...that being said, I realize that wine or beer is a cultural thing in Europe, and not necessarily equated with alcoholism, etc....I have no problem with that...so even if it's "inconvenient" you probably don't want to be drinking during the disease process and during treatment...But I agree with Jim, research this thoroughly...
What might convince you is looking at the actual treatment ingredients, you can look at them on the lit or their website I think...look at all those chemicals! And look at the potential list of side effects we can get from those chemicals!
We have no other choice right now to get rid of the virus (except trials, and they are coming more and more often) but this treatment has a lot of potentially harmful but I guess necessary chemicals...does anyone want to be adding alcohol to that mix? You've got enough to deal with just with the treatment. Don't put the cart before the horse, find out what your damage is, if any, and then go from there.
But I am like NYGirl, I am very, very glad I gave up drinking when I did 15 years ago or so (it just didnt agree with me anymore, maybe it was the hep talking to me but I didn't know it) because when I did become diagnosed with this, I had very little liver damage and great labs, that might of contributed to that.
What might convince you is looking at the actual treatment ingredients, you can look at them on the lit or their website I think...look at all those chemicals! And look at the potential list of side effects we can get from those chemicals!
We have no other choice right now to get rid of the virus (except trials, and they are coming more and more often) but this treatment has a lot of potentially harmful but I guess necessary chemicals...does anyone want to be adding alcohol to that mix? You've got enough to deal with just with the treatment. Don't put the cart before the horse, find out what your damage is, if any, and then go from there.
But I am like NYGirl, I am very, very glad I gave up drinking when I did 15 years ago or so (it just didnt agree with me anymore, maybe it was the hep talking to me but I didn't know it) because when I did become diagnosed with this, I had very little liver damage and great labs, that might of contributed to that.
As I'm sure you know, there are some cultural differences between the US and much of Europe concerning alcohol consumption. These differences can lead to misunderstandings about your stated alcohol use (although the virus doesn't respect nor understand cultural differences). But whatever decision you make about how much you decide to drink either before, during or after treatment I would look into taking milk thistle as a way of possibly helping to curb possible damage from alcohol consumption. I'm not a big advocate of alternative therapies when it comes to hep C treatment, but I've done a bit of research on the topic and learned a few things over the years. Although there's very little real evidence that milk thistle helps to prevent damage to the liver caused by the virus (contrary to what some might tell you), there is a reasonable body of evidence to suggest that milk thistle can protect our liver from toxins (the mechanism causing viral damage to the liver is different than that caused by blood toxins). Toxins that include a deadly liver poison called carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), the poisonous deathcap mushroom (that can be fatal if not treated with milk thistle extract) and perhaps even alcohol too. Milk thistle hasn't been proven conclusively to help protect our HCV infected livers against additional damage from alcohol, but there's a reasonable body of evidence to suggest it might well do that. And considering its extremely safe side effect profile and relatively cheap price, in my opinion its worthwhile to take in the event it actually does help our livers (especially in regards to concurrent HCV+ status and continued alcohol consumption).
But to reiterate what was said previously, don't jump into treatment just yet. Get your biopsy and find out where you stand. If you have minimal to moderate fibrosis, really look into the possibility of a phase 3 protease inhibitor drug trial (VX950/telaprevir preferably) or perhaps wait until one is FDA approved. Considering you're genotype 1, you'll probably be very glad you did. Whatever you decide, best of luck.
But to reiterate what was said previously, don't jump into treatment just yet. Get your biopsy and find out where you stand. If you have minimal to moderate fibrosis, really look into the possibility of a phase 3 protease inhibitor drug trial (VX950/telaprevir preferably) or perhaps wait until one is FDA approved. Considering you're genotype 1, you'll probably be very glad you did. Whatever you decide, best of luck.
t's the finding "hard" that would worry me a little bit..
People who tend to find it hard not to drink a few bottles of wine a week - in GENERAL - are the type of people who cannot stop at one drink, therefore NO drinking is advocated.
Personally it's each persons decision what they do but Dr. J. matter of factly said that he's never heard of ANY reputable doctor advise someone with LIVER DAMAGE that it's ok to drink alcohol no matter WHAT the situation.
And for someone who finds it hard not to drink BOTTLES of wine a week - well honestly anyone who has to ASK if it's OK to drink with Hep and Liver Damage seems to ME to know it's not good for them otherwise they would use common sense and just not do it.
I don't want to get into this same old same old anymore but common sense tells me that I can put my hand into the fire two times a week but...I probably shouldn't.
People who tend to find it hard not to drink a few bottles of wine a week - in GENERAL - are the type of people who cannot stop at one drink, therefore NO drinking is advocated.
Personally it's each persons decision what they do but Dr. J. matter of factly said that he's never heard of ANY reputable doctor advise someone with LIVER DAMAGE that it's ok to drink alcohol no matter WHAT the situation.
And for someone who finds it hard not to drink BOTTLES of wine a week - well honestly anyone who has to ASK if it's OK to drink with Hep and Liver Damage seems to ME to know it's not good for them otherwise they would use common sense and just not do it.
I don't want to get into this same old same old anymore but common sense tells me that I can put my hand into the fire two times a week but...I probably shouldn't.
Don't want to get into a tiff with my friend "NYGirl" (and this will be my last post on this subject) but I know the doctor she goes to -- I recommended him in fact -- but I saw two equally eminent liver specialists and they had a different take. In fact, my treating liver specialist, now that I'm cured, suggested a couple of drinks, 4-5 times a week, to help my cardio issues. I think everyone agrees you should have no alcohol during treatment and that heavy drinking has no place at all before and after treatment. As to light-moderate drinking before and after treatment -- I suggest you consult with your doctor(s) and do your own research.
-- Jim
-- Jim
If you have liver damage and continue to drink like that you are crazy. You need to cut the liquor OUT and kill the virus and heal the liver and then maybe then have a very occasion glass of wine.
Right now all you are doing is pouring gasoline on an open fire. Believe me, I did it for many years and ended up with Stage 3 liver damage at my biopsy. I wish I had known and quit drinking earlier.
One of the top hep doctors in the world (Dr. Jacobson) very very strongly said no drinking, at all, and that no reputable doctor would EVER advise anyone with liver damage & hepC that it was ok to have any alcohol at all.
After treatment of course if you had slight liver damage and did kill the virus maybe a glass of wine once in a while but...........you have to remember even if you are thinking you don't have any fibrosis...chances are after drinking and having hepc for over 20 years chances are you do.
Get the biopsy and then decide what course to take.
But drinking before or during treatment is well...............not smart (as you already know or wouldn't have brought it up). Someone will ALWAYS agree with you that it's perfectly fine to drink if you want to find someone to but if you want the TRUTH - no alcohol. It does suck but treatment is not very long and the cure could be forever.
You need to decide which is more important - the wine or your life.
Right now all you are doing is pouring gasoline on an open fire. Believe me, I did it for many years and ended up with Stage 3 liver damage at my biopsy. I wish I had known and quit drinking earlier.
One of the top hep doctors in the world (Dr. Jacobson) very very strongly said no drinking, at all, and that no reputable doctor would EVER advise anyone with liver damage & hepC that it was ok to have any alcohol at all.
After treatment of course if you had slight liver damage and did kill the virus maybe a glass of wine once in a while but...........you have to remember even if you are thinking you don't have any fibrosis...chances are after drinking and having hepc for over 20 years chances are you do.
Get the biopsy and then decide what course to take.
But drinking before or during treatment is well...............not smart (as you already know or wouldn't have brought it up). Someone will ALWAYS agree with you that it's perfectly fine to drink if you want to find someone to but if you want the TRUTH - no alcohol. It does suck but treatment is not very long and the cure could be forever.
You need to decide which is more important - the wine or your life.
Depending on the extent of your liver damage -- and your weight -- it's possible your doctor will allow you to go back to your drinking habits after treatment, being that they seem to be no more than 1-2 drinks per day, or perhaps will have you modify it just a little. As for treatment, you do understand that it would be in your best interest to cut out alcohol entirely for that period of time. I'd take it one step at a time. Get your biospy results. Make a decision whether to treat or not. And then discuss the enitre alcohol situation with your doctor. Meanwhile, you might want to experiment with a single glass of wine maybe 4-5 times per week. BTW there are some non-alcoholic wines ( or very low) on the market and some are quite good, at least to this no-nothing-about-wine person :) Merely a suggestion, certainly not recommending a specific alcohol regimen to anyone.
-- Jim
-- Jim
-- Jim
-- Jim
I know we are adults.... I come from the Rioja-Alavesa, the best wine area in Spain. My grand-parents used to make wine for all the familly every year and I was allowed to drink at home with meals from very early on. My grandma 103 this year still drinks half a bottle at day. It just forms part of us, it is our soul not just our culture. We run the Bulls and that's difficult to explain too to an outsider. Wine for me is like having a nice expresso in the morning, or enjoying people's company. They share, like people, some characteristic but they are all different. As I don't understand life without a good meal, I don't understand life without wine. However:
I know you both are right. I will have to get to the idea that life does not carry on without a liver. Still, my mind screems more at the idea of never have anything to drink than at doing the treatment. I guess I will have to get a bit more frigtened. But it makes me sad
I know you both are right. I will have to get to the idea that life does not carry on without a liver. Still, my mind screems more at the idea of never have anything to drink than at doing the treatment. I guess I will have to get a bit more frigtened. But it makes me sad
I might get holy h*ll for this but this kind of popped out at me, but people's health is wht we're talking about, and keeping it...
I normally have 1 to 2 bottles of wine at week and a few beers on the week-ends. I don't think this is too much but I find it hard the thought of reducing it.
it's the finding "hard" that would worry me a little bit.. you know more then we do of course....we're all adults here, but this disease and treatment don't go too well with alcohol...once youre SVR, then that's another story...and moderate drinking for the people with livers that aren't too damaged is okay, this line of thinking is by far what I've heard from most patients and most doctors...
I normally have 1 to 2 bottles of wine at week and a few beers on the week-ends. I don't think this is too much but I find it hard the thought of reducing it.
it's the finding "hard" that would worry me a little bit.. you know more then we do of course....we're all adults here, but this disease and treatment don't go too well with alcohol...once youre SVR, then that's another story...and moderate drinking for the people with livers that aren't too damaged is okay, this line of thinking is by far what I've heard from most patients and most doctors...
Amatuer... Here's what my GI/Hepatologist said:
I don't think you'll have any problems with a glass of wine or beer now and then, but don't make it every night - and don't drink more than a few in a month --- try not to drink more than 3 glasses in one night. But use your judgement and listen to your body.
So when I SVRd - I bought an expensive bottle of champagne - and I drank 2 glasses! The pebbles on the road kept knocking me over when I tried to walk home from our friend's house which was only a block away.
But ---- know this about me ---- I'm not a real drinker... Never have been. I'm usually the designated driver... I can tie one on in 3 drinks and be lipping it on the floor - having fun. Yet - I can't do that often... I just don't like the heaves or any hangover feeling --- or that woozy feeling at all.
So - I'm not a good person to ask if it is ok... LOL! Alcohol just was never my bag.
I wouldn't drink a whole heck of a lot at all - save it for special occassions - and REALLY listen to your body.
If you can't handle just having ONLY ONE drink --- or so ---- Then don't start. Cause some folks can't stop once they start --- and that is a certain death for your liver.
I understand that we are, because of the HCV, much more sensitive to alcohol - and that it's more damaging to us than to others.
So my best advice is for you to take care of yourself FIRST.
Meki
I don't think you'll have any problems with a glass of wine or beer now and then, but don't make it every night - and don't drink more than a few in a month --- try not to drink more than 3 glasses in one night. But use your judgement and listen to your body.
So when I SVRd - I bought an expensive bottle of champagne - and I drank 2 glasses! The pebbles on the road kept knocking me over when I tried to walk home from our friend's house which was only a block away.
But ---- know this about me ---- I'm not a real drinker... Never have been. I'm usually the designated driver... I can tie one on in 3 drinks and be lipping it on the floor - having fun. Yet - I can't do that often... I just don't like the heaves or any hangover feeling --- or that woozy feeling at all.
So - I'm not a good person to ask if it is ok... LOL! Alcohol just was never my bag.
I wouldn't drink a whole heck of a lot at all - save it for special occassions - and REALLY listen to your body.
If you can't handle just having ONLY ONE drink --- or so ---- Then don't start. Cause some folks can't stop once they start --- and that is a certain death for your liver.
I understand that we are, because of the HCV, much more sensitive to alcohol - and that it's more damaging to us than to others.
So my best advice is for you to take care of yourself FIRST.
Meki
Jim
I am genotype 1 and the 12th of this month I get the results of the byopsy. I normally have 1 to 2 bottles of wine at week and a few beers on the week-ends. I don't think this is too much but I find it hard the thought of reducing it. I read tonight about Telaprevir and it looks that although it is having excellent results in terms of reducing treatment time, it is still waiting to start 'face III', whatever this might be. It will provably take still a couple of years or more to be launched, as medical trials do take a long time to be fully accepted.... let's see. Hopefully, I can have this 'luxury time'.
Thank you again to all of you. I feel very weird typing and sharing and talking about this all. It feels surreal...
I am genotype 1 and the 12th of this month I get the results of the byopsy. I normally have 1 to 2 bottles of wine at week and a few beers on the week-ends. I don't think this is too much but I find it hard the thought of reducing it. I read tonight about Telaprevir and it looks that although it is having excellent results in terms of reducing treatment time, it is still waiting to start 'face III', whatever this might be. It will provably take still a couple of years or more to be launched, as medical trials do take a long time to be fully accepted.... let's see. Hopefully, I can have this 'luxury time'.
Thank you again to all of you. I feel very weird typing and sharing and talking about this all. It feels surreal...
Nor formulas, but in general I'd wait unless you have stage 3 or 4 liver damage, especially if you're a genotype 1. If you're a genotype 2 or 3 (easier to treat with less time) then more arguments to treat now. Some doctors allow a glass of wine (or beer) with meals, some don't. A lot depends on how much liver damage you have, where you are in the treatment process, other medical conditions, and how much confidence the doctor has that you will stop with one "glass". (Alcoholics or heavy drinkers with HCV should cease all alcohol and seek treatment for their alcholism if necessary). VX-950 now goes under the name "Telaprevir".
-- Jim
-- Jim
Thank you very much for your responses. I really appreciate your support and ideas. I don't know anything about this VX950 inhibitor, I will look it up in the internet. I have read about the possible advantage ovulating women have, (perhaps due to the effect hormones may have in iron levels among others) and I am hoping, despite the 20 years that the evolution has been really slow and I haven't got much damage, so I can wait.
meki: I am a whiner too. Specially if it comes the time when I am not supposed to have my wine with a nice meal or my beer in the sun. Is there anybody who can tell me that it is OK to have a few of them at week?
meki: I am a whiner too. Specially if it comes the time when I am not supposed to have my wine with a nice meal or my beer in the sun. Is there anybody who can tell me that it is OK to have a few of them at week?
Unless you're F3 or beyond (i.e. significant fibrosis or cirrhosis), then I'd definitely hold off on treatment until VX950 or another protease inhibitor becomes available. Right now it's looking like VX950 will cut treatment time in half, while roughly doubling SVR rate at the same time. If you're truly an "amateur", then definitely invest some time looking into the new drugs before taking the plunge with IFN+riba alone.
make a decision based on your biopsy and blood work...they have better drugs in trials now, you could certainly wait for the trials or the actual drugs to come to market if your damage is negligible, some of us don't have the luxury to wait...
OK - it's like this:
Some people have no treatment problems... No side effects...
Some people fall flat on their faces and can't get out of bed.
So it depends on you - and how you react to the treatment that will determine whether you can function enough to do heavy duty labor, etc.
Good Luck with the TX --- it's hard... But if I... the biggest whiner in the world can make it through TX, you can do it too!
Hugs,
Meki
Some people have no treatment problems... No side effects...
Some people fall flat on their faces and can't get out of bed.
So it depends on you - and how you react to the treatment that will determine whether you can function enough to do heavy duty labor, etc.
Good Luck with the TX --- it's hard... But if I... the biggest whiner in the world can make it through TX, you can do it too!
Hugs,
Meki
I am sorry for your diagnosis.
The good news is that you are younger than most treating and the info I have read says that younger people have a better chance of making it through treatment and clearing the virus.
I don't know if a year is going to make that big of a difference. You need to consider what time is going to be the best and most comfortable for you. Sounds like you are building a house or something? It might be good to wait. I know I waited a year before treating bc I had twins and I wanted them to get a little bigger. I think it really depends on what is going on in your life. If this year is gonna be slow for ya, I'd go ahead and get it over with. If you will be more comfortable and stable a year from now, do it then. It's a very personal decision. Nobody can tell you what to do.
The good news is that you are younger than most treating and the info I have read says that younger people have a better chance of making it through treatment and clearing the virus.
I don't know if a year is going to make that big of a difference. You need to consider what time is going to be the best and most comfortable for you. Sounds like you are building a house or something? It might be good to wait. I know I waited a year before treating bc I had twins and I wanted them to get a little bigger. I think it really depends on what is going on in your life. If this year is gonna be slow for ya, I'd go ahead and get it over with. If you will be more comfortable and stable a year from now, do it then. It's a very personal decision. Nobody can tell you what to do.
Sorry also about your birthday present. However it probably can be returned! (With treatment if need be)
In "so called normal circumstances" we dont know what tomorrow may bring.
One day at a time..thats all you can do right now. When you get yor results that will determine
what your decison will be.
In "so called normal circumstances" we dont know what tomorrow may bring.
One day at a time..thats all you can do right now. When you get yor results that will determine
what your decison will be.
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