smoking and hep c treatment

[Ruth590]

Hi everyone, I am new here but not new to the disease. My husband had a liver transplant  almost 2 years ago. He has been on interferon for 72 weeks. He can't work no energy,depressed,pain,can't sleep and does not want to get out of bed. The only thing he wants to do is smoke cigarettes. He has chronic bronchitis and should not be smoking but the doctor said it is interfering with his treatment. His viral load keeps going up and down. He is just existing not living. Does any one have any thoughts or encouraging words that might help us. Thanks, Ruth590

[Rockerforlife]

MAYBE try accupuncture...thats if he wants to quit...if he wants to smoke...there is nothing you can do...other than chopping his hands off...i dont know what else to say....does he want to live or what?

[fretboard]

Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear of your difficulty.  You surely can't make someone quit smoking that's for sure.  Here's an idea, maybe if he's out of it enough you can buy some of those 7mg. patches and slap one on him somewhere. lol  Unfortunately, the patches or anything he may take may be too toxic for a weak liver, so of course you would want to look into it first.  It really sounds like he doesn't much care anymore and that's a shame.  I'm sure he's not dumb and he knows what's going on, one thing that you can do is stop buying them for him.  It's just a thought, I don't know if it's possible, but anything is worth a try at this point.  I went on pubmed and pulled something off of there, I'm sure you could find something better, if you take a look.  good luck  




Smoking and alanine aminotransferase levels in hepatitis C virus infection: implications for prevention of hepatitis C virus progression.

Wang CS, Wang ST, Chang TT, Yao WJ, Chou P.
National Yang-Ming University, Institute of Public Health, Shih-Pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan, Republic of China. ***@****

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor for elevated ALT levels, but the role of cigarette smoking is unclear. METHODS: We collected a cross-sectional sample of 6095 inhabitants 35 years or older in a community with hyperendemic hepatitis B and C virus infections. We assayed levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the factors for elevated ALT levels (> or =40 U/L) among people with different hepatitis infection statuses. RESULTS: Prevalence of elevated ALT levels in individuals who were seronegative for both infections or seropositive for HBsAg or anti-HCV was 3.9%, 11.1%, and 30.8%, respectively. Subjects with elevated ALT levels were more likely to be seropositive for anti-HCV, male, and seropositive for HBsAg; to drink alcohol; to smoke; and to have undergone blood transfusion (P<.05). An association was found between elevated ALT levels and the consumption of cigarettes and alcohol among anti-HCV-seropositive subjects. In multivariate logistic analyses, alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.1) and smoking (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.7) were significantly associated with elevated ALT levels among anti-HCV-seropositive subjects, but no such association was found among HBsAg-seropositive subjects. The odds of elevated ALT levels were 7 times higher (95% CI, 2.7-18.8) for the anti-HCV-seropositive patients who smoked 1 or more packs of cigarettes per day and frequently drank alcohol than for those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and alcohol consumption are independently associated with elevated ALT levels among anti-HCV-seropositive individuals but not among HBsAg-seropositive individuals. Patients who are seropositive for anti-HCV are strongly advised not to smoke and drink alcohol to reduce the possible risk for aggravating the liver dysfunction.

[Ruth590]

Thank you so much for thoughts. I have purchased the 21 mg. patches and I caught him wearing the patch and smoking. I do not buy the cigarettes, we have a store 2 blocks away and I quit last october. I will admit I cheated a few times when I am really stressed but not in front of him. Thanks for listening, Ruthh590

[sunshine585]

It's not safe for him to be on nicotine patches and be smoking, very hard on his heart. If you think he's going to be sneaking them, you might want to talk to his doc about what a safer dosage of nic. patch might be. Also, my brother tried acupuncture, and it was successful for him. However like Rocker says, he has to want to quit. I know it's difficult, good luck.

[bajawoman]

Ruth and All
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27001174/  this is a site for a new stop smoking does not contain nicotine I have been looking at the side affects it is processed through the kidneys too  Champix is the brand name Varenciline is the drug cuts the desire to smoke the biggest sx is nausea but worth a try may help him cut down and it is just another pill so he maybe wouldn't notice  ask your doctor  My GI recommended it for my bad smoking habit going to buy it soon
Baja

[Deb_c430]

Stopping smoking is hard, especially on treating, so hard, 72 weeks is a long time to feel so bad.  

I have heard some good things about hypnotism, not sure if it would work or no.  I have heard  good and bad about it. There is also a drug out I think the one baja said,  Others have used it, (not HCvers)   I would really do some homework on it and the drugs he is taking.

Accupunture I don't know, I sort of worry about getting stuck with needles, though I am sure they autoclave before re used.

Best of luck. Deb

[lapis]

Acupuncture needles are disposable.  They are very very fine needles, much smaller than sewing needles, and they are not reused.

[rita863]

Ruth,  I wish i could say there was a magic stop smoking drug, but i think i have tried everything.  Chantrix is the new one, but when i started tx my doc said i would have enough sides from peg and interf. so i should wait on chantrix.  He did however highly encourge me to quit before tx.  i am stubborn and i am still smoking.  ihave two more shots and perhaps once i get healthy part of that program will be to quit smoking...

peace
rita

[Ruth590]

Hi Rita, I have tried chantix and it gave me headaches. So I quit cold turkey. But now I am always sucking on hard candy and i broke a cap. you can't win. my husband his name is Bob put a patch on last night before he went to bed and so far he hasn't smoked. I really miss smoking but if I didn't quit he wouldn't either. well thanks for listening, Ruth

[mikesimon]

I believe that you have to really and truly imagine yourself not smoking. Not smoking is really just like smoking. Work is the same, home is the same, your family and friends are the same, the TV shows are the same and the only difference is that you're just not smoking. I know this because I have smoked and quit and I have decided to start smoking again and I have cut my smoking down to just evenings and weekends. And some of these periods have lasted for years. I had recently been smoking evening and weekends for about 2 years when I decided to quit it all again. That was in March of this year. One night I imagined not smoking and made it real in my mind. I stopped the next day. The pack of cigarettes I had been smoking are still on the table next to my recliner where I watch TV. I don't see them or think about them at all and I really never did once I stopped. That's probably why they're still there - I just don't ever think about them. I believe that is why hypnosis works - because you do it in your mind first and then all that is left is for your body to follow along. I did and still do chew some nicorette gum because there really is a nicotine addiction in there too. I could stop the gum now but I do rather enjoy it because I can do it when I want to and it is nicotine after all., The patch never helped me and, in fact, I think it hurt me because I wasn't in control of when I could take the nicotine. And there was no activity associated with the patch like there is with chewing the gum. I really do believe this mind thing but I also know that it is not easy to truly imagine and accept not smoking in your mind. That really does take some effort but if you tackle it very seriously I do believe that you have a good chance of succeeding. I did so it is definitely doable.
Mike

[Deb_c430]

good to know that lapis.    I find it easier to quite  cold turkey also , I willl chew a piece of nicotine gum or two, it is always ok till around 6 weeks for me.    then i tempt it,

I smoke maybe on or two cigarettes a week,  just to chat with hubby after dinner,     You would think I would just stop!  Its a will power thing for me!  I am with Mike on this.

Rita also,  I will get through this!  

[mikesimon]

If you only smoke 1 or 2 cigarettes a week why would you even want to quit? I wouldn't think about quitting. When I said I smoked evenings and weekends I was talking about 6 or 7 a night and 12 to 15 on Saturday and Sunday so that really was a habit. 1 or 2 a week isn't really a habit so much as a lifestyle or an indulgence. Once you get to be SVR you can have a drink with those cigarettes too and still be OK - in my world anyway.
Mike

[Deb_c430]

well because! it stinks lol!    i wash hands and brush teeth directly after!  Ny husband when he comes in from a cig, i make faces at him!    Helps get even with the tissue ears!  

[Kathy73]

I quit smoking a year ago on Chantix. It worked for me without the side effects of antidepressants. It took away the psychological challenge although I still had the physical challenge. It was the easiest quit I ever had and I've been smoke-ended, hypnotized, patched, cold turkeyed...you know of it I tried it!

[Marcia2202]

I used to be a heavy smoker... between 1 - 3 packs a day, depending on circumstances. After smoking for over 21 years, November 1998, I quit cold turkey. Haven't taken even a puff ever after. It was easy, because my mind was set. Of course my body had to adjust and I observed weird physical sides. During the years before that, I had stopped every time I remained pregnant, always cold turkey, without any help of patches, gum etc.

[Ruth590]

We don't smoke in the house. My worst time is with my morning coffee, then eating a meal. I have a dalmation that always wants to go out so I go out. We really need to change things were associate with smoking. I will gain weight cause I want sweets all the time now, but when i'm over the cigarettes i'll worry about my weight, Ruth

[Marcia2202]

Why don't you try eat something savory, some of the times you crave for something sweet. And then gradually go into more savory food.

I just read that one of our members lost 60 lb in quite a short time doing this.

Marcia

[rita863]

Ruth,

I dont smoke in my house either, and i work on a college campus that has banned smoking....The whole thing is that if you want to quit, the patch works, the gum works, its just "wanting to quit".  I am banned from smoking everywhere excpet out side of my house and it hasnt stopped me!!!  I know I am an idiot! but its a habit....i did quit once for one year, and gained 35lbs!!!!!! i am on 4'11, the site wasnt pretty....although now i can use some weight!  Hopefully after TX I can take the get healthy approach to life and quit this nasty habit!!!
Good luck

peace
rita

[Rockerforlife]

Smoking is the most stinky dumbest, dirtiest .discusting rotten...waste of time a human being can do to his mind and body...if you smoke dont even bother coming near me...NOT A CHANCE IN HELL...im a reformed smoker....cant ya tell?

[Ruth590]

I agree 100%. You have to want to quit or you will find a way to smoke. If my husband, Bobs lungs were not so bad I would let him smoke and I would smoke right along with him until the end of treatment. We don't even know when that will be, he is on week 77 and his viral load is 4 million. Back to you ,you are not an idiot,you have a lot to contend with and it seems you are doing O.K. Thanks for the chat, Ruth

[mikesimon]

http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=12849

Cigarette Smoking, Hepatitis C Virus Synergistic in Raising Liver Cancer Risk

NEW YORK NOV 19, 2008 (Reuters Health) - There appears to be a synergistic link between smoking and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, leading to a more than 136-fold increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in men, according to a team at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Manal M. Hassan and colleagues in Houston also found a link between HCV, heavy alcohol consumption and HCC in women.

Dr. Hassan's team conducted a case-control study of 319 HCC patients and 1,061 healthy controls to evaluate the effects of active and passive smoking on risk factors for HCC in men and women.

The use of smokeless tobacco, cigars and pipes, and passive smoking exposure were not related to HCC among noncigarette smokers.

However, regular cigarette smoking was associated with HCC in men, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.9. Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with HCC in women, with an AOR of 7.7.

Co-infection with HCV increased risk of HCC exponentially. "Cigarette smoking interacted synergistically with chronic infection of hepatitis C virus in men," Dr. Hassan's team reports in the October 15 International Journal of Cancer. They found an AOR of 136.3 for HCC for male smokers with HCV infection.

Women chronically infected with HCV who were heavy drinkers had an AOR of 13.7 for HCC.

"We conclude that sex differences were observed in HCC's relationship with cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption," the authors write. "Controlling smoking exposure might be a prudent approach to the prevention of HCC, especially in patients with chronic viral hepatitis infections."

SOURCE:

    * Int J Cancer 2008;123:1883-1891.

[Deb_c430]

see? that's why even two a week is to many Mike, it's a european thing though.  Always great advice!

[Deb_c430]

no games, just the fact s jack, just the facts!

[Rockerforlife]

No back doors with me either...i tell it like it is,,,the truth hurts....its suppose too....lies are the easy way out....no pain...no gain