Am I done drinking ?

[rog1958]

I was diagnosed and successfully treated for hep c 1b 10 years ago with peg and rebitol.  I have been undetectable until this year and am about to begin triple tx tomorrow.  I believe i reaquired the virus through some inappropriate behavior several years ago but after reading other posts I am questioning my drinking as a possibility for the reoccurance. My question is should I completely abstain from alcohol (after I finish tx) I am obviously not drinking now but wonder if I am done forever.  Thanks for a great forum.  

[rog1958]

re testing.  good question.  I have been tested annually since I was svr. with no detectable.  Got a little cocky and played, safely, then stopped.  it was a couple of years later (after stopping) that alt and ast spiked.  I retested and showed vl about 200,000. So back to gastro and told them what I did and they wanted to recheck my geno again.  When this test came back there was no type because the virus was once again nondetectable. thought I dodged a bullet but following year (Jan this year) detectable again.  vl 280,000 got geno 1 b vl 380,000 then something doc didn't like about alt and ast, they were a littler higher than they should have been so  we scheduled ultra sound,then mri then biopsy.  Keep in minnd I am trying to time my insurance to max out deductible and treat this in one calendar year so I am getting a little anxious about the delays.  after a few more blood tests to rule out mri issues we got set up for tx.  Same geno as before so maybe it was stresses on my liver from moderate excessive drinking.  I am stage 3 fibrosis now, (last time 2) but am told that the liver can heal itself. I used to drink alot but not so much anymore. 6 pack lasts in fridge a month and maybe a drink out at dinner, big problem is gold and fishing, those are my weaknesses and caution flags.  I do not have suseptability to falling down with the drinking, my circle of friends is different.  
I will say that after looking at the stage 3 pics, I was disgusted.  There is no urge what so ever for a drink right now.  I will have to be careful if I decide to play  that it is with fire. This mind thought is usually enough to say no thanks.  
Hope I got all questions answered, good to see new faces, on day 3 and feeling a little better today.  

[babs824]

oops i almost forgot. why not try some heathy fats like avocado or nut butters. if u are lucky enuf to live longer u may want to have taken care of your body to prevent further damage. greek yogurt is great in a smoothie with avocado raspberries and oj. good luck

[babs824]

if i had been thru what u have been thru with your liver i would stay away from all alcohol and minimize any substances that add stress to your liver including medication unless necessary and even many supplements. moderate drinking has different meaning to different folks. if u insist on drinking i suspect u have some addiction issues, sorry. maybe only early stage but why push your luck? i have experienced and read of too many sad stories about liver damage to see why one needs to take such a risk. there are some wonderful beverages with out alcohol. do some research at your local health food store. if u miss the booze a lot there is the answer. welcome back and best of luck, babs

[BoceprevirGal]

Rog....I'm thinking,(fearing) that maybe after you SVR (again) and have a few glasses of wine (or what-ever your alcoholic vice was), that more "inapropriate behavior" may commence to happening....and I dont htink we are politely talking about sharing someone elses'  tooth-brush here, or even rough bloody unprotected sex?   Just sayin....
   One thing I dont understand, about your recent relapse:  Were you tested, within a year after you feel like you were exposed to blood products ( several yrs back), because the Hep C virus shows up, within two weeks to 6 weeks of exposure. It doesn't wait several years, and then pop up, from my medical understanding~
  I mean, did you have a negative Hep C test, say..two yrs ago, but this year, it was positive? Or did younever goet tested, after High Risk behavior occured?

[libzo2]

Crigger - haha I think it is whether or not a SVRed lucky person can drink alcohol again in limited amounts - moderation?  Not sure

Rog -  Congratulations on diving into the restorative waters, the baptism of your renewal - triple attack.  Good Job!  You are going to do better than you think once you get use to the water.  

A doctor at NIH in Bethesda - Dr. Rotman who was in clinical trials  instructed me to continue my daily glass of wine with dindin. It seemed contradictory.  I really couldn't bring myself to accept that risk.  I do however have one last bottle of my mothers Spanish wine that I plan to toast with only on my first years anniversary of SVR (hopefully).  Bona suerte

[James10500]

Best of luck to you with tx.