Drinking - Post Tx

[bunkywoo]

Hi All: Been 1-1/2 years post-tx (successful) and I wanted to get thoughts on occassional drinking. I haven't drank (and never did that much anyways) since being diagnosed - but was wondering if anyone else has the same fear that if you have one drink you may throw gasoline on any "hidden" buggers and re-ignite the fire. Has anyone drank after successful tx then had a PCR test done?

Just thinking of going out this weekend and indulging in a few.

Thanks for your thoughts and I hope everyone has a tolerable weekend!

Laurie

[cuteus]

mkandrewdotcom disposes of leftovers.

[bunkywoo]

Hey Jodi - how the heck are you and Amanda? I know I read a post a couple months ago that you were waiting to start tx after Amanda had a break. Hope both of you enjoyed your summer. I don't post much anymore (but do lurk). I'm happy to say that I do not visit this forum daily like I did during tx. That's the goal of all here I'm sure. I try to lend support and share good news for encouragement. Some of the oldies are always around and I enjoy reading their posts. There are just too many others to keep track of though.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I guess I'm just a big chicken. So much so that I still have about 3 full bottles of Rebetol and a couple weeks worth of Peg-Intron. I feel like if I throw them out IT will come back. If my next PCR (which I plan on getting in 6 months and then I'll just probably wait 5 years) comes back negative, I'll dispose of them. Yes I'm weird, but I get by.

Hope you all get through the weekend with minimal sides and hope you all keep the faith because this tx DOES WORK!

Laurie

[CCgirl]

I was told to enjoy an drink on occasion, was never a drinker anyway so that works for me.

[Lucky Lou]

thanks cuteus, but I'll plug it. Even if you are not a member of Delphi you can enter the Out of Bounds forum as a quest and view the thread called "Alcohol on TX" it is in the Debates/Spirted discussions folder. (After you read it you will understand why.) This subject of course continues to surface. I decided to just have at it and let the debate rage. There are many great studies and links on the thread. However in conclusion there is no conclusion. Personnally, from what I have read I can not find a single referance that drinking while on TX is safe. There is a risk. How serious that risk is where the debate is. But why risk not clearing? Doesn't make sense to me. After TX, I personnaly believe that after 1 year a glass of wine or a couple of beers, would be Ok. Others will diagree but I do not find the studies to back it up. Me, I am an alcoholic and choose not to drink anyway. But I have never been one to say "alcohol kills! It's bad!" Hell no! had some reat times with alcohol...and ahh..other things..pepsi?) But I know have to leave those more capable of handling it. The Nooooooooormal people!! (Bastards!)Anyway, thats what i think. But the thread is definitly worth looking at and a lot of folks from ere also posted there opinions there. the site is at
hhttp://forums.delphiforums.com/hepcotb/messages
Folder: debates/spirted discussions..
thread Alcohol on TX  72 plus post to date.(live thread)

Click guest and you can view it and the entire forum.

And if anyone starts crying that this was a plug expect a visit from my friend "Guido the Mole".. He'll be the big guy with the bent nose...can't miss him... and I'm positive he won't miss you!!!

Hey! It is what it is!

LOU the Spinnage Head Ravoli

[Fubarcat]

I agree with you.  I think once you are one year post tx, and remain SVR, that's it.  You are cured.  There are no little baby dragons just laying in wait to hatch.  It's done.  It's over.  No more virus!  I also agree that if there is moderate to severe liver damage, the idea of drinking should be carefully considered.  But that is due to the liver damage it may cause, not due to the fact that drinking alcohol is going to "hatch baby dragons".  

This may be sad to say, but one of the first things I'm looking forward to once I stop treatment (in 11 weeks - YEE HAW!!) is an occasional glass of wine!  My liver damage is not severe and I don't think an occasional glass of wine will kill me.  

It was my understanding that the liver is the only organ in the body that will regenerate itself.  So, if that is the case, if a Hepper clears the virus, how come the liver won't regenerate and "fix" itself if there are no other reasons for it to be damaged, i.e., excessive alcohol or other toxic abuse?

[louisep]

So glad you asked this question.  It's been on my mind also.

[cc2]

I am svr for two years now and I do have a glass of wine or a beer here and there.  (PA said okay to that) However, I think everyone needs to look at what stage of damage you have to the liver before you start having a glass everyday or now and then.  I am stage 2 so I am carful of what I do!  I am cure of the hep but the scarring is done and that will not reverse.  Be wise and take care.

[cuteus]

for those that belong to delphi forums and have not seen the extensive thread at lou's on this subject...there were many good studies posted on alcohol and hcv....this is not a plug.  if you belong, you have access.

[bunkywoo]

I've been meaning to ask this for a long time now - is your old screen name "fatboy"? You sound like someone who used to post under that name and I remember he used to sign as Michael. Thanks for your comments!

[layla]

I discussed this with my hepatologist and he does not have a problem with me having wine. I had it every night with dinner for as long as I can remember. I don't have liver damage so I don't have that to worry about. Initially I was worried I would have damage due to having wine daily for so many years but my doc said it takes alot of alcohol to cause damage. I refrained from drinking 6 months pre tx and on tx.  I did 71 weeks of tx and now I don't worry about it. Either I am SVR or not. I personally don't believe it's going to make a differnece now and if I am not SVR I won't believe haing a glass of wine was the cause. Whatever you choose you have to be comfortable wth it or you will constantly worry. I think if you are not you simply shouldn't drink. LL

[britgirl]

Well, the first thing I did when I finished tx was go on holiday to Portugal and have several glasses of wine. I did not stop me having negative PCR tests at 6 months and one year post-tx. My ALT fell to 14 despite the wine (it had been around 35 on tx, and 135 before it).I have drunk whenever I feel like it since then.

[cuteus]

thank you for sharing that one.

[Sam Hall]

lIDDLE OOLE WINE DRIKIN ME
sss hhhh

[Dirac]

I am glad that you are an SVR. But before the treatment your liver sufferd from the virus and for sure it is not as normal as any other uninfected liver in your age. By drinking now you hurt your liver. For myself I decided not to drink ever after I achieved SVR six monthes ago.
I wish you the best of luck.

[TravelGrl]

Just wanted to say how happy I am for you. Signed on for the first time in weeks and saw your post...I am thrilled that you are doing so well.  I think about all of my old friends on this forum often and are delighted whenever there is good news.  

Keep it coming!! It brings hope to us all.


Jodi

[honey1616]

Hey,,,I have to agree with majority here...You are SVR and now you should enjoy.  I think at point you are,,,I wouldn't worry about hep coming back from having a drink but say,,,if someone had a biopsy and was not good,,,then I would want to be so ever careful to take extra care of my liver.  I also have thought about this long and hard after clearing,,,,if I am constantly afraid that the virus will come back then I won't be living,,,ya know.  I just can't live my life always being fearful of this disease coming back.  Okkk I'm rambling but just trying to say "have fun this weekend and enjoy a drink if you are out"  Congrats on the long time SVR!!

[kennedge]

oh come on..get on with life...what if what if...get on the clue bus...if you are svr..then that is that..;.if you do not have cirrosis..or habitual alcholism...moderation is not gonna grow the virus back...

[MichaelT]

There is no evidence that the HCV "hides" in reservoirs like the HIV does. The HCV is very aggressive and would be detectable in the blood rather quickly after reinfection or after the anti-viral pressure of interferon/Riba has been removed.

Provided there are no other reasons to abstain from alcohol consumption, please enjoy in moderation!  I would, but only God knows where/when/how I would stop.

[DoubleDose]

I have the same question.  I am about one year post tx, SVR, and would like a glass of wine from time to time, but also am concerned that it could potentially lead to an activation of hidden viral copies lingering in the liver.  There seems to be evidence that lingering virions DO exist after SVR, in the liver, often for a few years.  Miles Andrews has also mentioned that fact in the past.  Most docs would say hooey, the virus is GONE, Eradicated!  But I am not sure they know as much as they think sometimes!  The other obvious concern is further damage for fibrotic/cirrhotic individuals.  In that case I think extreme moderation would be the key.  But, still my bigger concern would be the 'hidden virion' theory.  If the docs are not fully correct on this one, then we are going to pay the price.

Lte's hear from the SVR's out there, who have been able to continue drinking in moderation (or otherwise), and have remained SVR!!!  There must be a research study somewhere on this issue.

Good Question Laurie!

Doubledose.