Hep C and alcohol

[agente]

Do any of you take a glass of wine once and a while? I was told no alcohol..
I have Type 1A Hep C and my viral load is arround 15 million.

Thanks for the answers

[DoubleDose]

I agree with Jim on this issue, and my doctors also advise that SVR's. with less than severe or cirrhotic liver damage, can safely consume a light  'drink or two, a few times a week.  This might even be safe on a daily basis if the intake is VERY low, like a glass of light wine, etc.  Drinking during tx is generally a total taboo, but we have all seen cases of SVR's who had a few drinks during tx.  It probably is a negative factor, but drinking in EXCESS is the real danger...both to treaters, actively infected, and SVR's.  

There is STILL a chance that drinking after SVR could lead to increased fibrosis, or other problems, even drinking of a minimal nature, but that is still not demonstrated to be the case, and most doctors I have either seen or read about, are more lenient to the side of infrequent, light alcohol use after SVR, for non-cirrhotics.  We Stage two/threes are in a little more of a gray area, and are really the guinea pigs for the practice of post-SVR drinking.  Personally I enjoy a few glasses of wine every three or four days.  It may increase my risk, but I am aware of the risks, and choose to have some anyway.  

I will also say that prior to treating, and during my two treatments, I did not have even a sniff of alcohol, and the ten years prior to my first tx were totally alcohol free, since I was aware that I had a liver virus.  I did drink quite frequently socially prior to my knowledge of having the virus.  Its scary to think of what we did before we knew what we were dealing with!  

DoubleDose

[jmjm530]

I should probably add that I always presented myself to my docs as strictly a "social drinker" -- which I was and still am -- and I never did (before or after tx) fill up my 1-2 drink a day quota and probably average no more than a couple of beers a week.

I have a suspicion -- and it's only a suspicion -- that had my docs thought I had (past of present) any kind of drinking problem that they would have told me "no alcohol" as many have been told. From a doc's point of view, I would imagine it's a lot easier to say "no alcohol" than to guess whether or not a given patient will adhere to a 1-2 drink minimum, as some doctors will tell you that many will underestimate alcohol consumption when presenting histores, be it in person or on questionaires.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

First sentence should have read in part: "...both before and AFTER treatment". Frankly, I never asked about drinking *during* Itreatment because it never occured to me. That said, I'm sure my doc would have said, "no".

[jmjm530]

I was allowed to drink in moderation -- but no more than two drinks at a time -- both before and during treatment, and in fact my liver specialist suggested a glass of wine with dinner (post treatment) to help my cardiac profile. This is consistent with the advice of our resident Doctor per here: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/575247 and here:
http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Hepatitis/Archive/HepCtreat/Q154253.html

Different people -- or different doctors -- may differ.

-- Jim

[Rockerforlife]

March 12, 2004 -- For people with hepatitis C, there may be no safe level of alcohol new research shows. While heavy drinkers have the most severe liver disease, even light or moderate drinkers put themselves at risk.


http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20040312/bad-mix-alcohol-hepatitis-c

[Rockerforlife]

WITH BOOZE ,YOU LOOSE.

[mar148]

Well if you don't have hep c due to attaining SVR and only mild or no liver damage, there is no reason you can not drink wine unless you have a problem with alcohol in your life.  Alcohol will not bring back hep c, but abusing it can hurt your liver like it can for anyone without hep c.  Each individual knows if they have advanced liver damage or an alcohol abuse problem, if neither 1 or 2 glasses of wine is not an issue in my opinion.

[Bobby1952]

  Dr. Dieterich said no more then 2 drinks a day. I think he was being very honest as most Dr's would say none because if they tell you its ok to have 1 or 2 a day they are afraid that you may have 3 or 4. Human nature.

[fretboard]

It would be really hard to know for sure whether a small amount of wine would be that bad.  It makes more sense to me to just stay away from it altogether.  If you really want to know the answer go to pubmed and do a search.  Most doctors that I've seen have said no alcohol at all, ever.  My guess is that alcohol is metabolized by the p450, that's the part of the liver that breaks down most drugs except for tx drugs.  later

http://montana.edu/wwwai/imsd/alcohol/Vanessa/vwliver.htm

[mikesimon]

I believe most hepatologists would agree - no alcohol with active HCV.
The difference in opinions is usually in the context of a patient who does not have an alcohol abuse problem and does not have advanced fibrosis and who achieves SVR - then, is an occasional drink harmful? That is where some controversy exists - in the SVR population. With active HCV I don't think there is much, if any, disagreement. No Alcohol period! Mike

[Marc1955]

I vote no. My understanding is that alcohol increases the rate at which the Hep C virus mutates. Drinking alcohol is like pouring lighter fluid on hot coals. Best to stay away entirely.

[mar148]

Doctor's vary on their response on this issue.  You might want to ask the expert on the doctor website. I think he actually answered this question recently so you could search for it.  Opinions vary dramatically here, based on personal experience, doctor input, liver damage and each individuals issues handling alcohol.  I am of the opinion if you have minimal liver damage an occasional glass of wine is fine.  But just my opinion.  Mary Ellen

[desrt]

Some might be able to have "a glass of wine once and a while" with an active viral load and get away with only minimal liver damage. Some might accelerate to cirrhosis.If they ever come up with a genetic test that can tell you whether you can get away with it or not, I'm sure it will be a best seller.

[Marcia2202]

I personally don't. But then I don't drink, or at least I haven't since almost ten years. I did not stop for any particular reason, just that I didn't feel like drinking anymore.
I was diagnosed with hep c in March. What I'm trying to say is that, if I would still have been drinking until I was diagnosed, I would have stopped it immediately and would not have an occasional glass of wine either. But then again, I also stopped eating non-organic food and switched all my personal products to organic products. I do not want to add any unnecessary toxins to my liver.

There are different views on a occasional glass of wine, but for me personally it would be a definite NO.

Marcia

[Trinity4]

Hot bed of debate on this topic.  If you are treating, no alcohol.  It works against the positive effects of the interferon.
After that, personal choice I suppose except if you have cirrhosis.  Whether I clear this virus or not, having stage 3 liver disease doesn't make me feel comfortable comsuming alcohol.   Others say 1 drink won't hurt you, doesn't matter, I don't want to drink regardless, so that's my position on alcohol.  Viral load has no significance, it's the degree of liver damage that is the determining factor and abstention from alcohol while on treatment is a must.
Trinity