Ques about interrupted interferon therapy--

[DeeDee91941]

My disabled friend, early 40s, was giving himself once a week interferon shots.  He was to complete therapy this month, but is now in the hospital with severe pneumonia.  He is an alcoholic and smokes canibus (sp?).   He downplays how much he actually drinks or smokes when talking with his physicians.  

Will he have to begin interferon therapy all over again?  

What kinds of effects will his drinking and smoking have on his success rate with interferon for his Hep C ?    

He's misread his liver function/enzymes med report before, in his favor, when they were really elevated.  

Thank you!

[jonihs]

Tell your friend that alcohol is like miracle grow to Hep C. I drank alot not knowing I had Hep C and ended up w/ liver failure. Without the alcohol, the hepatitis would have taken much longer to cause the damage that was done, and vice-versa. The alcohol, in my opinion completely negates any progress the interferon would make. Joni

[honey1616]

Hi DeeDee,,,,He needs to quit the drinking in order to start tx and try to beat this. Sounds like maybe he has a problem with drinking and maybe you could help him through this,,,To be strong I mean.  Its hard enough finding out you have hep c and then trying to change your lifestyle can be tough,  Good supportive friends like yourself are in high demand! Best of Luck to your friend!