Smoking with Hep C

[Terry366]

Does anybody know how smoking effects the progression of Hep C? I smoke quite regularily and im getting worried.

[eureka254]

My husband was told back in 1971 after 18 months in Vietnam that his blood was "no good to donate" but he was never told why.  We believe he probably contracted HCV as early as 19, but diagnosis came late for him.  His diagnosis was just given last year at age 57.  He's been a smoker since age 16... and though trying valiantly, he is finding it so hard to quit.  But he's living proof that you can at least get close to 60 with untreated Hep C. The pathways that lead to lung cancer are not as well documented as the know possible pathways of hep C:  my husband is further living proof of that:  he had a hepatoma removed last year --- the reality is that smoking and hep C really increase your chances of cancer, each in their own way.  Try to do what you can to minimize your risks of Hep C complications... cut down if you can't quit.  Good luck!

[sfbaygirl]

My Hepatologist said I would more likely die from smoking than the Hep C.  I have to quit!!!  It is so hard. Thinking about that new drug Chantix and a program. Good thing about going to school is I can't smoke!

[Mr Liver]

lol@SSR

I was about halfway through a hellish yearlong  tx, and one day I was upstairs gazing out of the window. I lit a cigarrette and continued my daydreaming. All of a sudden, a thought rushed into my head out of nowhere and hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks! To wit, here I am going to endure a whole year of pain and suffering, beat this thing, and then die--of lung cancer. I couldn't stand the irony and quit smoking right after completing my tx. I also didn't like the thought of my friends standing around at my funeral saying things like, "What a moron".

[cierra2007]

Hi

Smoking is very bad for you, but yet we still do it.....
I am a smoker about a pack a day and on tx, week 14 of 48. UND on week 12.

I tried to quit 4 times and yes it was hard............
For me personally during tx bronchitis was and issue I got really sick it took
like 2 months to get better.

QUIT WHEN YOU ARE READY AND DO IT FOR YOU AND YOU ONLY........

Good luck

Cierra

[jmjm530]

Interesting and poignant analysis. So why do you think we seem to have so many people who seem to prioritize treating HCV over stopping smoking? I've done both and believe me, stopping smoking was not easy, but it was A LOT easier than treatment. I'm now SSR (sustained smoking response) for over 20 years now.

-- Jim

[Mr Liver]

Smokers have about a 60% risk of dying from a smoking-related illness such as cancer or heart disease.

Those with hepatitic C have a less than a 3% risk of dying from complications as a result of HCV infection.

I hope this puts some perspective on the subject for you.

regards,
Mr Liver

[jmjm530]

Didn't realize you were that young, so I back read the thread and saw your questions to NYGirl.

To answer your question, "yes" it's more than possible -- quite probably really -- that you will have a long and full life even though you have Hepatitis C at the moment.

Treatments today are better than ever before, and if your doctor thinks you can wait, treatments in the future should even be much better.

Are you seeing a liver specialist (hepatologist) or just your family doctor or perhaps a GI (gastro)? I highly recommend you see a hepatologist as they tend to be much more knowledgeable and up to date on Hep C. Hepatologists can usually be found at your larger, teaching hospitals. If you don't know of one, and don't mind telling us the area/city you live in - maybe someone here can make a recommendation.

All the best,

-- Jim

[jdwithhcv]

Your DAD buys you cigarettes????

[Terry366]

Thanks for the link. Also my dad has stopped buying me cigarettes so i really have no way of getting smokes being under aged. By the time I am 19 and old enough to buy them I'm hoping i wont have the desire to.

[jmjm530]

I stopped smoking over 20 years ago due in large part to an organization called
"Smoke Enders".  At the time, they ran a local course that consisted of weekly group meetings for 8-10 weeks if I remember correctly. I'm not a "group help" type of person but felt I needed something more than myself to kick the habit. Not sure if they're still running this program, but their current web site -- if it's the same organization -- does talk about "live seminars". If it's the same program I took 20 years ago, I can't recommend it more highly. http://www.smokenders.com/

-- Jim

[Terry366]

Well the sooner you get treated the better. Thats about all I really know on this subject. It definately won't hurt. I'm fairly sure they can't cure the virus but just eliminate it to the point where its undetectable.

[paulalynn1965]

AAAAUUUHHHH!!! I just clicked on the link, freaked out and came right back here. Wow there are alot of things on that subject. I will save that for when I get home in my jammies and can set back and take it all in. Thanks for that insight.

[Deb_c430]

If your going to or want to stop smoking and you are not already txing. Do it before you start. If you try to stop while txing you will  never do it.  I started smoking on tx.  

Either way, best of luck with both!

Deb

[paulalynn1965]

no that is not a no. Wow alot of negatives there. I smoke. Not more than 5 a day. I believe if it ain't one thing killin us it's another.

[Terry366]

Thanks for link.. its kinda scary to read though because I find it very difficult to stop smoking. I just hope treatment for this disease over the years advances. It already seems to be advancing so I can only imagine what kind of treatment they will have 10 years for now.

[paulalynn1965]

I have been diagnosed about 10 years and have had little to no doctor involvement. I believe that I am starting to suffer now and am anxious to get some help. You mentioned the earlier the tx maybe the better chance of cure. I wonder that too. And hope I have not waited too long.

[jmjm530]

Terry: So im assuming thats a no.
---------------------
No, it does not seem to be a "no".

http://tinyurl.com/3887b2

[Terry366]

So im assuming thats a no. I have read though in many articles that HCV often doesn't effect ones life span..

[paulalynn1965]

You just made me chuckle. So you want to live to the ripe ol age of 60 eh? I am new and not on tx so I really have no answers. I rely on these wonderful people to give me answers. I just had to laugh at the 60 comment. Oh to be young again.

[Terry366]

Its hard enough for me to smoke being under aged and now on top of that they have smoke free zones! What is this world coming to. Anyways you seem pretty knowlegdable on Hep C and i was wondering for somebody my age (16) is it possible for me to have a full life with Hep C? If so.. are my chances good? I want to live until I'm at least 60 and its always tolling on my mind. I heard treatment can be very benificial if you haven't had Hep C for long is this true?

[nygirl7]

I smoke too - wanted to quit of course but it was just beyond me to do so, especially during treatment when it felt like one of the only 'vices' i could have even though that makes no sense.

Just wanted to tell you so you don't feel so alone. I'm getting ready for the day to come when we have smoke free zones and things...oh we do already? LOL pariah...pretty soon we'll have to hid in basements!