drinking post tx

[Mike1A84]

I am stage 1 currently und.with 1 week left of tx.my queston is I was thinking about having a drink or 2 after a month of being done with tx like to celebrate.I'm just worried that it would cause my body to relapse.anyway let me know what you think?

[HCV-B-GONE]

Hmm.  Why not have some ice cream or a cherry pie or a thick juicy steak and have a fake beer with dinner?  Seems like partying so soon is an aggressive want versus a smart decision.  Give yourself some time - even three month is better than nothing.

[BoceprevirGal]

If I were you, I would feel safer celebrating with a joint of green budd. If anything can mess with your liver, it's alcohol. I am so thankful I quit drinking 20 yrs ago, after being diagnosed with Hep C, and dont miss it at all. Not only do I not miss it, but I cant stand being around drunk people, they always say the same thing over and over, like, "ya know what I mean, buddy?"  

[stormy456]

Bee- I want to come party with you, you sound like a blast!

[orphanedhawk]

I've got my celebratory massage scheduled !

[80mecheng]

I'm in a minority but with stg 1 damage, and finishing up treatment Thursday, I am definitely having a beer.  May have to wait a week or 2 till I can actually taste it.

[beeblessed]

Oh, and I also meant to add.....

Celebrate with:

Beets -- for your blood
Pie -- because ya can't go wrong with pie
Banana Split
A movie
A concert
Go dancing
A Shirley Temple
A virgin Mojito or Margarita
A vacation, a cruise, indoor sky-diving
A rollercoaster ride, where you can scream your head off and nobody will point and stare

Best,
Bee :)

[beeblessed]

Hi Mike,

I attempted to respond yesterday but MedHelp had technical problems as soon as I tried to post.  

I am glad you posed this question, as I had a similar one.  But I agree that I would wait, wait, wait.......until the news of SVR.  Here are some articles I found for you:

http://healthvermont.gov/news/2011/050511_hepatitis_month.aspx

http://www.cvscaremarkspecialtyrx.com/patients/condition-resources-tools/hepatitis-c/staying-healthy/hepatitis-c-alcohol

[Advocate1955]

Won't cause you to relapse, but never a good idea with liver damage.
Advocate1955

[Bali05]

Same here.

"I'm just worried that it would cause my body to relapse.anyway let me know what you think? "

I think it is not worth worrying.... wait for SVR

b

[James10500]

Good point made by others.  I'd wait for SVR.

[micheall]

Mike;you have been through hell.Do you want to risk going through that again.I stopped drinking 2 years ago and I will have a drink when I reach SVR.

[nygirl7]

Wait till you have your PCR at six months to find out if you are SVR if you still have the virus.......well drinking with the virus is a bad thing

[micheall]

Mike;you have been through hell.Do you want to risk going through that again.I stopped drinking 2 years ago and I will have a drink when I reach SVR.

[James10500]

Talk to your Doc about it, but one beer if it's one beer won't make a diff....imho.

My doc said I could have one drink a year I am was stage 3.  I did have a glass of Prosecco on New Years. Thats one drink in the last two years.

If you do end up having one take a sip for all of us, cheers on only having ONE WEEK left.  I think you did a great job on tx.

[rockymoe]

Why would you want to? If you cleared the virus you should be happy with that and take care of your liver.

[gonnabhepcfree]

I would find another way to celebrate.  .Don't you think your liver could use some love.  I mean really, maybe the virus is gone but my Dr described it as throwing gasoline on a fire.  As my friend would say Love your liver.  If you have to wait for SVR.. Happy you have had a great outcome thus far..

[Trish77]

Mike, having read your posts for awhile, I'd say you'll cause yourself some unnecessary stress as you'll worry needlessly and wonder what harm you might have done yourself. It won't cause you to relapse but I'd hang in there until you know you're clear.  You've waited this long, right? I'd suggest you wait until you get that 6 month PCR that tells you if you are SVR or not.  I can tell you that a wee drink at SVR is definitely sweeter and more celebratory...and worth waiting for.  Just a thought for you.  

And congrats Mike, on making it through treatment with only one week to go!  Hoping to see that SVR post from you not too far down the road.

Trish  

[can-do-man]

Bill is correct........ Since drinking small amounts does not stop you from even treating then its safe to say it doesn't cause you to relapse. not sure what reason anyone could think of causing a relapse.
-----------------------------------------------

http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/provider/guidelines/2006HCV-groups.asp


Patients with Ongoing Alcohol Use
in those who completed HCV therapy, SVR was similar in drinkers and nondrinkers  . Thus, alcohol users should not be excluded from antiviral therapy but treatment adherence should be stressed  
  

[crigger]

I would speak to my doc about this .  I would not think it could cause a relapse. One or two drinks.

[Bill1954]

Mike, you’ve been around this forum long enough to know how contentious this subject is; but here we go anyway.

Alcohol won’t make ‘your body relapse’. This disease is a result of viral infection; if the virus is gone, it’s gone.

You should discuss the alcohol with your doctor. If you have stage 1 fibrosis, and don’t have a history of alcoholism, your doctor will likely tell you drinking in moderation isn’t an issue. Different story for those with advanced liver disease of course. Check with the doctor though...

--Bill