"no respect for life" vs treatments

[hepper38]

Hello there,
     I understand that people here get upset when they hear that victims of hepC abuse alcohol. Understandable so, as they show

[Forseegood]

Goofydad:  Still, I have always wondered about the vigor with which alcohol consumption is slammed here. Again, I ain't arguing that it's not bad for us. I think we all know it is - but why make this into a moral judgement?

To state the obvious? Cause it seems to be an overriding problem with many people who have hepatitis...and I know I'll get flack for this, cause some people will say that I'm adding to the stigma of a disease that's already stigmatized, etc etc...which is unfair to the many people who acquired this by other means- accidentally through blood borne transmissions, etc, and many of this segment have no other addictive issues, etc, etc...and there are many, many patients who have hepatitis who don't have alcoholic issues and it's unfair that they should be lumped into this....I don't mean to do that...

But the fact remains, that many, many people who do have hepatitis, have drug and alcohol issues...many people acquired hepatitis because of drug and alcohol issues...just look at whatever stats they have on this...

I realize at this point....it's not kosher to say this, so we don't...But this is something that many of us have had to surmount....This *remains* a challenge for many people with hepatitis and alcohol still kills many people with hepatitis, perhaps more so then these other agents you've mentioned...I'd venture to say so...

Even if you take a sampling of members on this very board...and some other boards I know of...there are people who have SVRed that smoke and/or are overweight...You certainly could make a case for saying these other agents make SVR more difficult?...The achievement AND the process....But I know of a few people here and elsewhere who have recently SVRed - who smoke and/or are overweight...so it's by no means unheard of...

But, if someone were to continue *drinking alcoholically* - I doubt that they would be in any position to even undergo treatment in the first place....much less be successful with it...we've all heard more then once how patients have reported getting deathly ill having tried alcohol while on treatment, even after finishing....alcohol seems to act as it's own kind of "antibuse" against drinking it while treating...

I'd venture to say that there are many alcoholics out there who have this disease, yet are unable to even consider treating it with the current drugs - for fear of having to give up alcohol to treat...thus, risking their lives in a very real way...

If you look at the stats on just alcoholic cirrhosis, even without hep c, it's pretty alarming...I've had a few docs tell me alcoholism is one of the more frustrating, defeating and persistent obstacles to having success in treating people with this disease...

As to any *moral* question, far be it from me...this has nothing to do with morals from my perspective...I just hate to see people wasting their lives, though I know not everyone can be saved from their addictions, everyone is on their own path and it sure ain't up to me....my sister taught me that much...but I do think it's a legitimate issue to talk about as it pertains to hepatitis, and boy have I ever...:)

[jmjm530]

Goofy: Still, I have always wondered about the vigor with which alcohol consumption is slammed here.
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I half expected Carrie Nation ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Nation ) to rise from the grave to post in one of these threads, or maybe she has :)

But more seriously, not everyone has a drinking problem, and many of us are allowed by our doctors to drink in social moderation. Practically a teetottler (Maybe 3-4 light beers a month max) I've been called an alcoholic here because I've posted some studies and remarks from my doctor that don't tow the temperance line. Carrie Nation would be proud :)

-- Jim

[nygirl7]

Personally for me the real subject matter with that person is that they are quite aware of what they are doing yet have no real desire to stop at all.   And I'm sorry while it's not good to smoke a pack of Marlboro's or eat three cheeseburgers for dinner - it's NOT the same as getting purposefully drunk every night.  We are not talking about 1 - 2 drinks we are talking ten drinks which to me is pretty damn hard core KNOWING you have a liver condition or the person you does does as well.

Many people come here KNOWING full well the CORRECT answer yet they ask "Is it ok for me to drink on treatment?" well they aren't here really asking a question what they are looking for is for ONE person to say it's OK so they can justify their actions with that.

I simply refuse to do it.  Anybody with a teeny tiny piece of a brain left KNOWS that we have all been taught, all our lives, alcohol will rot your liver. Having hepc and liver damage on top of that.........it's just looking for an excuse.

I won't EVER advise something sure it's fine, no problem.

If we can't tell the God's honest TRUTH to someone then we are of no use or help to them.  Telling them what they 'want' to hear just appeases someone.

It doesn't help them.

[nygirl7]

PS It would be hard to slam you Forseegood for just stating the obvious plain facts but in this politcally correct crazy world...........it wouldn't surprise me.

Still I want you to know I admire the way you can state the truth, even with fear of being putdown for it - but knowing that the truth is the more important thing.

You've got my vote.  For what I don't know but...you've got it still :)

[sunspot]

In the lingua franca of the internet forums,   +1

[GoofyDad]

Your points are all good ones, and you made some of which I was unaware. Still, I still feel there's is a certain condemnation that takes place here when discussion turns to alcohol that doesn't occur for other unhealthy behaviors. I can't put my finger directly on it, but I think it goes beyond that alcohol is more stressful on members' health than another vices. If you were able to tabulate the number of 'health units' that are compromised on this board by alcohol consumption, vs. the number that are compromised by other unhealth activities/lifestyles of the membership - I'm betting that the other top-two would outweight alcohol by a good measure.

Take me for ex. I've been slow to get out and exercise since tx and that is undoubtedly hampering my recovery. Poor lifestyle choice on my part. If this board had the bias against sedenrary lifestyles that it has against alcohol, maybe I would have been positively influenced by that collective mentality. But I'm here to tell you the rank and file are going to get their panties in knots and jump on this post with "Sitting on your fat-@ss is like pouring gasoline on a fire", or "Every missed bike ride is like playing playing Russian Roulette with your liver", or "Buy a Stairmaster and start a 12 step program today"!

I'm not riled up about this in the least. I just find it to be an interesting group dynamic.

Take care and be well.