Please note that my comment was not directed at your response at all. It was directed at the OP.
And cando I'm way beyond giving a hoot who or if anybody wants to laugh at me. In fact, go ahead and laugh. Humor is one of the best things we humans have going for us.
And yes, I'm doing well, been to visit family cross country and back, now busy painting the kitchen and am taking a break to go swim in the lake. Thanks for asking :)
I posted a comment about not drinking to another member earlier today. Your post got me thinking about those who were diagnosed with HCV 15, 20 or more years ago. We had time to implement lifestyle changes including abstinence from alcohol long before there were treatments worth undergoing given our genotype receptivity. There are millions of people now not yet aware that have HCV. With more screening and safe and effective treatments available, this huge population will have to face a situation perhaps at an advanced disease stage with no time to think. Very different for many of us who had years to prepare.
I didn't feel I was being 'preachy'. I was just trying to say that there are many vices that people have. Alcohol is one of them. If somebody feels that's 'being on my pulpit'..., well okay..., I know where I was coming from, enough said.
Susan400
Jack. While on treatment would strongly advise you NOT, to drink alcohol. You have a damaged liver already with the virus, so why would you thro gasoline on a burning fire. Makes no sense. Furthermore, while on meds partying is really the last thing you feel like doing as you basically only feel like crashing in the nearest bed. You are extremely lucky as we all are, to be able to clear this virus so why risk it.
Hope you do the smart thing, and just say NO
Cheers. ...Kim
spot on OH!
Last time I responded with indignation to such a post, I was reprimanded by the peeps who maintain this site
They objected to my using the words: Geesh and joke
Just sayin
I just joined today and have posted a question but haven't gotten any response yet but I just have to comment on this! I was diagnosed 10 years ago and opted not to have treatments and I can tell you if your liver is diseased badly enough you won't have to ask about alcohol consumption...you'll be too sick to worry about drinking any more.
"I'll take up the bloody pulpit !"
I think that's exactly why we see so many of these threads here. I find it odd when you look at a "new" profile and this is the only post, doesn't join any forum, nothing else but this. Doesn't even bother to come back with any response. Myself I'm not going to give them their enjoyment of setting back and laughing at us. In the slim chance they are being serious I will answer just what they ask and no more.
Always good to see you post OH. Hope your doing well.
I'll take up the bloody pulpit !
The reason most of us want to get rid of this nasty virus is it can destroy our livers. Prior to the hep C epidemic, alcohol use was the number one cause of liver transplantation and death from liver damage.
If you cannot stop drinking even with the diagnosis of hep C, then I suggest you seek help, whether from AA or some other group.
Also, I'd like to mention that one major side effect of interferon is depression. Alcohol is a depressant.I wouldn't mix one with the other though I did use medicinal cannabis to help me through treatment.
I quit drinking cold, when diagnosed with hep C, and decompensated cirrhosis. Did I miss drinking ? I did at first but not anymore.
I chose and still choose to be a teetotaler, complete free of alcohol for the past 19 years. That's not to say that I didn't use to drink. I enjoyed my after work cocktails and wine and the occasional beer, although I was never big on drinking beer. But, once I found out about the Hepatitis, I decided I was going to make some lifestyle changes. I quit smoking and drinking back then, because I had also been experiencing some lung problems. I now have early possibly reversible COPD, ever though I was never a heavy smoker and have been quit all those years. There are other causes for COPD, but smoking just puts the fuel on the fire. Just as there are other causes of liver disease besides drinking, or Hep C (not many), but people can also get liver disease simply from being obese. Everybody has to make their own lifestyle choices according to their personal choice, their health and what works for them.
If your liver is at stake, why would you even consider drinking?
Your liver = Life
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
Patients with Ongoing Alcohol Use
Alcohol is an important cofactor in the progression of HCV disease to cirrhosis and HCC (43) . Thus, patients with hepatitis C should limit or abstain from alcohol consumption. Limited data suggest that heavy alcohol consumption of >80 g/day (approximately eight drinks or more per day) reduces HCV treatment response. It is unknown whether consuming less alcohol compromises HCV treatment response (44) . In patients with recent alcohol consumption, there were higher treatment discontinuation rates; however, in those who completed HCV therapy, SVR was similar in drinkers and nondrinkers (45) . Thus, alcohol users should not be excluded from antiviral therapy but treatment adherence should be stressed (9) .
RECOMMENDATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ONGOING ALCOHOL USE
1. Patients should be encouraged to decrease consumption or to abstain (III).
2. Patients should be referred for behavioral intervention to reduce alcohol use (III).
3. Antiviral therapy should be offered to patients regardless of prior alcohol use who otherwise meet criteria for therapy (II-2).
4. Alcohol consumption should be discouraged during antiviral treatment, because alcohol reduces adherence and treatment response (III).
Studies have shown alcohol does not effect the outcome of treating as long as one makes sure to take their meds at the right time... Not going to go into the spill about drinking just saying what studies have shown.
Good luck