If you wanna get high just smoke some herb. Alcohol is yucky. I do
understand what you are saying there Mark. I was a big partier and
getting drunk was a lot of fun for me before treatment.

Re: Alcohol soon after tx?  

Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Sat, Mar 25, 2006, 6:32pm (CST+7)
From: not@aol.org (Cody)
Mark wrote:
I know I am jumping the gun here a little since I am in week 14 of 48
week tx but I have to have something to look forward to. Is it safe to
drink as soon as the 48 weeks is complete or should you wait until the 6
month SVR confirmation?
Would drinking prior to the 6 month SVR increase the chance of relapse?
I not touching a drop during tx, just looking forward to it afterwards.
Anyone have any links or info on this subject? Mark
Um, you don't need to be afflicted with Hep C to get cirrhosis from
alcohol. It's a poison. Your body doesn't want you putting that sh.t in
it and there is no rationalization that isn't just that, a
rationalization.
Not only that, alcohol makes people act like idiots.
Cody  
//////////
Apparently, Cody, you in particular don't need alcohol to act like an
idiot.  ahahahahahahaha  You think that's much of a revelation that
alcohol can cause cirrhosis?  It's also no revelation that you're a
f.cking jerk-off.

Mark, I don't think it would hurt to have a couple of glasses of wine
when you finish tx.  But that's about all I would do til you get your
SVR.  I have seen a study that found that alcoholics who drank all the
way thru tx had no less of a chance at SVR than the non-drinkers,
therefore being an alcoholic should not preclude doctors from offering
them tx.  This was presented to the yearly national conference where
they discuss standards of tx, new developments and such.  I think you'll
be able to find this discussion if you do a google search for it.  Sorry
I don't have the link.  
elmo  

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum

Re: Alcohol soon after tx?  

Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Sat, Mar 25, 2006, 9:57am (CST-2)
From: Chillnil@rogers.com (mags)
I am with you Mark glad you asked lol. I am having a few glasses of wine
right after my treatment. I asked the BCLD about drinking. No drinking
during tx as it dehydrates you and the virus flourishes. As far as
alcohol effecting your liver - some tolerate it and some don't. I almost
fell off the chair when he told me that I did not have any damage from
drinking (love my red wine) and he said I could drink in moderation
after.
Mags
wondering if a bottle is moderation
////////
How big a bottle you talking about?
elmo

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum

My biopsy showed I was a grade 1 stage 1-2. I am pretty sure I got HCV
in 1979. I drank alcohol almost daily from the mid 70's until Oct 2005
when I found out I had hep C. I was drinking a 1/2 a bottle of red
wine every night during the week, 4 to 8 beers on Friday, 2-4 rum and
coke Sat and Sun. My ALT and AST elevated slightly for the first time
in 2004. So, here is my theory:
My HCV was inactive until 2004. Of course once it was active the
drinking accelerated it and I got up to VL of 9.5 million. Between
10/05 and 12/05 I quit drinking, ate a good diet, exercised and
started preparing for treatment. In December, Day 0 of treatment my VL
was 4.5 million. I think I did this all on my own. At week 12 into tx
my VL is 451.
Based on my biopsy results and my ALT, AST levels prior to 2004 I
don't think alcohol caused me any great harm if it weren't for the
HCV. Therefore, I would love to be able to drink again and I think it
would be safe for me as long as it doesn't cause an HCV relapse. I
know it sound silly, but I want to be able to drink again. I enjoy it.
I will most likely keep it to a minimum the rest of my life but it has
been part of me for the past 30+ years. I miss my red wine.
Mark

...and in the opinion of my BCLD as well.

Also, welcome Esther.  I agree with you too.

David

Well, it seems to me that alcohol drinking and treatment for hep c are 2
different things though they are related only in that alcohol can damage the
hep C liver.

Alcohol is bad for the liver.

Most people can drink and do no harm because the liver is healthy and can
take a few drinks. (plus not everyone who drinks acts weird or "drunk")

If you are an alcoholic (not every hep C person is one.. duh) then don't
drink because odds are you WILL overdo it.

Now - treatment if it does kill the virus does not mean the liver is then
magically restored (assuming there is already liver damage which not all hep
C victims have)

Bottom line: If your liver is damaged (no matter from what) "do not drink
alcohol" whether you have the virus or not.

Esther (2X treatment failures and on liver transplant list)