Alcohol Post Hep C?

[Me123]

Hello Everyone,
 I am wondering about life after post Hepatitis C and drinking alcohol. Of course, we should all be mindful of the amount of alcohol we ingest, and i'm sure most of us after finding out of our disease would take proactive measures to not add any more fire to the flame - so to speak.

 However, I am wondering is it safe to drink after you are cured? Or should you not drink at all? Are we still at greater risk than those who have never had hep c at all even after we are cured? And does any one know of any research papers that may be out there regarding this question?

Thank you,

Len

[Bucky]

Hello Everyone,
 I am wondering about life after post Hepatitis C and drinking alcohol. Of course, we should all be mindful of the amount of alcohol we ingest, and i'm sure most of us after finding out of our disease would take proactive measures to not add any more fire to the flame - so to speak.

 However, I am wondering is it safe to drink after you are cured? Or should you not drink at all? Are we still at greater risk than those who have never had hep c at all even after we are cured? And does any one know of any research papers that may be out there regarding this question?

Thank you,

Len

Hi Len,  How bad was your liver pretreatment? Mine was fairly beat up so my doctor said no booze for me but I will have a shot of Tequila on my birthday.
Bucky

[omeco]

i'm interested is this as well

i have hep-c for about 35 years (dirty needle)
i didn't use heroine since 1980, but a year ago they told me that i have hep-c

i have medium fibroses and the doctors told me last year not to drink alcohol untill the cure
But i did drink tree bottles of beer a day

i'm starting a test-cure (for free!) next week, for 12 weeks, so i stopped drinking two days ago

i wonder in what condition my liver is now, i think i feel some small pain in my liver-region every now and then, but that's all

hopefully i don't have cirroses, or livercancer already

[Bucky]

i'm interested is this as well

i have hep-c for about 35 years (dirty needle)
i didn't use heroine since 1980, but a year ago they told me that i have hep-c

i have medium fibroses and the doctors told me last year not to drink alcohol untill the cure
But i did drink tree bottles of beer a day

i'm starting a test-cure (for free!) next week, for 12 weeks, so i stopped drinking two days ago

i wonder in what condition my liver is now, i think i feel some small pain in my liver-region every now and then, but that's all

hopefully i don't have cirroses, or livercancer already

Hello omeco,   Your doctor should have had you get an US which would indicate  liver problems like tumors or anything else abnormal.
Bucky
 

[omeco]

Hello, sorry I'm Dutch
What does US mean?
Is that an x-ray?

[lporterrn]

US means ultrasound

[Me123]

Correction: *Are we still at greater risk to develop other health issues than those who have never had hep c at all even after we are cured?*

My liver fxn was normal and still in "good shape" according to my doc.

[lporterrn]

SO far, the evidence suggests that as long as you don't have cirrhosis, then the SVR levels the playing field as if you didn't have hep C.

[d-boy86]

How soon after completing the treatment are you able to drink? Is it right after you take your last dosage (far fetching I'm sure), or do you have to wait 12 weeks after your treatment?

[lporterrn]

Some experts recommend never starting again, regardless of the outcome. A lot has to do with whether you have cirrhosis or not. If no liver damage and non-detectable, wait at least 12 to 24 weeks before drinking, and don't exceed one standard size drink a day if you are a woman, two if you are a man. Personally, I don't advise drinking at all. I worked hard for my SVR, and my liver matters a great deal to me. 

[d-boy86]

I was told after my biopsy that I had stage 2 fibrosis. So would it be okay for me to have a glass of wine after achieving an SVR12?

[lporterrn]

I suggest you talk to your doc - we all work this out to fit our lives and values. That is a huge, personal decision. Would one glass be dangerous? No. The issue isn't one glass - it's the life that follows. If you are a man, and stick to no more than 2 glasses a day, one for women  - likely OK

[Mike]

Alcohol after a cure? It depends on  your overall liver function.

If you have significant liver damage, the answer would be no. If you have a history of abusing alcohol, the answer would be no. If you plan on drinking like you did in college, or resuming the old keg stand behavior, the answer would be no. If you plan on drinking and driving, the answer is definitely no.

However, if these don't apply and you've consulted with your physician, the answer would be yes. It would be OK to consume alcohol in moderation.

Cheers, Mike