Harvoni and Alcohol

[Bituman]

I guess I should have titled my post alcohol after Harvoni

Or in the case of DisabledHepCat, Alcohol with Harvoni!  Wow. Just. Wow. 

Bob

[smaugslugger]

I talked to my doctor about drinking while on Hep c treatment, not because I planned to drink, as I am a recovering alcoholic, but because I have a friend that is drinking on the treatment. The doc said that drinking alcohol (probably) wouldn't effect whether or not the virus is cleared. But, she said that it's not just about clearing the virus, it's about having the liver regenerate itself. Drinking alcohol will definitely  compromise the liver's ability to heal.

[Roger]

Frankly, my hepatology clinic "requires" their patients to not drink or take any drugs 6 months before Tx, during Tx, and 6 mos after Tx.  If they figure out you are partaking - you get thrown off Tx...

Anybody who continues on that self destructive path, especially during Tx, should think twice about taking the Tx... especially considering that their insurance company is paying so much money for the Tx.  Not that I tend to defend insurance companies, but the more they spend, the higher they charge for insurance - so we all end up paying for the selfishness of those who continue to get blasted while on Tx...

[DisabledHepcat]

If you allow insurance companies to dictate the moral difference between who is allowed to live and who is not than you have just killed yourself.

[BubbaT]

Hepcat, what was your fibrosis score before treatment?

Dude, that's more beers than sailors drink!   Lol

Another thing that is really bad is non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs for people with cirrhosis ...

Once the liver is at cirrhosis you can go down fast by taking some drugs....
My cousin died at 57 of alcoholic cirrhosis, he went to the dr, they told him he had a week to live... And he lived a week and was gone...

[DisabledHepcat]

Bubba T  I have No idea what my fibrosis level was at, All I know is I did not have any symptoms of cirrhosis like swollen ankles etc. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know how sick your liver really is but anyway all those beers were only 3.2% Colorado LAW FOR GROCERY STORE BOUGHT BEER, TODAY IT IS Blue Moon 5.4% WOO HOO I Could be on a TNT show with on show advertising with those two bitches Rizzoli and Isles.

[Lynn K]

Had they not done a liver biopsy and told me I had zero idea I had cirrhosis. When you are finally having symptoms you are approaching decompensation.

I didn't get lower leg pitting edema for 4 years after I was diagnosed with cirrhosis silent killer.

[DisabledHepcat]

Thanks Lynn, I am pretty healthy physically , it is the 4 years of Interferon wasted treatment that has my mind telling my body that I am sick now due to the constant tiredness from mental problems accumulated from the treatment that have amplified from my previous mental conditions that have me pretty pissed off since now I have cleared my virus but now having the same disabling conditions making me want to drink alcohol more often. DOH !

[Lynn K]

Other than my cirrhosis symptoms I lead a full life I work full time, take care of my yard, take a college class, have a part time job 4 hours a week.

Sorry you have so many symptoms to deal with

But drinking won't help any of them truly

[DisabledHepcat]

Lynn - I am a severely clinical depressive person from Interferon, I have schizophrenic affects from that that have me wanting to kill anyone in my way that agitates me in the slightest including family members that are not even of my own children since I could never stomach to have any kind of marriage that would have resulted in a normal life, I am talking about not even being able to stomach a relationship with my own mother or other members of my brothers or sisters. I live with a Cat is ALL I can handle let alone wanting to kill all the doctors who put me in this position so it's a good thing nobody attempted to turn down my request for Harvoni therapy. I am not one to be effed with, maybe God gave me the therapy with no questions asked to save others from me?

[Lynn K]

I did interferon too but it effects us all differently I hope you are able to heal in so many ways in your life and can find peace within yourself and your life.

[dragonslayer]

Frankly, my hepatology clinic "requires" their patients to not drink or take any drugs 6 months before Tx, during Tx, and 6 mos after Tx.  If they figure out you are partaking - you get thrown off Tx...

Anybody who continues on that self destructive path, especially during Tx, should think twice about taking the Tx... especially considering that their insurance company is paying so much money for the Tx.  Not that I tend to defend insurance companies, but the more they spend, the higher they charge for insurance - so we all end up paying for the selfishness of those who continue to get blasted while on Tx...

Hi Rog, why 6 mos after treatment?  I know your position on this general issue, however, there are those of us who have stage 1 or less fibrosis, and I cant see why light drinking after SVR12 would be so bad.. After all, if there is no liver disease, and its not under attack from the virus, whats the harm?  Im not talking about the dangers of escalating alcoholism, etc... There ARE those of us who CAN drink lightly and occasionally, as I said,  and in the absence of liver disease, I dont see the problem.    I know that one can parse the words 'lightly and occasionally' however one wants.. In the end, I dont think, in the absence of liver disease, one has to be a tea totaler post SVR.

[Roger]

Hi Paul,
I'm not sure why they told our group that (they hold an info / Q & A session for all people and their families, who are contemplating Tx).  Maybe they think that people with HCV are typically impulsive?  Maybe they want  to insure that they have success with Tx, and drinking and taking drugs might hinder the success rates - I'm not sure.

I'll tell you this however... of all the spotlights of the Q & A's... THIS topic was the topic that more people participated in, trying to get them to "tweak" their requirements and so on!  People in that HCV crowd were resistant when it came to cleaning up their act.  Seems like that might be a universal problem - indicator. Ha!

I have a feeling that a lot of HCV types are impulsive, in their "recreational" behavior.  If that's the case, it's probably better for people to put down the drink for a few months.  Depending on liver damage, they should give their liver a year or two to regenerate - alcohol & drug free.

I am astounded how so many people try to defend a 'get high' lifestyle when they are lucky enough to be getting a second chance!

As a side note... I was in a hospital overnight a few years back, via the E-Room - so they housed me in a 2 person room. There was a guy in there who had a collapsed lung from smoking.  His wife was there all the time, and several doctors (off and on).  I could hear them talking about the perils of smoking.  Mon-O-man he was going to stop, if he came out of the lung removal operation alive!  I heard the conversations over and over again - for 1.5 days!  This guy had reformed. He had seen the light, etc, etc!

To make a long story short, on the 2nd day his docs came in and told him that his last CT scan showed his lung had fully inflated and he was not going to have the lung removed!  WOW!  Rejoyce, tears, laughter & hugs all around!  He was going to get to keep his lung after all!

Within 5 minutes of the doctors leaving the room, I heard him ask his wife... 'is that little balcony where people can smoke on this floor just down the hall'?  Hand me one of your cigarettes, lets go out on the balcony'!

...What was that old expression about looking a gift horse in the mouth?

 

[dragonslayer]

Hi Rog,

I hear you loud and clear.  On a general level, I totally agree with you.   My ex-wife, who is not an HCV patient, just found out she is in kidney failure with a creatinine reading of 4.1!   Do you think she stopped smoking?  Nope!   Ive been warning her for years of the perils of getting older while smoking and doing no exercise.  Fell on deaf ears, and now shes going to pay the very stiff price of her lifestyle.  Im not sure what caused the kidney failure; she has no diabetes which is a primary contributor in many cases.  In hers, I believe its her Peripheral Vascular Disease and high blood pressure.. She has two stents, which will prevent her from being eligible for a kidney transplant.. And through all this, she wont give up smoking.   If they let you smoke on the dialysis machines, Im sure shed avail herself of it!

Habits are hard to break..  Its easier to not engage at all if there is any risk of losing control.   With drinking, because so many people have such a hard time being honest with themselves (and Id think doubly so in the HCV group)  if one were going to prescribe behavior, it would be to abstain.. That would be the safe thing to do. 

Im only saying that there are people who will keep close tabs on what they imbibe and how often.   Some folks are able to imbibe in a non-compulsive way, and others cant.  Its unfortunate that it seems often times, they are unable to ascertain to which group they belong! 

[koifish54]

So now the hcv crowd is a impulsive crowd

[Debula]

My opinion is that if a person cannot stay off alcohol  during TX, then maybe they should take a good hard look at their drinking.  A "normal" drinker would not think twice about not having a drink  It is usually the people with a problem that try to justify why and when they should have a drink
Just in case anybody wanted my opinion... 

[dragonslayer]

So now the hcv crowd is a impulsive crowd

Listen... most people who have HCV got it though the most common route of transmission.... And that, in general, indicates behavior of a somewhat compulsive nature.. Some have outgrown it, and others havent.. This isnt a value judgement, and its not directed at all HCVers...  Those to whom it applies will likely know who they are.

[koifish54]

You can have any opinion you want that's all up to you but, really shouldn't generalized on how anyone contracted hcv

[dragonslayer]

You can have any opinion you want that's all up to you but, really shouldn't generalized on how anyone contracted hcv

Really? Facts are Facts. .Most people get HCV via injecting drugs.. That is not a value judgement.. Its is a fact.  Facts have nothing to do with generalizing.. Facts are facts because they are proven via data..

From the CDC:

Who is at risk for Hepatitis C?
Some people are at increased risk for Hepatitis C, including

Current injection drug users (currently the most common way Hepatitis C virus is spread in the United States)

[flipflops]

the statement above is exactly why I have not told anyone I have HCV!  They automatically classify you as a intravenous drug user because that is the stigma attached to this horrible disease. The people I know who have this got it elsewhere!, I got mine from a tattoo in the late 70's, my aunt got it from a blood transfusion, etc. etc.

[koifish54]

I hear you !!

[dragonslayer]

I agree that the stigma is unfortunate.  Its unfair to assume you are or were a drug user because you have HCV...  That doesnt negate the fact that most HCV infectees acquired their disease via drug injection.

I might add that if its anathema to you to be lumped in with ex drug addicts, maybe its you who project the stigma!

[Roger]

My opinion is that if a person cannot stay off alcohol  during TX, then maybe they should take a good hard look at their drinking.  A "normal" drinker would not think twice about not having a drink  It is usually the people with a problem that try to justify why and when they should have a drink.

** BINGO!!!

[dragonslayer]

** BINGO!!!

Double BINGO for no on-treatment drinking!!!

[koifish54]

Who said drinking on treatment

[dragonslayer]

Who said drinking on treatment

Debula did:

"My opinion is that if a person cannot stay off alcohol  during TX, then maybe they should take a good hard look at their drinking"

Roger gave that a 'Bingo!!!', and I simply doubled down.  My response was to that. 

[koifish54]

Everyone has choices And everyone is entitled to their own opinions     

[dragonslayer]

Everyone has choices And everyone is entitled to their own opinions     

Agreed.. What specifically are you referring to?

[coloradogirl]

My friend cleared the virus, then started heavy drinking again. Meanwhile, she hopes to get a transplant soon, and prays she doesn't develop cancer.

I didn't know this was going on until her visit, and when I found out, that saddened me. I told her I don't want to loose her, and to keep fighting. It's tough to think that might be the last time I see her.

I was about in the same boat before the last treatment.  I was doing shots with my husband, and smoking cigarettes, and feeling like shit. My ALT was 245! All the time I begged my hub to make the whiskey stop, but the drinking continued. Then they through me a lifeline, asked if I would do a study, and I took it as a blessing. I made up my mind to quit drinking right then.  When my resolve came, I realized I had the Ruby Slipper Magic in my possession the whole time. It really wasn't that hard to quit in retrospect. And 3 years ago, I finally quit smoking, too. Then I started working out and eating better. After all that, all my self loathing went away. Really, if only I had the presence of mind to know how capable and strong I was, it could have happened much earlier.

Everyone has to fight their own battles. It is a daily struggle.  It is important to keep the goal in mind of a better life, free from our own internal demons. I'm glad I found mine. I hope to encourage others to do the same.
Bless you all, dear brothers and sisters, in your daily struggles.

[zeena]

well, mine was 6 months of riba and sov. i went to an out patient clinic   for 7 weeks which worked!then I had to return to work, and my first encounter was my brothers wedding, i had wine that night and felt major pain on the right side of my body. for days. then , after a gruelling day at work i decided i didnt care anymore and bought a bottle of wine.more pain . the pain lasted a few days then cleared. i am since off the meds since  early december, finally a balance of mind and emotions, which the meds did a big number on. it took months to finally get my stability back, I still have pain! i think if I hadnt drank during tx my liver would be another invisible organ to me instead of this preasant dull ache ,my drinking began with* I dont Care,* I *f up. and then the next beautiful day i do care!!.dont drink not because its good or bad, but because imagine your liver as a newborns, dont mess it up. let it heal, it will take months after tx.i am hcv free, and it feels good!! so CARE!!!I really know the difference in my thinking and emotional responses.I want a new life!!I feel happier now, and there is no real reason other than my mind  doesnt have that insiped virus swimming in it. trust me!! you will be happier with this monster gone!!

[dragonslayer]

Zeena, I know that pain of which you speak!   Im curious what condition your liver was in when you got treated.. Do you have any fibrosis metrics youd care to impart?  I want to see how it relates to the pain you're feeling after drinking.  Thanks.

[zeena]

MY numbers were high, but was told no fibrsis by my doc. i want to get a fibrasure test, refused biopsy, all was done thru blood. now lynn says her numbers were ok, @she has cirroris/ i dont care about spelling now. at home with the fevery flu

[dragonslayer]

MY numbers were high, but was told no fibrsis by my doc. i want to get a fibrasure test, refused biopsy, all was done thru blood. now lynn says her numbers were ok, @she has cirroris/ i dont care about spelling now. at home with the fevery flu

Zeena, to really get the truest picture of the degree of fibrosis and inflammation of your liver, you should really reconsider a biopsy... The non invasive tests tend to be inaccurate in the middle ranges, and are most useful in spotting cirrhosis.. But if you want the best chance of getting  a true score, biopsy is still the gold standard.

[Lynn K]

Yes my number are good meaning you can't tell degree of liver damage by blood tests like liver function or viral load those can be low or high and you can have no fibrosis and scaring or like me low numbers and cirrhosis. The only way to know is by getting a test of some kind and if you have less damage the best test to tell if you are F2 or F3 is the biopsy.

I had 4 biopsies over 15 years they are not the most fun I have ever had but I did survive the experience.

[dragonslayer]

Is there any evidence that light drinking post SVR(12) after a successful course of Harvoni  can cause  or hasten relapse? 

[Lynn K]

Hi Paul

If the virus is gone nothing I am aware of can resurect the virus either you have the virus or you do not. So if you have been cured the only way to have a viral load is to get reinfected.

But if you have any liver damage I personally would want to give my liver the chance to heal

[dragonslayer]

Hi Paul

If the virus is gone nothing I am aware of can resurect the virus either you have the virus or you do not. So if you have been cured the only way to have a viral load is to get reinfected.

But if you have any liver damage I personally would want to give my liver the chance to heal

What about this:  Assuming that we never really know if the virus is 'gone'; just that its existence is below the sensitivity level of the test, can alcohol cause the minute amount of virus that may remainto increase its odds of replication?   What if its only our immune system that is keeping what little virus may remain in check, and what if the immune system becomes somehow compromised by alcohol or otherwise?

Before anybody jumps down my throat, Im not making a case for drinking here; just wondering if what I read on another forum makes any sense..  I always assumed that since alcohol cant give you the virus, it cant cause your relapse.. But I was just wondering about the plausibility of the above scenario.  Thanks.

[Lynn K]

I dunno could too much Tylenol cause relapse

They are saving SVR=cured
not hiding virus

So I am going with neither alcohol, Tylenol or anything else can raise the dead

To me it just doesn't make sense that it could

[dragonslayer]

I dunno could too much Tylenol cause relapse

They are saving SVR=cured
not hiding virus

So I am going with neither alcohol, Tylenol or anything else can raise the dead

To me it just doesn't make sense that it could

That's what I'm thinking.  There are people that persist in spreading this myth that a drop of alcohol is like adding gasoline to a fire, etc, etc; an idea that has already been debunked by Mike, and they will try and use this rationale to explain why even drinking after SVR can cause relapse.. I think its bs, but hey, people believe what they want to believe.   Obviously, drinking with liver disease is a whole other matter.. But this is only about alcohol's effect on virus, not on the liver... Thanks for your thoughts, Lynn..  I always find your responses to be sensible, factual, and non-emotional, which I appreciate. 

Hey, it looks like your SVR4 marker is coming up in a week... If you do that test, I know everybody here wishing you the very best.. Cant wait to read the good results!!

[Lynn K]

Well if you have hep c and you drink I do agree they act together synergistically  to do more damage when combined together than each alone. But other than that if you don't have liver damage all I can say is cheers!

And thanks for the good wishes fingers eyes and toes crossed

[shootingforzero]

What Lynn K said.

Some people are confusing the fact that both alcohol and hep c damage the liver – for different reasons – with the idea that alcohol would somehow promote the growth of the virus itself.
As far as I understand it those are very separate things.

That said, hep c is already doing a number on my liver and I want to minimize liver damage. Thus I don't drink.

Personally I will be going very easy on the booze, sugar, tylenol and other liver-damaging substances once I achieve SVR, knock on wood, since I want to give my liver a chance to heal.

[Lynn K]

Sure but we all we not in the same boat. I have cirrhosis and will never be able to drink but it is what it is. We do the best we can to live our lives

Good luck all

[Debula]

I just wanted to chime in and say this
I was diagnosed probably in the early 90's but probably had HepC since the 80's and continued to drink until 1994. (I quit in 94 and haven't had a drop since)
Today I have cirrhosis.  I don't know of it was the HepC or the drinking or the combination of both that did it.  IT SUCKS.
For those of you who don't have liver disease, I would still say take care of your liver because you REALLY don't know the extent of the damage HepC may have caused. 
my 2 cents 

[dragonslayer]

>>For those of you who don't have liver disease, I would still say take care of your liver because you REALLY don't know the extent of the damage HepC may have caused.  <<

Deb, not sure what you are saying here. Are you saying that for those of us who dont have liver disease, the diagnosis has a greater than average chance of being  incorrect?  I think Id have to dispute this. I dont know that any diagnosis is truly 100%  but are able to have a pretty good idea of the condition our liver is in.   Biopsies have been pretty reliable in giving  a true picture of liver condition; non invasive tests not so much, but fairly good with minimal damage and with cirrhosis..  Why would a diagnosis of no liver disease be any less reliable than any other diagnosis?

[Lynn K]

I guess it you don't have a biopsy you wouldn't know at least I did not know I had progress officially to cirrhosis until I had that last biopsy in 2008.

I knew my liver was getting worse with each 5 year biopsy but did not know I was F4.

[dragonslayer]

I guess it you don't have a biopsy you wouldn't know at least I did not know I had progress officially to cirrhosis until I had that last biopsy in 2008.

I knew my liver was getting worse with each 5 year biopsy but did not know I was F4.

Lynn, what was your progression as measured by biopsy?  I saw it in another thread I believe, but forgot the numbers.. Thanks.   As you can see from mine, its been very slow... Stage/Grade 0 in 2008, and Stage/Grade 0-1 in 2013, both done in different hospitals, so hopefully reliability is increased, as the one basically confirms the result of the other.  I did no drinking between that last biopsy and my treatment inception which was 1.5  yrs after the biopsy (11/14).  Im thinking of getting a fibroscan later this summer, which we know is pretty accurate with the degree of damage my biopsies have shown.

[Debula]

>>For those of you who don't have liver disease, I would still say take care of your liver because you REALLY don't know the extent of the damage HepC may have caused.  <<

Deb, not sure what you are saying here. Are you saying that for those of us who dont have liver disease, the diagnosis has a greater than average chance of being  incorrect?  I think Id have to dispute this. I dont know that any diagnosis is truly 100%  but are able to have a pretty good idea of the condition our liver is in.   Biopsies have been pretty reliable in giving  a true picture of liver condition; non invasive tests not so much, but fairly good with minimal damage and with cirrhosis..  Why would a diagnosis of no liver disease be any less reliable than any other diagnosis?

Nope that is not what I was saying.  As this thread relates to alcohol I was just suggesting that people back off from alcohol and take care of their liver so it doesn't get any worse.  I regret not quitting drinking when I first found out I had hepC and was told not to drink.  Young and stupid I guess

[Lynn K]

Hi Paul

History of my hep c and cirrhosis

Probably infected in 1978 or 1979

Found out when I donated blood in Fall 1989.

The test was probably only a antibody test I don't think they had the test for the virus yet or even genotype testing if memory serves

Biopsy some time between 1990 and 1993 maybe? Inflammation 1, Scarring 1.

Doctor said it was ok to drink in moderation so I did and maybe a bit more than moderation.

treated several times null responder.

Working backwards on the biopsies based on I know I did them every 5 years

2008  F4

2003  F3

1998 (best guess) F2

1993 (best guess) F1

So 15 years from F1 to F4 cirrhosis.

As far a drinking I made a conscious decision to continue to drink at least occasionally. And told myself I would not regret that choice later. So I did drink and I don't regret it.

But now I have cirrhosis so I don't anymore.

But not a 6 pack a night, not every week, but maybe monthly at times, maybe quarterly, maybe just a beer after moving the yard. And some times I did not drink at all for long periods of time. Been on this road for 25 years that I have known of lots of opportunity to change from one mode to another.

Also wasn't really ever told until I had cirrhosis that moderate drinking was that big of a deal.

We do know more now then we did then

[dragonslayer]

Lynn, Thanks for that... You were amazingly linear in your disease progression.. Like Clockwork!   Considering I likely contracted HCV in the early 70s, my progression has been exceedingly slow, for which Im very thankful.  After my likely infection time, I drank hard and often for about 10-15 yrs, after which, I stopped entirely for 20 years. 

Then, I got diagnosed in a routine physical in '08.. I felt so good physically that I really didnt take it seriously... When my GI doc at the time reported to me that my just taken biopsy was stage and grade 0, I think I saw that as a license to start drinking again.. Not a lot, but  most days ended with a glass of wine..  That went on for a 6 mos to a year but then pretty much stopped.   I learned more and decided until I got 'cured', Id pretty much stop.. I was getting sporadic mild pain in the upper right quadrant area, and after that, it was a lot easier to completely stop.. Which I did until reaching SVR a couple of months ago. 

Since my biopsy in 2013 showed practically no disease advance over the prior 5 yrs, I feel relatively confident in allowing myself a few beers/glasses of wine a week.  I feel no inclination to have more than that, but I do enjoy a beer with friends on social occasions.  Luckily, I dont like drinking alone!  That pretty much sums up my relationship to alcohol over time.   Feeling lucky to be where I am right now. 

Lynn, I really hope youre next to finally be done with this. Your level headed approach is consistent in all your forum responses, and I do enjoy reading them.

[Debula]

Paul,
I am really happy to hear that your have achieved SVR.  Congratulations and I hope to be there in about 5 months   I guess I wasn't paying attention to signature.  That is sooo fantastic and I liked reading your story.

I think that if you enjoy drinking that you should.  I didn't mean to imply that you would hurt your liver ESPECIALLY since you don't have liver decease.

I guess I was thinking more about people that have a higher fibrosis level.  I personally wouldn't chance it if I were them.  But who am I to speak really?  I drank while I was taking interferon injections.  :/

Lynn always nice reading your posts.  I only regret my excessive drinking because of where I am at today with the cirrhosis.  Otherwise I don't really regret any of the things I have done  in my life (even the stupid stuff). Those things make us who we are.
 But really... Who is to say that I wouldn't have progressed  at the same rate even if I had quit when I was first diagnosed and told about HepC?
My husband drank just as much as I and his liver is still fine.  He is geno type 3 and holding off on treatment to see if he can get the new drug that hopefully will be approved by mid summer.  Maybe genetics plays a role too.  Who knows? 

[Lynn K]

yeah who knows and all in the past now so nothing we can do about it anyway.

By the stats I am not supposed to have cirrhosis. I have a coworker, male, very heavy, drinks beer every weekend alot, hep c probably as long as me. I convinced him he should have the biopsy his doctor wanted him to have. No Liver damage.

Me, just a bit overweight, was occasional drinker, female. I get cirrhosis go figure....

[ricpark]

My 2 cents

Background
Single parent mother died when I just turned 16 and ended up homeless on the streets of New York City. Heroin addiction for about 5 years with 1 year on Rikers Island prison, dying 2 times from overdose finally deciding to change my lifestyle (not a good career path). Went on to head a IT dept at a large City School district, Then became a Broadcast engineer heading the engineering, installation, service depts, going around the USA to TV stations for a broadcast equipment dealer (all with a 10th grade eduction from Souths Bronx public schools). Married a lovely wife from the Midwest, 4 kids 8 grandchildren. Have not touched drugs for 46 years, not a sip of alcohol for 15 years when found out about having Hep c.

My belief is until a person them self wants to change their self destructive actions  no amount preaching will change anything.

[sugarfree]

Why  oh why??  Risk the treatment for a drink?  I'd never take the risk and Harmony has now cured me.  It was worth all sacrifices to get better to get my life back and to risk further damage to your liver!  If you can do without...Please do.  If not...not for me to judge.  Good Luck

[kate7154]

I know this will not be popular, but If I may add my two cents... 

Hep C does not cause drinking, nor drinking cause hep C.  Both can be very hard on the liver, and if a person has liver damage from one or the other--or both, it does seem foolhardy to drink because it will FURTHER damage the liver (whether on treatment right now or not). 

What about the person who does NOT, by the grace of God (or genetics), have liver damage from either one, but has been walking around for years with latent HCV.  Should that person be denied treatment because they still drink moderately (remember the treatment is only about killing the virus, it does not heal the liver...the liver regenerates itself).  There are quite a few who fall into this category.

In the case someone who is sick from alcoholism (which is a disease) and also infected with HCV--they have two potential risks to their liver.  Wouldn't clearing the virus be a step in the right direction?  It could possibly give someone many more years.  I would hate to be the one to deny treatment to that person.  I would hate to attend that funeral.

It is hard to find a comparable situation...but I will try.  Say a person has 2 risk factors for heart disease, morbidly obese AND a heavy smoker.  Imagine there was a drug that could easily stop that person from smoking---but not keep him from overeating, or eating poorly.  Should that person be denied the no-smoking medicine?  It could give his heart a much better chance.  I would hate to be the one to make that call (you might as well keep smoking, because you're obesity is hurting your heart anyway).

All that said, I am laying low on the alcohol while on treatment because it feels like the right thing for me (doesn't hold much appeal, strangely).  I certainly won't judge another for the choices they make concerning their own health situation.  We are all different.

[sugarfree]

With the cost of treatment.with the prayers to get well?  I just wouldn't take the chance.  As of Friday,I am 6 months after treatment and I am cured.  Unfortunately the damage I have won't ever go away

[willie g]

Disabled hep Kat I read your April. 29th posting on drinking,I don't believe your schizophrenic, just my opinion by your well documented trial you preformed,I believe narcissist would be more appropriate. Folks on this forum are sincere about their illness,whether temporary or not and your scientific criteria of drinking and DYINNG was of no INTREST to many I assume,yet........ Ti's a little WIERD now a days so you just may have a few Cheerleaders and we must not forget. FREEDOM OF SPEECH so once again,,,just my opinion,  you now have another catchy label for yourself,"Narcissism" did your cat do the trial with you? Lol and to the person who posted " I guess I should have asked about drinking After TREATMENT I cracked up, and I think you were right on that one lol.   "" Too the moon ALICE!" Just willie g" GATORFALLS

[byebyeC]

Ouch! Koifish!....

That was quite the rabbit hole... :/