Doctor wouldn't give me meds because i said i drank every 3-4 weeks.

[Martin1337]

Hey guys, iv just been diagnosed with genotype 1a, the doctor said my liver was fine an that it could pass on its own.

He said drinking on the medication can send people crazy and id be a danger to myself and others.

I also said I'm a light smoker (Smoke 3 a day)

Im very confused, after this i had a bloodtest which they took three different samples.

I don't understand why they wouldn't just give me the meds and id not drink through the treatment, getting rid of it is my main concern.

I'm so confused, I'm in the UK so if anyone from here could give me more information on how and why this happened that would be great, thank you

[dragonslayer]

Did you tell him you only drink lightly now and as soon as the meds arrived, you would  quit completely until the course of treatment was completed?   I really dont see the problem with that.  You clearly dont have an alcohol addiction and can manage your consumption and dont abuse anything.

[Lynn K]

Drinking while taking Harvoni does not send people crazy. It is not a great idea as we are trying to avoid liver damage and taking any medication while taking treatment needs to be cleared with your doctor.

Have you had the HCV RNA by PCR test that will give you your viral load how many copies of the virus are circulating in your blood. If you have had hep c for more than 3 months you will not clear the virus on your own as having hep c for more than6 months means you are chronically infected if your body was able to clear the infection on its own it would have done so in that time.

Hep c takes many years to cause liver damage but the earlier you cure hep c you will avoid any liver damage. Also hep c is a blood borne virus many of us who were infected with hep c worried about even the remote possibility of infecting our loved ones.

Is your doctor experienced in treating patients with hep c? I would find a doctor who has experience in this area who can better answer your questions.

Good luck

[Gaj]

Hi Martin, while probably not the best choice for your liver, occasional drinking on treatment won't send you crazy and nor is it likely to have much effect on that treatment. It sounds a bit like your doctor is trying to scare you, probably with the best of intentions, but I believe that an properly informed patient will make better decisions for their health.

There is a lot of information on this site that will help inform you but for specifically U.K. and NHS related information you may also want to check the UK Hep C Trust website or helpline.

http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/treatment

[Martin1337]

It was at a hepotology(Spelling) department so i think he must know what he was talking about but just must be very against drinking as he said even with liver transplants i wouldn't give one to someone with a history of past drinking or something like that.

I had an ultrasound on my liver where they put a device to my liver and he said my liver was perfect, I'm just really upset he didn't start me on medication, iv just stopped anti-depressants as I want to stop putting ANYTHING in my body and that's stressing me out coming off them and he still wouldn't give me them

Im pretty sure iv only had it 2-3 month's aswel, it came from a needle (My one and only time using any hard drugs or needle) but it was the spur of the moment thing.
I'm not a drug user I just work come home and play video games that's my life

Is it just because of that do you think?

[Martin1337]

I also got three bloodtests after that could that be the HCV RNA by PCR?

[Lynn K]

Hep c is a blood borne virus and sharing needles is a definite method of transmission. Yes it only takes one time to be at risk.

People who drink are not eloigible for liver transplant they must be free of alcohol for 6 months but people who were alcoholics in the past can still qualify for transplant at least that is here in the US.

Yes one of the tests was probably the HCV RNA test. That will tell you your viral load. You should ask for copies of your labs tests so you can track your information they are your tests you have a right to have them.

If your doctor won't give you treatment because you are an occasional drinker who plans on not drinking during treatment that does seem really strange. Can you see a different doctor?

By the way the doctor is called a hepatologist. Hepa meaning  liver like hepatitis means liver inflammation.

You might also go see an infectious disease specialist since you don't have liver damage

[Angelica]

Martin, You say "Im pretty sure iv only had it 2-3 month's aswel, it came from a needle (My one and only time using any hard drugs or needle) but it was the spur of the moment thing.
I'm not a drug user I just work come home and play video games that's my life"

you have only had it 2-3 months. That is why you have not been offered treatment. Your condition is not chronic yet. Approximately 25% of people infected clear spontaneously.

I would stop drinking and smoking completely. A good diet would help too, lots of water, etc. If you clear without treatment is a much better option.