
Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Sure you can still drink; we can't stop you, but it's hard on your liver. It's bad for your liver, and I do not believe that a person with an ailing liver should drink at all. I quit drinking when I was dx and don't intend to drink again.
I mean, come on, do you honestly need that drink a day? If you do, you should be questioning that addiction.
As for medications, when you read the work the liver does in your body, you will find that just about everything filters through you liver, so you are making your liver work harder plus many medications do have warnings of being used with caution as they are harmful to the liver. I had some horrible issues with my joints a few years ago and my dr hesitated but gave me some anti inflammatory pills to take for a very short time, just to get the inflammation down a bit. I have had to find other means to solve that problem because I don't want to be taking such harsh meds that will harm my liver.
In some cases, you may need to take some meds that may be hard on your liver but are also quite necessary for your other health issues. All of your drs need to be made aware of all your health conditions and all of your medications so that there are no issues.
I want you to walk up 10 flights of stairs. By the time you reach the top, you may be a bit tired.
Now I want you do it again but this time, I want you to put on 10lb ankle weights on your ankles. Do you get tired earlier, before you reach the 10th floor? Too bad keep walking up the stairs.
That's sort of what you are doing to you liver when you put things into your body that make your liver work harder.
So sure you can have that one drink.
Sure you can take drugs.
Yeah right
Seriously, I don't care what you have read. I don't care if you are looking for something written that seems to allow you to do what you want.
There is no confusion.
Do not drink.
Do not take any meds in addition to tx for the virus without advice from your drs.
No matter how you spin it - the ONLY WAY to go through HCV treatment is clean/sober.
Might be best to get some clean/sober time in before undertaking tx, get the help you need, meetings etc. The percentage for success in TX increases a lot when clean/sober.
Just a side note: Most people who are practicing addicts aren't idiots, the are people sick with the disease of addiction.
And Justblue is absolutely right on in her sharing. Listen.
I don't drink, but seeing other people drink makes me feel a bit left out. I think it would be even harder to be told I was a diabetic and had to limit my food intake.
Being told we can't or shouldn't have something incites a tad of rebellion. Acceptance of our health and its limitations is the real issue. Just as life changes with parenthood, one with HCV can never go back to the previous life. Your life is different now, throw away the pamplets and choose health and life.
"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked." Proverbs 4:25-27
I think definately it's better to be safe & abstinent, but in real-life i know it's damn hard!!!!!
My understanding is the more drugs / alcohol / pills etc you take decrease the chance of tx. working.
Do your best & i understand ur frustrations / confusing totally!!
thanks oz13...i know what you mena by regrets.
i have my blood test next monday and hope all turns out well.
Again, I apologize for my seemingly insensitive comment in my previous post.