You would be better to read up on the work that you liver does for your body; you will find that just about everything filters through your body.
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.

Well said JustBlue. And as far as anyone continuing to use heroin or any illicit drug while on tx, THEY ARE IDIOTS! Sorry, but there is no justification for doing that. As JustBlue said, Why would you want to do things to your liver that would make it work harder and cause more damage? Stay away from alcohol and any other drugs.

You should never drink or ever drink again after TX...thats what my GI told me. Alcohol is the worse thing for your liver. QUIT!!!!

Alcohol and drugs are definitely a 'no no'. If people suffer from alcoholism and addiction, they neglect their health because their disease (alcoholism/addiction), unfortunately comes before anything else, and destroys them. The fact the heroin addicts are still using even though they have Hep C, makes it even worse for them. In my opinion, they are not idiots though, they are sick and suffering individuals and I feel bad for them.

Being Clean and Sober is the best way to go through life, you know this..
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 cant believe that anyone doing tx for hep c STILL abuses thier liver with alcohol and drugs whats the point, I have noticed that it seems a few people do that on here, its not very encouraging for others is it ?

As I understand it, the interferon is blocked by the alcohol until it completely clears your system. I dunno about you but I'd rather deal with just the tx and sides than risk repeating tx.

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

So true... on acceptance. The one thing that Ive learnt is that the more acceptance I have, the more serenity I have. Also, I know that nothing happens by accident. I am frustrated too that I have Hep C, or that I can't drink, but I learnt that this was the path for me. And I accept it. And I try to look at all the wonderful things in my life, and stay grateful and that helps me when things are not necessarily going the way I want...

also hold the milk thistle it is such a good protectant my GL said hold till after TX

The lady that did the power point on hep c at the local support goup I found said they are questioning mentioning a few drinks are ok especially if on TX.I thought she said she was a PA but I do know she works with places like the University I will go to and others. I will try to get here credentials next group.

To add a short note. Both affect you in a bad way mentally and physically when abused. And drugs not prescribed to you are simply illegal so bad liver or not do you really want to spend time behind bars healthy?

hi moppy - as everyone is saying of course it's best to totally avoid any unnecessary alcohol / drugs for your liver. I had a long chat with my GI doctor about it & he assures me a few drinks occassionally is fine. i slipped up a few months ago with wine & valium at a party... blood tests fine so far, but of course it's a risk to do that & i feel regret now.
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 for the advice y'all.

thanks oz13...i know what you mena by regrets.

i have my blood test next monday and hope all turns out well.

Perhaps I spoke too strongly by calling addicts idiots. But I struggled with several addictions myself and was able to get clean and I have stayed clean for many many years. Without going into details, I was addicted to the most addictive drug available. Once I made up my mind to take responsibility for my actions and stop blaming "The disease," I walked away from it. However, I do realize that many times people are not strong enough or they haven't gotten to the point that they can move away from their addictions.

Again, I apologize for my seemingly insensitive comment in my previous post.

There's a big heroin problem in my area. The clinic's give out the interferon and riba for free to people who can't afford it. People who are clean always get the med's 1st. They'll only give the med's to someone who is using if the person is end stage or at least stage 4. The reason for this is that if a person clears the virus with the med's, they can still be reinfected with hep. C. If someone's shooting up, they're engaging in high risk behavior. That's why if it comes down between someone who's clean and someone who's not, the clean person will get the med's since there's a better chance that the med's will do more good in the long run. My doctor says a person can be infected with different Hep. C genotypes at the same time. I always thought, I already have it so engaging in high risk behaviors didn't matter. How wrong I was. Also, any drugs, whether weed or heroin will compramise a person's immune system to a degree. So they're taking riba and interferon to increase their immune system, and they're taking recreational drugs that go against what they're trying to do. I have seen time and time again people who do treatment only to have it not work because they have habits. It is my opinion that if doctors took these kind of lifestyles into consideration, and excluded these people from statistical data, that the success rate and successful remission following treatment would be much higher. I look at treatment as a waste of time if I relapse on heroin. It goes against what I'm trying to do.