This has gone the way of all other threads on this topic.

This discussion is mainly driven by younger members, who may not want to hear 'no alcohol for the rest of your life'. SVR is getting easier to obtain for many - short Rx times, fewer Sx., more effective drugs.

Previously SVR meant 48 weeks of hard times on SOC before the AP's. The SVR's who did triple Rx for 24, 28, 36 or 48 weeks mostly had some bad times. SVR was well and truly earned and treasured. This is why alcohol is a no-no for such people.

Many doctors have little interest in post-treatment patients. This is why the long term effects of Rx are so poorly documented.(see Steff's post). No matter what is said here, members will make their own decision.

Time to close this.

Karen,

Your da bomb!

Beautifully said.

Have a great day!

For me it is not an issue. I was stage 3-4 cirrhosis on my second biopsy prior to my successful incivek treatment. I was drinking prior to my diagnosis, seven + years ago. Once diagnosed I have not had a drink since. For me alcohol isn't an option. I never want to go through the hell of treatment again for something as mundane as a drink. For the record I not only do not drink but I am sober. For those who know that's a big distinction.

The beauty of life..is that we get to choose our path.  Everything we do in life is a choice.  What we must realize we do not need others to tell us what is good for us-ultimately we are going to do what we want to do and find something or someone to help support our decision.  Malcolm clearly defines the logic in this subject...  If drinking is the goal-search hard enough you will find an article or a doctor or someone to support that decision.

If drinking after hep C brings you great joy...let none of us cast the first stone.   At one time or another, all of us have made decisions that produced unfavorable outcomes.  Having Hep C has helped me to realize how precious life is..Being joyous in this life should be the focus-not getting approval and support to conduct ourselves in a way that may or may not be harmful to our bodies.  

The lyrics from one of my favorite songs-seems to sum it up!

                                                           I'm standing at the crossroads

There are many roads to take

But I stand here so silently

For fear of a mistake.

One path leads to paradise

One path leads to pain

One path leads to freedom

They all look the same.

I've travelled many roads

And not all of them where good

The foolish ones taught more to me

Than the wise ones ever could.

What ever your choose-let it fill you with great JOY and little regret!

You can find any answer you want these days. Common sense plus Mallani's answer should be enough for most people but if it means that much to you to drink again then go right ahead. Why do you need a "study" to justify it. 

I think that by continually toying with this idea that it might be ok to drink again after having hep c we are doing a disservice to the newer people on this forum who may not be as informed as some of us. Can you find a doctor or a link that says it's ok to drink again?  Sure you can but if you really step back and think about it, it's a no brainer.

Hi SteffieHoney,

This is exactly why I posed this question again today, because I believe that even though this topic has been discussed at length in previous threads, it still has not really been answered.  You have doctors like yours who say it is okay to drink moderately post SVR, and then you have others who say one should abstain from alcohol.  That is why I proposed a research study which you can read about below.  I am wondering why no one on this forum has a link to any research on alcohol consumption post SVR.  It seems that everyone gives their opinion and supports it with their beliefs, yet no one on this forum has been able to cite research on this question.  I still appreciate everyone's feedback and understand that maybe there is no research study out there for us to read.  I read to my husband today everyone's responses so he can make an informed decision (that is, if he ever achieves SVR!)

~

Carol

I have read the discussions this board has had on alcohol in the past.  I have never participated but am aware most of you feel any amount of alcohol is a no-no.  I am not trying to antagonize anyone but I am curious on why some doctors tell SVR patents that it is ok to drink moderately.  My hematologist told me that if I am clear 6 months post treatment that it would be ok. Obviously I meet certain number of criteria that have been mentioned like not having addiction problems in the past and not having any know liver damage.  But if this is such a no-no isnt it irresponsible for doctors to be telling patients like me that its ok.    

I think a lot of the problem is information that is available. As this is a "new" disease we are still having the discussions of SVR verses cure. As people are now showing SVR 10 years post treatment they are now talking "cure" rather than SVR. But still we are not able to donate blood or organs, so it leaves a large question mark!

But, on the other hand, our risk of liver cancer is reduced by 2 thirds, but that does not mean we are not at risk for developing cancer once cured. I know this depends on fibroses level and other factors.

As far as I understand it, after treatment for at least 3 years you'll need annual blood tests to check the virus hasn't broken through as it was lying somewhere undetected. If you haven't had a breakthrough again, you are considered cured. For this reason, it is not recommended that you commence drinking heavily or regular because if the disease breaks through again, you'll accelerate the disease progression. On the other hand, most people don't even know how long they had the disease and drank etc and have no damage. Men are more prone to damage than females (estrogen protects females until menapause) and Genotype 3 has the added pain of developing a fatty liver. But, it depends on many factors such as over all health, habits and age.

The chances of having a break through post 6 month checks are 1-3%. So although low, there is no set criteria. They are not sure if this is due to becoming re-infected verses living hidden in parts of the body undetected.

Now, I questioned after gaining a cure about I.V.F, this is using heavy drugs that affect your whole system. There is no question I can do this. You can have operations and treat life as normal. Saying that, better to take care of your body for a long and healthy life per se.

I will have the occasional wine once recovered, not a bottle or several drinks, but a little of everything in moderation is ok. But, if you have had a long treatment, it will take months for the body to recover. So, I would let it do exactly that before jumping back to old habits.

No question is stupid...........

I agree, Jim, it does seem like common sense to most of us here, and we`re very lucky to have the benefit of Malcolm`s medical knowledge and experience.  But as long as doctors and nurses are telling people that it`s ok to drink post SVR, then I think the subject is worth discussing.  I can understand why Carol is looking for a definitive study to show her husband, and from my own experience I know how frustrating it is trying to persuade a loved one to look after their health.  I haven`t come across such a study, and there doesn`t seem to be a great deal of follow up done on people post tx in general.

It would be interesting to do a research study by first getting a group of people who achieved SVR.  Then you would divide them post treatment into zero drinkers,

moderate drinkers, and excessive drinkers.  Then it would be interesting to see if any individuals in either group went on to develop any liver related complications or deaths caused by liver

failure/cancer.

Carol

I guess you could say it's divided.  99-1 in favor of not drinking alcohol ever again from my math.

Thank you all for your feedback - very helpful.  I will read it to my husband so that he can take it into consideration and make the decision for himself.

~

Carol

Hi Steffie, that`s a very good question!   At my last hospital appointment, when I heard the news that my tx had been succussful, I asked my nurse if she thought it would be ok to have the occasional drink now, and she replied that it would be fine because the virus had gone.  But I`ve chosen not to drink alcohol post tx, because after going through tx and all that it involves, I want to take good care of my liver and my health in general.  To be honest, I`ve had maybe 3 or 4 very small alcoholic drinks in the past 2 years, but am not at all tempted to start drinking on a regular basis again, I just wouldn`t take the risk.  I do know of some people who are drinking again post SVR though, and I do find it quite surprising.

I agree, it would be very helpful if our medical teams gave out consistent advice! 

Hi Carol, yes it does seem to come down to informed decisions, unfortunately.  I feel for you with your husband (my husband was a drinker), and hope he takes all our comments on board.  And best of luck to him with SVR too!

~ Jill

-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Monday 15th of April 2013 09:02:09 AM

Hi Carol,

I'm like a broken record on this. SVR does NOT necessarily mean you have NO residual virus in your body. Most patients have a tiny amount of virus that can remain for many years. The body has learned how to deal with this, by tuning the autoimmune response, so relapse is very rare. If you drink alcohol you damage hepatocytes. This gives any virus a chance to attack a weakened cell. If you want to take that chance, go ahead and drink. It's a personal decision. As Jill said, many HCV patients have an addictive personality, and I had my problems with alcohol in the past (until 1997). This probably worsened and accelerated my fibrosis development.

Alcohol is a liver poison. Your liver has been damaged by HCV. Why add insult to injury?

depending on liver condition, after you achived SVR (6-12months EOT), you can make your choice regarding moderate alcohol intake. Consumption of alcohol won't bring HCV back, but it is more than obvious that alcohol is toxic to liver. It's your/his choice tho. liver is a one of few organs that can regenerate (fibrosis can be reversed), but alcohol can only make fibrosis progress worse in damaged livers and lead to cirrhosis.

In my case, i do not intend to drink alcohol until i am 6months EOT SVR and F0/A0 liver wise (no fibrosis, no inflamation and no fatty cells), that is my personal choice tho. I have talked with my doc regarding it and she said moderate drinking wont bring hcv back, but as usual doctors do not advise alcohol consumption not just to patients with liver problems, yet in general.

So, not sure what condition ur husband's liver is. You should talk with his doctor regarding it when the time comes, but first concetrate on getting rid of hcv...i guess u can make him "promise" if his liver is without any fibrosis and inflamation he can have a drink 6-12 month EOT if it's gonna help him psychologically, as extra motivation/goal

Alcohol is not the only compound that damages liver, he will have to adjust his nutrition and medicine/herbs usage too according to liver condition.


opinion on this forum is divided and it usually gets really emotional regarding alcohol consumption.

best

Hey Jim...I will help you out...lol....

Hi Carol...

Alcohol + Liver (that has been through hell and back) = not the best fit!  No!No!...

I would appreciate an honest answer, as it could mean life and death for my husband.

Hi again Carol, it sounds like you`re pretty worried about your husband.  I`m sorry to hear that, and I hope we can help.  Whether to drink alcohol or not post SVR depends to a large degree on whether the person has any residual liver damage or not, and, as Karen has indicated, many of us wouldn`t want to risk causing any harm to our livers after going through the stress and ordeal of treatment. 

There are also people who have had dependency problems in the past with drink, and who need to continue to stay clear from alcohol for those reasons .

Before I ask this question, I want to clarify that my husband has HCV and not me.  Also, even though I don't have HCV, I still do not drink alcohol.

If someone achieves SVR, and they have no more virus attacking their liver anymore, why is it still suggested that someone abstain from drinking alcohol?

Thanks, Carol