Alcohol Consumtion

Question

I've been in remission from Hepatitis C for about 10 years after a years treatment of Interferon-A and Ribavirin. 

Is it safe to consume alcohol at this point of could it cause the virus to come back?

mar148 · Answer

Please read threads about the benefits of wine.  Some responsible individuals enjoy wine and are healthy doing so.  You know if you have a problem with it or not.

marsfreek · Answer

why take a chance?????

AmeliaFufu · Answer

To make it through tx, so many are praying that they get the chance to even start.  They like you stop drinking and find a new path.  To make it to the other side and now want to do something that is so hard on the liver.  I just wonder if your looking to justify the behavior?  No matter what, good luck.  But my vote is just say no, there are a million other things you can have to drink besides alcohol, maybe try one of them?
AmeliaFufu

fredtop · Answer

I asked my doctor and got the same response but the family doctor I go to know is not the same as the GI I went to for the treatment and just wanted to ask around a little.

I did have some side effects, I lost a lot of weight and my appetite decreased a bit. I got use to the treatments after a month or so but the first few were really rough. I ate a very low fat diet and quit caffeine and any unneeded over-the-counter medications for the entire year I was on the treatment. After about a month off of the treatment I didn't have any more side effects and haven't had any since. 

I would suggest try to eat and live as healthy as you can while on the treatments, not sure if it helped but I would like to think that it did.

mar148 · Answer

If you are SVR and little to no liver damage it is my understanding it is ok to drink a safe amount of alcohol. The same logic anyone should use with safe alcohol consumption with no hepc . Alcohol will not bring hep c back. Alcohol is only a problem if it is hard for you to control your limits.

mar148 · Answer

If you are SVR and little to no liver damage it is my understanding it is ok to drink a safe amount of alcohol. The same logic anyone should use with safe alcohol consumption with no hepc . Alcohol will not bring hep c back. Alcohol is only a problem if it is hard for you to control your limits.

copyman · Answer

great to hear from someone that far out from treatment and still SVR. I would say a few drinks every now and then would be fine and have no affect on your liver. Just curious, did you ask your doctor this question? 

Off the topic, did you have any side effects from the harsh treatment drugs you took back then? How long did it take for you to feel better? Do you still have any side effects now? Thanks and Best wishes

fredtop · Answer

It was around 10 years ago, I was in the first clinical trial. I had know liver damage and I get my levels checked once a year since I finished the trial.