Drug Tests

[katla]

In order to qualify for a clinical trial they give drug tests during the screening process and on each visit. Does anyone know if tranquilizers are tested for.

The is REALLY important for me to know ASAP...thanks.

[can-do-man]

The trial i was in didn't have drug testing but i would think any RX drug would be ok.... Good luck

[UKgirl55]

This is what I heard they test for on this trial.

PCP, Amphetamine, Barbituates, Benzodiazapine, Cannabinoid (MJ) Cocaine, Opiate, Oxycodone and Alcohol.

[katla]

can-do-man,
Rx drug's not OK. Any mental health issues would have disqualified me so when I asked I said I didn't take any medication. I already had two drugs tests which will definitely be negative but I'd like t take something to take the edge off and I'm afraid to.

UKgirl- curious where you found this, thanks. Well then I guess Benzo's are out. I had no idea they tested for alcohol. I was quite drunk 36 hours prior to latest test. Well, maybe this is one less decision I'll have to make...going to shoot myself now...later

[nygirl7]

Katla

It's not any mental health issues usually, it's just that you need to be watched and monitored more carefully. At least in the non-trial world that is as far as I know.

You should NOT be getting that faced with hcv.........if you keep it up likely in a while you wont have to make any decision at all.

[slideman]

If you are getting drunk then why treat at all? If you dont care about your health then why dont you let somebody that does care have that spot in the trial.

[80mecheng]

If it's a script, the trial doctors needs to be aware of it to make sure there are no interactions.  If it's non script, then you should not be in the trial.

[crigger]

I hope you are joking about being drunk! Alcohol is the worst thing you can do. You need to need to try very hard to do the things you need to do to get well.   Later you may not have choices when you liver is completely destroyed. I am not trying to be mean I just want you get help.

[willbb]

Iwas quite drunk 36 hours prior to latest test. Well, maybe this is one less decision I'll have to make...going to shoot myself now...later
------------------------------

With HCV there really is not that much difference .. the shooting will work faster  tho....

Will

[katla]

I'm very sorry I posted this. I battled alcohol my whole goddamn life and. I've have been doing REALLY well in the past year since diagnosis but I happened to drink that night.

I truly wish I could be as perfect as some of you but I'm not. I guess my great sin was being honest.

willbb- this is the second time in the past month I started a thread and you attacked me. I have no idea what I've ever done to you but I will try to refrain from posting anymore.

[jules2551]

I am in the same boat you are.  I screwed up a couple of weeks ago and you just have to start over.  That is all you can do.

Will is not attacking you.  He is just telling you the truth.  We have to make lifestyle changes whether we like it or not.  

Have a great day!

Jules

[AKHepper]

I'm not gonna advocate alcohol use, but somebody posted a study not long ago that said alcohol use didn't affect treatment outcome.

[willbb]

Katlia. I have never attacked you nor will I ..

There is an old saying I like ."Better to be slapped with the truth than kissed with a lie"

I wish you well in your recovery and with HCV..
Will

[1oftheclub222]

he's just trying to get you to understand how dangerous it is to drink with liver disease.  It fast forwards your liver damage at twice as fast, it really is concern for your well being and trying to get you to understand how damaging it is.  

Some of the people here are dealing with cirrhosis, liver transplants, liver cancer...it's so hard for them to see someone ask for damage to their liver when they would give anything not to have these problems...and drinking with liver disease is just asking to have these things, even if you don't see it that way.  It's not judging, it's fear for what your certain future will be if you don't stop.....

[UKgirl55]

I got this from someone who had been on the previous trial, but for 24 weeks.

[nygirl7]

I'm not gonna advocate alcohol use, but somebody posted a study not long ago that said alcohol use didn't affect treatment outcome. "

LOL is that the point or how many stages did her disease progress that it neednt have? Mine sure did.  And for every one person who has not had treatment affected you can't know that there are another five who did not (or one or two who knows?)

It's always better to err on the correct side or why bother to worry about treatment?  

And yes there are many alcholic/addicts on here so please dont think it's preaching, it's more like preaching to the choir.

[crigger]

I think you will find on this site several people who understand. Addiction or abuse. I am one of them.  Maybe you should try and get tratment for alcohol before you get on any hep c treatment.  Believe me you do not want to go through treatment if  you can not be compliant with it. It is a rough road and you need to be able to follow DR Orders. I would encourage you to go to AA oR Na. You sound very depressed you might want to talk to Mental health. I not judgeing.   I have Been in your shoes.

[UKgirl55]

Don't you dare stop posting. You may be in the same trial as me ;-)

Will didn't sugar coat his response, that's all. So what, who cares?? :-))

I think these people probably care a whole lot about you and sometimes the truth hurts. Sounds like you've been trying very hard. Alcoholism (sp), is a rotten stinkin disease....Along with Hep C!! You're just going to have to try a little harder eh?

Hello???? Please say something....

[AKHepper]

where did she mention what her stage was?

I drank heavily for 20 years between infection and diagnosis and my biopsy showed minimal damage.

I don't think there's cause here for everybody to jump down katla's throat for one lapse.

[flcyclist]

Don't stop posting katla.  Alcohol often is a hot button that creates some emotional response.  No one is here to judge you, just offer assistance, sometimes direct.  I don't think anyone was jumping down your throat, imho.  Brush it off and keep posting.  

[80mecheng]

Don't kid yourself, Hep C is all about Liver health and drinking during treatment or anytime with a damaged liver is a VERY bad idea.  Alcohol damages the liver of those who don't have Hep C.

[orphanedhawk]

We're all human and humans make mistakes.
Hopefully we learn from our mistakes and move forward with our lives.

If you have hep C and are still drinking, then you should get help to stop, for your health's sake.
( BTW: Drinkers are disqualified from receiving a transplant)

http://www.medicinenet.com/cirrhosis/page3.htm#tocf

Alcohol is a very common cause of cirrhosis, particularly in the Western world. The development of cirrhosis depends upon the amount and regularity of alcohol intake. Chronic, high levels of alcohol consumption injure liver cells. Thirty percent of individuals who drink daily at least eight to sixteen ounces of hard liquor or the equivalent for fifteen or more years will develop cirrhosis. Alcohol causes a range of liver diseases; from simple and uncomplicated fatty liver (steatosis), to the more serious fatty liver with inflammation (steatohepatitis or alcoholic hepatitis), to cirrhosis

[slideman]

I come from a family of heavy drinkers and I always hear about the guy that drank JD everyday, ate bacon sandwiches for breakfast, smokes 3 packs a day and lived to be 95yrs old......If you believe the odds are in that guys favor, then you will continue to press your luck with alcohol and justify that behavior in your own mind. If you are able to be completely honest with yourself, I doubt you will be able to convince yourself the guy above ever did exist. I had to seek help to be able to become that honest, there is no shame in it, its a shame when a person is unable to find the help they need to recover from hep or chemical abuse. I pray we can all find our recovery no matter what it takes. If its some verbally challenging remarks, then so be it.

[beyondmwd]

There is another way.  You don't have to do it alone.  I've been totally sober over 7 years.  I drank for 35.  "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path."  Try the rooms.  If you've hit your bottom....quit digging.  It works.  It really does.  What do you have to lose?    

[belle19]

i really liked your quote.  take care.  belle