Welcome to the forum and congrats for being able to walk away from the needles. Yes, the bad news is the alcohol will really speed up the liver damage with hep-c according to all the info I've read. The good news is you don't have to avoid sexual relations, but as Jill said, be safe about it. As far as what you need to know, there is a lot of info right here on the forum about what to expect. Check out some of the latest links and maybe jot down a list of questions to ask your doc. Take care, Randy
Deidre said
Sep 5, 2011
drinking is to hep c like pouring gasoline on a burning fire. It speeds up the disease and liver damage.
If you want to live, you will have to stop drinking. You will also have to have a viral count done, a geno type test, and probably a liver biopsy.
all but the last are simple blood tests. They are neccisary to know what type of treatment you need to do.
Also besides hep c, there is a, b d e.
hep c alone has like 4 subdivision. type 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3,4 ect. Thes too make a difference about which treatment you will need. But let me warn you.
Lets say for example you are hep c type 1a, this does not not make you immune from catching 1b or any of the other types. Which could be really dangerous for you.
You can get co-infected with more than one type.
They think I had both 1a, and 2a. Problem is the geno type testing is only capable of showing a single type..whichever s most dominant, at the time.
This is only a death sentence if you choose it to be. There has been 2 drugs released in the past 90 days, that are curing people within 6 months-to a year.
But you' have to go for testing, and find out the other stuff, to now what meds you'll need.
While the liver can regenerate it's self. It can get to the point of damage that it can no longer mend. Each sip you take, you are adding to that damage.
So if you want to live, you are going to have to make some tough decisions, and life style changes. You already quit using, so obviously you have enough willpower to quit drinking too.
Life doesn't have to be yellow poop, and stomache aches, and being afraid to have a partner.
I had my second daughter while I had hep c, and she was born without it.
It may not be easy to hear, but it's honest. Unless you get serious about making yourself well, and doing what is neccesary to achieve a virus free life, you will continue to get sicker.
This could be the first day, to a healthy life for you, the choice is yours.
I have seen people dying from liver failure, and it was terrifing..
I hope you choose to save your life.
-- Edited by Deidre on Tuesday 6th of September 2011 12:36:05 AM
Cinnamon Girl said
Sep 5, 2011
Hi there and welcome, and many congrats for quitting the hard drugs, that`s a great start.
Not sure what to say, do you think you would consider getting some help with coming off the drink so that you could do the Hep C tx at some point? That`s got to be the best way forward for you, although I know it`s easy for me to say that.
By the way, it`s extremely unlikely that you would pass on the virus by sexual intercourse, it has to blood to blood contact, although of course it would be best to practise `safe sex`.
All the best to you, Jill xx
Silentwitnesstoforever said
Sep 5, 2011
so i knew about this monster even before i was diagnosed.... i missed the big HIV, thank God..
i was a needle drug user for years, quit it all... (heroin, meth)
now, i'm 2 years clean, feeling the hurt from that ****ty lifestyle choice..
diagnosed with HEP C, havent started any type of treatment...have noticed a change in the colour of my stools.. they are now yellow, almost bright yellow... reminds me of the "billyrhueben" stools my daughter had when she had severe jaundice after birth....
i'm fine, i mean, i have the stomach aches every single morning, but, i dunno if i can change now, i still drink, almost every night (6 pack or so) i'm not a drunk, but i do, drink.... at least 4 days a week.... have quit the hard drugs, just now smoke a little grass, dont do a 50 thick IV..
basically, what am i lookin at here? i've been subconsciously shutting myself off from sexual interaction, as to not transmit the virus...but ****.. it's like a bad nightmare.. what do i need to know? thanks in advance.
Welcome to the forum and congrats for being able to walk away from the needles. Yes, the bad news is the alcohol will really speed up the liver damage with hep-c according to all the info I've read. The good news is you don't have to avoid sexual relations, but as Jill said, be safe about it. As far as what you need to know, there is a lot of info right here on the forum about what to expect. Check out some of the latest links and maybe jot down a list of questions to ask your doc.
Take care,
Randy
drinking is to hep c like pouring gasoline on a burning fire. It speeds up the disease and liver damage.
If you want to live, you will have to stop drinking. You will also have to have a viral count done, a geno type test, and probably a liver biopsy.
all but the last are simple blood tests. They are neccisary to know what type of treatment you need to do.
Also besides hep c, there is a, b d e.
hep c alone has like 4 subdivision. type 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3,4 ect. Thes too make a difference about which treatment you will need. But let me warn you.
Lets say for example you are hep c type 1a, this does not not make you immune from catching 1b or any of the other types. Which could be really dangerous for you.
You can get co-infected with more than one type.
They think I had both 1a, and 2a. Problem is the geno type testing is only capable of showing a single type..whichever s most dominant, at the time.
This is only a death sentence if you choose it to be. There has been 2 drugs released in the past 90 days, that are curing people within 6 months-to a year.
But you' have to go for testing, and find out the other stuff, to now what meds you'll need.
While the liver can regenerate it's self. It can get to the point of damage that it can no longer mend. Each sip you take, you are adding to that damage.
So if you want to live, you are going to have to make some tough decisions, and life style changes. You already quit using, so obviously you have enough willpower to quit drinking too.
Life doesn't have to be yellow poop, and stomache aches, and being afraid to have a partner.
I had my second daughter while I had hep c, and she was born without it.
It may not be easy to hear, but it's honest. Unless you get serious about making yourself well, and doing what is neccesary to achieve a virus free life, you will continue to get sicker.
This could be the first day, to a healthy life for you, the choice is yours.
I have seen people dying from liver failure, and it was terrifing..
I hope you choose to save your life.
-- Edited by Deidre on Tuesday 6th of September 2011 12:36:05 AM
Hi there and welcome, and many congrats for quitting the hard drugs, that`s a great start.
Not sure what to say, do you think you would consider getting some help with coming off the drink so that you could do the Hep C tx at some point? That`s got to be the best way forward for you, although I know it`s easy for me to say that.
By the way, it`s extremely unlikely that you would pass on the virus by sexual intercourse, it has to blood to blood contact, although of course it would be best to practise `safe sex`.
All the best to you, Jill xx
so i knew about this monster even before i was diagnosed.... i missed the big HIV, thank God..
i was a needle drug user for years, quit it all... (heroin, meth)
now, i'm 2 years clean, feeling the hurt from that ****ty lifestyle choice..
diagnosed with HEP C, havent started any type of treatment...have noticed a change in the colour of my stools.. they are now yellow, almost bright yellow... reminds me of the "billyrhueben" stools my daughter had when she had severe jaundice after birth....
i'm fine, i mean, i have the stomach aches every single morning, but, i dunno if i can change now, i still drink, almost every night (6 pack or so) i'm not a drunk, but i do, drink.... at least 4 days a week.... have quit the hard drugs, just now smoke a little grass, dont do a 50 thick IV..
basically, what am i lookin at here? i've been subconsciously shutting myself off from sexual interaction, as to not transmit the virus...but ****.. it's like a bad nightmare.. what do i need to know? thanks in advance.