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Posted 4/26/2008 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
 Hi, I have hep c and am unable to stop drinking. The fear of being sick and someone having to take care of me is so scary. My boyfriend does not know that I am infected with this, and more fear causes me not to say anything. Insurance has problem with coverage of hepc and am unable to get the medical treatment that is needed. I have not of yet had serious problem, and beside the drinking I maintain healthy eating habits and get plenty of rest. I also am taking milk thistle and was told that liv-52 will help liver regenerate cells growth. In need of advise on how to overcome fears and as everyone else I continue to educate myself on this dragon daily. Please help. I am aware that maintaining a positive attitude is the growth toward living with this hep c. Any advise will be greatly  helpful.   
Posted 4/26/2008 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Marketa,

I understand how the fear of the disease and the fear of other people knowing can cause an alcoholic to continue to drink. It was that way with my husband. However, drinking with this disease is the WORST thing you can do. My husband was unable to stop until he ended up in the hospital in the closest thing to a coma he could be without being in an actual coma. He was disorientated, unable to comprehend where he was and what was happening to him, he could barely stay awake without someone constantly tapping him on the cheeks, talking to him loudly and shaking him by the shoulders. His speech was slurred, his coordination was pretty much non-existent. He was like that from an increase of ammonia in his blood which happened because his liver is so damaged (most likely he has developed cirrhosis of the liver because of his continued drinking after the diagnosis of HepC) that the liver can no longer adequately remove the ammonia. The ammonia then builds up in the brain and causes Hepatic Encephalopathy which if the build up becomes high enough can cause coma and possibly death.

Scary...you betcha. But you don't have to go there if you stop drinking and do everything you can to keep your ammonia level in check. Don't let fear cost you your life before its time.

Taking liv-52 and milk thistle won't do you much good if you continue to assault your liver with alcohol. Kind of a waste of money. Once your liver develops cirrhosis it is so hard and scarred it cannot regenerate itself. That's why cirrhosis is the last step before the liver fails and you die. As long as you drink you're on a one way ticket to liver failure.

My husband exercised daily, ate a very healthy diet but he drank a 12 pack a day on most weekdays and more on weekends (he didn't drink liquor). All those salads, fruits and vegetables, hours on the treadmill didn't make a darn bit of difference when he continued to assault his liver with alcohol.

My best advice to you is to get yourself into a treatment program for your drinking ASAP. Get yourself dried out and don't pick up an alcoholic beverage ever again. Your life depends on that.

Confide in your boyfriend, family and friends and lean on them for support as you deal with not only your alcoholism but with the HepC and the liver issues. You need to build a support system, now.

As for Insurance...they cannot drop you because you're ill. That is what insurance is for. There are laws and regulations against that. Don't let them fool you and don't assume that is what will happen if they find out or whatever. They CANNOT withhold medical treatment from you...CANNOT. If they are telling you that...go to your states board of Insurance and fight them.

Find yourself the best doctor you can and get yourself a complete liver panel and a liver biopsy so you know exactly where you stand with this disease.

Good luck to you and stick around here, you'll find lots of great information as well as a lot of supportive people here to help you.

~Grace
Posted 4/26/2008 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Grace, It is so good to hear a warm friendly voice. I have struggle with this issue for about 4 months now.I am so sorry to hear about your husband condition and hopeful and prayful that all gets better.I know how hard it can be for you and your family. Because alchol is my drug of choice I continue daily to conquer this issue and beat this thing best suited. Sometimes I want to live and other times not, burden is what I forsee ahead know that I live daily with this diease and in time it does progress. TOO MUCH TO BARE !!!! in thought of my family and friends.The solid sound of your advice on drinking has only given me more courage to beat this thing and indeed WE will tongue !!!! I continue daily to research medical insurance for this and I will continue to press toward the mark of accomplishment. I thank you so much Grace for you have been a enlightment for me 2day. One more thing I am having trouble with my bowels as I have had this problem since my youth. Any advise. Please keep me in your prayer and I will do the same for you and yours.
Posted 4/26/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
  marketa, grace724 told you like it is, my father died of liver disease 12/06 was a horrible to watch and go through with him, it was nothing but a dead run for a while had to quite two part time jobs to deal with all the things that go along with the disease, and he didnt even drink had not touch a drop for over 30 years but did work in a cemical factory for 30 years. just horrible for the person who has it and the caregiver. if you really want to stop drinking just watch the last stages of liver disease before they die its not a pretty trust me!!!!!! something you never forget.

 

 myfather child

 annette

Posted 4/26/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)

Dear MyFather,

Being able to talk with someone give me courage to do the right thing. Yep greatest fear is that my family would be subject to this illness as well as myself. I firmly believe that there would be a cure for this in the near future. It sadden my heart to hear of your father's death and I commend you for your courage and support during those uncertain times. And I am sure your dad does too. I thank you so much for the word of wisdom for some of us are overwhelmed with overcoming this thing. I pray that you continue to see all through in you words and prayers. In the meantime I am going to get a handle on my drinking and try hard to move this act from my life. It's been a pleasure, and please lift us all in prayer. Would love to har from you again. No battle is won with the support of a fellow man AGAIN THANKS!!!!!

                                                                                       Marketa  yeah   

Posted 4/26/2008 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Marketa and a big welcome to HealingWell,

Believe me I know how hard it is to stop drinking with all the fears and stress due to having this horrendous disease. It was my husband who had it and while caregiving him boy did I want a drink some days. But if he couldn't drink I sure wouldn't do it.
But every time you take a drink it is like throwing gasoline on a fire. And it doesn't matter if it is only beer or wine either. Alcohol is alcohol no matter what the form. So think of your liver as that fire and think of every sip of alcohol as the gasoline.

We are just telling you this because we care Marketa. Some of us have seen the end results of liver disease. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Take care...........lots of thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Posted 4/27/2008 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
skull  marketa, i didnt mean to be so harsh, but it is not a pretty sight it is horrible for anybody to go through, for you to drink knowing you have hep-c it is like adding fuel to the fire, by stopping now you have a great chance of not getting cirrohsis which is what my father had. if you knew what some of us have seen during this horrible disease and some are still going through it, you wouldnt touch a another drop of liquor. everytime you take a drink its like signing a your own death sentance,  your life will be shorter and shorter. nono good luck!!!! hope you stop drinking for your sake.

 myfathers child

 annette 

Posted 4/27/2008 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
 

Marketa: If you're scared now immagine what it's like for a Dr to tell you.

((""YOU HAVE END STAGE LIVER DISEASE"")) confused confused confused  those are words no one should ever have to to hear. Now that is when it becomes so very ,very frightning. Go get a Dr. to check your labs. Maybe that will help you realize if you don't stop now, you can never turn back the clock. It only starts to go faster. Then your up till 3:00am like me trying to hang on to a bit more time. Don't let that happen. There are alot of people here to help you along. This is a very caring forum.  Keep Posting.  june

Posted 4/27/2008 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
Marketa, Fear is a strong emotion and really difficult to overcome but as an adult you realize that fear MUST not rule you. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get help and stop drinking. AA has been very successful for alot of people and is a good starting point. Also, see your Dr and get up to date testing done. It is really important for you to get the help you need now rather than when you can no longer care for yourself as a result of end stage liver disease. Educate yourself as much as possible concerning liver disease because when you are informed you will be proactive in your own care. I know it is scary but you have a responsibility to yourself. Take the first step and see your Dr he/she will help you if you ask them to. Good luck and keep posting. We care about you and are here for you.
Posted 4/27/2008 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
To each and all that are out there responding to my cry for help, THANKS!!!! I sit here reading the responds and so sadden in my heart that my life has become so out of control. Yes, fear is a emotion, and in my years I've had many,but this deep rooted fear of the unknown, besides the fact that, this is how it all ends for me,is too much to bare. I am so grateful for this forum of healing because with the knowledge and encouragement of words, just maybe I have a chance to regenerate my liver, as well as my spirit. To be able to talk to someone who knows what demons I face is such a blessing and I am so grateful for the caring words. I want all to know that this is not my pity pot I sit in, but a reality check to what is important and overcoming that which has been sat before me. Like a thorn in my side living and carrying a cross, yet bared. I'm just afraid and I have never been so afraid in my life. I still wonder if I can continue to live with this and have a SOME WHAT, normal life. I feel like I am rapidly gettin worst with every drink and by the sounds of all reponds, I AM!!!!!!! I ask that all keep me in prayer as I will do the same. To all that are caregiver of the sick, YOUR LOVE and CARE is never UNNOTICE. 

                                     

                                                                                SO GRATEFUL,

                                                                                    MARKETA

Posted 4/28/2008 11:16 PM (GMT 0)

Marketa, yes, you ARE getting worse with every drink you take.  That is the WORST thing that someone with liver disease can do.  I am a sober alcoholic (21 1/2 yrs. sober) thanks to AA.  If you feel you cannot stop drinking on your own, please go to a detox facility; then follow that up with daily AA meetings.  Yes, daily!  You drink every day don't you?

Thank goodness, I had already been sober for 6 yrs. when I was diagnosed with hep C.  I have cirrhosis and have survived liver cancer since that diagnosis.  I'm soon having a second incisional hernia repair, a complication of the cancer surgery which removed the entire right lobe of my liver.  But I'm still here and just returned home from a wonderful 5 days in NYC.  I went by myself...flew up there from FL.  So you CAN slow down the progress of the disease and you also can possibly receive hep C treatment that will put you in remission or clear the virus from your body.

Just make up your mind that you are going to do everything you can to improve your chances of survival--but #1 has to be freedom from alcohol.  And I do understand the fear of giving that up.  You don't know what's going to replace it...it has been a part of your life for so long.  But trust me...it will be replaced with new friends who really care about your, and with the ability to truly appreciate life.  One of the AA promises says, "You will know a NEW freedom and a NEW happiness."  So true.

Hugs and best of luck to you,

Connie

Posted 4/30/2008 6:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Connie,

I want to thank you for taking out the time to share the reality in its most great demand.I must confuss that I drank this weekend, but I want to tell you that I experience something so profound that I know it was just a warning for me.I drank so much that I was unable to recall the events of that night, its as if my brain was filled with the poision and unable to recall who I spoke with or what happen. Thank God for my boyfriend that was able to maintain a positive outlook and simply took me home. My boyfriend does not know about my illness and I am trying to find a way to tell him.I also founded out that I truly want to live and I am going to do all that I can to live life to the fullest tongue  I do not drink every day but any drink from what I was told, is lethal to this illness.All I ask is that we continue to talk via net. I really enjoy being apart of this forum and I hope that in the near future someone that is going through what most  of us have been through,that I am able to help them as all has help me. To me, that is the reward of knowing that I am able to help someone else.I will be sure to keep you posted about my recovery, because I have input NA and joining a church to my daily living plan along with eating and resting plan. Thank you so much Connie for the caring word.I give thanks to God for everyone that has taken out the time to reply and because of all the caring people on this forum I am able to pick up my cross and do that which has been set before me.   

                                                                                        Thanks You

                                                                                           Marketa

Posted 5/1/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Marketa, Welcome to the forum. My husband continued to drink after his diagnoses of hep C. Now, approximately 10 years later he suffers from advanced cirrhosis. As you have heard from all the others it is not a pretty sight watching someone you love suffer with the complications of this disease. The fact is alcohol can actually cause the hep C virus to muliply, taking many years away from your life. If you just abstain from alcohol you could be adding very many more years to your life and your health. It sounds like you have a good plan in mind. I will pray for your recovery in the terrible disease of alcoholism. I too am tempted just about every day to have a drink just to give me a little escape from all the problems, then I look at my husband. The strong wonderful man I love so much is slowly slipping away with each passing day. I hope you know that there are many people here that care about you. Good luck with your plans.
Posted 5/1/2008 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Butterflythree,
I would like to thank you for your message and thank you for all the prayers.I do hope that your husband gets better for I know that, this can be very uncomfortable for you and your family. I will continue to research this illness in hopes that some day in the near future there is a cure. I am hopeful that if I continue to tread the line of the illness that I am able to add many more years to my life. Can you give me some advice that will help me to live a healthy life. I try to eat the right things but that's almost impossible, seeing that everything filter through the liver. I found out that I was infected with hep c 6 years ago and I now am beginning to see change in my body. Some days are better than other but for most part I make myself get up and move around. I work early morning shift 7-3 and by the end of the day I am worn out, but I push myself. I refuse to allow this illness to win. The more I continue to step forth with this drinking issue, that's half the battle and for me, the most important one.



Very Hopeful,
Marketa
Posted 5/1/2008 11:13 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Marketa

We  are here for you.  As you are discovering, this is a great forum.  I agree with what the others have said, and I want to add my two cents, too.  Don't let guilt and the fear of dependency lead you to suicide.  Your prognosis is not bad if you stop drinking, etc, and you may have more to offer others than you think.  But depression can distort things so that you feel that people would be better off if you were dead.  If any of this sounds true for you, please don't hesitate to get help.  Seeing a psychiatrist, or another type of therapist is good, but help comes in many forms, including friends. forums like ours, addiction treatment, religion/counseling.  The most important thing is to acknowledge depression, accept it, and know that it is a very normal part of life.

"the most important thing is to let love in your heart"

Pix

Posted 5/2/2008 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Pix,
Welcome back . It's been a while since you last posted. How's things going with you? I hope you're doing well.

I don't believe Marketa is that depressed. It's true that people drink sometimes when they are depressed. But alcoholism is a disease. An alcoholic doesn't need to be depressed to drink.
In fact she has a good attitude. I agree with counseling though. And I am a firm believer in AA now. If my husband turned out loving it then it must be good for some people.
When people are going through a rough patch of life.... they need to use any tools to help them get back on even keel. Counseling, talking with family, or friends.

Marketa, if you have been only diagnosed with Hep C for 6 years....it's like being a baby with the disease if you stop drinking. It's mixing the hep C with alcohol that will cut short your life. Lots of people have had Hep C for 20 or more years.....but those are usually the ones that have quit drinking.

Both of you take care...........good night.
Posted 5/2/2008 1:40 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, pink grandma

I am doing good.  I am almost off prednisone, and my liver enzymes are good.  I have a doctor's appointment in a few weeks to see what is next for me.  I still have the high-grade colon dysplasia, and I had a colonoscopy to see if there was more, and there wasn't.  But, they could't see the original area, and so I probably will have another one soon.  My crohn's disease is under good control.  Thanks for asking, you are a good moderator.

pix

Posted 5/2/2008 10:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Pink Grandma,

I am so grateful for this forum,the replies that I have recieved is wonderful.My heart was so touch today from the postin the I recieved.You have no ideal what took place in my heart when I read todays' forum.Because of the lovin advise and caring word I am able to take one day @ a time. Sounds familiar, it seem as if my being, spirit has taken on another challenge.I know that finding my path in this lesson will enable me to gracefully accept responsibility. Seems as if findin family in this forum has allowed me to grow and I am SOOOOO HOPEFUL. I cherish each moment and make it part of my daily living to love, smile and be happy, even when life sometimes deal a bad hand.Working through this has open some adult doors for me  tongue  and I thank all, for Growth is GOOD!!! I am working through my stuff and I will be attendin some AA meetings and spiritual counselin. Hey Pink Grandma you are awesome and its has been a pleasure, not to mention a blessin. Keep liftin us all in pray as I will do the same for you and yours. Have a Geat Weekend.

                                                                         To Brighter Days Ahead

                                                                                Marketa     

Posted 5/2/2008 11:22 PM (GMT 0)

 Hello Pix,

Because of this forum and people like yourself I am able to continue on. There were moment that I just started to let this disease have it way with me and the drinking. I happen to come across this forum just searchin the net on topic about hep c., best thing that has happen to me since sittin on the pity pot nono I am going to do all that I can to overcome any obstacle in this, it is in our struggles that which make us strongest. I will definitely will be looking into counselin and other activites to help me process the work through this. I am HOPEFUL and in my heart I know have founded some peace. It given me courage to do that which I was unable to do before, such as finding out exactly where my liver stands. I know I have alot of work!!! I just want to continue to maintain positive attitude and a good outlook about this.Thanks Pix for your caring words. Please continue to keep me in your prayer and please keep the line open. yeah I don't know waht I'd do without you guy!!!!

                                                               ONE DAY @ A TIME

                                                                      MARKETA

                                         

Posted 5/2/2008 11:51 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Marketa

Thanks for your kind words.  Keep posting, so we can see how you are coming along!

Posted 5/3/2008 3:38 AM (GMT 0)

My friend Mike who I have told you about has been doing so well.  I mean SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO well and he is feeling like a million bucks. How ver that can feel. He is  going to be awake when we come over to open the pool this weekend it is an above ground pool and a few friends have aged to come over and open it for him and his two girls.   We live in Illinois and the weather is not so hot now but we can still get the job done.

He wants to have a keg of beer for us and I said, absolutely NOT. Myother friends are like,

Hell yea.  We're going to be busting our butts off for a few hours and beer would be good.

Am I nuts?   Mike if feeling so good right now I think he may want to have one.   What the frig is wrong with him and my friends.  So they think this is going away?   How do I deal with this?  This is absolutley absurd.   Am I nuts? 

Posted 5/3/2008 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
Cape you are absolutely right. Because Mike is feeling so well it maybe too tempting not to have a beer with his friends. If possible have them come online and read some of the older posts. As you know, and they should know....is that this disease is no joke.
But most people unless they are educated in this disease don't see the harm in a few beers. But if they are really his friends then they will want to know what this disease can do to him if he continues to drink.

Or better yet let Mike come online and read some of these posts.
But as I found out you can lead a horse to water but you can not force them to drink.

Pix it is wonderful that you are almost off of predizone. I know that it is a life saving drug but the side affects are not fun at all.
And it great that your enzimes are good also. I am so happy that things are going well for you.

Marketa just stick around. We will be here for you. I know that it is hard but you can conquer it. So stay strong.


Thoughts and prayers to all. :-)
Posted 5/3/2008 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
 Good Morning All,

 Cape-I too have experience this state of all seem fine,but you must know that this diease is DEADLY and to indulge in any form of drinking while now or in the future may be fatal to the health. I am also new to this forum and am learning new things every day about this illness. I've learned more on this site than any other, and it comes from people that are going through, has someone they care for and caring words of encouragement.I keep in mind that it was said to me that every drink beer or wine is like throwing gasoline on a burning fire.The view in my mind is so horrible that I constantly keep that vision before me daily and whenever I think of a drink.Share with Mike this forum and let him know that there are people struggling with this same issue.I find comfort in Pink Grandma and others Pix, Connie etc. for because of them I have founded some peace with this struggle. There are wonderful people on this site and we are here for you & Mike. You must also be open to new aveunes and willing to do the impossible sometimes. Hang in there and stay prayed up but most important let love shine in as you have done by tellin Mike-NOOOO!                              

GOOD MORNING PIX, PINK MAMA tongue  AND CONNIE

How are things for you Connie?                                     

Posted 5/3/2008 4:15 PM (GMT 0)

dansbrother!

That is so true, and so beautifully put.  I have never heard that message  so clear, so direct and so incontrovertible.  Thanks.

Posted 5/3/2008 4:58 PM (GMT 0)

 Hey Danbrother,

In all my life I have never heard the message the way you have put it today. I agree with Pix very well put and worthwhile for all to think about. I am using this FYI as one of my steppin block. You can only address a situation, when you are educated about the situation and then you use that to find the best solution for you. Every day gets better as I am inform of the ups and downs of this disease. Thanks Dansbrother, your message has been an enlighten door to walk through.

 Hey Pix,

How are you feelin this morning? Hope all is good with you and for you

                                  

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