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hepatitis c and protein intake for weightlifting

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Posted 8/11/2012 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have hepatitis c and want to lift weights.  My success a lifting weights depends to some degree on taking adequate amounts of protein.  How much protein can I take per meal or per day?  I have heard that too much protein can hurt my liver and kidneys.
Posted 8/11/2012 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Good afternoon Rhemalogos. Welcome to the HW Hepatitis Forum.

I'm sorry you had to find our community, but we are here to share our stories and perhaps help those with similar issues and concerns.

You ask an interesting question. Adequate protein is important to the liver patient, though they are discouraged from eating red meats because of the difficulty in utilizing those proteins by the liver. Fish, poultry, pork and plant proteins are encouraged. Low sodium is another key when living With Liver Disease. Veggies, fruits, grains, legumes are encouraged as well.

Perhaps some of the others have more specific recommendations.

Would you tell us a little more about yourself....your age, how long you have had Hep C, your stage right now and what interventions or medications are in your current protocol?

With emphasis on exercise and specifically on wt lifting, I assume you are fit.

I also must assume you are alcohol and drug free at this time. This is essential to keep your liver as healthy as possible. Stay away from over the counter Tylenol, etc except as directed by a physician, as those can be toxic to the liver also. If you are actively drinking alcohol, STOP immediately...alcohol and Hep C are a terrible combination. My partner went from mild cirrhosis to End Stage Liver Disease because he could not do that one thing that would try to kill him..QUIT. He had a successful transplant in May 2011 and so far so good. He is sober now and has been since September 2010.

Are you currently under the care of a hepatologist? If you are not, get yourself into a program as there could be/will be trouble down the line.

Have you ever had an antiviral treatment? Are you considering one?

Let us hear your story,

Best, Mama Lama

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 8/11/2012 3:04:35 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/11/2012 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
MamaLama:

Thank you for your quick reply and the information.

I am 59 years old, have had hepatitis c for an indeterminable amount of years, but at least 17, I think. I got it possibly from sharing needles in drug use back in the early 1970's when I was young and more foolish. I am examined by a Veterans Administration hepatitis c MD about every 5 years. This MD advises I do not take any treatments for hepatitis c at this point in time because of depression. I think I was told I was a level 2 or 3. I saw this hepatitis c MD about 2 or three years ago. I see another general practitioner MD every 6 months for a general check up on my diabetes. I asked the general practitioner about taking protein powder and he said it would be fine. I do not entirely trust his advice since I have been doing some reading on the internet about hepatitis c/diabetes and protein intake. I desperately want to lift weight because I am losing muscle mass and getting VERY weak. I have been lifting about 5 months doing one exercise, the bench press and about 3 weeks ago started lifting with a full range of exercises. I don't know much at this point in time about protein intake and would appreciate any information you could give me.

Thank you, Rhemalogos

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 8/13/2012 8:23:58 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/11/2012 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Remalagos, welcome to the forum. I also have hep C and had a transplant in Oct. '11. I was never told anything about protein limitations. However, I did find out that red meat would not be good as the liver cannot process it well. You should look for other sources of protein, such as beans, soy products, and dairy products. Fish, pork, chicken are also okay. I suggest you see a hepatologist for a more detailed description of what you can or cannot eat.

MamaLama/Carol mentioned not to take Tylenol. In fact, you CAN take that, as it has acetaminophen in it. It should be limited to less than 2000 mg a day. It is ibuprofen that you have to stay away from.

As far as hep C treatment, some do experience depression. Usually, an antidepressant is given at the start of treatment or if one is experiencing it under treatment. I assume you are already taking an antidepressant, in which case they may need to add another or give a higher dose of what you are now taking. This is something else that you should check with a hepatologist about. There is a new 3-drug treatment out. One drug is taken for 12 weeks, along with interferon and ribavirin. After 12 wks., the 3rd drug is stopped but the other 2 meds continue for another 12 weeks. So, 24 wks. as opposed to 48 with the combo alone. It has a very high clearance rate (75-90%) so you should ask a hepatologist about this, also. Sometimes, a hep doc will want the patient to remain on the interferon and ribavirin for a full 48 weeks, just to make sure there is no relapse. There is also a new treatment in trials that eliminates interferon completely.

Finally, I think you should talk with a doctor about your weight lifting and fitness regimen. You may be overdoing it.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 8/11/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
You say you haven't seen a hepatologist for years. Time to see them again. I'm amazed they wouldn't be checking you (at the least) yearly.
Posted 8/12/2012 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Ditto.
Posted 8/14/2012 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Connie,

I am so glad you gave me the suggestions you did on your post.  The light just went on and I can see now I have been neglecting to take care of business when it comes to this hep c.  I am going to get in contact with a hepatologist tomorrow. 

I must say though, I don't I am overdoing the exercise.  I work out twice a week for 1 1/2 hrs.  I am thinking about going to three times a week.  I will ask the doctor though.

Thanks again,

Rhemalogos

Posted 8/14/2012 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
You're very welcome. Be sure to come back and let us know what your hep doc has to say.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 8/15/2012 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm interested in this as well. Generally, the kind of protein used after lifting weights is whey protein powder (it absorbs faster so you get better gains after working out), which I believe is a dairy protein. I'm wondering if there is a limited amount of protein one can consume per day (even from restricted sources), with liver disease. I will say, rhemalogos, that a few weeks after I got out of the hospital for alcoholic hepatitis, I began consuming a little more than 100 g of protein a day (I weigh 145 lbs), and didn't seem to encounter any problems. Please keep us updated on what your doctor tells you.
Posted 8/17/2012 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
I probably won't have too much more to say for awhile.  I have a doctors appointment scheduled for September 6, 2012 and from that appointment they will schedule me will a hepatologist.  Just thought I would let anyone who is interested know, just in case I don't say anything for awhile doesn't mean I have left the area.
Posted 8/17/2012 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Rhemalogos, thanks for letting us know. If anything else should come up that you want to post about prior to your hepatology appt., feel free to do so.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 8/18/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Rhem..Thanks for sharing and welcome to this forum. Your questions is very interesting and just wanted to say that diet sure seems to make a big difference in how my hubby feels...he has cirrhosis and hep C.
Angie1953
Posted 9/6/2012 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
To whoever reads this topic thread...I started a new job last week and they scheduled me to work the day (Sept 6) I was to see a doctor for a referral to a hepatologist. I need wait until next week (Sept 10-17) to reschedule for another appointment. Sorry this had to happen. I will be back. Thanks for the help I have received so far.
Posted 9/6/2012 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I personally would have asked to start work on a different day so that you could get to your doctor appt. I hope you will be able to reschedule for a soon appt. Good luck on the new job!

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/24/2012 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello:

Sorry I have been absent for so long.  I have an appointment with a VA Physicians Assistant on October 1 and if she cannot or will not refer me to the VA hepatologist, I have made an appointment with another Physicians Assistant in the private sector in the middle of October for a referral.  I will be back to give the results of my Physican's Assistant appointments.  Thanks.

Posted 9/24/2012 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Very good to hear that you are moving forward with appts. Thanks for letting us know! How is the new job going?

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 10/23/2012 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Connie:

     I have been to a dr's appt and have been referred to a dr of internal medicine.  They are supposed to call me today to give me the time of the appt.  Things are moving slow, but they are moving.

     The new job is a challenge.  I believe that everything is going to go well  in the end.  Thanks for asking.

     I will get back to this thread when I get my coming appointment. 

                                                                     Looking forward to what you have to say,

                                                                     Rhemalogos

Posted 10/23/2012 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Connie:

     In an earlier post on this thread you said I needed to stay away from Ibuprofen.  Would you please tell me why?

     Also, I do drink a glass of wine occasionaly.  If my consumption is about 3 glasses during the year, is that acceptable?

                                                                          Thanks,

                                                                          Rhemalogos

Posted 10/24/2012 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Remalogos, glad to hear you have had an appt. with a doctor. Ibuprofen or any NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug) is an irritant to the liver. In a diseased liver, it can actually cause liver failure. You CAN take acetaminophen (Tylenol.) Anyone with hep C should not drink alcohol at all. It causes more damage to the liver. I understand you only drink once in a rare while, but you never know if one of those glasses of wine will send you over the edge into ESLD. Better to treat your liver with kid gloves so it will last you as long as possible. Hep C is a progressive disease, playing havoc with the liver. You want to minimize the potential damage as much as possible.

I think it's good that the new job is challenging.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 10/24/2012 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I never had a problem with alcohol, but as soon as I was diagnosed with Hep C, my pcp told me not to partake. I stopped immediately. Anytime you're not supposed to do something, you tend to want it. I believe it's easier to totally not touch alcohol, as opposed to having an occasional glass of wine, beer, etc.. I do have a non-alcoholic beer from time to time, as my hepatologist said it's fine. He did stress that I shouldn't have more than one every few days.
Posted 10/26/2012 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hep 93 and David,

     I have not had any alcohol since April or so of this year.  I was considering starting again, but you are right...Treat my liver with kid gloves so it will last longer.  Thanks Hep 93 for the information on NSAIDs.

     I am still waiting for the internal medicine dr to give me an appointment.  Her secretary said she 'was examining my record to decide what the best course of action would be'.  I expect contact with her office within the next few days.  When I get the appointment date, I will post it on this thread.  It looks like some people are interested in what we are saying so I'll make the committment to get back to you.

                                                                            See ya,

                                                                            Rhemalogos

Posted 10/26/2012 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Lots and lots of people read the posts, but never comment themselves.
Posted 11/21/2012 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello:

    I finally have a doctors appointment.  I have it written on my calendar at home, but I have forgotten the exact date.  I am on a library computer.  The hepatologist appointment is for the middle of December 2012.  I will get back to you.  Sorry for all of the delay, I am doing my best.

Rhemalogos

Posted 11/21/2012 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Good thing you're going to see a hepatologist. At this point, a couple more weeks shouldn't make much of a difference. Be well.
Posted 11/21/2012 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update! Let us know how the visit goes.

Hugs,
Connie
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