Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 From what I understand, there is no research saying that alcohol consumption is bad for PSC or UC. Both of my doctors have adviced not to drink alcohol because it would make logical sense that it would be bad for a liver condition. However, they said that they didn't know of any research saying that it was bad. What are everyone's thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 For my son, I am very worried. He managed to go all through college without drinking and now that he is single in NYC he feels the pressure to be normal and accepted by his crowd. That means meeting in bars and having a couple of beers.So I am not pleased at all. He said his Dr said it is OK to have a couple of social beers on the weekend.I hope it is true.LeeFrom what I understand, there is no research saying that alcohol consumption is bad for PSC or UC. Both of my doctors have adviced not to drink alcohol because it would make logical sense that it would be bad for a liver condition. However, they said that they didn't know of any research saying that it was bad. What are everyone's thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 It's additional stress on the liver, period. If you're asymptomatic, you're no different than anyone else (a little alcohol may be good for you, a lot is not). If you DO have damage, anything, whether alcohol, tylenol, some supplements, Lipitor is additional stress. Like everything else, there are no zero risk options. You may have to take Lipitor to lower cholesterol - it's a tradeoff and the risk must be managed. You may have to take a painkiller - it's a tradeoff and the risk must be managed. You DON'T have to drink alcohol. There are no liver-specific therapeutic advantages to alcohol (but there may be for your heart and BP). My hep is OK with a couple of beers a few times per week, but I'm also asymptomatic (since 2001). Prior to PSC diagnosis, I never noticed any effects of alcohol on my UC, but it's pretty mild compared to many. Arne ---- atoth22 wrote: ============= From what I understand, there is no research saying that alcohol consumption is bad for PSC or UC... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 This paper indicates that alcohol consumption may significantly increase the risk of cholangiocarcinoma in PSC: Hepatology 2000 Jan;31(1):7-11. Comment in: Hepatology. 2000 Jan;31(1):247-8. Cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: a multicenter case-control study. Chalasani N, Baluyut A, Ismail A, Zaman A, Sood G, Ghalib R, McCashland TM, Reddy KR, Zervos X, Anbari MA, Hoen H Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. nchalasa@... Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a significantly increased risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Risk factors for developing such a complication are not well defined. We conducted a multicenter, case-control study to determine the risk factors and possible predictors for CCA in patients with PSC. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of 26 PSC patients with CCA diagnosed over a 7-year period at eight academic centers were compared with 87 patients with PSC but no CCA (controls). There was no statistically significant difference in demographics, smoking, signs or symptoms or complications of PSC, indices of disease severity (Mayo Risk score or Child-Pugh score), frequency or duration or complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), frequency of biliary surgery, or therapeutic endoscopy between the two groups. Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with CCA in patients with PSC (odds ratio: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.04-8.3). Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) was significantly higher in patients with CCA than those without (177 +/- 89 and 61 +/- 58 U/mL, respectively; P =.002). A serum CA 19-9 level > 100 U/mL had 75% sensitivity and 80% specificity in identifying PSC patients with CCA. In conclusion, alcohol consumption was a risk factor for having CCA in PSC patients. The indices of severity of liver disease were not associated with CCA in patients with PSC. Serum CA 19-9 appeared to have good ability to discriminate PSC patients with and without CCA. PMID: 10613720. My son abstains from alcohol use becuase he knows he is already at increased risk of CCA and colorectal cancer with PSC and UC, and he does not want to do anything that would further increase that risk. Dave (father of (22); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03) > From what I understand, there is no research saying that alcohol consumption is bad for PSC or UC. Both of my doctors have adviced not to drink alcohol because it would make logical sense that it would be bad for a liver condition. However, they said that they didn't know of any research saying that it was bad. What are everyone's thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 To drink or not to drink. I've been thinking about this a fair amount since football kicked off last week. I haven't drank since I got sick last October but my dr. said an occasional drink is fine. Now here we are in prime tailgating season and I actually have to figure out what to do. I have no problem avoiding alcohol in warm weather. The problem is I don't even want to think about standing outside at Cleveland Browns Stadium for 5 hours before a game on a freezing cold, December Sunday without a bottle of rum to keep me warm. Plus, I know if I meet my cousins for a tailgate and start drinking the chances of me drinking in moderation would be pretty slim. I don't want to give up a family tradition but I also don't want to be an idiot either. Its weird how something can seem so tied to drinking. If it wasn't for Browns Games I would never miss alcohol. Of course, the Browns have been so bad the last few years a lot of fans will probably say that. I too am interested in hearing what other people do. Darcy Go Browns! O-H-I-O Go Bucks! Go Applachian State! >What are everyone's thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 Actually, the rum will lower your body temperature, by dilating surface blood vessels, which feels warm, but doesn't. Personally, I'd prefer some hot mulled wine from a thermos (and about a foot of snow under my x-skis in a secluded, silent woods). Arne ---- dmelzer514 wrote: ============= ....The problem is I don't even want to think about standing outside at Cleveland Browns Stadium for 5 hours before a game on a freezing cold, December Sunday without a bottle of rum to keep me warm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 I have read that UCLA won't list a person for a transplant if they've had alcohol in the previous 6 months. I'm not sure if this applies to every liver patient or only those who have alcohol related liver disease. Even though PSC often progresses slowly, my understanding is that even if it has been progressing slowly, it can suddenly take a turn for the worse and progress very quickly. That means that you could suddenly find yourself needing to be listed for a transplant, but then not be eligible for a transplant because of alcohol use. Of course, you can lie about your alcohol consumption. But then if you lie about it, and then you happen to end up in the ER when you've been drinking, you'll be very busted, which might also make you less eligible for being listed for a transplant. I love wine and used to drink it regularly with dinner. I did give it up slowly because I didn't have a definitive PSC diagnosis for years, and hoped that I didn't actually have PSC. One hepatologist was insistant that there was nothing wrong with my liver. I strongly suspected otherwise. All my blood tests were coming back normal. I allowed myself a glass of wine once a week or every other week. When I learned that the blood tests weren't all perfectly normally, I stopped alcohol entirely. At that point it wasn't difficult, although it does seem nice when I see people eating dinner and having a nice glass of wine. As to social settings, hopefully your friends will understand that you can't drink alcohol anymore. Just tell them you can't drink for medical reasons. So far I haven't had anyone question that or push me to drink just one glass. I recently went to happy hour with some people from work. I had a lemonade on the rocks, with salt on the rim to mimic a margarita. A lemonade is actually better. I've also tried non-alcoholic wine, which was okay. There is also non-alcoholic beer that you can buy, which may make you feel that you fit in better with your friends. Best of luck. -Marie (55) UC/PSC/AIH/J-pouch > > >To drink or not to drink. I've been thinking about this a fair >amount since football kicked off last week. I haven't drank since I >got sick last October but my dr. said an occasional drink is fine. > >Now here we are in prime tailgating season and I actually have to >figure out what to do. I have no problem avoiding alcohol in warm >weather. The problem is I don't even want to think about standing >outside at Cleveland Browns Stadium for 5 hours before a game on a >freezing cold, December Sunday without a bottle of rum to keep me >warm. Plus, I know if I meet my cousins for a tailgate and start >drinking the chances of me drinking in moderation would be pretty >slim. I don't want to give up a family tradition but I also don't >want to be an idiot either. Its weird how something can seem so tied >to drinking. If it wasn't for Browns Games I would never miss >alcohol. Of course, the Browns have been so bad the last few years a >lot of fans will probably say that. > >I too am interested in hearing what other people do. > >Darcy >Go Browns! >O-H-I-O Go Bucks! >Go Applachian State! > > > >What are everyone's thoughts on this? > > > _________________________________________________________________ A place for moms to take a break! http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM & loc=us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 > > From what I understand, there is no research saying that alcohol > consumption is bad for PSC or UC. Both of my doctors have adviced not > to drink alcohol because it would make logical sense that it would be > bad for a liver condition. However, they said that they didn't know of > any research saying that it was bad. What are everyone's thoughts on > this? > All of my doctors, 1 at Kaiser, 2 at UCSF have made it very clear that I am not to consume alcohol. This includes all beverages with alcohol, mouth wash or medicine with alcohol and any food prepared with alcohol. This is for both for my transplant eligibility and for the health of my liver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 My hepatologist indicated that at this point, alcohol in moderation is okay. However, I've been finding that even in moderation, I feel discomfort the next day after as little as one drink. I prefer vodka but the discomfort hardly seems worth it. Wine so far has been without effect so I'm pretty much down to the once-a-week glass. Going to total abstension will likely be next: nothing like the worry of increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma and liver discomfort to make you not want another drink. But with the availability of " mock-tails " and a wide variety of fruit juices, I'm sure I can make it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 I can sympathize with Bill. I knew I should probably give up drinkng when I was diagnosed. My first few gastros said that light drinking was OK, so with their enabling, I didn't stop immediately but did reduce it to a 2 drinks a week. The article on CCA and alcohol is a wake up call. Later I did stop, except for very special occasions. I am now such a cheap date I am giddy after 2 sips. When I didn't want to drink in grad school, when so much of our social lives revolved around hanging out in bars, I found that Clausthaler non-alcoholic beer wasn't too bad, and now there are other non-alcoholic beers that are better. NA wine isn't worth ordering for this native Californian, though. I would order cranberry juice and no one could tell I wasn't having a Cosmopolitan. Of course I was paying $5-6 bucks for cranberry juice, but I was hanging out with my friends and it was still fun. Besides, I really couldn't have been any worse at darts, so being sober was an advantage as the evening went on. And being the designated driver makes you popular as a drinking buddy. Martha (MA) UC, 1979, PSC 1992, asymptomatic for both. Another clean colonoscopy, the UC is still in remission on the dairy-free diet. Wine and cheese receptions don't do much for me these days! On a non-dairy diet, I do find wine and cheese receptions somewhat tedious. > > For my son, I am very worried. He managed to go all through college > without drinking and now that he is single in NYC he > feels the pressure to be normal and accepted by his crowd. That means > meeting in bars and having a couple of beers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2007 Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Hi Martha I was diagnosed with PSC end of last year and have been catching up on research on the topic. With regard to alcohol,you mentioned the article on CCA,would you be able to( or anybody else out there!!) the article references so I can read them. Many thanks Kath (Wales) > >Reply-To: >To: >Subject: Re: PSC, UC, & Alcohol >Date: Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:14:46 -0000 > >I can sympathize with Bill. I knew I should probably give up drinkng when >I was diagnosed. My first few gastros said that light drinking was OK, so >with their enabling, I didn't stop immediately but did reduce it to a 2 >drinks >a week. The article on CCA and alcohol is a wake up call. Later I did >stop, >except for very special occasions. I am now such a cheap date I am >giddy after 2 sips. > >When I didn't want to drink in grad school, when so much of our social >lives >revolved around hanging out in bars, I found that Clausthaler non-alcoholic >beer >wasn't too bad, and now there are other non-alcoholic beers that are >better. >NA wine isn't worth ordering for this native Californian, though. I would >order >cranberry juice and no one could tell I wasn't having a >Cosmopolitan. Of course I was paying $5-6 bucks for cranberry juice, but >I was hanging out with my friends and it was still fun. Besides, I really >couldn't >have been any worse at darts, so being sober was an advantage as the >evening >went on. And being the designated driver makes you popular as a drinking >buddy. > >Martha (MA) >UC, 1979, PSC 1992, asymptomatic for both. Another clean colonoscopy, the >UC is still in >remission on the dairy-free diet. Wine and cheese receptions don't do much >for me these >days! > > >On a non-dairy diet, I do find wine and cheese receptions somewhat tedious. > > > > > > For my son, I am very worried. He managed to go all through college > > without drinking and now that he is single in NYC he > > feels the pressure to be normal and accepted by his crowd. That means > > meeting in bars and having a couple of beers. > > > _________________________________________________________________ The next generation of Hotmail is here! http://www.newhotmail.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2007 Report Share Posted September 10, 2007 If research shows that alcohol increases the chance of cholangiocarcinoma, why don't all doctors say to stay away from alcohol? It sounds like only about half of doctors say to stay away from it. > > > From what I understand, there is no research saying that alcohol > consumption is bad for PSC or UC. Both of my doctors have adviced > not > to drink alcohol because it would make logical sense that it would > be bad for a liver condition. However, they said that they didn't > know of > any research saying that it was bad. What are everyone's thoughts > on > this? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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