Well I should start at the beginning. When I first was diagnosed with HepC I pretty much did what the Dr said. Just let them watch my liver enzymes. They still knew so little about it.

The blood levels shown in the table below are indicative of what alcohol was doing to my system. Although I knew it was causing more damage and making the HepC worse, I still hid my head.

In December I was very ill with a nasty flu. Couldn't get out of bed for 4 days. I had also lost 15 pounds in less than 2 months, without trying. The Dr ran another liver panel blood test at that time.
 
 

The results were obvious and he set me up with my gastroentrologist.

After seeing the Gastro. Dr I finally decided to quit drinking. I was really surprised how easy it was. I was a good ole Bud Lite fan for many years and enjoyed the heck out of White Zin wine too. I thought it would be real hard to quit. I didn't have any problems quitting. I even lost 5 more pounds! I guess when you realize that drinking can absolutely KILL a person with HepC, it isn't so hard to quit.

The ultrasound was the next step. Apparently the Dr. saw enough there to warrant the liver biopsy. The results: Active Chronic Hepatitis with Periportal and Interportal Fibrosis, bordering upon cirrhosis.

The next blood work, after 2 months of no alcohol at all came back looking so much different. I was amazed at the difference in the levels. I know now that the alcohol was making things much worse on my liver.
 
 

As I go into the Interferon Treatments I know that now my liver is as 'clean' as it can be and the Interferon has a better chance of attacking the virus. We will be doing blood work every 2 weeks from now on. I will be adding the results as I get them to each weeks' page.

I hope this Journal helps others to understand how the treatments are going, and maybe make some realize that alcohol (as well as other drugs) can only hurt the liver more. If you are drinking or doing drugs, PLEASE QUIT. It will make treatment so much easier for you and give you a better fighting chance against the Dragon.

Keep in mind as you read my journal that every person reacts differently to Interferon treatment. You may have no side effects whatsoever. You may have many. This journal is only to show what my experience has been, and may give you some idea of what you might expect.
 
 

Since finding out I am a non responder many things have happened...none of them good! My HMO is having troubles, the medical group we chose is going bankrupt. This puts a hold on any and all treatment until they clear up the mess. It could be up to a month before I am allowed to begin Rebetron treatments.

As soon as I begin Rebetron treatment, I will start a new Journal. I hope my Journal has helped some people to see what the Intron does to us. Please remember, the drug effects us all differently and you may be without any sides at all! Some people are.