Alcohol and HVI Meds

[Turtle-12]

Hey everyone, I've been on HIV Meds (truvada/tivicay) for a year and half now, and i drink  2/3 times a week (mostly beer or whiskey), i do check ups with my Dr every six months and my liver enzymes are always high. I know that my enzymes were high before meds, but not sure how the meds are affecting my liver now...I have tried to bring down my alcohol consumptions, but with my stressful life style is hard not to download a beer or two. anyone in a similar situation... i am taking milk thistle to see if my liver function gets better, but don't know if there's something else i should do, (besides the obvious). I guess i just need to hear from other's experiences on this issue, how many drinks is normal to keep a good functioning liver?... good to note that i don't have any Hep C and that besides HIV i have no other illnesses...

thanks

[jessica123]

i'm interested to find out information on this too...
have you spoke to a doctor or nurse about it?

[Turtle-12]

Yes, i ha e spoken to my dr, and of course she recommend agaist any alcohol intake, i am'just curious about wot others  usually do, specially long term survivors...

[AusShep]

My liver values are always well within normal on Truvada/Tivicay.  I don't think either recommends ceasing alcohol, and liver impact is low as far as normal side effects.  I think your Dr is trying to address the liver issues with the drinking vs saying its a medication impact.

I drink moderately a couple of times a week or less.  I had 2 beers today; one beer on Tuesday.  Very rarely 4 or more and I don't really drink vodka anymore. 

How much whiskey are you really drinking?  My partner has an alcohol problem, and when he sneaks a drink it's more like 1/2 a bottle. That would be 10-15 drinks for me.  His liver values are kinda crap, his cholesterol and everything else is excellent. 

I have had elevated levels a couple of times over the years, usually after some sort of big holiday party weekend where I know I drank too much.

[Jim Allen]

Hey everyone, I've been on HIV Meds (truvada/tivicay) for a year and half now, and i drink  2/3 times a week (mostly beer or whiskey), i do check ups with my Dr every six months and my liver enzymes are always high. I know that my enzymes were high before meds, but not sure how the meds are affecting my liver now...I have tried to bring down my alcohol consumptions, but with my stressful life style is hard not to download a beer or two. anyone in a similar situation... i am taking milk thistle to see if my liver function gets better, but don't know if there's something else i should do, (besides the obvious). I guess i just need to hear from other's experiences on this issue, how many drinks is normal to keep a good functioning liver?... good to note that i don't have any Hep C and that besides HIV i have no other illnesses...

thanks

Besides the obvious, well maybe the obvious is something to talk about or at least to seriously to start considering. You have stated that your liver enzymes were high before taking the meds and you have stated you have a stressful lifestyle.

I guess i just need to hear from other's experiences on this issue, how many drinks is normal to keep a good functioning liver?

Perhaps instead of trying to balance & figure out much you can drink with peers and still be okay, maybe it's really just time to address some of the lifestyle items you mentioned, like reduce your stress levels & Address the cause of the stress & finally and a vital step your coping mechanism. I.e  How you cope with the stress, because the how you cope seems or sounds in your post to play a key part.

If I was I was you I would learn to accept your liver was high to start and so continuing with whatever was causing that can't be good and should be addressed.  If I was you I would talk your GP on this one for perhaps seeking some support tools on dealing with the stress and cutting down the drink. (But that's just if I was you)

Anyhow I do wish you all the best.

Jim.
 

[Turtle-12]

Thanks Jim and Auship for your advice and support, indeed, i think that I need to tacled the root issues, and I am sure I will be better...its just not easy considering how much my life changed aftwr diagnosis, so I am happy for this fora... I just saw my specialist and my levels went down in half, and i attributed to some simple life style changes like eating greens, excersing, and drinking tons of water... Thanks again, and i will keep you posted...

[AusShep]

Congratulations on the results from your hard work.  Cutting your levels in half is pretty amazing.