Aerosmith's Tyler: I Have Hep C

[Guest guest]

Aerosmith's Tyler: I Have Hep C

by Josh Grossberg

Sep 25, 2006, 2:00 PM PT

Tyler has apparently been living on the edge more than he previously

let on.

In an interview with Access Hollywood set to air Tuesday night, Aerosmith's

sinewy singer reveals that he has quietly been battling hepatitis C, a

blood-borne infection that can potentially lead to fatal liver damage,

including cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Per the New York Daily News, the 58-year-old Tyler tells host O'Dell

that he was diagnosed three years ago but had contracted hepatitis C several

years earlier without manifesting any symptoms. He subsequently endured a

year's worth of pills and injections containing the antiviral drug

interferon.

" I've been pretty quiet about this, " Tyler says, adding that his physician

recommended he undergo the strict interferon regiment three years ago when

the group took a break. " You know, it really hurt. It was a bad, bad

period. "

Now, though, the frontman says he's back in the saddle, health-wise.

" It is nonexistent in my bloodstream...where it's like a complete cure, "

says Tyler.

The virus is often transmitted through dirty needles and typically affects

addicts in high numbers. While there is no vaccine or known cure, hepatitis

C can be controlled and even reduced in the bloodstream by powerful

antiviral drugs such as interferon that strengthen the immune system.

No word on whether the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame vocalist will discuss how

he contracted hepatitis C , but he has long history of drug abuse.

Back in the late 1970s, he and Aerosmith guitarist Joe were known as

the Toxic Twins for their heavy consumption of drugs, including heroin.

Their addictions got so bad the Boston band nearly took a permanent vacation

from the rock scene two decades ago. But the group's masterminds cleaned

themselves up and launched a hugely successful comeback in the late '80s.

Tyler also admits that his health crisis and subsequent treatment put a big

strain on his 17-year marriage to fashion designer Barrick.

" I had a little problem at home, to say the least, " the " Cryin' " crooner

says on Access. " I would run upstairs at night, you know, to put the kids

asleep and wake up at 3 in the morning with a nosebleed--you know, just

passed out from the interferon, the treatment. It's a shot and pills and all

of that. But the good news is I stood the test of time. "

The couple, who have two teenage children, ended up divorcing last year.

Tyler tells Access he plans to talk more openly about his struggle with

hepatitis C in the future to raise public awareness.

" Hepatitis C is the one that, of all the people in this room, at least three

have it and don't know it, " he says. " It's the silent killer. I may go on

Oprah and talk about this. I hope you don't mind me mentioning that. "

The musician joins an estimated 4.5 million Americans who suffer from

hepatitis C, including fellow celebs Pamela , Naomi Judd and Larry

Hagman.

The disclosure caps a difficult year for the rocker.

In March, Tyler underwent a successful procedure to repair a broken blood

vessel on his right vocal cord, forcing Aerosmith to scrap 12 dates in the

spring. And one month ago, 54-year-old bassist Tom Hamilton revealed that

he's being treated for throat cancer but planned to rejoin the band on the

road in the coming weeks.

But Tyler is F.I.N.E. now. He's doing a guest shot Monday as Charlie Sheen's

hard-partying neighbor on CBS' Two and a Half Men, and Aerosmith is

currently on the Route of All Evil tour with Mötley Crüe.

The jaunt is in support of Devil's Got a News Disguise, Aerosmith's latest

greatest hits compilation arriving in stores on Oct. 10. The band plans to

return to the studio to begin work on a new album in February.

http://www.topix.net/redir/loc=newsalert/http=3A=2F=2Fwww.eonline.com=2FNews=2FI\

tems=2F0=2C1=2C20092=2C00.html=3Frsslatest

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Aerosmith's Tyler: I Have Hep C

by Josh Grossberg

Sep 25, 2006, 2:00 PM PT

Tyler has apparently been living on the edge more than he previously

let on.

In an interview with Access Hollywood set to air Tuesday night, Aerosmith's

sinewy singer reveals that he has quietly been battling hepatitis C, a

blood-borne infection that can potentially lead to fatal liver damage,

including cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Per the New York Daily News, the 58-year-old Tyler tells host O'Dell

that he was diagnosed three years ago but had contracted hepatitis C several

years earlier without manifesting any symptoms. He subsequently endured a

year's worth of pills and injections containing the antiviral drug

interferon.

" I've been pretty quiet about this, " Tyler says, adding that his physician

recommended he undergo the strict interferon regiment three years ago when

the group took a break. " You know, it really hurt. It was a bad, bad

period. "

Now, though, the frontman says he's back in the saddle, health-wise.

" It is nonexistent in my bloodstream...where it's like a complete cure, "

says Tyler.

The virus is often transmitted through dirty needles and typically affects

addicts in high numbers. While there is no vaccine or known cure, hepatitis

C can be controlled and even reduced in the bloodstream by powerful

antiviral drugs such as interferon that strengthen the immune system.

No word on whether the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame vocalist will discuss how

he contracted hepatitis C , but he has long history of drug abuse.

Back in the late 1970s, he and Aerosmith guitarist Joe were known as

the Toxic Twins for their heavy consumption of drugs, including heroin.

Their addictions got so bad the Boston band nearly took a permanent vacation

from the rock scene two decades ago. But the group's masterminds cleaned

themselves up and launched a hugely successful comeback in the late '80s.

Tyler also admits that his health crisis and subsequent treatment put a big

strain on his 17-year marriage to fashion designer Barrick.

" I had a little problem at home, to say the least, " the " Cryin' " crooner

says on Access. " I would run upstairs at night, you know, to put the kids

asleep and wake up at 3 in the morning with a nosebleed--you know, just

passed out from the interferon, the treatment. It's a shot and pills and all

of that. But the good news is I stood the test of time. "

The couple, who have two teenage children, ended up divorcing last year.

Tyler tells Access he plans to talk more openly about his struggle with

hepatitis C in the future to raise public awareness.

" Hepatitis C is the one that, of all the people in this room, at least three

have it and don't know it, " he says. " It's the silent killer. I may go on

Oprah and talk about this. I hope you don't mind me mentioning that. "

The musician joins an estimated 4.5 million Americans who suffer from

hepatitis C, including fellow celebs Pamela , Naomi Judd and Larry

Hagman.

The disclosure caps a difficult year for the rocker.

In March, Tyler underwent a successful procedure to repair a broken blood

vessel on his right vocal cord, forcing Aerosmith to scrap 12 dates in the

spring. And one month ago, 54-year-old bassist Tom Hamilton revealed that

he's being treated for throat cancer but planned to rejoin the band on the

road in the coming weeks.

But Tyler is F.I.N.E. now. He's doing a guest shot Monday as Charlie Sheen's

hard-partying neighbor on CBS' Two and a Half Men, and Aerosmith is

currently on the Route of All Evil tour with Mötley Crüe.

The jaunt is in support of Devil's Got a News Disguise, Aerosmith's latest

greatest hits compilation arriving in stores on Oct. 10. The band plans to

return to the studio to begin work on a new album in February.

http://www.topix.net/redir/loc=newsalert/http=3A=2F=2Fwww.eonline.com=2FNews=2FI\

tems=2F0=2C1=2C20092=2C00.html=3Frsslatest

_________________________________________________________________

Add fun gadgets and colorful themes to express yourself on Windows Live

Spaces

http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://www.get\

..live.com/spaces/features