Aa
Scared and Alone
How do you tell your family and friends about having Hep C. I got it through work, but I still feel like leper. I am afraid to touch people and feel alone. I am so sick I can barely move, so I tell everyone my baby has not been sleping. Everyone is noticing a difference. PLEASE I NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO. I have noone, I love my husband but he has no idea how to support me. I feel completely alone. And I have no idea how to deal with the side effects. I am on the more severe side, I do not know if I can keep working like this.
Dang!! I am so sorry you have had a difficult time telling ppl. I'm sure somebody already told you this, I haven't read all the post yet. I have to be honest with you I read what you wrote to me and it just really made me angry. I mean reach out and touch someone angry. I can't say anything about your husband cause quite honestly I don't know either one of you, so that would be wrong. People can be such idiots, that's the part that really makes me angry. If you feel you're better off leaving work for awhile and you can afford to do it, then maybe you should. After all you may need the rest, maybe you have children to care for. Also if you need something to help your mood don't be afraid to ask your doctor for an anti-depressant or something for anxiety. If you feel all alone and you really are alone that's one thing, but if you feel alone and you truly aren't, then maybe some medication would help. I hope that made sense. One more thing, lie to some people not everyone has to know the truth, obviously some people can't handle the truth. Oh that sounded vaguely familiar. LOL God Bless
Hey honey,
Aren't these folks great? They have been such a source of comfort for me. Everyone is kind and respectful and wants to help us.
If you feel the need, call a family meeting. Gather information, brochures, etc and have a sit-down. The first person you need to educate is YOURSELF!!
Second, Not everyone needs to know the whole truth. Friends, work people - they don't need to know you have HCV. Some people would argue that that isn't truthful, but it's your private business.
Educate your husband, ask him to view videos (there's some good ones on youtube), join a support group that you can go to once a week. He has to learn how to help. None of us know what we're doing when we start this. It's all by seeking and searching. Education takes so much pressure off of us in the beginning.
Good luck to you babe.
Stay in TOUCH!!!!
Kelle
Aren't these folks great? They have been such a source of comfort for me. Everyone is kind and respectful and wants to help us.
If you feel the need, call a family meeting. Gather information, brochures, etc and have a sit-down. The first person you need to educate is YOURSELF!!
Second, Not everyone needs to know the whole truth. Friends, work people - they don't need to know you have HCV. Some people would argue that that isn't truthful, but it's your private business.
Educate your husband, ask him to view videos (there's some good ones on youtube), join a support group that you can go to once a week. He has to learn how to help. None of us know what we're doing when we start this. It's all by seeking and searching. Education takes so much pressure off of us in the beginning.
Good luck to you babe.
Stay in TOUCH!!!!
Kelle
I am so sorry you are having to put up with such gross insensitivity. You should have the opportunity to adjust to your diagnosis and take care of yourself (mentally and physically) right now. I was just recently diagnosed myself and had to go through telling my family, friends, and co-workers. It is not easy. I have been struggling too, so please don't feel alone.
I had my dr. prescribe some anti-depressants now, because this thing is bigger than me. Hopefully, they will start helping soon. I didn't want to wait until starting TX. However, this site has been a Godsend, (I only found it last week). There is tons of info and support, and you will learn that you are NOT alone, just as I am.
I can't give you any insight on your dealing with your husband, but I hope he gets beyond his fear and supports you like you will need. As for the others, keep in mind the words of Dr. Seuss...
“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.”
I had my dr. prescribe some anti-depressants now, because this thing is bigger than me. Hopefully, they will start helping soon. I didn't want to wait until starting TX. However, this site has been a Godsend, (I only found it last week). There is tons of info and support, and you will learn that you are NOT alone, just as I am.
I can't give you any insight on your dealing with your husband, but I hope he gets beyond his fear and supports you like you will need. As for the others, keep in mind the words of Dr. Seuss...
“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.”
I'm not a very secure person and after telling some friends and when I have minor falling outs I get stuck in the loop that maybe it wasn't because I was obnoxious but because I have a desease. Wish I could go back to knowing that people react to me because I'm obnoxious.
You will find a happy medium. And this happy medium will look in her crystal ball and. . . . . . .
You will find a happy medium. And this happy medium will look in her crystal ball and. . . . . . .
I found your story to be heartbreaking. I agree with you I think your husband is scared. You will need to find sometime to sit down and work this out with him so he can understand and be there to support you. I hope and pray he finds the courage to face this so he can be there for you. I know my wife and family are there to support me every step of the way and they are great. I have not told a lot of people other than immediate family a couple of people I work with who will be effected by my time missed since I am in a trial and have to go in twice a week for tests.
I also agree with Andromedae, I have found that it was better received by the people I did tell then I had thought. it was like having a 2 ton weight lifted off of my shoulders. I carried this around for a long time not telling anyone. I had gotten myself all worked up prior to this. i am surprised at the reaction of your co-workers since you deal in blood everyday. i would have thought they would be more supportive.
Anyway there are a lot of good people here who will give you any support you need an try to answer any questions you may have. Welcome
I also agree with Andromedae, I have found that it was better received by the people I did tell then I had thought. it was like having a 2 ton weight lifted off of my shoulders. I carried this around for a long time not telling anyone. I had gotten myself all worked up prior to this. i am surprised at the reaction of your co-workers since you deal in blood everyday. i would have thought they would be more supportive.
Anyway there are a lot of good people here who will give you any support you need an try to answer any questions you may have. Welcome
I think my husband is mostly scared. We watched a good friend die of hepC a few years ago. It was horible. He is not one or working in the health field eithor and is having a hard time not understanding why I am not furious- this is becouse I know it is a risk of the job. There are times that I have put mu patients safety before my own- that is what I do. I am a dialysis technician, and deal with tons of blood. He feels it is disgusting, I feel I am saving lives. I feel I am going through this for a reason, maby God wanted me to learn to slow down (Inow have no choice) He feels someone needs to blame. And, yes people are scared becouse of ignorance, and I know this but it is hard still.
I totally agree with meiki, those people are idiots. I am so so sorry that you were met with such negativity from your coworkers. They ARE in the health field? I think it is time for them to get educated---blood to blood only. As far as your hubby goes all I can think of either he is scared or (sorry) selfish, I hope scared. But some people just can't handle illness & I'm pretty sure that he resents your work. Keep asking questions, I'm sure someone on here has gone thru just about everything. It helps to know you are not alone in what is happening.
Denise
Denise
I am so sorry to hear about what is happening to you and how unfair you are being treated. I'm so sorry that your husband is so scared, that he is not able to give you the support you need. Sometimes we forget that it might be even more emotionally difficult for the ones who love us, than for us self to deal with the news of the disease. Everybody reacts in a different way. It can be difficult for a man, who feels he is the protector of his family, to be incapable solving the problem. He wants his wife and children safe and healthy and feels useless. And that might cause the frustration and then he doesn't know how to handle the matter. He might feel that you are so sick and so frail that he doesn't even dare to touch you.
I'm sorry, I'm going to blabber on and it might sound like some kind of relationship counseling... but I just mean well and speak out of an experience of one marriage totally gone wrong and a marriage totally gone right.
Maybe if you explain to him that you need to be held and hugged, he will understand.
I will share this with you and some may agree and others disagree... and I hope I am not offending anyone with this. It is a generalization and not everyone is like this.
Usually when women are sad, we want to be held and comforted. So when our man is sad, we go over and hug and comfort him. He almost goes crazy, because he thinks that we are treating him like a kid, and we are not their mothers... etc.
Men when they are sad, they like to be given some space. So when we are sad, they go out of the room and give us some space. What do we do? We start crying even more, and accuse them of being cold hearted, mean and not giving a da'mn.
We each do what we would want our partner to do to us, when we are in that situation.
That's where we should realize, that we obviously don't think the same way. My present husband and I fortunately worked on this in the very early stages of our relationship.
It was difficult for me to leave him alone, when he's not good. I just let him know that I'm here if he needs me. I don't do it with my sons either, or I ask before, if I can give them a hug.
For him it was even more difficult to come and hug me, when I was crying. But he tried very hard and now it comes naturally and automatically.
So maybe this is what your husband is feeling, and not resentment towards you, because you are ill.
Hugs, Marcia
I'm sorry, I'm going to blabber on and it might sound like some kind of relationship counseling... but I just mean well and speak out of an experience of one marriage totally gone wrong and a marriage totally gone right.
Maybe if you explain to him that you need to be held and hugged, he will understand.
I will share this with you and some may agree and others disagree... and I hope I am not offending anyone with this. It is a generalization and not everyone is like this.
Usually when women are sad, we want to be held and comforted. So when our man is sad, we go over and hug and comfort him. He almost goes crazy, because he thinks that we are treating him like a kid, and we are not their mothers... etc.
Men when they are sad, they like to be given some space. So when we are sad, they go out of the room and give us some space. What do we do? We start crying even more, and accuse them of being cold hearted, mean and not giving a da'mn.
We each do what we would want our partner to do to us, when we are in that situation.
That's where we should realize, that we obviously don't think the same way. My present husband and I fortunately worked on this in the very early stages of our relationship.
It was difficult for me to leave him alone, when he's not good. I just let him know that I'm here if he needs me. I don't do it with my sons either, or I ask before, if I can give them a hug.
For him it was even more difficult to come and hug me, when I was crying. But he tried very hard and now it comes naturally and automatically.
So maybe this is what your husband is feeling, and not resentment towards you, because you are ill.
Hugs, Marcia
Well - those people --- they are idiots - including your husband.
WOW!
I'm sorry girlee - but you need to make some decisions for yourself. When your own husband won't touch you because you have an illness ---- THAT WHO KNOWS --- MAYBE HE IS THE CARRIER in your family... That's entirely sad.
What about "in sickness and in health"???
What you need to do is get educated - learn ALL you can about this disease.
Be ARMED with information.
Be able to spout off answers and learn what it is that you are treating.
I'm so very sorry for the way people are acting - and if I could --- I would go slap them silly for you.
That's INSANE.
I've NEVER had a bad reaction - except for by 3 girls at work --- but since they saw me go through what I went through on TX --- and it was VERY obvious that I got VERY sick --- they have since backed off on SANITIZING everything - and keeping the Clorox wipes out...
But other than those 3 at work (one no longer works here) - I haven't had a bad reaction at all.
People must realize first and foremost that THIS IS --- a BLOOD to BLOOD disease and is difficult to catch.
You must get blood from an infected person into the body of an uninfected person.
It's a virus... Plain and simple.
So get yourself informed.
Ask questions -- learn... and then go out and teach.
Laugh at those who don't understand - and then help them to understand.
Learn - then teach.
Hugs,
Meki
WOW!
I'm sorry girlee - but you need to make some decisions for yourself. When your own husband won't touch you because you have an illness ---- THAT WHO KNOWS --- MAYBE HE IS THE CARRIER in your family... That's entirely sad.
What about "in sickness and in health"???
What you need to do is get educated - learn ALL you can about this disease.
Be ARMED with information.
Be able to spout off answers and learn what it is that you are treating.
I'm so very sorry for the way people are acting - and if I could --- I would go slap them silly for you.
That's INSANE.
I've NEVER had a bad reaction - except for by 3 girls at work --- but since they saw me go through what I went through on TX --- and it was VERY obvious that I got VERY sick --- they have since backed off on SANITIZING everything - and keeping the Clorox wipes out...
But other than those 3 at work (one no longer works here) - I haven't had a bad reaction at all.
People must realize first and foremost that THIS IS --- a BLOOD to BLOOD disease and is difficult to catch.
You must get blood from an infected person into the body of an uninfected person.
It's a virus... Plain and simple.
So get yourself informed.
Ask questions -- learn... and then go out and teach.
Laugh at those who don't understand - and then help them to understand.
Learn - then teach.
Hugs,
Meki
Thank you - that describes how I feel so much, but my problem is that my husband is so angry, that he wont even discuss it with me. He has no idea how it is him who is making me feel so alone. He is a piolet and is not home much, and I think he is scared becouse even if it was seen that he was tested he would loose his piolets licence, and his career. My work had tested me a year and a half ago, and I turned up positive, but theey never told me. He does not under stand how I still go to work and is angree when I do. He does not realize how much I love what I do, and that I have always known that this is a risk of my job, I just got unlucky, I just thought at each incident I had " no biggy, its a million to one chance of getting something" well thats what I get for not being afraid, and now that I have it I am afraid. and yes I am angree at my job, becouse I did not have arthritis then and the doctor said that treatment probably would have been easier, but I love my patients and they need me as much as I need them right now. I just wish my husband could understand. He has not even touched me in 2 months- I feel like this diseese has taken everything from me. I told the women I am close to at work and she has treted me like a horrid person since I told her- tjis is why I am afraid, I have not had many good outcomes as of this day. I just wish I could go back and dissapear some days.
Well, I see you already have great advice above (IMO). I can't add anything except to reiterate that you are not alone, and you will get through this.
Well, I guess I can add some of my own experience FWIW.
For me, it started out with a cancer diagnosis (HCC) and a transplant. Since TP and beginning of TX, I have told most of the people I work with the situation with HCV and treatment. They don't fully understand, I think, but understand that treatment has many difficulties and have been understanding.
With family and friends I have been totaly up front about the whole thing. It is an issue of education. Most people do not have much idea of what this disease is and what distinguishes it from other types of hepatitis or even other diseases, for that matter. With many people, you just provide the accurate information and they will understand or learn. For others, it can be difficult to learn.
Hang in there,
Brent
Well, I guess I can add some of my own experience FWIW.
For me, it started out with a cancer diagnosis (HCC) and a transplant. Since TP and beginning of TX, I have told most of the people I work with the situation with HCV and treatment. They don't fully understand, I think, but understand that treatment has many difficulties and have been understanding.
With family and friends I have been totaly up front about the whole thing. It is an issue of education. Most people do not have much idea of what this disease is and what distinguishes it from other types of hepatitis or even other diseases, for that matter. With many people, you just provide the accurate information and they will understand or learn. For others, it can be difficult to learn.
Hang in there,
Brent
Hi, you are not alone at all, as said above you have all of us. The post from A made a ton of sense. I did tell people that I see on a regular basis, and did a ton of research to get my facts straight about this epidemic called HCV.
As Meiki said an antidepressant just might work for you, it did for me.
I ended up with another problem that gave me liquid filled blisters on my hands, it was how I got diagnosed. YOU will not get it. Back to my point----my dermatologist held my nasty hand I think to prove to me that I was NOT a leper.
Your hubby can (and will probably) help you out at home & with the kids, to me that was a ton of support.
6 months of heII was worth the end result for me. hopefuly in Sept I will still be UND (undected & after 6 months SVR or cured).
Denise
As Meiki said an antidepressant just might work for you, it did for me.
I ended up with another problem that gave me liquid filled blisters on my hands, it was how I got diagnosed. YOU will not get it. Back to my point----my dermatologist held my nasty hand I think to prove to me that I was NOT a leper.
Your hubby can (and will probably) help you out at home & with the kids, to me that was a ton of support.
6 months of heII was worth the end result for me. hopefuly in Sept I will still be UND (undected & after 6 months SVR or cured).
Denise
I certainly hope you are feeling better than earlier, I haven't tx yet so I really don't know what to expect. I was wondering what kind of arthritis you have and was it a result of an injury or is it RA? Here is something written by Meki and I think your husband should read it. Sure not all of it will apply, but it may give him an idea how you feel. Also, you shouldn’t feel any shame as a lot of ppl get it and they don’t even know how. You got it through work, there certainly isn't any shame in that. Sure this virus has a huge stigma attached to it, the more people like you who speak out and let people know what's happening with you, the better you will feel and the better off others will be. Of course, take it easy and maybe just start with those who are close to you, tell the ppl you don’t want to tell that you’re on chemo. I bet you that in itself would make you feel a lot better. God Bless
Stay far enough away that your noise doesn't affect me, or your perfumes or colognes don't overpower me... Or so that you don't hurt my aching bones --- or steal the air that I feel that I can't get enough of. Stay far enough away so that I don't feel like growling at you for absolutely no reason, but for some reason seems to be the most important thing at that moment to me.
Don't talk to me... Because nothing you're going to say is going to make much sense to me in the first place, and it makes me angry that for some strange reason I feel like I'm in a bubble and can't communicate properly back to you and I'm frustrated.
Don't touch me because it hurts - because right now my skin is on fire and it itches and there is nothing I can do to put that fire out or scratch that itch.
Don't play loud music or turn up the tv to blaring - because I'm sensitive to sounds and lights.
If I'm in a dark room - leave the lights off. If I'm in a bright room - leave the lights on. Sudden changes in lighting or temperature take on a whole new meaning for me --- and it's usually painful or very uncomfortable.
If I seem like I can't hear you - or I take forever to answer your question - don't take it personally - I may not be able to push past the fog in my head. I hate that I can't talk back to you - or carry on a full conversation. In my head I'm feeling guilty as it is and frustrated that I can't... Because it seems like it should be there - right on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't seem to find it. And I don't know how to find it. I don't even know where it is. So please don't just stand there waiting for my answer, I can't give it to you.
Hold me when I ask for it - because I need it desperately right then.
Love me no matter how much I yell or scream - or just lie there looking sicker than a dog.
Cook for me - even though I tell you I can't eat it - maybe an hour later I'll be able to taste it - or maybe it will not make me throw up again or I won't be queasy for the next 24 hours and it might be alright.
Know that sometimes no matter what you do - because you're not me, going through these things, you just can't possibly understand it.
Understand that none of this is personal... Or maybe that it's more personal than anything I've ever done before.
Know that I am doing this for you.
Stay far enough away that your noise doesn't affect me, or your perfumes or colognes don't overpower me... Or so that you don't hurt my aching bones --- or steal the air that I feel that I can't get enough of. Stay far enough away so that I don't feel like growling at you for absolutely no reason, but for some reason seems to be the most important thing at that moment to me.
Don't talk to me... Because nothing you're going to say is going to make much sense to me in the first place, and it makes me angry that for some strange reason I feel like I'm in a bubble and can't communicate properly back to you and I'm frustrated.
Don't touch me because it hurts - because right now my skin is on fire and it itches and there is nothing I can do to put that fire out or scratch that itch.
Don't play loud music or turn up the tv to blaring - because I'm sensitive to sounds and lights.
If I'm in a dark room - leave the lights off. If I'm in a bright room - leave the lights on. Sudden changes in lighting or temperature take on a whole new meaning for me --- and it's usually painful or very uncomfortable.
If I seem like I can't hear you - or I take forever to answer your question - don't take it personally - I may not be able to push past the fog in my head. I hate that I can't talk back to you - or carry on a full conversation. In my head I'm feeling guilty as it is and frustrated that I can't... Because it seems like it should be there - right on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't seem to find it. And I don't know how to find it. I don't even know where it is. So please don't just stand there waiting for my answer, I can't give it to you.
Hold me when I ask for it - because I need it desperately right then.
Love me no matter how much I yell or scream - or just lie there looking sicker than a dog.
Cook for me - even though I tell you I can't eat it - maybe an hour later I'll be able to taste it - or maybe it will not make me throw up again or I won't be queasy for the next 24 hours and it might be alright.
Know that sometimes no matter what you do - because you're not me, going through these things, you just can't possibly understand it.
Understand that none of this is personal... Or maybe that it's more personal than anything I've ever done before.
Know that I am doing this for you.
A couple of things:
It's especially difficult when you feel you are alone. But you're not alone. You do have all of us to rant on, talk things through with, whatever. I know, it's not like having a warm hand to hold but you know what? It's a whole lot better than feeling you have nothing at all. You do have something. Try to focus on that if you can.
Also: I find people react to things much the way that you expect them to. By that I mean that your own expectations and your own reactions can have a very definite effect on the way people respond to your telling them about your disease. If you are all apologetic and scared about it people will pick up that something isn't right and they may not know what is wrong but they will react to your own fears and inhibitions as if there was something very wrong. On the other hand if you are matter of fact about it and present it as just an unfortunate circumstance and life goes on then people will react accordingly.
Hey, it's just a virus. It's not a judgment from god about our worth. Stuff happens and we just got unlucky. I didn't take drugs and I didn't sleep around and I got this thing as well. And that really kind of pisses me off. I mean I never got all the fun yet I'm getting all the payback. Frak.
Keep your chin up and go get cured and if anyone has a problem with that than it's THEIR problem, Love, not yours.
A.
It's especially difficult when you feel you are alone. But you're not alone. You do have all of us to rant on, talk things through with, whatever. I know, it's not like having a warm hand to hold but you know what? It's a whole lot better than feeling you have nothing at all. You do have something. Try to focus on that if you can.
Also: I find people react to things much the way that you expect them to. By that I mean that your own expectations and your own reactions can have a very definite effect on the way people respond to your telling them about your disease. If you are all apologetic and scared about it people will pick up that something isn't right and they may not know what is wrong but they will react to your own fears and inhibitions as if there was something very wrong. On the other hand if you are matter of fact about it and present it as just an unfortunate circumstance and life goes on then people will react accordingly.
Hey, it's just a virus. It's not a judgment from god about our worth. Stuff happens and we just got unlucky. I didn't take drugs and I didn't sleep around and I got this thing as well. And that really kind of pisses me off. I mean I never got all the fun yet I'm getting all the payback. Frak.
Keep your chin up and go get cured and if anyone has a problem with that than it's THEIR problem, Love, not yours.
A.
I had known about my HCV for some time now but I did not choose to tell my family until I was about to TX. That went better than I thought. You will find that almost everyone you tell about it knows someone else that has it. I did tell my boss and only 2 of my closest co-workers about it. Even after they are told at work and the family they quickly forget that you aren't at full speed. I have told most of my closest friends and have never had a negative reaction. I have not told everyone because I find my medical stuff is a personal matter.
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Welcome to this forum. here you are definitely NOT alone, as we all have this disease and we do not care about how people got it, as to none of us it really matters. So there is no prejudice here. Hep C ins only transmitted through blood, so you can touch and hug and kiss all you want. Nobdy can get infected that way. Especially now, feeling this way, you probably need body contact with friends and family most.
The first thing you must know is, that it is a slowly progressing disease and that it's not the end of your life.
The best way to get on top of this disease is to read as much as you can about it. But when it gets too much, take a break, because there will be a lot of information.
I decided to tell my family and many of my friends, as I know that they would understand what the disease is all about, and if not they would ask. You might not want to tell many people, that is up to you. Some people look down on this disease, so if you do not think you will be strong enough to take their prejudice, it is better not to say. It is totally up to you, IF you want to tell anyone.
I waited with telling my kids and the rest of the family, until I myself had accepted that I had the disease and was able to feel and speak calmly about it.
I had extreme fatigue for about 2 or 3 months and I think that it got better, because I changed my diet and eliminated all kinds of toxins from my diet and skin products, etc.
I think my post is long enough now.
Hugs,
Marcia
The first thing you must know is, that it is a slowly progressing disease and that it's not the end of your life.
The best way to get on top of this disease is to read as much as you can about it. But when it gets too much, take a break, because there will be a lot of information.
I decided to tell my family and many of my friends, as I know that they would understand what the disease is all about, and if not they would ask. You might not want to tell many people, that is up to you. Some people look down on this disease, so if you do not think you will be strong enough to take their prejudice, it is better not to say. It is totally up to you, IF you want to tell anyone.
I waited with telling my kids and the rest of the family, until I myself had accepted that I had the disease and was able to feel and speak calmly about it.
I had extreme fatigue for about 2 or 3 months and I think that it got better, because I changed my diet and eliminated all kinds of toxins from my diet and skin products, etc.
I think my post is long enough now.
Hugs,
Marcia
I'd start with family, that's what I did anyway. As to friends, be a bit careful who you tell, at least at first. One of the difficulties with Hep C, is that half the time you find you have to explain what it is to people. There is a lot of confusion with Hep A and Hep B, which can stereotype you as something you are not.
Did you acquire Hep C recently (i.e. are you in Acute stage)? I got quite sick while Acute, but a lot of other people get no symptoms at all. The good news is that while Hep C is not a good thing to have, there are a lot worse things out there. As well, Hep C, because it is common, is being studied and investigated all the time. At the end of the day, we are all mortal. Hep C is a challenge, and I hope you can find people you trust who you can talk to about it. It is not something that I think anyone comes to terms with straight away, but once you do gain an acceptance, you start to realize that your own attitude will to a large extent determine what the experience is going to be for you.
I found a lot of support on this board (a good place to vent if you go through treatment as well), and from family, and I am sure you will too.
Did you acquire Hep C recently (i.e. are you in Acute stage)? I got quite sick while Acute, but a lot of other people get no symptoms at all. The good news is that while Hep C is not a good thing to have, there are a lot worse things out there. As well, Hep C, because it is common, is being studied and investigated all the time. At the end of the day, we are all mortal. Hep C is a challenge, and I hope you can find people you trust who you can talk to about it. It is not something that I think anyone comes to terms with straight away, but once you do gain an acceptance, you start to realize that your own attitude will to a large extent determine what the experience is going to be for you.
I found a lot of support on this board (a good place to vent if you go through treatment as well), and from family, and I am sure you will too.
STOP beating yourself up.
That's the first thing.
The second thing is --- IF YOU want to tell people --- then tell them.
Be armed with the facts --- learn all you can about HCV --- read this forum -- read the Janis and Friend's website --- read HCV advocate.
Know everything you can - and then go out and be factual - logical - kind and understand when some folks "freak out".
The first reaction is generally ---- You did drugs? Or You were a Hooker?
The second reaction is "OMG can I get it from you?"
The third reaction is often pity
The fourth and final reaction is curiosity --- understanding and educating themselves about it.
Me - I was very upfront with it --- with everyone. I talked until I was blue in the face.
I figure - I want people to know that ANYONE can get this disease - that anyone and everyone can have HCV... In fact --- THEY SHOULD ALL GET CHECKED.
You're ok.
You're going through some rough times right now - but you're ok... We've all been there.
Go learn more about this disease --- our reactions --- read the forum for a couple pages back and just go through the posts --- You'll realize you ARE NOT ALONE.
Super hugs,
Meki
That's the first thing.
The second thing is --- IF YOU want to tell people --- then tell them.
Be armed with the facts --- learn all you can about HCV --- read this forum -- read the Janis and Friend's website --- read HCV advocate.
Know everything you can - and then go out and be factual - logical - kind and understand when some folks "freak out".
The first reaction is generally ---- You did drugs? Or You were a Hooker?
The second reaction is "OMG can I get it from you?"
The third reaction is often pity
The fourth and final reaction is curiosity --- understanding and educating themselves about it.
Me - I was very upfront with it --- with everyone. I talked until I was blue in the face.
I figure - I want people to know that ANYONE can get this disease - that anyone and everyone can have HCV... In fact --- THEY SHOULD ALL GET CHECKED.
You're ok.
You're going through some rough times right now - but you're ok... We've all been there.
Go learn more about this disease --- our reactions --- read the forum for a couple pages back and just go through the posts --- You'll realize you ARE NOT ALONE.
Super hugs,
Meki
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Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
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Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
