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Avatar universal

how do you cope with your HVC?

my boyfriend (of 7 years) was just diagnosed today with the illness.  i'm pretty sure that i don't have it (i'm getting tested next week and multiple sites say the chance of sexual transmission with a monogamous partner are really low) but i'm getting tested next week.  he's beating himself up over it though and i don't know what to say to help.  what's your experience been like and how do you deal with HVC in the "real" world?
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Avatar universal
That's good he's chilling.  There are millions of us out there and we aren't any different from anyone else.  We're entitled to all the joys, pleasures and opportunities in life just like those who aren't infected with hepc.  Can't dwell on it cause it'll make you nuts.  We didn't ask for this disease but s-hit happens so we suck it up and move forward.  

Good Luck
Trinity
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks everyone!  i talked to him today and he seems like he's chilled out a little bit (lol).  it's nice to see people are living normal lives because that's all i want for myself and him and our family!   i'll post when we know more about what's going on :)
Helpful - 0
1301586 tn?1280761316
It's all about attitude. You must always stay positive and support him in anything that he decides. No matter the outcome you will both survive and maybe even be a better person in the end.
Let us know what the specifics are when you know. We are here to support you!
Sabe :)
Helpful - 0
412873 tn?1329174455
It's hard at first.  We all remember the days after we were initially diagnosed.  I think the best thing for him to do is educate himsefl about this disease.  I'm not sure how far he's gotten yet, but generally after coming back with positive antibodies, the doc will run a PCR test to determine viral load.  If it comes back undectable, that means the virus has cleared on it's own and no further action is needed.

If it comes back with a detectable viral load, they will possibly do an ultrasound and a biopsy.  The biopsy is the best way to determine the amount of damage, if any.  After getting this information, he'll have a better idea of which direction to go in from there.  

Honestly, it does stink..but there are soooo many things worse than HCV.  Learning as much as he can about the virus and specifically his own stats will help make him feel better.  

Based on exposure, I may have had the disease 39 years before being diagnosed.  If I had known, I probably wouldn't have loved my wine so much, but regardless, I was a 1/1, treated and am currently SVR (cured).   My daughter (20) was  born with it and is living a liver-friendly life until she treats next year.  We don't share personal hygene items like toothbrushes, tweezers and nail files and we always have bandaids on hand...but other than that as Trinity said it so well above, we just go on with our stuff.

Good luck to you both.  Please keep us posted.

Isobella
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same here
Probably infected 39 years and never knew it.  
Angry at first but what are you going to do?  I have a good job, purchases and acquisitions which provide a good life, a couple of rotten kids :) who are hepc free by the way and then the rest of my "stuff". You have to cope with it, just like everything else in life that s-u-c-ks.  You either choose to live with the virus or you undergo treatment to eradicate it.  If treatment fails you keep on living, enjoying your rotten kids and your stuff until you get cured.  What other choice is there?

Trinity
Helpful - 0
148588 tn?1465778809
Probably got infected in 1973.
Spent some time in rehab.
Went on to have a fairly dull normal, happy life.
Ex and kids have never tested positive.
Treated in 2002.
Went back to dull, normal, happy life.
Helpful - 0
85962 tn?1329981090
Cope like the rest of us do, One day at a time, It's NOT a death sentence. He will probably need a liver biopsy (no big deal), Had two already myself, Depending on results, He may need to do nothing for now, except quit drinking! (assuming he does)?
Helpful - 0
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