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Avatar universal

method of aquisition

I notice many people being very specific in how they contracted Hepatitis C virus. Like, " contracted through transfusion", or,"needle stick accident-healthcare pro," or whatever. Is those individuals' disease somehow different from, "cross-contaminated tattoo ink", or "used drugs intravenously"? I thought we were all in the same boat.Perhaps a separate forum- "Their own fault", and, "victims of"?
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439539 tn?1233465815
Good for you.That's the attitude that got you where you are at today.Good luck to you and your family.12 grandchildren.What a way to spend the holidays.That's sweet ! Oh and expensive.I really do wish the best for you and yours.It sounds like your on the right track now.Some Drs. should not be in the field but they are...
God Bless and keep us posted on your progress,
Tammy
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148588 tn?1465778809
I forget where I read about transfusion related cases never clearing on their own. If I remenber correctly, it has something to do with the huge quantity of virus involved in transfusion compared to most other means of transmission.
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Avatar universal
Some people live off judgement and others problems. I tell my story to anyone that cares to hear it and if they judge me too flippin bad. My biological mother was 13 when she had her first child. She had 3 more children by her 18 birthday. We [my 3 sisters] had to be adopted together because of the things that happened to us in our birth home. My mother was pimped out by her own mother! [I sound judgemental dont I?] My 2 older sisters are carriers of hep c, I have hep c the youngest has a whole batch of health problems. I dont hate my biological mother, I feel very sorry for her. People who pass judgement need to remember that carma has a way of biting you in the butt when you try to hurt someone with words and judgement. I dont think it matters how a person gets it, we have to get thru it somehow. I had a gastroenterologist that treated me like i didnt have the right to ask him for help. I nearly committed suicide because of him, luckily I moved to the coast to die and found a wonderful doctor. Im looking at a transplant because the peg and ribavarin didnt work..still I wont give in, Im gonna fight til the grim reaper catches me. I have 2 grown daughters and 2 grown step sons and 12 granchildren. I am important to my family and they need me. I dont give a rats behind what anyone else thinks!
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338734 tn?1377160168
I know what you mean. I have saved my story for a few rare occassions when I thought my kids were in a position to benefit from them. My kids always complained that they couldn't get away with anything because Dad was wise to the deal.

In everyday life at work, I am a little reluctant to try to do this as it just doesn't seem to fit. I have tried to steer a few seemingly wayward youths into a different frame of reference for life vs. drugs, but I have been a missionary by no means. I think I made a difference in a few. That is a golden opportunity. We all need some of that.
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250084 tn?1303307435
LOL! What the flock was going on there?? Tx nightmares were coming back :)

Actually, I think I made better sense on here thru out tx!! Now that IS scary!
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412873 tn?1329174455
Sun spots....that must have been those pesky lifeguards!!
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250084 tn?1303307435
Geeeeezzzz! Not sure what that was all about.

SORRY !
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250084 tn?1303307435
Kimmy....not sure what's going on.
Love.....hearing when someone conquers the battle of addiction. I have never been ashamed of my experimental years and have used my stories many times to help. My son once brought a friend of his to me to tell my past, talk to about drugs as he'd started using. I was open with them and their friends as soon as they were at that age of temptations, peer pressure. My youth made me who I am today and made me get into ...things I do at times :) You have the idea....use it to help now. I'll never forget walking someone into a rehab, listening to this woman rattle off, pulling her aside and saying "WHAT? Have you ever done drugs?"..."no mam, I've never even smoked pot"...."than how the hell can you preach what your preaching?" (you had to be there, it was deserved!) Rehabs truly need some people that have been there ,done that. Sorry to go off on a roll here :)
What you did is harder than anything many will ever go up against in their life.  You get that SVR and enjoy your life. Those scars are battle wounds, you won.
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Avatar universal
It must be sun spots...LOL                            ~Melinda
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250084 tn?1303307435
This is wierd...peeing me off! Only parts will post?



Kimmy....I LOVE< LOVE<LOVE hearing when someone conquers the battle of addiction. I have never been ashamed of my experimental years and have used my stories many times to help. My son once brought a friend of his to me to tell my past, talk to about drugs as he'd started using. I was open with them and their friends as soon as they were at that age of temptations, peer pressure. My youth made me who I am today and made me get into ...things I do at times :) You have the idea....use it to help now. I'll never forget walking someone into a rehab, listening to this woman rattle off, pulling her aside and saying "WHAT? Have you ever done drugs?"..."no mam, I've never even smoked pot"...."than how the hell can you preach what your preaching?" (you had to be there, it was deserved!) Rehabs truly need some people that have been there ,done that. Sorry to go off on a roll here :)
What you did is harder than anything many will ever go up against in their life.  You get that SVR and enjoy your life. Those scars are battle wounds, you won.

LL

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250084 tn?1303307435
Only parts are posting?? What's up with this?

Kimmy....I LOVE< LOVE<LOVE hearing when someone conquers the battle of addiction. I have never been ashamed of my experimental years and have used my stories many times to help. My son once brought a friend of his to me to tell my past, talk to about drugs as he'd started using. I was open with them and their friends as soon as they were at that age of temptations, peer pressure. My youth made me who I am today and made me get into ...things I do at times :) You have the idea....use it to help now. I'll never forget walking someone into a rehab, listening to this woman rattle off, pulling her aside and saying "WHAT? Have you ever done drugs?"..."no mam, I've never even smoked pot"...."than how the hell can you preach what your preaching?" (you had to be there, it was deserved!) Rehabs truly need some people that have been there ,done that. Sorry to go off on a roll here :)
What you did is harder than anything many will ever go up against in their life.  You get that SVR and enjoy your life. Those scars are battle wounds, you won.


LL
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250084 tn?1303307435
Walrus..."Thinking and tx'ing are not compatible."  ;) ......LOL! I haven't seen that one!
And thank you :)

Kimmy....I LOVE< LOVE<LOVE hearing when someone conquers the battle of addiction. I have never been ashamed of my experimental years and have used my stories many times to help. My son once brought a friend of his to me to tell my past, talk to about drugs as he'd started using. I was open with them and their friends as soon as they were at that age of temptations, peer pressure. My youth made me who I am today and made me get into ...things I do at times :) You have the idea....use it to help now. I'll never forget walking someone into a rehab, listening to this woman rattle off, pulling her aside and saying "WHAT? Have you ever done drugs?"..."no mam, I've never even smoked pot"...."than how the hell can you preach what your preaching?" (you had to be there, it was deserved!) Rehabs truly need some people that have been there ,done that. Sorry to go off on a roll here :)
What you did is harder than anything many will ever go up against in their life.  You get that SVR and enjoy your life. Those scars are battle wounds, you won.

LL

Helpful - 0
250084 tn?1303307435


Walrus..."Thinking and tx'ing are not compatible."  ;) ......LOL! I haven't seen that one!
And thank you :)

Kimmy....I LOVE< LOVE<LOVE hearing when someone conquers the battle of addiction. I have never been ashamed of my experimental years and have used my stories many times to help. My son once brought a friend of his to me to tell my past, talk to about drugs as he'd started using. I was open with them and their friends as soon as they were at that age of temptations, peer pressure. My youth made me who I am today and made me get into ...things I do at times :) You have the idea....use it to help now. I'll never forget walking someone into a rehab, listening to this woman rattle off, pulling her aside and saying "WHAT? Have you ever done drugs?"..."no mam, I've never even smoked pot"...."than how the hell can you preach what your preaching?" (you had to be there, it was deserved!) Rehabs truly need some people that have been there ,done that. Sorry to go off on a roll here :)
What you did is harder than anything many will ever go up against in their life.  You get that SVR and enjoy your life. Those scars are battle wounds, you won.

LL

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My veins look bad also from my accident,  i even had ivs in my neck!

be proud of the courage it takes to be clean and stay that way,  I doubt most people would even notice.    
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407029 tn?1253992623
so true....
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338734 tn?1377160168
Kimmy: Your comment about the arms made me think. My veins never looked like they have since my transplant. I think the student nurses at the hospital are much more clueless about the process of venous puncture than any junkie I ever met. :-)  I mean I got poked about 15 times in the hospital in order to get two IVs and two blood cultures. My wrists looked like  pincushions and my inside of elbows were bruised and swollen.

I appreciate all of you courageous people that can stare down the stigma issue. I can't help but love and admire you for it. It hardens my own resolve to do something to combat the ignorance and stigma.

Good thread!
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407029 tn?1253992623
i wish i could to...( i got it via ivdu)...i have to deal with the stigma because i have bad marks....but now im soo proud of me no stigma can bring me down
ive fought so hard to get clean and equally as hard to clear this virus
im very pro about my hcv status (at first i was only telling family...scared of stigma)
i hope my situation gives someone else the courage to face these similar situations
i used to hide my marks with long sleeve ....now i wear short...i dont even care obout looks anymore
its a really big accomplishment for me
but in my advocasy i let people know the ways of tranmission also because most people do believe this is only tranmitted thru ivdu or transfusion
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338734 tn?1377160168
Long thread, and I'm late to it already. But I just want to say kudos to Ram and LL for their openness and honesty in dealing with such difficult life problems and with the stigma issue. It is there and I feel it everyday, whether imposed by others or myself.

I can certainly understand those who wish to avoid the stigma by wearing the "not my fault" badge.  I would if I could (it is a possiblility that I got it from IVDU similar to LL circumstances). Those who choose to wear the badge should probably do so with sensitivity to others. I think most all on this forum are very good about this. All we can do is try to help each other. We all probably get enough stigma and defensiveness in the world.

The whole stigma thing really hurts, but it is not going away. I like Kierkegaard: "if you label me, you negate me."  

My next favorite quote is probably Flguy: "Thinking and tx'ing are not compatible."  ;)
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412873 tn?1329174455
Y'all are AWESOME!!  I can't wait to hear how this works out.  
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250084 tn?1303307435
LOL! My butt needs a few bicycle rides right now! The motorcycle makes for great arms tho! If this happens anywhere near you .....you can ride with me :) Or I'll put you on the back with a hottie biker guy :)

I'll PM you tonight or tomorrow! I already spoke to the lady doing Nicks donations and she gave me other #'s also. My minds going a mile a minute on this now! E-mailed a few friends, thinking on some Harley dealers being involved, etc. I'm wondering if the blood donor mobile unit could be there...donate blood and/or free Hep testing, something like that. This can be done! May take months to organize so it's at a big bike event, but I'm  checking into a lot, legalities being first in the labs,etc. I'm loving this idea.
(nawww, I'm not too busy ALREADY!)

LL
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Avatar universal
I had to laugh at myself...Talk about stigmas...When you mentioned putting together a bike run, I just assumed you meant a BICYCLE run...LOL  Here In Western WA, the number of bicyclists far outnumber the motorcycles because of our consistent damp, cold weather most of the year...But, you're right...Regardless of motorized or not, it would be an excellent awareness idea...I think those pin-on buttons would be an excellent thing to give to people who do get tested...Better yet, I think I can get volunteer nurses, paramedics, and lab techs to draw the blood!....and local hospitals to donate supplies...I'm already making notes for flyers...I think I'll target the date for our Seattle to Portland race next summer...What a good way to get the message through that this dragon can bite anybody...                                      ~Melinda
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439539 tn?1233465815
I didn't apoligize because I said something wrong.I did it because I didn't realize what some people had gone through.That's horrible Eureka 254's husband was treated with such bxxx sxxx as pushing chair back etc.I agree with the vietnam vet thing.My brother served as a paratrooper and he's not here anymore but the stigma just from serving alone .I read in an article where 67% of vietnam vets have hcv.
Thank you Lady Lauri.As alway's your here to help .I like the T-Shirts better anyway's.--------------------
          Front              HCV Free !
                                   You ?

          Back              Ways to contract it.

                                Get Tested !
I hope everyone is having a good week .In a few years wouldn't it be nice to look back on this forum and all here that are going through treating etc. would all be SVR and just helping others...
God Bless All,
Tammy
As for as the Lucy thing.I brought home a old english sheepdog one time,gave him a bath in our tub.Stopped up the septic tank.Paid good money to get it fixed, but found the dog a good home.Things like that.I'm always doing things or saying things without thinking through.
Oh well, that's getting better.Now back to the stigma.Thanks all, good thread.

        
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250084 tn?1303307435

Trish....This has to be one of the safest places I have ever been to be able to talk about Hep C and to be open about almost all aspects of it.........
Absolutley. (and we do see everything asked here:)  I just want/hope anyone coming into here see's that also. We're here to inform, learn, support and fight the disease and the stigma together. No one should be left out, any different in this.
  I agree, good point on ....why should any nurse, medical professional ask how we acquired it, as they should know that has absolutely nothing to do with treating us, other than our hep, tx Dr.
(emergency’s, other health issues. Transfusions the exception concerning tx)
And…..I too am wondering ....since I am UND, do I have to still share that with someone I date??? (another thread!).

Marcia....The thing is that I never associated HCV with a stigma.....
Made me think.....I also never had stigma on this, but also knew NOTHING about it either.

Eureka....Even today, when people die of complications of hep c, what do we hear? Not that someone died of "complications of hep c"....
Also good points! This threads making me think, it's too late to be thinking so much:)

Ness.....'HCV Free..how bout you?' ....
I'd wear that too......HOPEFULLY after my 24 wk. labs, Aug 25.  It'd make many ask and I'd bet many would then get tested. May be wearing that one on a few bike runs! I've thought of putting together a Hep Awareness bike run....proceeds going to the liver foundation, Hep awareness. My thinking has included having a mobile testing unit there, etc. I've e-mailed others riders on this.
No stereotyping whatsoever ...as I am one and don't 'party', but partying is pretty prevalent amongst bikers. A male nurse that rides had the attitude of IV users disease! I think many would show just for the test. So few people know that they can contract it from a coke straw, I can’t imagine how many …in all walks of life….would run and get tested if they only KNEW that alone.

Ram.....Except when mremeet called me a "baboon". But I got over that. .....
Yeah but that's baboon stigma thread :)

I gotta get off of this thread and sleep!

LL
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250084 tn?1303307435

I could have sworn I posted on this again days ago!?

Ness, I got mention of you being Geno 2, 24 weeks in a PM (another 2ber) and just wanted to say welcome. I also was :) 2b, 24 wks.  Actually, welcome to you too Ram, I'm not on here as much since going back to the 'real world'. I did take your thread as feeling that there was stigma here, which I have seen in other new posters, but only at first. They quickly realized no one here is judging… as out there. As said, we're not immune to it even here, but it's not tolerated or spoken of much that I have seen.
  
Kickboxin....you didn't say anything wrong, don't apologize!!! All thoughts, input is welcome in threads.

  The badge thing....that was ONLY in the sense of however you got it.....anyone here deserves one for battling this disease, suffering with it and tx, no matter how you got it. Take it as Kickboxin 1st meant it, I used it, a metaphor for lack of a better word.
(No offense taken, just clarifying the use of the word badge) The T-shirt is about the same idea here. Bottom line is it doesn't matter how anyone got it (tho thru acts of violence of course our sympathies should be there for that alone.) but living with it, treating it, the damage from it , we're ‘equal’ in this.

Ala, Moa....very, very good thoughts, points! If I went into input on treating the addiction/drug population this would get way too long!  Making clean syringes available…. that was done due, mostly, to AIDS. An addict WILL use a dirty, shared needle if that is all they have. Their addiction (disease) controls, not ‘oh, I should wait for a new needle’ and so on. (Hep testing at meth clinics? etc….I better stop! )

I don't give an eff (Marcia's lingo, lol:) what people think either & I would distance myself from any 'friends' that reacted badly. I live it both ways, I inform, discuss it with many and I dismiss it with others that I see it going nowhere with or see that they are that  righteous, BS, ignorant type. And sometimes I'm just tired of explaining it! I had a guy lecturing me on being careful next time I help in an accident (held a rag on a guys bleeding head as the cop would not touch him!).....about carrying gloves in my car due to AIDs and HEP.  In one sense I got the 'stigma' vibe from him, on the other it was refreshing for a paramedic to be aware that Hep is not just a sex/drug user disease.
(medicm's comment on what's in their medical manuals!)
  I feel judging one for how they got any disease is just wrong. Think the majority agree on that. It'd be like telling a (smoker) lung cancer patient, 'well, you did it to yourself, too bad'. Or me telling my best friend as she was passing away of cervical cancer .."well, you SHOULD have gotten that pap smear". No one does that! (No one decent!) Shouldn't be done with us either, but sadly, it is.

It is up to each individual to handle it in whatever way they see fit for their own life's, job's, situations they are in. Ram's points of not having his wife, kids ostracized  are valid, it happens every day, all day. Sad, wrong, but true. Those that want to declare it loudly must also understand the other side of that coin when others need to keep it quiet.

I also feel it's up to each person as to whether they want to share how they acquired Hep, on this social side, on these threads. In any of my replies on the subject, I tell my story with the intent of making anyone else more comfortable with telling theirs or in feeling they are not judged HERE for it.

Great thread, great input!

LL
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