Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
I have never talked about the way I caught this disgusting disease!!! One reason being is cause I don't really know for sure. The Dr's tell me I could have had it for years and years. I was diagnosed in 98 but apparently could have had it for alot longer than that. I have piercings and have gone for many pedi's. I also had an opereation back in the day when we had that big transfusion scare. Don't know if I had one though. Don't think so. The only thing I can think of is back in my dark days in the early to mid 90's my boyfriend at the time ( and I use that term very loosly) besides being a total prick was a diabetic and often had needles around. I am disgusted to say I dabbled in cocaine back then. He used to shot it but I was to afraid of needles, besides i just thought it was stupid to do that. Anyway, one time in a drunken stupor I decided to give it a shot (pun intended). I was positive we used a clean needle but one never knows when they have their belly full of Rye. After all there was lots of them around, no need to reuse one. Once I told my Dr about that he said probably no need to worry if you lived in Jamestown (which is a drug infested area ) I would worry since you don't probably nothing to worry about. Well I guess he was wrong cause my test came back hcv positive. When I told my boyfriend and told him he needed to be tesed he refused. Saying that if he found out he had it, it would kill him. He couldn't take having two diseases!!!! So he wouldn't get tested and I never got to find out if it was fromhim or not. Needless to say I was very angry. We were actually broken up at the time I found out. So I couldn't even kick him out.!!!! So, everyday of my life I wonder if I got it from that one horrible shameful night.I wish there was a way I could find out, not that it would make any difference, judst abit of closure for me. Wow, I don't usually open up about this subject, if asked I just say I don't know!! I guess I feel comfortable here and know I won't be judged. Thanks for making me feel this way!!! By the way I haven't touched the stuff since 1999.
Massive hugs to all of you!!!
Debbie
Massive hugs to all of you!!!
Debbie
I tell you...soon enough it will not make sense for the people with an acute infection (less than 6 months after contracting hcv) to do SOC. That day might even be here. I probably didn't have to treat but if this works, I will have no damage to my liver. I likely would've traded that for some damage.
Strange, some level of hepatic damage is possibly acceptable to me. I'm weighing it out with the tx ride. I don't know. I might've been okay as a Stage 1 just to not go through 32 weeks of this. I may never know. Or maybe I will. See how fucky hcv is?
But do I judge anyone here? These people have become my best friends in so many ways. God is the only one who has the right to judge, and He forgives. I'm so busy sweeping under my own doorstep to ever judge anyone but myself, which is a full time job. We are all special people, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I love you all. Marilyn
Giant hug to all.
Debbie