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.

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/ Hepatitis C Support Group

gotta get it out

kathyrsh
kathyrsh
last night a friend of mine made a comment about a drunk friend of mine..she said "hope she doesn't have to learn the hard way about drinking the way you (me) did with hep c" i of course went off i told her that my drinking days probably did alot of liver damage but drinking didn't cause the hep c..IT'S A VIRUS..and thats just an example of how alot of people think..they're clueless. and for the most part couldn't care less except to judge..ACK!!!! sorry its just that i get so frustrated with people who don't give a hoot and don't know diddly but sit in the highest seat of judgment...thanks for letting me vent.AAAARGH
Trissa01
Trissa01
That is why I'm discerning about who knows. It is misunderstood as is HIV. Sorry that this was a friend, and probably just popped out. Glad you could educate her.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It is frustrating because the information just isn't out there. It isn't your friends fault. The medical community is to blame.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm sorry that happened.

It is sad how ignorant people are to hcv.

Hopefully, someday, people will somehow become more educated...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Love you dear friend!! You mean the world to me and you go girl...LOL...Pam
JustBlue
JustBlue
Let me pose a serious question to everyone;

How much did you really know about hepatitis before?
I am betting that you knew little to nothing.

We who have found that we are infected or learn of someone else who is infected and educate ourselves must not fault others who are naive to the topic.

For the record, here's a link to info on alcoholic hepatitis|:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholic-hepatitis/DS00785

Please be kinder to those who do not know. Educate them gently for you too, may be in their shoes one day regarding another issue.
kathyrsh
kathyrsh
befor i found out i had hep c i knew it wasn't from drinking but not everyone does...i guess you'd have to know this friend she's very selfish and me me me..i explained it to her before but she insists on beleiving any kind of liver damage can only come from drinking. guess thats what had me upset more than anything..the narrow mindedness...thanks everyone for all the replies
kathyrsh
kathyrsh
thats a pretty good link just blue thanks
deleted_user
deleted_user
i didn't have a clue about hepc before i got it. even when i was diagnosed in 2000, i brushed it off as , big deal, so what.

i have learned a lot since tx. i have learned even more from this forum over the last few months.

tattman made a recent post saying the conference he went to, that some of the docs there still treat it as a drug user disease.

i think it's going to take at least another 10 years before the public is fully aware of the hepc problem.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Im with you on that, its challenging enough with out the pressures of ignorance, however its inevitable so I agree with ptriss on discernment, its a lonely journey at times so sharing with us is a great move on your part, venting is a relief and a great help to me because hearing your experience reminds me I am not alone in this and that in itself leaves me feeling supported and a part off.....Blessed Be Kathy
deleted_user
deleted_user
yeah , a lot of people dont understand but think they know it all. Thats why I dont tell anybody,barb
deleted_user
deleted_user
Vent away! That is what this site is for. I've come across many ignorant people too. I thought it was a drug users disease before I was diagnosed and found out differently too. I just had never researched it because I didn't know anyone who had it. It's a real eye-opener. I'm sorry you having to deal with this ignorance. A true friend will listen when you explain, and be there for you. No one here will judge you. We are all in the same boat. This is who we are now. Educating those close minded people will make you feel better about yourself. It did me. I wish you the best! Cathie
deleted_user
deleted_user
I know what you mean or they think you shot up a bunch of drugs and they kind of stay away from you. They definately look at you differently. We are still human no matter what mistakes we have made in our past. You take care and keep your head up kathyrsh, don't let them get you down.
deleted_user
deleted_user
i just want to add, that being in this forum, and learning about hepc, has also made me more tolerant in other areas of my life.

if i could be this ill informed about something i have, then maybe i need to apply this to other aspects of life before making judgments about someone.

as they say, there's a silver lining.....
kathyrsh
kathyrsh
when i first found out i had hepc i kicked myself for the early seventies but i've seen so many more that never did drugs and still got this dragon..i just wish the public were more informed and it wouldn't hurt for alot of the medical field to get of they're high narrow minded horse and contribute more to educating the public..sheesh..i think i still have some of yesterdays attitude left over lol
deleted_user
deleted_user
What do we expect from everyday people (including ourselves before tx) if even some doctors do not know much of HCV?
They should be educated first.