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Hep C Discussion Forum -> Living With Hep C -> stigma and depression?
Post Info TOPIC: stigma and depression?
andipenoza


Newbie

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RE: stigma and depression?
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We should always think and put in our mind, we are not alone in this world, our family is always there ready and willing to help us, just don't lose hope. All of us could experience depression, it is only natural because we are humans and we have feelings.



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Sildenafil Citrate Dosage
libgirl07


Senior Member

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Posts: 165
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Thank you all for your responses.. I'm going to start coming on here more often. I've been reading through all the posts and am feeling more hopeful already!

__________________

Genotype 1a

1/18/13 -  VL 1.5mil triple therapy with boceprevir

2/3/14 - relapsed. 1.7ml

 

6/28/14 - started solvadi interferon and ribavirin for 12 weeks

7/28/14 - week 4 undetected dosage reduction of rib and peg

 

11/2/14 und 4 weeks post eot

 

g

 
wnose


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Hi there...like you, I received my diagnosis when I was young as well - when I was 21. Now almost 40. I don't even know how I got it - probably from a dirty razor in the army. At that time (early 90s), no one knew much about Hep C.

It didn't figure much into my life until the Red Cross scandal (donated blood contaminated by Hep C) exploded in Canada. That's when things got real. I thus had to make a commitment not to get attached, which was really hard. But I had to do the right thing and not accidentally kill anyone. 

In my 20s, I really didn't feel anything from the Hep. It's only in the last year that I experienced symptoms of depression and there are several things you can take to alleviate them. Vitamin D, fish oil, milk thistle and ALA all helped me feel a bit better. 

Also...I believe there are some patient assistance programs or drug trials ongoing....so you don't have to live with Hep C.  Look into them, and be proactive about the cure.

Don't worry about what other people think - opinions change all the time. The only thing you can change is your own attitude toward life. Take charge. 



__________________

Diagnosed Geno 1a, 1992. Relapsed after riba-peg trmt in Aug 08. Oct 22 2011: Incivek 3rx @ 18 million VL.

Day 10: <15. --------------------->>>>>>12 OCT 2012: SVR!!! 
Isiscat2011


Guru

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Posts: 1724
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Hi libgirl07:  I can't even imagine getting this diagnosis at 18.  The fact that you are trying your best to develop good coping skills and do things right for yourself and your child speaks highly of your strength and character.

Forget about what other people think. Forget about your high school classmates; they were idiots then and probably still are.  You are no longer stuck with them, and are now free to choose to spend your time only with people who are capable of respecting and caring about you.

I have no doubt that you will have treatment available to you and will have an opportunity to clear this virus while you are still young. It is good that you are learning about tx options now, so you will have an idea of how you want to deal with it.  In the meantime, don't let HepC define who you are.  YOU can determine who you are and the future you want for yourself and your child.  Be well.



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
Cinnamon Girl


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 Hi Libgirl, I`m glad you found this forum, you`re welcome to share your story with us, you don`t need to feel alone. We understand what the stigma attached to this disease can be like, and you were very young when you were diagnosed compared to a lot of us here.

There`s a lot of fear and prejudice around Hep C that arises through ignorance of the facts, but remember you`re a valuable and worthwhile person just like the rest of us here, and you shouldn`t be made to feel guilty for having the virus.

People often aren`t sure how they caught Hep C, and really it doesn`t matter, the most important thing is that you find a way to move forwards now, depresssion is a horrible thing to have and it`s not good for you or for your child.  You`ve taken the first step by sharing your story with us, and maybe it would help if you also tell your counselor, and then he would understand more about why you are so depressed and why you have such low self esteem.

As you already realize, Hep C is rarely passed on through sexual activity, and it`s quite wrong for anyone to make those assumptions about you.

Sorry you weren`t able to complete your treatment, but if you wanted to try again at some point there are ways to do that even without any money.  And I saw on another post that your uncle is doing really well on a clinical trial, that`s excellent!

I hope things start getting better soon for you. smile

Take care of yourself ~ Jill xx



-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Thursday 29th of March 2012 12:26:21 AM

__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
libgirl07


Senior Member

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Posts: 165
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I'm a 27 year old woman who found out I had hep c when I was 18 years old. I was only with one man at the time and no drugs. 1 belly button ring. I also have a uncle with hep c. I did not know this until after I had it and I used his razors when I was younger. I didnt know any better.. I'm not blaming anyone but when you have this all you can do is wonder where the heck did it come from?? So I was still in high school at the time and told a couple people being naive. They told people and they told people and people treated me like a prostitute.

When I was 18 I was on my mothers insurance and started on the peg and rib. When I turned 19 which was like 6 months later My mothers insurance dropped me. She didnt know at the time you could fight that. Right now I cannot afford to do the tx. I live on my own with my child

I have had 2 serious relationships since and one which I had a child. I told them both straight up that I had it. The first guy still slept with me with no protection and a few years after we split I asked him if he ever got checked out of curiosity. He got checked and was checked every 6 months and does not have it. My most recent ex wont get tested.

For some reason now I wont even bother trying to be with anyone because I dont even want to tell people about the hep. It has such a stigma attatched to it and people are so ignorant to different health problems they all just assume I'm promiscuous. I feel so depressed and have 0 self esteem and I cannot get close to anyone and feel so freakin alone.. I was in denial for awhile and drinking anyway.. I mean not a whole lot just socially but I know I shouldnt do it at all.. I'm tired of seeing news reports reporting inaccurate things about hep c that just adds to the stigma...

 

 

blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah I just needed to vent.. I go to a counselor thats how far into depression I have been and I cant even make myself tell him! What changed that I cant tell anyone?? IDK cry.gif

 

No more pitty me posts after this i promise I just needed to write that down somewhere.

 

anyone else feel down on this and if so how do you deal with it?



__________________

Genotype 1a

1/18/13 -  VL 1.5mil triple therapy with boceprevir

2/3/14 - relapsed. 1.7ml

 

6/28/14 - started solvadi interferon and ribavirin for 12 weeks

7/28/14 - week 4 undetected dosage reduction of rib and peg

 

11/2/14 und 4 weeks post eot

 

g

 
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