It is always helpful to have a support system when going through complicated elements of life. People who have generally been through the same experience or have empathy through knowledge, quite often can provide us with not only information but emotional understanding.
I have had Hep C since the 1980’s but until 2009 I had not actually ever had a meaningful interaction with another with the virus, and definitely not anyone who could tell me about treatment from firsthand knowledge. In the late 90’s I did a three month stint on what they call mono therapy, which consisted of three shots per week of Interferon, I was alone, afraid and very sick as the prescribing doctor had no clue that the side effects were so debilitating. He told me I would experience mild flu like symptoms, that these would pass in a few days....
This was NOT the case at all and after three months of hell my tests showed that it had not had any real effect, I was devastated, all that pain for no gain on the one hand but glad it was over. There were no support groups no networks and certainly no-one in my small town that I could share with.
in Australia Combination Therapy had just finished it’s last phase of clinical trials and I was told that to be eligible I had to have had a certain level of success which I had not so. Life went on, I recovered and thought that was it. Until I started to get ill again, by 2008 the doctors in their wisdom decided I was eligible for Combo treatment. It was 2009 by the time I started.
I was still living in my small town and still very isolated. If you think being gay and coming out is traumatic then try revealing you have a blood born virus in you that the general population brands as a “druggies disease”..
Fortunately technology had made many advances and information and online support services where available, but still I felt isolated; I had discovered FaceBook and decided to make a group page where I could post information I found and with a hope I may encounter others who had or were going through what I was experiencing.
When I started I thought if I could get ten other people to share with or provide support to that would be great... Today that page has over 100 members and much information from many sources and many people...
If you are considering undertaking treatment for Hepatitis C or are currently on Treatment please share your knowledge with us or simply know there is support and up to date information there and many individuals who will be willing to support you.
No comments:
Post a Comment