Just found out that boyfriend has been diagnosed, words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
peanutbutter said
Dec 14, 2011
Hi welcome. First off I'd like to say to you I respect you for being so understanding about your boyfriends situation. I tell people if it needs to be said (I'm bleeding or they're drawing my blood or if it comes up in a conversation where I can help). I've never really hid it. The upside to that is that I don't carry it around really but the downside is that some people think your some monster. People believe you can get it just from touching the person and whatnot. So cheers there, I'm sure he was wondering about that. I've never accidently infected anyone that I know of, including my mother who I live with and share a bathroom with. Not even sexual partners or anything (I let them know prior).
I'm on treatment now and from my own experience and others on here, it varies significantly from person to person sometimes. But what I know is that there are treatments available.
God bless,
Mike
Cinnamon Girl said
Dec 14, 2011
Just to say Hi to you Audrie, and all the best of luck to you and your boyfriend. I also gave birth to and raised my 2 children not knowing that both myself and my husband had Hep C, and they are both fine and well and tested negative for the virus.
It does often take a while to get your head round a diagnosis of Hep c, for the sufferer and their partner, and it sounds as though your boyfriend has been very careful not to put you at risk.
If your boyfriend does decide to go for tx one thing in his favour is that he`s still relatively young, which seems to be a factor in helping people cope more easily with the side effects. And he would be very welcome here if he would like to join us for support and lots of helpful tips.
All the best to you both, Jill xx
abethhh said
Dec 14, 2011
Thanks so much for the encouraging words, everyone.
John: What a wonderful story, I'm so glad to hear that even after so many years, you never exposed a loved one. Your story made my day!
Deidre: I'm sorry to hear about your ostracization from your sister in law. I hope she becomes more understanding, and I thank you for your insight. I have to make sure I don't treat him any different now that I know. Thank you.
Iris Dragonfly said
Dec 12, 2011
I was diagnosed when I was 18, (35 yrs.ago) and I didn't always tell people that I was ill. Having a potentially deadly disease lends itself to depression. One can withdraw and not socialize as much as they may have otherwise. At first, I was scared S***less and did not want anyone to know, and I did not want any pity, but as I educated myself, and more info became available I was more on a mission of letting most everyone I had regular contact with, know that I was infected. More so, that I wouldn't have to explain why I don't have the energy to go, go, go! Blessings to you for standing by your man. Iris
Deidre said
Dec 12, 2011
Audrie
If it helps, I got hep c when I was 18. Since then I'm on my 3rd marraige, and had two daughters ( now grown) nd currently raising two step kids since they were 2 & 5, now thwy are 8 & 11.
No one has ever caught it from me, and when I first caught it, I was told I had nonA nonB. They didn't have a test for C yet. So I didn't know before having kids, exactly what I had. I found out around 1999.
People tend to be scared of us. This makes us afraid to tell people. I'm not saying him not telling you was right..just that I understand why he may of been scared.
My current husband's sister, loved me, till she found out. After that she would not allow these kids to play with their cousins, and visa versa.
People are afraid of what they do not understand. The only way to change that, is to learn.
John William said
Dec 11, 2011
Wisdom may be beyond my grasp but experience is not.
2 years ago my wife and I were both diagnosed Genotype 3a and have been infected for at least 29 years as we are both aware of how we got Hep. My wife completed a 24 wk program and shortly after I started a 36 week program of which I am currently in my 17th week.
During this 29 year period we have raised 4 children, (thats right 4 pregnacies), wich have all grown up & gone on to get married and have 9 kids of their own. I am happy (actually elated) to tell you that they have all tested negitive for Hep. Not knowing that we were infected during this period meant that extra precautions were not exersised as they are now, such as not sharing nail clippers, razors (electric or otherwise), manicure scissors, basically any method or means that could result in blood on blood contact. If sex could lead to "blood on blood contact" than someone should have a condom.
It is believed that the virus can stay communicable for a week or more if exposed blood is not cleaned up and materials disposed off in a sanitary manner. Others on this site can confirm or deny this.
Good on you for showing him the love and support that he needs now and as he approaches treatment. Hopefully he finds his way to this site as his questions will be many. The depth of experience and appreciation here is an untapped pool for you both!
Hope this helps.
Keep the spirit, serentity to all!
Lindsay said
Dec 11, 2011
I am new to this forum myself, but my girlfriend told me about her status when we first met. I can understand some of the ambivalence that you have about finding out now. I'm glad that your boyfriend has tried to be as careful as possible, but it couldn't hurt to get tested if that is a concern for you. From what I know of the disease, it is harder to get through sex but not impossible. I am going to get tested in a few months, but really, it isn't much of an issue in my mind. What is important to me is being able to support my girlfriend, which I know you want to do for your boyfriend as well. I think the best that you can do is to love and support him while also finding out more for yourself as well. Hang in there!
Lindsay
abethhh said
Dec 11, 2011
Hi, my name is Audrie. My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years, this morning he sat down and we discussed a serious topic. He let me know that he has had Hepatitis C for about 5 years, and I am the second person he has told, after his mother. We are in a very serious relationship. We have been living together for 2 years, and while we are in no rush to get married, we have discussed it, and can see ourselves married in the future. But he has just now let me know about his disease, and while I am not completely oblivious to the disease, I don't know much about it at all.
I know it cannot be transferred sexually (or rather, has not so far), and he has let me know that he does everything he can to protect me from his blood (which is a good thing, he hides his razor and everything) and he has also let me know that he has not been seeking any kind of treatment. He has a liver ultrasound scheduled, and has just now been thinking of treatment. He is 32, and does not drink or smoke, but working a desk job has taken it's toll on his weight a tiny bit, but other than that he lives a healthy lifestyle.
As a partner of someone afflicted with the disease, what do I need to know? I am not upset that he has taken his time telling me, I was young when we first got together, and probably would have considered that a deal breaker. However, everything seems a little... off. Now that I know, I have been churning it over in my mind, and while obviously, I need to make sure he knows that I still love him and want to spend my life with him, I'm not sure what else to do. Please help a girl out. : )
Just to say Hi to you Audrie, and all the best of luck to you and your boyfriend. I also gave birth to and raised my 2 children not knowing that both myself and my husband had Hep C, and they are both fine and well and tested negative for the virus.
It does often take a while to get your head round a diagnosis of Hep c, for the sufferer and their partner, and it sounds as though your boyfriend has been very careful not to put you at risk.
If your boyfriend does decide to go for tx one thing in his favour is that he`s still relatively young, which seems to be a factor in helping people cope more easily with the side effects. And he would be very welcome here if he would like to join us for support and lots of helpful tips.
All the best to you both, Jill xx
Thanks so much for the encouraging words, everyone.
John: What a wonderful story, I'm so glad to hear that even after so many years, you never exposed a loved one. Your story made my day!
Deidre: I'm sorry to hear about your ostracization from your sister in law. I hope she becomes more understanding, and I thank you for your insight. I have to make sure I don't treat him any different now that I know. Thank you.
I was diagnosed when I was 18, (35 yrs.ago) and I didn't always tell people that I was ill. Having a potentially deadly disease lends itself to depression. One can withdraw and not socialize as much as they may have otherwise. At first, I was scared S***less and did not want anyone to know, and I did not want any pity, but as I educated myself, and more info became available I was more on a mission of letting most everyone I had regular contact with, know that I was infected. More so, that I wouldn't have to explain why I don't have the energy to go, go, go! Blessings to you for standing by your man. Iris
Audrie
If it helps, I got hep c when I was 18. Since then I'm on my 3rd marraige, and had two daughters ( now grown) nd currently raising two step kids since they were 2 & 5, now thwy are 8 & 11.
No one has ever caught it from me, and when I first caught it, I was told I had nonA nonB. They didn't have a test for C yet. So I didn't know before having kids, exactly what I had. I found out around 1999.
People tend to be scared of us. This makes us afraid to tell people. I'm not saying him not telling you was right..just that I understand why he may of been scared.
My current husband's sister, loved me, till she found out. After that she would not allow these kids to play with their cousins, and visa versa.
People are afraid of what they do not understand. The only way to change that, is to learn.
Wisdom may be beyond my grasp but experience is not.
2 years ago my wife and I were both diagnosed Genotype 3a and have been infected for at least 29 years as we are both aware of how we got Hep. My wife completed a 24 wk program and shortly after I started a 36 week program of which I am currently in my 17th week.
During this 29 year period we have raised 4 children, (thats right 4 pregnacies), wich have all grown up & gone on to get married and have 9 kids of their own. I am happy (actually elated) to tell you that they have all tested negitive for Hep. Not knowing that we were infected during this period meant that extra precautions were not exersised as they are now, such as not sharing nail clippers, razors (electric or otherwise), manicure scissors, basically any method or means that could result in blood on blood contact. If sex could lead to "blood on blood contact" than someone should have a condom.
It is believed that the virus can stay communicable for a week or more if exposed blood is not cleaned up and materials disposed off in a sanitary manner. Others on this site can confirm or deny this.
Good on you for showing him the love and support that he needs now and as he approaches treatment. Hopefully he finds his way to this site as his questions will be many. The depth of experience and appreciation here is an untapped pool for you both!
Hope this helps.
Keep the spirit, serentity to all!
I am new to this forum myself, but my girlfriend told me about her status when we first met. I can understand some of the ambivalence that you have about finding out now. I'm glad that your boyfriend has tried to be as careful as possible, but it couldn't hurt to get tested if that is a concern for you. From what I know of the disease, it is harder to get through sex but not impossible. I am going to get tested in a few months, but really, it isn't much of an issue in my mind. What is important to me is being able to support my girlfriend, which I know you want to do for your boyfriend as well. I think the best that you can do is to love and support him while also finding out more for yourself as well. Hang in there!
Lindsay
Hi, my name is Audrie. My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years, this morning he sat down and we discussed a serious topic. He let me know that he has had Hepatitis C for about 5 years, and I am the second person he has told, after his mother. We are in a very serious relationship. We have been living together for 2 years, and while we are in no rush to get married, we have discussed it, and can see ourselves married in the future. But he has just now let me know about his disease, and while I am not completely oblivious to the disease, I don't know much about it at all.
I know it cannot be transferred sexually (or rather, has not so far), and he has let me know that he does everything he can to protect me from his blood (which is a good thing, he hides his razor and everything) and he has also let me know that he has not been seeking any kind of treatment. He has a liver ultrasound scheduled, and has just now been thinking of treatment. He is 32, and does not drink or smoke, but working a desk job has taken it's toll on his weight a tiny bit, but other than that he lives a healthy lifestyle.
As a partner of someone afflicted with the disease, what do I need to know? I am not upset that he has taken his time telling me, I was young when we first got together, and probably would have considered that a deal breaker. However, everything seems a little... off. Now that I know, I have been churning it over in my mind, and while obviously, I need to make sure he knows that I still love him and want to spend my life with him, I'm not sure what else to do. Please help a girl out. : )