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What to tell people?
I've chosen not to tell anyone I'm going through treatment, except my husband and some close family. I work and live in a little gossipy town so I really don't want anyone to know, but everyone keeps asking me what is wrong. I've said the flu, but that excuse won't work for long. Anyone have any good ideas?? I could go with the anemia since that is pretty true, but not sure how long that takes to fix usually.
People decide not to tell for various reasons. Yours may be very valid.
Personally I keeping it a secret furthers the view that hep C is something to hide. It keeps others ignorant.
You are in a unique position to educate those in your town.
They can learn that anyone can have hep C.
Also, you might be surprised.
When I told people, almost everyone landed up telling me about someone they knew, or knew of who had it.
Break the silence. People from all walks of life get hep C.
Some people have said they have cancer. What will you say if all your hair falls out? It does happen.
Personally I keeping it a secret furthers the view that hep C is something to hide. It keeps others ignorant.
You are in a unique position to educate those in your town.
They can learn that anyone can have hep C.
Also, you might be surprised.
When I told people, almost everyone landed up telling me about someone they knew, or knew of who had it.
Break the silence. People from all walks of life get hep C.
Some people have said they have cancer. What will you say if all your hair falls out? It does happen.
You could say you have a blood disorder and are under treatment for it. Then change the subject. That is not really a lie since the virus is in the blood and it does not belong there. Plus, if you are on treatment, your blood counts are probably off anyway. Head them off from getting too detailed in their questioning (like the exact diagnosis of the blood disorder, what meds you are one, etc.) You can always say you don't really like to discuss it and then change the subject.
As a side note, anemia can take awhile to correct.
Good luck!
As a side note, anemia can take awhile to correct.
Good luck!
I've chosen not to tell anyone I'm going through treatment, except my husband and some close family.
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Thats fine...your various health issues and any treatments you do are absolutely no one eles's business other than those close to you and those you wish to know ..the same as it would be none of your business about others health issues.
Good luck with your treatment ..
Will
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Thats fine...your various health issues and any treatments you do are absolutely no one eles's business other than those close to you and those you wish to know ..the same as it would be none of your business about others health issues.
Good luck with your treatment ..
Will
I understand where you are coming from. Before retirement, I was in the medical field. When I was first diagnosed, I was very open about it, since I really didn't know much about hep C myself, and nurses (who should know better) physically took a step back from me, as though they could contract it through breathing the same air. I've also found that people always want to know how I got it. Well, it was from IV drugs in the late 60s...something else I don't tell people unless I feel it will be helpful to others, such as in an AA meeting.
I recently had a liver transplant. I told everyone it was from liver cancer (which was true), but never mentioned hep C. I'm sure people wonder why I sleep so much and am dragging around. Once I start treatment, I truly don't know what I will say. I no longer work, but am in a Senior apt. complex where the main form of entertainment is gossip.
I've had enough bad experiences from disclosing my HCV, that I now only tell family, close friends, and medical personnel. This is an individual decision and each person has to figure out what is best in their particular situation.
I recently had a liver transplant. I told everyone it was from liver cancer (which was true), but never mentioned hep C. I'm sure people wonder why I sleep so much and am dragging around. Once I start treatment, I truly don't know what I will say. I no longer work, but am in a Senior apt. complex where the main form of entertainment is gossip.
I've had enough bad experiences from disclosing my HCV, that I now only tell family, close friends, and medical personnel. This is an individual decision and each person has to figure out what is best in their particular situation.
Just wanted to add that my work in the medical field did not involve direct patient contact.
This is a tough. I have told some people most of them long time friends that live out of town. Some people are so judgemental. I would just keep telling people you are anemic and the DR doesn't know what's causing it. There are many things that can cause anemia. I am new to this area, so I do not have many friends here. The people I told, drop me like a hot potato. We were not that close ,so F... them! It did hurt my feeling.
OrphanedHawk is right about telling people and educating people about Hep C, but sometimes it just does not seem the best thing to do depending on your situation. I have told a few I have Hep C but others I have told I have a blood disorder. Most don't keep prying.
I am sending you a private message. Go to your inbox on the upper right hand side.
Good luck!
I am sending you a private message. Go to your inbox on the upper right hand side.
Good luck!
I have told family that I'm treating for HCV. My in-laws asked the inevitable "How did you get it?" I tell them "I don't know" and I leave it at that. If they press for an answer, I just repeat "I'm sorry, but I don't know how I got it."
If you read the literature, I think there is a certain percentage of Hcv patients who don't know how they contracted the virus.(10 to 15%? can't remember)
If you read the literature, I think there is a certain percentage of Hcv patients who don't know how they contracted the virus.(10 to 15%? can't remember)
This is a very personal choice and there's really no right or wrong answer. It depends on your friends and work environment. Your lucky if you have understanding people surrounding you, but that isn't always the case.
I've decided that other than immediate family and medical professionals trt me, I haven't told anyone. In my opinion, others don't need to know as long as I can function. I've been fortunate that most people that I'm in daily contact with at work haven't said a thing. Only a few close friends that know me well that I see only a few times a year have noticed and asked questions. I believe the gradual changes aren't noticed, but when someone sees you infrequently, it is more apparent.
One of the hardest things for me is giving up my group rides with cycling. So many friends have wondered why I stopped riding with them, and I've explained to some I'm on some rough meds related to trt the liver. I can tell they are curious, but for me it stops there. You can come up with an assortment of things to say if you prefer to keep this to yourself.
I've decided that other than immediate family and medical professionals trt me, I haven't told anyone. In my opinion, others don't need to know as long as I can function. I've been fortunate that most people that I'm in daily contact with at work haven't said a thing. Only a few close friends that know me well that I see only a few times a year have noticed and asked questions. I believe the gradual changes aren't noticed, but when someone sees you infrequently, it is more apparent.
One of the hardest things for me is giving up my group rides with cycling. So many friends have wondered why I stopped riding with them, and I've explained to some I'm on some rough meds related to trt the liver. I can tell they are curious, but for me it stops there. You can come up with an assortment of things to say if you prefer to keep this to yourself.
This is from the section on HCV from Livestrong.com:
"Sporadic Transmission"
Approximately 10 percent of acute hepatitis C cases and 30 percent of chronic hepatitis C cases are categorized as sporadic or community-acquired infections because the source is unknown, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In these instances, the individual may have been exposed to HCV through a wound, cut, or medical procedure."
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/137454-causes-hepatitis-c/#ixzz1o5rqVIwq
"Sporadic Transmission"
Approximately 10 percent of acute hepatitis C cases and 30 percent of chronic hepatitis C cases are categorized as sporadic or community-acquired infections because the source is unknown, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In these instances, the individual may have been exposed to HCV through a wound, cut, or medical procedure."
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/137454-causes-hepatitis-c/#ixzz1o5rqVIwq
What has knowing or not knowing how you contracted HCV got to do with the Op's question of who she should tell about her tx.
Possibly I missed something?
Will
Possibly I missed something?
Will
@willb
All I was trying to do was tell Greta that that it's okay to be honest about HCV treatment. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and no reason to make up excuses.
I anwered in two parts. Perhaps you missed my first answer. I am here for support and to give support where I can. Mine is one of many opinions. Greta can pick what works best for her.
All I was trying to do was tell Greta that that it's okay to be honest about HCV treatment. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and no reason to make up excuses.
I anwered in two parts. Perhaps you missed my first answer. I am here for support and to give support where I can. Mine is one of many opinions. Greta can pick what works best for her.
This is an interesting question. I told my family members and a few close friends and thats it. I also live in a small town. No one has really asked me whats going on and like Flcyclist my running group and work out group wonders where I am. I just tell them I am taking time off due to an injury, one gal wanted to know why I wasn't at a small gathering over the week end and i told her i have a medical condition that I have to take medicine for and it causes hives. That was true. She gave me a hug and left it at that. Everyone is going to treat this differently.
I do give thought to putting on a fun run for Hepatitis C awareness and i just might when this is all over.
I do give thought to putting on a fun run for Hepatitis C awareness and i just might when this is all over.
Greta says she's chose not to tell and I respect her decision.
Sure say you have a strange blood disorder, but why is that better?
You could at least say, I have a liver disorder which is being treated.
To be realistic, what do you tell people if you're going riba rabid? or losing your hair ?or when your skin gets pale?
That it's side effects of the medication.
Wouldn't it just be easier to tell the truth, you can even print out information about side effects online. I've done that to help explain my behaving 'passive aggressive and weird' to my son.
I've read these posts many times over the years. We talk about the need for more hep C awareness then some of you, who I respect and feel I've come to know, continue to perpetuate the ignorance.
Why are so many people afraid to admit they have hep C?
What is everyone so afraid of?
Sure say you have a strange blood disorder, but why is that better?
You could at least say, I have a liver disorder which is being treated.
To be realistic, what do you tell people if you're going riba rabid? or losing your hair ?or when your skin gets pale?
That it's side effects of the medication.
Wouldn't it just be easier to tell the truth, you can even print out information about side effects online. I've done that to help explain my behaving 'passive aggressive and weird' to my son.
I've read these posts many times over the years. We talk about the need for more hep C awareness then some of you, who I respect and feel I've come to know, continue to perpetuate the ignorance.
Why are so many people afraid to admit they have hep C?
What is everyone so afraid of?
Perhaps you missed my first answer.
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Nope ..I saw it
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Nope ..I saw it
Well I am afraid of being a social outcast. I guess I do have some shame involved because did get my from IV drug use. I have been clean 25ys but my past seems to haunt me.
I respect your honesty.
In my opinion, the bottom line is being honest with one's self.
But do you hear what you are saying? You too are buying into the idea that we are social outcasts? If the true numbers were known, how can we be outcasts?
When people ask me how I got it, which hasn't happened often, I've said, it could have been from several different ways. And leave it at that.
Because it's true.
In my opinion, the bottom line is being honest with one's self.
But do you hear what you are saying? You too are buying into the idea that we are social outcasts? If the true numbers were known, how can we be outcasts?
When people ask me how I got it, which hasn't happened often, I've said, it could have been from several different ways. And leave it at that.
Because it's true.
Why are so many people afraid to admit they have Hep C?
It works they same way as it worked with HIV/AIDS. Thanks to public ignorance, to admit HIV was almost the same as admitting you were gay and promiscuous. For the same reasons, to admit HCV is almost the same as admitting you were or are a junkie. I refuse to be terrorized by such ignorance and happily announce the reason for my current state of health to all and sundry.
It works they same way as it worked with HIV/AIDS. Thanks to public ignorance, to admit HIV was almost the same as admitting you were gay and promiscuous. For the same reasons, to admit HCV is almost the same as admitting you were or are a junkie. I refuse to be terrorized by such ignorance and happily announce the reason for my current state of health to all and sundry.
I told many people but there were others (not close to me) who I decided I wouldn't tell.
For them, my answer was, "I'm being treated for a blood disorder and I don't want to cry so I'd prefer not to talk about it right now."
For them, my answer was, "I'm being treated for a blood disorder and I don't want to cry so I'd prefer not to talk about it right now."
OH..... I see what you are saying. I wish people were not so judgmental but they are. I have been honest over the years and I have seen how some people react. Sad but true
I guess I choose to perpetuate ignorance only with those I have no close ties to. However, once I'm clear of the virus and not so wrapped up in my own turmoil over it... I may choose to educate. For now, I choose not to.
It's a personal decision. Not everyone who has cancer screams it from rooftops. That doesn't mean they feel shame that they have cancer. It may simply mean that they choose to keep their personal business and health personal.
No matter what disease/ailment a person may have, it doesn't mean they have to become advocates while they are in the middle of difficult treatment.
It's a personal decision. Not everyone who has cancer screams it from rooftops. That doesn't mean they feel shame that they have cancer. It may simply mean that they choose to keep their personal business and health personal.
No matter what disease/ailment a person may have, it doesn't mean they have to become advocates while they are in the middle of difficult treatment.
Ichose to keep my dx very private, only 3 members of immediate family know. I feel no compunction to 'educate' the public in general or be fodder for the rumor mill. Sooner or late most people will be made aware of hepc. My personal health is no one elses business.
from the beginning i have told all my friends, family and co-workers. everyone has been very understanding. a lot of them know of someone else that is also going thru tx. no stigmatism here in san diego. most people just don't know much about hep c. so they ask me questions. i do my best to educate. it's been a blessing for me. take care my cyber friends. belle
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