Me, too. To the future! illy:' />

Splitdog and Gaj, you will be cured, just a matter of time. You have Dr. Freeman helping you! I recommend Yard’s Thomas Jefferson Ale to calm down. Seems to have a low sugar content combined with a high ABC (8.0%), That’s what I drink illy:' /> Stick with Dr. Freeman for the cure! I’m just posting this for the newbies…..I know that you both know that Dr. Freeman is a Saint. If he is never recognized for his efforts ( which I believe he will be, eventually for a Pulitzer prize or something equivalent ) there is still the God Karma which will recognize him, if she has not already.

Hi GF,

I’d like to say thanks for thinking of a couple of rather anxious people. I appreciated it and share your sentiments about Dr F even if my liver isn’t so thrilled by the Yard’s Thomas Jefferson Ale recommendation. (Damn, its past midnight here and still over 30°C) You of course should relish and enjoy a cold Ale or two due to your good liver status and I feel sure you will find a fulfilling channel for your improved energy and alertness. This is something I feel many of us will need to do post treatment.

Hi RSF,

Thanks for raising what I believe is an important topic. I’ve been struggling to put down my thoughts for the last couple of days and I’m still not quite sure that I’ve worked out how to express it yet but would like to add a couple of comments.

While I wonder and wouldn’t be too surprised if this virus itself physically manifests as anxiety and depression I am sure that the stigma and ignorance associated with it is a very significant factor. For many there is little opportunity to talk about our worries as we would want to and even when there are those we can confide in they often don’t truly understand this virus or comprehend how we feel, yet empathy and understanding are so important when dealing with and alleviating anxiety and depression. Probably not news to those reading but I do want to distinguish between ignorance which we can all help reduce in some small way even amongst some in the medical profession and stigma….for which there can be little excuse.

After SVR? For some it probably will be a case of ‘getting on with the rest of your life’ but for others there will be a need to take stock of what you have been through and how that has affected you and then decide ‘where to from here?’ I don’t have any answers myself (yet) but suggest to those who are in this situation that you now have plenty of time to figure it out. I know you will, so take joy in life and savour it while you are doing so.

Well, enough from me for now, I look forward to hearing others thoughts.

Hi RSF,
Very thoughtful and thought provoking sentiments expressed here.

One lesson that I feel we can all take away from Dr. Freeman and FixHepC, is that our life matters to others—It not only includes our family members or friends who may already have expressed concern for us after learning of our serious condition, but also includes people, some whom you may never have met, like most of us posting here. Many have shared research that has involved perhaps, a great deal of time and effort on their part, and we all appreciate the time the staff and moderators put in, all voluntarily. We’ve shared both the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs, the very real and at times gut wrenching life stories of those living with the dragon even life after slaying it. It has, for many of us, wielded an extreme and seemingly unshakeable influence over us. What has helped us to persevere?

What we’ve found is what studies indicate, that those who volunteer to help others have been found to suffer from fewer aches and pains and less depression. Overall, they enjoy better health. Generous giving even improves the health of some who suffer from chronic health problems, such as multiple sclerosis or HIV. (Dare we add Hep C to this list?) It has also been shown that recovering alcoholics who help others become significantly less depressed and can improve their odds of avoiding a relapse.

As to why this is so, it is suggested that, “feelings of compassion, benevolence and kindness leave less room for negative emotions.” That’s a definite health advantage. Giving may also lower stress and blood pressure. And people who lost their spouse in death recovered from symptoms of depression sooner if they offered support to others.

I truly believe that it has been the support we’ve both received from here and have given here, that is part of the healing process experienced by so many. (I include myself mostly in former group). That requires trust and a willingness to open up to complete strangers and share.
I’m constantly amazed at the uplifting comments of all of you, some who are on multiple go-rounds with the beast, and I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your willingness to reach out to any and all who come here hopeless and depressed, desperate for a helping hand.
You’ve been a huge part of my prescription for dealing with the anxiety and depression that accompanies life with the dragon.
You are part of my family of “volunteer” friends whom I’ve never met.

Maybe that can be remedied some day,

Matt

Very good reading thank you all.

Here is my take on the HCV psyche after treatment.
I remember one of my posts to another fixhepc member who had just passed SVR 12 and was determined to be cured or very well on their way to it.
I said “enjoy your life you have achieved the ultimate goal” or something like that is what I tried to convey through a post.
The return response was not good and I ended up editing my response and apologizing, we have since moved on and really are good.
My point is once you’re cured it is like “ok your good, take care”! This is a huge change of situations and yes it is good, but after I just spent the last 10 years trying to control my HCV and watching all my brothers die of HCV associated issues, I was like “ok I think I’m good, now what do I do”?
The sudden change of situations, in 6 months, very much affected me in a way that I am still trying to iron out. I set up everything for my wife, so she could live a normal and good life after I was gone. I did this for 10 straight years. Now they say your ok, and it is time for me to move on? What the hell!
The mental part of being cured of a disease that has a stigma is that the stigma out weighs the right to spread the good news about your cure, is 100% mind bending to say the least. In fact the only one I could tell was my wife and trying to contain my enthusiasm amoung coworkers & friends is weird and very debilitating.
So since I was “cured” I have been going through this, how do I act and what the hell do I do now? Yes yes yes I know I need to be grateful, I am. But it is still very confusing trying to live a normal life after going through death rituals for 10 years.
So this is a wake up call that mental therapy is very much needed for those “too” after successful treatment. After all I’d imagine if you asked a few SVR people they may agree after thinking they have planned to die or be debilitated by this disease they are now “good to go”, they’d possibly agree with this scenario.
Note: please keep in mind that those whom are going through therapy for this frign disease, we are all with you 1000% and if there is anything we can do we’ll be here for you. This is just the possible side affects after SVR 12 and beyond: after being told “your good to go now have a great life”
All the while having to keep it secret. Hmmmm, interesting indeed.
Thanks for listening.