What are the Best Websites for Hepatitis C? After the Hepatitis C diagnosis, getting support is crucial. You are never alone. I spent the first year surfing the net. As your best friend for Hepatitis C support, I want to share my list of Best Websites for Hepatitis C. Links can be found on my website sidebar. The ones I list are all positive and informative.
One site is hepcadvocate.com. Alan Franciscus one one of the first to open a site for hep c and his site is considered the authority. Lucinda Porter has been a tireless worker for HCV and posts on that site. I am not an expert. There is a lot I do not know. Many people spend countless hours networking with each other to share via the information highway.
Find a good forum. You need one that is uplifting. Steer clear from depressing forums and blogs. If you do not feel peace, or a mental lift after reading – go find another website.
Staying with a sight that brings you down is the worst thing you can do. (I’m looking you in the eye through cyberspace) Hepmag has been around for years and their content is excellent. They have forums, news articles, updates, and my blog. Ian Anderson at POZ was the 1st online magazine to approach me to share my blog. The are great crusaders in spreading awareness and staying up on current news as well as personal stories.
At medhelp.org I found the kindest people in the world. Many had gone through Hepatitis C treatment when it was only Interferon and Ribavirin. They still logged on to encourage us! I came in right as the FDA approved the protease inhibitors. Since I was on Telaprevir, I met a lot of people who were also the first wave of triple therapy patients. Some were on Boceprevir or Victrelis. Many had been on the trials. All of the “veterans” offered support, kindness, compassion, and advice. We bonded during a shared experience. They will be my friends for life. I still log on for support.At first I stayed on the Hepatitis C forum. I eventually posted to the Hepatitis Social. Now they have one for Cirrhosis. I check in on all 3 of those medhelp.org forums as crossroadsec.
Facebook has a lot of Hepatitis C support also. Mary Lou Reasor is the founder of The World of Hepatitis C Support. Her site is on my list of Best Websites for Hepatitis C. I’m a member there and they opened their arms wide. I did not know of it’s existence until 6 months post treatment. I log on as ihelpckaren and and have a facebook page called ihelpc.com. I have made a lot of friends in a short time there. I was not aware of the amount of support for us!
My family and friends were not educated about the Hepatitis C Virus. Actually, we had never heard of it until that day at the hospital. I did not know anyone who understood treatment, transplants, side effects, and medications. Some days I spent a few hours poring over information. When I was at my worst during treatment, I spent sleepless nights exchanging posts or reading on forums and websites. That was my main motivation for starting one.
I want YOU dear friend to have a hopeful and optimistic outlook. I want you to know that you are not alone. I want you to get the information you need. BUT I truly desire that it is delivered in a compassionate manner. This terrible virus may have interrupted your life, but it does not have to steal the happiness from you. You may be experiencing hardships physically and mentally, but you do have a friend who will guide you to the right places.
I’m happy to pass on the best websites for Hepatitis C. I want YOU to emerge from this ordeal stronger than before. There has never been a better time to be diagnosed. That sounds crazy, but I would hate to have been diagnosed without all of the support available on the internet. I am – your best friend at the crossroadsec, Karen:)
Update: I just found the original forum I joined right when starting treatment. I saved it to my cell phone and deleted it. During my brainfog mess, I located them again. They’re in the UK and a soft place to land. I didn’t have a computer and did it all from my phone. Day and night, I found friends responding to my calls for help. it’s hepcfriends and the link is posted on my sidebar. Cinnamon girl is still there as well as others. We’ve finished treatment now! http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com. Inspire is ran by the American Liver Foundation, and Daily Strength is ran by Dr. Oz and Sharecare.
If you have specific questions. I hope this helps when YOU are at the crossroads with Hepatitis C. Your bff, Karen:)
“I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Asked the lord above for mercy, save me if you please.”
Lyrics by Robert Johnson
