“I was getting pins and needles in my hands – that was my main symptom but when the GP told me that the blood test to check my liver was not good, it came as surprise because I never drank a lot,” said Kasia.
“After a third blood test, the GP called me and told me I had Hep C, I didn’t even know what it was. The doctor reassured me and told me not to worry and that Hep C can be cured.
“When I started reading about it, I remember I just started crying because it’s quite serious if you don’t have treatment.”
At her first appointment at Manchester virology department, Kasia was told that she will need six months of treatment that will include a course of tablets and injectable medicine and the possible side-effects.
“I was scared at the beginning, especially because I had to do the injections myself after the nurse taught me how to do it,” admits Kasia.
“After the first injection, I felt shivers and spent all that day and the day after in bed with body aches. But that was the only one bad experience for me because the rest of the treatment I was actually fine. I was working - I don't remember taking any days off from work or not being able to do normal activities because I was feeling unwell.”
During the six months, she went for regular check-ups and by the end, she was cured of Hepatitis C.
“I would urge everyone to get checked for Hepatitis C and not to be scared of the treatment. I got one or two side-effects but it is more important to be cured of Hep C. Turning Point staff and other medical professionals will support you all the way and it will improve your life and health.”
Though she stopped using heroin in the late 90s, Kasia went on to use cocaine and marijuana. However, she has been completing abstinent from drugs for almost three years.
Last year, she started volunteering at Turning Point and is now a peer mentor at the Rochdale drug and alcohol service – using her own life experiences to support other people going through the struggles she once went through.
She has found that with her Polish background, she has become someone who can engage with service users from an eastern European background.
“I know what it’s like to be an addict and for a very long time, I always said I would like to help people,” said Kasia.
“I know a lot of Polish, Russian, eastern European people are scared (to access services). I try to encourage people from different backgrounds to get in touch with organisations like Turning Point because they will help you.”
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