Ronald Elson was only diagnosed with the illness last year – but may have had it for 25 years.
He recently attended a star-studded event with celebrities such as Sadie Frost, Meg Matthews, Peaches Geldof, Jimi Mistry and David Morrissey to raise awareness about Hepatitis C.
Ronald, of Cranmore Drive, spoke openly to the Highland News about how he got the illness and hopes by telling his story he can banish some of the stigma surrounding the disease.
Mr Elson told the HN: “I am not sure exactly how I got it, but I snorted cocaine and dabbled in drugs as a youngster. I took intravenous drugs too. It was a craze that me and my mates were going through and at the time we didn’t realise what the consequences could be. Hep C is a blood-borne virus.”
He explained that for him the symptoms weren’t obvious until he was eventually diagnosed and successfully treated.
“Over the years I had been so confused and had very bad moods and was depressed,” he said. “I think I had the illness for about 20 to 25 years. there were so many side effects. I was erratic, and had no confidence.
“Last year I went to the doctor with joint pain – another side effect – and they tested me for a whole host of things and it was found I had Hep C.”
Mr Elson, who works for Bairds Maltings in Inverness, added: “Getting diagnosed was life changing. I was immediately treated – I had to take five tablets a day and have one injection a week for 24 weeks.
“It is intensive but it has turned my life around. in fact, the treatment is similar to what people going through chemotherapy get. you can lose you hair through the treatment.
“I had symptoms that I didn’t even know were related to Hep C such as mood swings and I am only just realising now that this is why I have been behaving in certain ways.
Ronald Elson is setting up a support group for people affected by the virus. Gary Anthony
“Having Hep C really held me back for a number of years, which is why I want to get the message out there that people can potentially be cured.”
The 46-year-old, who lives with his partner Caroline MacKinnon and who have five children between them, added: “I set up the support group because when I was in hospital getting my treatments I couldn’t figure out why there was no support for people with Hep C.
“I thought I would take matters into my own hands. there are so many people in the Highlands with Hep C. in fact, it kills more people in the UK than HIV.
“There is a definite need for the group. there is so much stigma surrounding Hep C.”
Mr Elson was recently invited along with 100 others with the illness, to an awareness-raising dinner arranged by the the Hepatitis C Trust.
He said: “It was great fun. I had to go down to London.
“The Trust invited me along as they have acknowledged that I am giving up some of my time to do this support group.
“We meet once a month and our next meeting is on January 14 at 34 Waterloo Place.” anyone is welcome to attend the support group.
For more information, call Ronald Elson on 07599 504843.
c.doughty@highland-news.co.uk