Tx! MAG #43 by HepatitisNSW

h: t n o m Bill's ... No 1 k e h e u W h u ... N 2 ! k o e n L We L E H . . . 3 Week ...? 4 Week

HEY!

TAKE our survey AND YOU and/or COULD ENTER our comp

edition

JUL 2023

WIN $100

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR! Hi from your new editor, and welcome to Tx! Mag #43! We have two stories in this edition. The first one shows the repetitive daily grind of living with low energy levels, which is a common symptom of hep C infection. The second story talks about the importance of getting treatment for hep C, even if life feels too busy. Groundhog Week is the story of Bill as he goes through his daily life lacking energy and motivation, convincing himself that everything is fine when the reality is that he’s actually missing out on life. Super Simple follows Jean visiting her daughter Amy who is receiving hep C treatment in prison. Jean also has hep C but doesn’t want the added hassle of treatment when there's so much else going on in her life, even though hep C treatment is now very simple. Our thanks to the hep C community peers who were originally involved in the focus group which helped feed into these stories. This edition has our usual puzzles, a competition and a survey. You can go in the draw to win a $100 Coles/ Myer voucher for both the survey (p16) and competition (p24), so fill them out and send them in... no postage required! And yes, the prizes do go to real people!

EDITOR/DESIGNER Naomi Hatchman EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Tim Baxter Justine (JD) Doige Julian Karikalan Kyle Leadbeatter Leah McLeod Maria McMahon Sonam Paljor Kate Pinnock Rhea Shortus Thomas Wright SPECIAL THANKS Grace Crowley GROUNDHOG WEEK Writer Charlie Foster Artist Trev Wood SUPER SIMPLE Writer Lawrence Gergich Artist Trev Wood CONSULTANTS gestaltcomics.com

Hope you enjoy Tx! MAG #43! Cheers! Naomi Tx! Mag Ed Aside from Hepatitis NSW editorial content, views expressed in this magazine or flyers enclosed with it are not necessarily those of Hepatitis NSW or the organisations with whom we collaborate. Neither are such views necessarily those of our funding bodies. Tx! Mag does not promote or condone the use of illicit drugs. Rather, it seeks to provide accurate information that will help people who already use drugs to reduce risks and make safer choices. Nothing in this magazine should be taken as recommending drug use.

Hepatitis NSW is proud to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners and custodians of our lands and waters.

Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 (freecall)

e: info@hep.org.au w: hep.org.au facebook: facebook.com/HepNSW youtube: bit.ly/HNSWYT instagram: @hepatitis_NSW PO Box 432 Darlinghurst, NSW 1300

ABN 30 408 095 245 A non-profit health promotion charity funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. Accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC). Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

END

EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE CURED OF HEP C!

TREATMENT IS SO MUCH BETTER TODAY! Curing your hep C means you don’t have to worry about passing it on to your partner, friends, or family. If you’re cured, the worry is gone. TESTING There are more choices and ways to test... n Point of Care finger prick test with results in 40 minutes; n Dried Blood Spot (DBS) finger prick test with results by text, call or email. You can get a DBS kit posted to you. (For more info on DBS see page 26.) You can get tested at... n sexual health clinics; n doctor’s clinics; n drug and alcohol services; n needle and syringe programs (NSPs); n Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS).

Hepatitis Infoline: 14

TREATMENT AND CURE The new treatment is a game changer… n cures over 95% of people; n has very few side-effects; n is pills only, just 1 or 3 pills a day; n no injections, no interferon; n takes 8 or 12 weeks; and n can be prescribed by local clinics, doctors and registered nurse practitioners. Everyone has the right to the new hep C cure, even if you... n have cirrhosis or liver damage; n are using; n drink alcohol; n have been treated before and got hep C again; n have been treated in the old interferon days and it didn’t work; n are in prison; and/or n live with a mental health condition.

1800 803 990

free call from prison: n Enter MIN n Enter PIN n Press 2 for Common Calls list n Press 3 for Hepatitis Infoline

TX! survey

#43

ENTER THE DRAW TO WIN A $100 VOUCHER!*

IT'S EASY!

go to surveymonkey.com/r/TXmag

AND FILL OUT THE SURVEY ONLINE

1 FILL OUT THE SURVEY ON THE BACK OF THIS PAGE 2 CUT THIS PAGE OUT OF THE MAGAZINE 3 FOLD IN HALF ALONG THE BLACK DOTTED LINE BELOW, SO THAT THE ADDRESS IS ON THE OUTSIDE 4 STICK THE 2 SIDES CLOSED WITH STICKY TAPE OR STAPLES (ALONG THE ORANGE EDGES ABOVE AND BELOW) 5 PUT IT IN THE POST TO US (NO NEED TO BUY A STAMP, IT'S FREE TO SEND) * THESE $100 VOUCHERS CAN BE USED AT COLES/MYER & AFFILIATED STORES.

TX! survey

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FILL THISOU Y OUT AND IN A W D L COU GIFT $100 ER VOUCH

1. Reading this Tx! Mag was useful to me... 2. After reading this Tx! Mag, I know more about hepatitis treatment...

3. Reading Tx! Mag made me think about... (tick all that apply)

IT'S EASY

PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS... Strongly agree

Agree

Neither

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Strongly agree

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Neither

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calling the Hepatitis Infoline going to the Hepatitis NSW website talking to someone about support services

4. What is your current postcode (or prison name)?

talking to someone else about hepatitis it hasn't made me think about doing anything other (please let us know)

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS... 5. How could we make Tx! Mag better?

To enter the draw for the $100 voucher, please give us your name and phone number, email address or prison MIN (optional). This prize offer is for NSW residents only - one entry per person. Name: Phone:

6. How old are you? 7. Please describe yourself: (tick as many as you like) person with hep C/cured of hep C person with hep B current prisoner Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander someone who doesn't usually speak English at home other (please let us know)

Email: MIN :

Congrats to Reece M. who won a $100 Coles/Myer voucher from Tx! Mag #42. (...and yes, the prize does go to a real person! J) Thank you to the many people who sent in their feedback over the last three months! We love to get, and appreciate, your input. Hepatitis NSW respects your right to privacy. We have a policy and set of procedures on how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal info. For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit hep.org.au

#43

Tx! COMPETITION ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS... All you have to do to win is answer these four questions correctly, just tick the right box! We'll choose one entry at random and the first one with all answers right will be the winner! 1. Is hep C treatment long, hard and horrible? [GROUNDHOG WEEK] Not anymore. Treatment is now easy with few or no side-effects. Um... yes? Don't know... I have to read Groundhog Week... Koala 2. Can hep C make you tired and unfocused? [GROUNDHOG WEEK] Yes. Often, there may be no obvious symptoms, but many people find fatigue is common. Um... no? Don't know... I have to read Groundhog Week... Wallaby 3. Is it difficult to get tested for hep C? [GROUNDHOG WEEK] No, all it takes is a simple blood test. Um... yes? Don't know... I have to read Groundhog Week... Bandicoot 4. Is interferon still used to treat hep C? [SUPER SIMPLE] No - there are new treatments with a 95% cure rate and little to no side-effects Um... yes? Don't know... I have to read Super Simple... Echidna

TELL US YOUR DEETS... To enter the competition for the $100 voucher, please give us your name and phone number, email address and postcode (if you're in prison, tell us your prison and MIN). This prize offer is for NSW residents only - one entry per person. Name: Phone: Email: Postcode (or prison name): MIN :

We'll contact the winner and announce their name in the next issue. Hepatitis NSW respects your right to privacy. We have a policy and set of procedures on how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal info. For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit hep.org.au

Congrats to Simon P. who was the lucky winner from last edition's competition draw!

FIND-A-WORD! A I D O U B T F U L F O C U S T C M A U D J D R A G G E D I T H U P N D N J P C L I N I C B A U R O O T R E A T M E N T P F L R A R T F I B R O S I S M I L K S B T H L E A F L E T W B U E I D L A E S U C K E R E R V S R N A E N R L P V B W E O E N E R G Y K T L G I A O K S P R E S C R I P T I O N R E C M G R O U N D H O G O D T N A M E T H A D O N E S J T H D N B M F Z F I N G E R T I P E N G A G E D A W E S O M E W S T U C K M I S S I N G E W T

EASY AS SUDOKU 1 4

4 1

1 4 1 3

NUMBERS Each grid is partially completed with numbers. The goal is to fill the missing numbers into the grid - from 1 to 4. In each column, row and grid you can use each number only once.

Can you find all 34 of these words in the puzzle above? The words might go up or down, left or right, forwards or backwards. The solution is below, but no peeking! ANOTHER AWESOME BAND CLINIC CURABLE DOUBTFUL DRAGGED ENERGY ENGAGED FIBROSCAN

FIBROSIS FINGERTIP FOCUS GIGS GROUNDHOG IMPORTANT LEAFLET METHADONE MISSING PRESCRIPTION

STUCK SUCKER TALKING THURSDAY TREATMENT WEEKEND WORTH SHAPES Each grid is partially completed with shapes - star, circle, square, triangle. The goal is to fill the missing shapes. In each column, row and grid you can use each shape only once.

hep.org.au/resources/tx-mag [or search: tx hep mag]

TX! MAG #42 [HEP C]

Treatment is easy Life can be busy, complicated and sometimes scary. Adding hep C treatment can feel like too much. But, Sam and Dani don't let life stop them from seeking treatment for hep C.

TX! MAG #41 [HEP C]

Needing a nudge We meet Baz and Jim... despite knowing they have hep C neither of them are interested in getting cured. Will they change their minds by the end of their stories?

TX! MAG #40 [HEP C]

Myths & barriers! This edition looks at reasons that people think might prevent them from starting hep C treatment... "too busy", "not sick enough", "reinfection", "side effects".

hep.org.au/resources/free-hepatitis-resources

DO YOU NEED A DBS TEST? The dried blood spot (DBS) test is a new, free, easy and private way to test for hepatitis C and HIV. Just take a few drops of blood from your finger, mail the test back and get your results by phone, text or email. You don’t need to go to a clinic or see a doctor to do this test.

ORDER A KIT / MORE INFO:

dbstest.health.nsw.gov.au 26

CROSSWORD 1 TARGET E R O T R N A G E

How many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters here? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each word must contain the centre letter, and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No foreign words, no words with initial capitals and no hyphenated words.

ACROSS 1. For hitting, or hanging upside down. (3) 3. Can't see or smell it, can't live without it. (3) 5. All good things must come to this. (3) 6. Feathery fashion or certain death. (3) 8. To possess. (3) 10. A spurt or a plane. (3) 12. Perceive or deduce. (3) 14. Take, hold or deploy. (3) 15. Mouth, or a large amount. (3) 16. Respect, fear and wonder. (3)

DOWN 1. Float and bounce on water. (3) 2. Goes with mornings and biscuits. (3) 3. Fussing over nothing. (3) 4. Done by a tap, a nose, or legs. (3) 7. More than nothing, less than two. (3) 9. Sorrow, distress. (3) 10. For pouring water. (3) 11. Container for a bath. (3) 12. A home for mermaids. (3) 13. Not a ram nor a lamb. (3) Solution next page

What's your score?

7 Meh. But at least you tried! 13 Pretty good, eh? 22 Awesome 34 Holy crap! Mega genius! 50+ You are clearly a human dictionary and/or computer...we didn't even know half of those crazy words! Answers next page

A little bit harder...!

CROSSWORD 2 SOLUTION

Solution at right (no peeking now!!)

CROSSWORD 1 SOLUTION

T I T AN I C E A H O L AM C LOUD A B O N D P E A EG G E D R X D A S K S T I R I W R E A RWA X HAR D K E Y

1. Something to eat on Tuesdays. (4) 2. Popular Australian shoe. (5) 3. Head said yes. (6) 4. Thunder, or two hands colliding. (4) 5. Begin a journey, board a ship. (5) 9. Added or greater. (5) 11. Persuade, or wave from side to side. (4) 13. See it, but don't show it to a bull. (3) 14. Annoy. (3) 16. You and me. (2)

B A T A I R O E N D U B O A O W N N O J E T S E E U U S E W G O B A W E

1. Massive, should avoid icebergs. (7) 6. Best not be on it. (3) 7. Fluffy and untouchable. (5) 8. Lives in a pod. (3) 9. Encouraged into foolishness, or covered in it. (5) 10. Request, demand, or question. (3) 12. Move around and mix. (4) 15. Bad for hearing, bad for making candles. (6) 17. Solid or firm. (4) 18. Found in locks, music and typewriters. (3)

TARGET SOLUTION (red=more common) agree, anger, argent, argon, atoner, eager, earn, earner, eater, egret, enrage, enter, ergo, errant, garner, garnet, garter, gear, GENERATOR, genre, goer, goner, gore, gran, grant, grantee, granter, grantor, grate, grater, great, greaten, greater, green, greet, groan, groaner, groat, near, nearer, neater, ogre, orange, orate, organ, ornate, rage, range, ranger, rant, ranter, rare, rate, rater, reagent, rear, regear, regent, regrate, regret, rent, renter, reran, retro, roan, roar, roger, rota, rote, tare, taro, tear, tearer, tenor, tern, terra, toner, torn, tree