yeah, it was similar for me. Once it was clear I had exited and wasn't staying quiet about it I was actively excised from the flock and saw premies cross the street to avoid me.
And yes, even people who you know are capable of being better friends than that stayed away. Once I was driving down the street and saw a friend and stopped to say hello because we were so fond of each other and I hadn't seen her in ages and I'd temporarily forgotten about the premie thing.
That's when I understood why even good friends had abandoned me because she was frightened - frightened of going to Hell frightened - when she started to enjoy my company.
I still maintain we learnt all about each other on the primary school playground!