1st visit is over

[cryermama]

Well, my preliminary visit to the doctor is over. I think it went well.  He spent quite a bit of time with me getting all my history and answering my questions.  He gave me "Hepatitis C for Dummies" to read and ordered bloodwork to find out my genotype and viral load.  He also ordered an Ultrasound of my liver which I will be having done on Friday.  He said he will call when he gets the results back and schedule another appt. to discuss a liver biopsy with me.  When I went down to have my bloodwork done, the Phlebotomist saw his name on my orders and said "Oh!  Dr. Holden, he is a wonderful Dr. He is very through and very smart."  This, of course, made me feel that maybe I got lucky and found a good Dr. on the first try.  Especially since she only had to stick me once to get blood and that is unheard of for me!  I remembered to ask about getting copies of my lab and other reports and Dr. Holden said that would be no problem and they don't even charge extra for that.  I filled out the nessecary HIPA forms and was assured that every time I come in for results that they will have my copy waiting for me.  So, so far, I feel confident that he and I will have a good relationship.  See!  I was worried for a week about the blood draw and all for no reason. 

[greyrocker]

Good for you, cryermama. It's great that you found a good doc, he sounds just right. I didn't like mine at all and it made it a lot more difficult than it should have bee.

greyrocker

[ScaredyCat]

Good going cryermama!
Your relationship with the Dr office is so important -it can become strained during tx 

SIDE- sorry -Saw your post about the cat scratch and since our cat just used my face for a launching pad and then continued on to Mr Scaredy's head I am worried sick about it. I was def bleeding - big scratch, but Mr Scaredy just blew me off and wouldn't let me look at his -   

I hate to tell you but a new pet may not be the best thing right now -even a old pet if it scratches. sorry about the low-jack everybody

Good luck with the doc!
 
ScaredyCat

[cryermama]

ScaredyCat, Well, it wasn't my idea to get the cat, but I can't take her back.  I'm thinking about declawing her though.  I never even thought about the scratching thing until she scratched me.  I'm a real dummy! 

[banarep]

cryer,

sounds like you hit the doctor lottery.  good for you.

[cryermama]

I really think I did.  Hope it stays a good relationship. 

[snapplecandy]

cryer,

Its sounds like you are off to a very good start! It makes a difference to have that comfort level with your doc and his office.

[ruba]

Great news it is so important to have that good relationship with your Dr.  On the first try at that.  I know others including myself had many detours before finding that comfort zone.  Happy for ya.

[cryermama]

Thanks! Got my first labs back and I am genotype 2 with a viral load of 4,500,000.  Still waiting on the ultrasound results.  Will keep everyone posted.

[snapplecandy]

Although viral load can vary all the time....<5 mil is good and considered on the low side.

[cryermama]

Got the results back from the ultrasound and it showed that my liver appears cirrhotic.  Dr. Holden wants me to attend a Hep C. class in Nov. and then start treatment. 

[snapplecandy]

cryermama,

Sorry to hear about the possible cirrhosis. This is often a deciding factor in doing treatment sooner than later. It sounds like you have some answers and getting more all the time that support doing treatment sooner.

I suggest asking for a copy of the ultrasound report as with all your labs and reports.

I am assuming he wants to bypass the biopsy at this point and go right to treatment?

Your make it thru this with everyones supports. You have a alot of positives in your favor to beat this thing.

[cryermama]

Snapple, yes, he said he sees no need for a biopsy unless I want to delay treatment.  I have decided to attend the class in Nov. and then make a decision about what to do.  But, I will probably go ahead and do the treatment after the holidays.  Thanks for the support.  Cheryl

[alice]

Cheryl-- you might want to consider your diagnosis when determining the length of your treatment as well. I have cirrhosis, too, and I'm not taking any chances with 24 weeks of tx on the Incivek Plan; I'm doing 48. The prescribing information for Incivek has little information about tx specifics for cirrhotic patients except this statement in a footnote below a table: "Treatment-naïve patients with cirrhosis who have undetectable HCV-RNA at weeks 4 and 12 of INCIVEK combination treatment may benefit from an additional 36 weeks of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin (48 weeks total)".

So cirrhotic patients who still respond well to tx may benefit from additional tx length???  Well, that's all they needed to say to convince me. others may have different opinions about this but I'm not a gambler. I'm doing the 48 weeks, especially since i have a less than stellar tx response history.

Good luck
alice

[greyrocker]

Cheryl-- you might want to consider your diagnosis when determining the length of your treatment as well. I have cirrhosis, too, and I'm not taking any chances with 24 weeks of tx on the Incivek Plan; I'm doing 48. The prescribing information for Incivek has little information about tx specifics for cirrhotic patients except this statement in a footnote below a table: "Treatment-naïve patients with cirrhosis who have undetectable HCV-RNA at weeks 4 and 12 of INCIVEK combination treatment may benefit from an additional 36 weeks of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin (48 weeks total)".

So cirrhotic patients who still respond well to tx may benefit from additional tx length???  Well, that's all they needed to say to convince me. others may have different opinions about this but I'm not a gambler. I'm doing the 48 weeks, especially since i have a less than stellar tx response history.

Good luck
alice

All true, but for geno 1, not geno 2.  You won't be taking incivek, Cheryl, just interferon & ribavirin for 24 weeks. You have an excellent chance at success going in to this.

Knock it dead! 

greyrocker