I have my first appointment with the gastroenterologist May 7th. What should I expect?

I have a positive Hep C test. My geno is 1a, and viral load is 570560.

I had an ultra sound on my gall bladder, but it also showed that my liver is enlarged and inflamed. I also had a HIDA scan for my gall bladder (which comes out May 9th) and it showed hempatology of the liver. (I hope I spelled that right).

I'll need a liver biopsy prior to starting treatment, right? What else will happen?

How soon can one expect to start treatment?

I'm assuming you give yourself the shots at home. Do you pick them up at the pharmacy like you would any other prescription, or how does that work? How many do you have at a time, and how often does one have to go to the specialist during treatment?

I have my first appointment with the gastroenterologist May 7th. What should I expect?

I have a positive Hep C test. My geno is 1a, and viral load is 570560.

I had an ultra sound on my gall bladder, but it also showed that my liver is enlarged and inflamed. I also had a HIDA scan for my gall bladder (which comes out May 9th) and it showed hempatology of the liver. (I hope I spelled that right).

I'll need a liver biopsy prior to starting treatment, right? What else will happen?

How soon can one expect to start treatment?

I'm assuming you give yourself the shots at home. Do you pick them up at the pharmacy like you would any other prescription, or how does that work? How many do you have at a time, and how often does one have to go to the specialist during treatment?

I gave blood and got a letter back from the Red Cross that I tested positive for HepC-I went to the specialist who confirmed it.
The treatment plan was presented to me but I was in such denial that I waited a year to start TX-I had no symptoms at all. Just a high viral load and the best genotype for TX.I had an ultrasound which showed no swelling so I did not need a biopsy.
I finally started TX in January and I'm on the homestretch. While I feel like
s%&t-I wish I had started the TX right away and now it would be over.
I give myself the shots-I'm also on Neupogen shot 1x a week- for a low WBC. I have a mailorder pharmacy and the drugs come to my front door. They send a month worth at a time.
I see the doc 1x a month and I now have weekly bloodwork because of the low WBC. My viral load-which WAS in the millions is now undetectable and has been since about 3 weeks into TX.
I'm lucky that I see a pain management doc for another problem I have so my pain is covered. I'm very tired and my mouth is really sore-but I'm hanging in as the end is in sight.
Hope this helps:angel:

Thanks so much for the info. It's great that you've responded so quickly to treatment!

I'm guessing I will need to do the mail order pharmacy as well. I have that on my insurance plan.

I kind of wish I didn't have to do a biopsy, but I think my insurance requires it. There's a form the specialist has to send in, and it states that they should forward all tests and biopsy results to them.

Hi all, I am in my 7th week of Peg intron and Rebitol treatment. I am also HIV poz. I went to see my doctor and was very disappointed with his interaction. He was brief and almost could not be bothered. I was feeling so bad. I had no energy and was so groughy with my loved ones that I just wanted to stop the treatment, (which I did back in 2004) as I could not tolerate it, and wasnt willing to. This time I know I have to go through with it. My viral load is off the chart, like 20 million, plus. I have the (1) that is not compatable but treatment it is the only hope. I am told I will be on a 48 week protocol of treatment. I do not know if I can stand it. My life is at a stand still. Does anyone know a specialist in Los Angeles they can refer. Thanks for listening.

I'm so sorry you're going through all of this. It sounds like we are dealing with some of the same issues as I'll be on 48 weeks TX as well. Keep your chin up though.

I'm so sorry you're going through all of this. It sounds like we are dealing with some of the same issues as I'll be on 48 weeks TX as well. Keep your chin up though.

:wave: Hi everyone, well, I finally started my tx after putting it off due to concerns about the side affects. Well, no real side affects yet. I have more frequent bowel movements (wouldn't call it diarreha). I took my first shot Friday night 5/25th, felt a few chills, then went to bed. I probably slept through any affects. Woke up feeling lightheaded and a bit dizzy, dry mouth and really thirsty. Took my first two pills after breakfast, nothing happened to speak of. My stomach just feels raw and empty all the time but nothing to worry over. I take my second shot tonight will see what happens but so far my tx is going ok.

I'm Genotype 1a, 3 stage fibrosis, had Hep C over 16-18 years before finding out. Probably got it through a blood transfusion or plasma before 1991 during one of my operations. I guess I was over reacting to the side affects others were having, especially the mental issue that I keep putting off starting. I'm glad I started now. I even lost some inches off my waist measurements and my stomach doesn't seem so bloated. Now that is good. :)

I guess the tx does affect each person differently. I just hope my days continue as they are now. Oh, I go for a CBC workup on June 8th, then on the 22nd I go for my first viral load, etc. I'll let you guys know how the readings are. Hang in there, even those of us with some fibrosis can survive the tx. I hope I fair as well. Jessica, your prayers are working. Hope you are still ok. Thanks to the board and all those that posts, your posts helped me decide to go ahead with tx. I had to try and hope it works. Joyce

Joyce, I so glad your 1st week tx went well. I take my 14th shot tonite. I haven't had any really major side effects other than just feeling downright terrible on Saturdays and never feeling very good. I try to keep as much normalcy in my life as possile, go to work, family functions(not on Saturday), keeping up with friends(less than before). I do keep waiting for the other shoe to drop knowing that many side effects are cumulative effects. I've been lucky so far. My 7 week viral load was less than 2000. A month before starting tx my viral load was over 20 million. It seems as if I'm responding well. Dr. says there's no guarantee but a good indicator. Anyway, I wish you well. Keep us informed.

Hi Owen, long time. Thanks for the information. I just hope side affects don't come at me further on in my tx. I will take each day at a time. Glad you are fairing well. After seven wks or more, I want to be feeling the same. Only my tests will let me know if it is working. I'm pulling for all of us to have good results. I will keep everyone posted on my tx. Perhaps it will help others to decide if they want to take a chance on tx. Good to see your post Owen. Everyone have a good weekend. Joyce