How soon after seeing the specialist did you start tx? - Hepatitis Message Board

blalockm · 04-30-2007, 11:07 AM

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?

eyesworld · 05-01-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blalockm

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

blalockm · 05-01-2007, 02:30 PM

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.

patd57 · 05-18-2007, 07:49 PM

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.

blalockm · 05-31-2007, 07:24 AM

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.