alt 143

[terrywillbeok]

hi guys. i have done a blood test yesterday my alt up to 143...... it was 70 on 3 months ago. in the last 5 years 40 to 90 highest , what is goin on with me? i havenot drunk last few months already.
in a few months ago i have done a endoscopy , so they gave me a clear answer that i dont have cirrhosis but anyway endoscopy can really see the cirrhosis? should i change doctor?

[terrywillbeok]

thanks hope1992. I know what you mean, so i am tryin to do my best to look for a good doctor. have been on phone all day but still have some problems about on changing insurance........i canot see any doctor cuz I still a KP member. so i have to cancel it first .

[Hope1992]

I hope you are continuing to drink less, and eat healthy! I'm so sorry about all your troubles, with bad medical care and insurance.

My cousin Jake died from cirrhosis last year, only 33 years old, because he didnt get treatment.

Technically he had liver failure - and I think part of it was that he just didnt want to go to the doctor, even when he knew something was wrong. But he didnt know he had Cirrhosis until it was already upon him, and by then he only had a few days left before he died from liver failure.

Take care of yourself until you can get proper treatment!

[hepcandme]

I have Kaiser that is paid through work though mine is much more expensive than yours was

We are rid of of the old "preexisting condition" straits but I am almost twice your age and there is nothing that says insurance rates can't go up with as you age

What insurance did you go with?

[terrywillbeok]

what kind of insurance do u have? if u need to change plan , my insurance agent he is very nice and he will come to ur home to help u get a good plan.but thanks . I canot trust them (KP ) anymore and these days i have surfing web look at this plz..http://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/kaiser.html

[hepcandme]

Hi Terry

Message me and I will give you the rundown on Kaiser and UCSF in San Francisco. Don't want to bore everyone else with the details but I have Kaiser and had wanted to switch to Dr Terrault since the beginning of my journey to get treatment

but remember, Kaiser is an insurance company (with doctors and a hospital) and UCSF is a hospital who takes many kinds of insurance

I used to hate KP but now that they are working much better in partnership with UCSF and have shelled out nearly $ 200,000 for my first attempt to eradicate Hep C and are going to do the same thing with Harvoni after my relapse, well, let's just say I am kinda loving them right now

There are ways to work the system to your advantage

[terrywillbeok]

yup i was waiting on phone almost 45mins and i keep calling ,calling and the ppl answered is rude,but it is worth it. i hope they can referal me to the doctor that u recomended to me.

[terrywillbeok]

I am totally lost trust on my doctors now. last few days i have argued with them on phone. so i canceled the biopsy this morning from them. and now i have to wait for march 10. and i have treadment for myself fruit for breakfast and lunch and no red meat , taking entecavir 0.5 ( 1mg i cut them half ) is the only treatment for me atm. =D

[Dee1956]

Hey there! Great news.
I know that my second Hepatologist said they would only take me with a referral from my doctor.
Well I had just lost my doctor and I kept calling and sending all my information.  The doctor agreed to see me. It wasn't easy and it might not work again, just sharing :)
Thank God cause the first one was awful, not a person, more like a robot.
I am sure the one you have is good.  I hope you get the best.
I asked my doctor if I should get another biopsy since it has been 5 years, he said absolutely not.  I guess they don't push them like they used to.
Take Care
Dee

[terrywillbeok]

thanks dee again, i finally make an apointment with the ucsf family doctor in march 10th .

[terrywillbeok]

To schedule your first appointment at the Gastroenterology and Liver Clinic, please fax the following information to [phone]:
A referral letter, including your current diagnosis, from your primary care doctor or specialist.
All related doctor's notes, and lab and test results.
Copy of your insurance card (front and back).

The center accepts most health insurance plans. Some insurance plans won't cover the full amount and you will be responsible for the remainder. Call your insurance representative to confirm eligibility, benefits, co-pay and deductible amounts.
Copy of authorization from insurance, if required.
Your contact information, including mailing address and phone numbers.
If you have any questions, please call the clinic at [phone].

[terrywillbeok]

sigh , my wife told me that it is not that easy to get in to the UCSF . ok here is my plan, i call in to make a appointment for a biopsy in KP tomorrow first.if i dont have cirrhosis 100% that will be fine and stay.

[terrywillbeok]

i just call me my agent , he is goin to help me to get the insurance now. i hope that i see her soon.

[terrywillbeok]

thank dee, I think she is very good but  i need to change my insurance first. and then i need a family doctor to refer me to her. phew

[Dee1956]

Hi I found the name of a good doctor highly recommended.

  Dr. Norah Terrault at UCSF.

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/cgi-bin/expertDetail.cgi?doctorid=1409

[terrywillbeok]

i dont know but i prefer to trust him cuz he is specialist .that make me feel a lot better . anyway next month i have another ultrasound , if they still seeing something on the liver . i dont care what they say i need a fibroscan or biopsy. and someone told me in HB forum fibroscan is available in san francisco the ucsf. i really wanna try fibroscan .

[Dee1956]

Oh thank GOD, I am really happy for you.  They can tell by various blood work panels and an ultrasound.
Thank you for letting me know
Dee

[terrywillbeok]

finally my specialist called me, and he says u canot have cirrhosis not even early stage .phew

[terrywillbeok]

I need to change a doctor to see  what is going on. I ask them to do a boipsy but they really dont wanna do it for me , cuz they always say that " u dont need to do it" .

[Dee1956]

Hi I am sure someone will be along soon.  I just wanted to say that they do an endoscopy to check your esophagus to make sure you don't have any swelling veins which are called varices.
When I was diagnosed with cirrhosis I had to have that just to be on the safe side.  I did not have any so that was a good thing.

[terrywillbeok]

btw  I was  taking baraclude 0.5mg but they change to entecavir since 3 months ago.