Second Opinion?

[jello123]

Ok, Im wondering if I should seek out a new doctor.  After my last visit im a little disturbed and I think I need a second opinion but maybe im just over reacting.  I was born with chronic hep b and in the last 6 months or so my viral count has gone from 26 million to over 28 billion.  My ALT is high and as of my last biopsy 2 yrs ago, my liver is a stage 2, level 3 and I came off interferon a little over a year ago.  My doctor yesterday told me I was fine and to come back in a few months.  When I told him that I was extremely fatigued and had to take some time off work last month he told me i was crazy and that there was no reason I couldn't work full-time and go to school full-time (im only 22).  Should I seek a second opinion?  I mean I feel well enough to return to work but I just feel that my numbers are a bit high to be blowing it off.  Am I crazy or is it not that big of a deal?

[Sunag]

Thank you guys for your support, One month since diagnosis, I have become and Informed patient than an ignorant one being on this forum. The information

Craig, Both of us seem to be beginning the Tx around the same time, that is cool. You are not alone being fat, I am also with you on this.
Y'day I had gone to see my GI for a preTx check. He sounded very optimistic about me reaching SVR. He said patients with Cirrhosis-Grade A with HepC-2/3b typically lead a regular life span. This news was good for my husband and children.
My daughter is visiting me, and came along to meet my GI, and this was good news to her.
The GI said that he would monitor my blood work everymonth.
We cannot practice on Oranges here :(d. I need to see an RN every week to get the shot.
Let us follow our progress carefully, may be at the end of Tx, we can write a research paper for the next meeting og GI's.:)-Hey our case histroy and this ordeal has to benefit someone else too, right?
I am waiting to hear after your BIGEVENT on FRIDAY!
take care
Sunag

[cghamm]

My meds were delivered on Friday. They sent me 90 days worth, so I've got 13 little boxes of Peg-intron and 600 pills on my dresser. They're talking to me, saying "let's go, fat boy, let's get started!!!" However, nurse Carrie says I can't start till I watch the video and practice with an orange. I've been shooting up the orange pretty good all weekend and I think it will be SVR! The BIG EVENT will happen this coming Friday night.

From all I've read and the things I've learned from all of you, I'm trying to be realistic about my cahnces of clearing the virus. The chances are not great. But the chances are zero if I don't tx, so the decision (for me) is a no-brainer. After 48 years of not really caring, I made a committment to my own health last year, and I've successfully controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, diet, exercise and stress. HCV is one more thing on the list, and I'll do everything I can to control/beat it too. I want to thank everyone for being here. I wouldn't want to have to do this without you.

Sunag, I feel like we're in this together. If we can get clear of the virus, or at least slow down/reverse some of the cirrhosis, we are buying ourselves more time, and that's a precious thing. Hang in there, and may God be with you.
Craig

[Showboat]

Good luck to both of you.....and happy that you are part of this family.    ***Craig****  I got a chuckle about the orange being SVR. Your sense of humor gave me a kick and a trip down memory lane.  That is how I learned to give a shot the first time.  My oranges were stabbed so many times the scent of orange just wafted through out the house for many many days.

[Amerabrit]

very best to both of you; going forward with your lives, i'm hoping SVR plays a major role for each of you..

[Amerabrit]

I second Chevy's post..  Good luck with your tx choices.

[Sunag]

Hello Every one:

Thank you very much for your thoughts on my doctor's comments. I was told by my original GI that my Cirrhosis is well compensated, therefore, treatment might work compared to a liver that is decompensated.

Just to get a second opinion I went to this other doctor and spend 3 hours just for a 10 min consultation-His remarks were disappointing and at the end of sitting for three hours, my feet and legs puffed up, and the next day had chills and fever. Had to use a comforter in summer, in a place where there is no airconditioning and the outside temperature is 100 oF.

So I was in bed for the most part of yesterday, therefore was not able to respond to all of you yesterday.

The Tx might begin in a week, as the pharmacy has to order the meds (as i said earlier, where i live, there is no concept of health insurance).

I will also follow the links you suggested and get some info.
Thank you all once again, and will keep you all posted
-Sunag

[cghamm]

If your cirrhosis progresses to Grade B, you will be eligible to be considered for a transplant. With the degree of liver damage you have, it's imperative to eradicate the virus if you can. Tx may be more difficult and Sx may be greater because of the more compromised state of your liver, and cirrhosis is one of the factors that may reduce the likelihood of SVR...BUT...
Not treating at this degree of liver damage will almost certainly lead to advanced cirrhosis and liver failure. I'm in the same boat as you except I have additional factors that make me more difficult to treat: Geno 1a, high body weight, diabetes and portal hypertension. I'll be on Peg-Intron 150ug/wk and 1400mg/day of ribavirin. My drugs arrived today and I'll do shot 1 next Friday night. I feel I have no other choice but to treat. All this is JMHO, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Best wishes to you in your decision-making, and let us know what you decide to do. I'm rooting for you...
Craig

[Tallblonde]

I think a second opinion should ALWAYS be sought whenever you're dealing with a serious disease of any sort -- even if you like the doctor you're working with.  A seemingly caring and compassionate doctor can be incompentent, and an insensitive one could be really on the ball.  I'm currently seeing two GI's.  They're both rather creepy, but at least they're telling me the same thing.

Good luck to you.

Susan

[Tallblonde]

You make some excellent points.  

My family doctor told me that I probably contracted HCV from my cat!  I used to give her daily injections of insulin for her diabetes prior to her death four years ago and I did ***** myself a couple of times.  But come on!  Shouldn't most doctors, regardless of their speciality, know that cats don't have or spread HCV!

Susan

[Amerabrit]

You've just received the best advice right here:  get a second opinion as soon as you can.
I wish you the very best of luck:).

[Tallblonde]

I'm not surprised at all by your experience.  In fact, I'm quite sure that most of us here know more about HCV than the average GP.  I realize that they can't be experts on every disease, but I do expect them to be knowledgable enough to know that it isn't carried or spread by animals, for God's sake!  It's bad enough when they don't know....but it's far worse when they pass on opinions that are completely off-base and flat-out wrong.

Susan

[cindee]

Hey and welcome, If it were me I would definately GET a 2ND oppion. Doctors don't KNOW how YOU are feeling. You know your body best...and for him to tell you to go back to work and to school....sounds like he's a real JERK! I was told by my 1st nurse on my 1st round of tx...after having finished 48 wks of combo...that the way I was feeling couldn't be related to Hep C or tx. I finally talked my doc into a 4 months post tx blood test...he always wanted to wait 6 months and I felt like ****. When my test results came back...I had relapsed. I now have a "new' hepatologist and he's wonderful. He's already done blood work, and has me scheduled for a bx. on this coming Tues. I was an Early Viral Responder and responded the whole tx which I did 100% of, except w/ missing 2 riba capsules which I found in a housecoat pocket. My new doctor is putting me on a clinical trial in 4 to 6 months. The way my body did....fine w/ exceptions of rough sx....and then relapsing...has all doctors baffled. This is a trial they are studying the hardest right now, I was told. So get a new doctor. I wish I had when my friend tried to talk me into going to her doctor. She is clear so far and now I am going to the doctor she wanted me too. He even does liver transplants. I feel like my 1st doc didn't know much about Hep C...he is a G.I. and I think he USED ME to try to learn about Hep C. I was told in his parking lot by his recept. that I had relapsed!!!! What a way to find out!!!! I wish you the best....much love @ many prayers, Cindee

[jello123]

Hey thanks.  I will definately get a second opinion.  I guess I was just questioning myself cause everyone here keeps telling me that he is the "best hep b guy" around.  I still feel like something's not right though.  Thanks again.

[Sunag]

Hi All:

This morning I had seen another hepatologist for 2nd opinion, taking with me all the lab reports.

I am Hep C positive, 3b genotype, viral load 30,000 copies/mL
Diagnosed with Cirrhosis-Grade A.

He said that I might not respond well to Interferon/Riba due to the additional condition of having Cirrhosis.

Any thoughts on the doctors comments?  

-Sunag

[DonL]

Definately get a second opinion. As many here will tell you, having a medical degree doesn't confer sensitivity, caring, and all the other attributes your dr seems to be lacking. Even if the second dr confirms the first, you'll see a different professional at work.