Aa
What should I do?
Hey Steve, Zelly, and Cajim. Hope you're all doing well.
I can't believe I mixed up the dates for my first appointment to see a hepatologist!!! Now, I have to wait another 2 months!
As a reminder, I am e ag neg, e ab pos, but high viral load, ~45,000 copies/ml. My AST and ALT are normal. I haven't had a ultrasound or biopsy yet as I needed to speak to a hepatologist to see what is the next step.
They said nothing is available until another 2 months, so that would make it 3 1/2 months since the lab results showed high viral load.
Can I afford to wait any longer before being seen? Yes, it's my fault for getting the dates mixed up but I shouldn't be punish for a mistake like that. I called them and they said there's nothing they can do.
Should I go ahead and recheck viral load, ast, alt again at 3 months before seeing the hepatologist?
Can viral load of 45,000 escalate to something more serious at just a few months? Advice on how to deal with the healthcare system, my condition? Thanks!!!
I can't believe I mixed up the dates for my first appointment to see a hepatologist!!! Now, I have to wait another 2 months!
As a reminder, I am e ag neg, e ab pos, but high viral load, ~45,000 copies/ml. My AST and ALT are normal. I haven't had a ultrasound or biopsy yet as I needed to speak to a hepatologist to see what is the next step.
They said nothing is available until another 2 months, so that would make it 3 1/2 months since the lab results showed high viral load.
Can I afford to wait any longer before being seen? Yes, it's my fault for getting the dates mixed up but I shouldn't be punish for a mistake like that. I called them and they said there's nothing they can do.
Should I go ahead and recheck viral load, ast, alt again at 3 months before seeing the hepatologist?
Can viral load of 45,000 escalate to something more serious at just a few months? Advice on how to deal with the healthcare system, my condition? Thanks!!!
Think maybe they're also referring for various services, or any and every test to milk my insurance. It's pretty good. And I don't really feel comfortable in a hospital environment. Taking the last of that damn Prednisone tomorrow -- final weaning, immunosuppressant preventing me from clearing, so I was told by another doctor. Have a good night;-) God Bless for all your supportive thoughts and advice.
MRI presents no radiation risk but it is more expensive than CT so CT is usually what is ordered.
Hi, zellyf:
Sound advice. What do you think about an MRI? Is that hazardous for radiation too? Thanks.
Sound advice. What do you think about an MRI? Is that hazardous for radiation too? Thanks.
No, no CT. Don't expose yourself to radiation unnecessarily. Get a yearly ultrasound and if the results are normal then feel good about that.
I find the biopsy issue more perplexing. That is done on a case by case basis. I don't think you necessarily need one.
I find the biopsy issue more perplexing. That is done on a case by case basis. I don't think you necessarily need one.
Check out this video, confuseguy:
It may allay some of your fears. Knowledge is power and if you don't yet need a biopsy why sweat it?
http://www.wfrv.com/search/sitesearch.aspx?q=fibroscan
click on the either of the two links.
Regards,
It may allay some of your fears. Knowledge is power and if you don't yet need a biopsy why sweat it?
http://www.wfrv.com/search/sitesearch.aspx?q=fibroscan
click on the either of the two links.
Regards,
Ultrasound results came back and is normal.
My PCP said a CT is not recommended at this time.
Should I ask for one anyways and a biopsy to have a piece of mind? I read that ultrasound can miss anything significant.
My PCP said a CT is not recommended at this time.
Should I ask for one anyways and a biopsy to have a piece of mind? I read that ultrasound can miss anything significant.
You will only need a CT if the u/s shows some irregularity. Like mine showed a lesion that was determined to be a hemangioma after 2 MRIs (I can't do CT).
A biopsy is largely up to you and your doctor. Some people like to have a baseline biopsy done and some don't feel its necessary for every patient. I would say that most of us here have not had a biopsy.
A biopsy is largely up to you and your doctor. Some people like to have a baseline biopsy done and some don't feel its necessary for every patient. I would say that most of us here have not had a biopsy.
No, not necessarily. Just wait for the results of the ultrasound and conference with your gastro doctor. Don't panic. You will be taken care of. A biopsy would only if there is something unusual. So think positive thoughts. Remember "fear is the mind killer." - Dune.
Regards,
Regards,
Thanks.
I had an ultrasound done. What is the next step? CT? Biopsy? If the ultrasound is normal, should I still get a CT or biopsy anyways?
I had an ultrasound done. What is the next step? CT? Biopsy? If the ultrasound is normal, should I still get a CT or biopsy anyways?
Hi, Confuseguy:
I am scheduled for an ultrasound on Monday, after having seen a gastro dr. yesterday. He says it is to ultrasound the liver and mostly for the baseline ultrasound if needed 3 months down the road. He told me to relax and not to worry, but to be patient for the next round of results. This is the best advice for a young person like yourself. However, it is always best to be proactive with your own body and healthcare. My best wishes for your recovery and treatment if needed.
I am scheduled for an ultrasound on Monday, after having seen a gastro dr. yesterday. He says it is to ultrasound the liver and mostly for the baseline ultrasound if needed 3 months down the road. He told me to relax and not to worry, but to be patient for the next round of results. This is the best advice for a young person like yourself. However, it is always best to be proactive with your own body and healthcare. My best wishes for your recovery and treatment if needed.
I think Ultrasound usually checks for physical change. Most of the time, Ultrasound result will be ok even when other readings are not.
Best.
Best.
I will be doing an ultrasound soon.
1) What does an ultrasound test for?
2) So far, I have all my blood work done, including liver panel, now an ultrasound. What about a biopsy? Is there anything else I should do before I see a specialist?
3) Is it true that an ultrasound precede a biopsy? If an ultrasound show something , then a biopsy is performed thereafter. True?
4) I often feel very tire lately. My stomach seem to bloat a lot, although I do eat a lot too so maybe that's a reason. Is it normal for us to feel tire b/c of the disease, even if it's not acting up dangerously?
5) I'm young but I always get fearful and think that there's something wrong with me, that I may get liver cancer. Do you guys feel like this? How do you combat these negative feelings? I hate to do tests because I always get nervous and think of the worst scenario. When I did my liver panel to check for AST, ALT, I was very nervous but the results came back ok. Now, an ultrasound result. How do you go through this without breaking down mentally?Thanks!
1) What does an ultrasound test for?
2) So far, I have all my blood work done, including liver panel, now an ultrasound. What about a biopsy? Is there anything else I should do before I see a specialist?
3) Is it true that an ultrasound precede a biopsy? If an ultrasound show something , then a biopsy is performed thereafter. True?
4) I often feel very tire lately. My stomach seem to bloat a lot, although I do eat a lot too so maybe that's a reason. Is it normal for us to feel tire b/c of the disease, even if it's not acting up dangerously?
5) I'm young but I always get fearful and think that there's something wrong with me, that I may get liver cancer. Do you guys feel like this? How do you combat these negative feelings? I hate to do tests because I always get nervous and think of the worst scenario. When I did my liver panel to check for AST, ALT, I was very nervous but the results came back ok. Now, an ultrasound result. How do you go through this without breaking down mentally?Thanks!
I will try to press my primary to order an ultrasound. I couldn't get them to get me an earlier appointment. Thanks guys.
The ultrasound would just rule out any lesions.
You're very unlikely to sustain any serious liver damage in 2 months with that viral load.
Its just an abdominal ultrasound. Fairly standard.
You're very unlikely to sustain any serious liver damage in 2 months with that viral load.
Its just an abdominal ultrasound. Fairly standard.
If possible, I would try to nag the health system into an earlier appointment.
Although your VL is not considered high, a hepatologist's consult would be more able to direct your course of treating your liver.
Some paper in the literature stated that ultrasound is limited in its diagnosing ability, to 65% only.
Best.
Although your VL is not considered high, a hepatologist's consult would be more able to direct your course of treating your liver.
Some paper in the literature stated that ultrasound is limited in its diagnosing ability, to 65% only.
Best.
You're fine, Hep B's progression is typically slow and there wouldn't be big changes in 2 months. Can you see your primary physician and have him order an ultrasound? They can do that. That way you'd have that already done by the time of the hepatologist appointment and it would be helpful for him to have.
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