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Pancreas has bacteria surrounding it--PLEASE HELP!
My situation is such that my liver enzymes are okay one day and they fluctuate slightly up then down near every test as normal.Over past 4 years have lost 43 pounds ( the first 20 some pounds just dropped off very rapidly , the remainder dropped slowly ) and I now have a scary skeletal appearance.I am 5"4'' small framed, no muscle mass and weigh 105 lbs now.. I have a malabosrption, maldigestion problem.Cannot get any weight back.
The specialist cannot for the life of him ( God rest his idosy sole) figure out whats wrong with me."? He kept asking me! I have been checked for cancer, thyroid problems etc, etc, The tests all come out okay..The specialist knows that I have had been diagnosed with Hep-c since 1995 although, it hasnt been active. WHAT REALLY ARE THE SIGNS OF ACTIVE HEP-C?
he did a colononoscopy fairly recent and he saw some bacteria around the pancreas.!!
He "immediately " concluded that without any further testing , not even doing any liver biopsy or anything. jumped up and suggested that I go on interferon! I have heard that there are very nasty affects from interferon and that a person should be thoroughly checked out first to see if their bodies can handle the treatment ( via blood work etc, etc as apparently it isnt for everyone? Anyone know what tests they are supposed to be doing prior to putting a person on interferon? Please help!.
The specialist more or less " hung me out to dry" and has no interest in my condition as I wanted some answers about the pancreas and the interferon and I guess that he feels that he is God and making all the decisions and too bad as it seeems AND THAT I DONT DESERVE ANY ANSWERS!.I have asked HIM for a second opinion as feel that this lunatic isnt going about this properly. he has adamantly referred me to another gastroenterologist, primarily a liver specialist ..This apointment isnt until April 2009!
What shall I do?
Anyone out there with any knowledge please please help!
I presently am not getting any better. except I am a bit stronger thanks to the high potency vitamins and minerals.(I am on health store high potency vitamins, minerals ( recommended by a naturopath and reishi mushrooms bought from a chinese herbalist). ( I was very weak and the specialist wasnt at all concerned about my weakness and fight to live he was just put off as I had resorted to alternative medicine advice for help!.
.He wasnt at all happy with that ( me seeking other help).. ( vitamins, minerals etc)
I have resorted to alternative medicine as I really am confused about this quack specialist.. HELP!!
The specialist cannot for the life of him ( God rest his idosy sole) figure out whats wrong with me."? He kept asking me! I have been checked for cancer, thyroid problems etc, etc, The tests all come out okay..The specialist knows that I have had been diagnosed with Hep-c since 1995 although, it hasnt been active. WHAT REALLY ARE THE SIGNS OF ACTIVE HEP-C?
he did a colononoscopy fairly recent and he saw some bacteria around the pancreas.!!
He "immediately " concluded that without any further testing , not even doing any liver biopsy or anything. jumped up and suggested that I go on interferon! I have heard that there are very nasty affects from interferon and that a person should be thoroughly checked out first to see if their bodies can handle the treatment ( via blood work etc, etc as apparently it isnt for everyone? Anyone know what tests they are supposed to be doing prior to putting a person on interferon? Please help!.
The specialist more or less " hung me out to dry" and has no interest in my condition as I wanted some answers about the pancreas and the interferon and I guess that he feels that he is God and making all the decisions and too bad as it seeems AND THAT I DONT DESERVE ANY ANSWERS!.I have asked HIM for a second opinion as feel that this lunatic isnt going about this properly. he has adamantly referred me to another gastroenterologist, primarily a liver specialist ..This apointment isnt until April 2009!
What shall I do?
Anyone out there with any knowledge please please help!
I presently am not getting any better. except I am a bit stronger thanks to the high potency vitamins and minerals.(I am on health store high potency vitamins, minerals ( recommended by a naturopath and reishi mushrooms bought from a chinese herbalist). ( I was very weak and the specialist wasnt at all concerned about my weakness and fight to live he was just put off as I had resorted to alternative medicine advice for help!.
.He wasnt at all happy with that ( me seeking other help).. ( vitamins, minerals etc)
I have resorted to alternative medicine as I really am confused about this quack specialist.. HELP!!
"lol! you are sure uh?"
100%. The pancreas is close to your stomach....then you have your small intestine....then your large intestine. A colonoscopy looks inside your large intestine only.
Ask for a copy of the colonoscopy report so you can see what it says. And I would say see another doctor that can figure out exactly what's wrong with you before you start Hep C treatment. Because interferon (one of the medications used for Hep C treatment) can make anything worse.
100%. The pancreas is close to your stomach....then you have your small intestine....then your large intestine. A colonoscopy looks inside your large intestine only.
Ask for a copy of the colonoscopy report so you can see what it says. And I would say see another doctor that can figure out exactly what's wrong with you before you start Hep C treatment. Because interferon (one of the medications used for Hep C treatment) can make anything worse.
Your Hep C doesn't lay inactive and then suddenly get active. It's either active all the time or it's not.
When someone first gets diagnosed for Hep C, they get diagnosed as positive for antibodies usually. That doesn't mean they have active Hep C. It means they had it at one time and it's either cleared on it's own or it continues as active. No inbetween. It doesn't go inactive if it's active Hep C. It's simply one or the other. You cleared it... or it's active.
To find out, you need to get a PCR test to see if you have any presence of active Hep C virus - to see if you have any viral load. If you do, you have active Hep C.
If you do have active Hep C as indicated by having a viral load, they'll also tell you what genotype you are .. as in what family of virus your Hep C falls under. That becomes important when you decide to do treatment IF you have active Hep C virus.
If you have active Hep C virus, then I would strongly suggest you get a biopsy done as that will determine any amount of liver damage you may have.
As far as your doctor situation, he's referred you to a gastroenterologist but that doesn't mean that this gastroenterologist has much experience or knowledge with treating Hepatitis C and if not, you're not much further ahead. You want to see a hepatologist, a gastroenterologist who specializes in treatment of Hepatitis. You find them in a teaching hospital, etc. and hopefully this GI he's referred you to is also experienced in treating Hep C.
Your first step is to request a PCR. See if you can get this current doctor, the seeming whackjob, to request a PCR test for you to determine if you have active Hep C or not. If he won't do it, see if you can get a family doctor or another doctor to do it. That's the first step.
If you have active Hep C .. then the search for a good hepatologist who's experienced with treating Hep C begins.
Good luck.
Trish
When someone first gets diagnosed for Hep C, they get diagnosed as positive for antibodies usually. That doesn't mean they have active Hep C. It means they had it at one time and it's either cleared on it's own or it continues as active. No inbetween. It doesn't go inactive if it's active Hep C. It's simply one or the other. You cleared it... or it's active.
To find out, you need to get a PCR test to see if you have any presence of active Hep C virus - to see if you have any viral load. If you do, you have active Hep C.
If you do have active Hep C as indicated by having a viral load, they'll also tell you what genotype you are .. as in what family of virus your Hep C falls under. That becomes important when you decide to do treatment IF you have active Hep C virus.
If you have active Hep C virus, then I would strongly suggest you get a biopsy done as that will determine any amount of liver damage you may have.
As far as your doctor situation, he's referred you to a gastroenterologist but that doesn't mean that this gastroenterologist has much experience or knowledge with treating Hepatitis C and if not, you're not much further ahead. You want to see a hepatologist, a gastroenterologist who specializes in treatment of Hepatitis. You find them in a teaching hospital, etc. and hopefully this GI he's referred you to is also experienced in treating Hep C.
Your first step is to request a PCR. See if you can get this current doctor, the seeming whackjob, to request a PCR test for you to determine if you have active Hep C or not. If he won't do it, see if you can get a family doctor or another doctor to do it. That's the first step.
If you have active Hep C .. then the search for a good hepatologist who's experienced with treating Hep C begins.
Good luck.
Trish
Well I'm glad to hear that you don't have a problem going thru tx. Now, like I said it's possible that your HepC is inactive, but with the weight loss and the liver enzymes possibly contributing to your maldigestion problems. That's a question that needs to be answered. Are you sure that the specialist was referring to your colonoscopy when he said that he noticed bacteria around your pancreas, and that he wasn't referring to another test that was done? If you're certain, then I don't know what you're gonna do about his incompetence.
"The specialist knows that I have had been diagnosed with Hep-c since 1995 although, it hasnt been active". WHAT REALLY ARE THE SIGNS OF ACTIVE HEP-C?
You stated that it's inactive and then you ask what the symptoms of what active HepC are. The symptoms you are having could be related to chronic= active HepC. The symptoms are not always the same for everyone, but the majority of symptoms include fatigue Flu-like illness, Indigestion - gastrointestinal reflux disorder, Irritable Bowel syndrome, Muscle and joint pain. They are just different for everyone, I’ll leave you a link. Also, tx=treatment. Go to the lower right hand corner of this page and you will see common acronyms. God Bless
http://www.janis7hepc.com/Symptoms.htm#common%20sysmptoms
Numbness in extremities
Mental confusion / 'brain fog
Itchy skin
Dizziness & peripheral vision problems
Liver pain
Cognitive dysfunction
Shortness of Breath
Loss of appetite
Visual Changes
Chest Pains
Chills Fever
Facial Puffiness
Female Problems (irregular menses, severe PMS)
Palpitations
Yellowing of the Skin Jaundice
Loss of Libido
Spider Nevi
Swelling of the lymph nodes
"The specialist knows that I have had been diagnosed with Hep-c since 1995 although, it hasnt been active". WHAT REALLY ARE THE SIGNS OF ACTIVE HEP-C?
You stated that it's inactive and then you ask what the symptoms of what active HepC are. The symptoms you are having could be related to chronic= active HepC. The symptoms are not always the same for everyone, but the majority of symptoms include fatigue Flu-like illness, Indigestion - gastrointestinal reflux disorder, Irritable Bowel syndrome, Muscle and joint pain. They are just different for everyone, I’ll leave you a link. Also, tx=treatment. Go to the lower right hand corner of this page and you will see common acronyms. God Bless
http://www.janis7hepc.com/Symptoms.htm#common%20sysmptoms
Numbness in extremities
Mental confusion / 'brain fog
Itchy skin
Dizziness & peripheral vision problems
Liver pain
Cognitive dysfunction
Shortness of Breath
Loss of appetite
Visual Changes
Chest Pains
Chills Fever
Facial Puffiness
Female Problems (irregular menses, severe PMS)
Palpitations
Yellowing of the Skin Jaundice
Loss of Libido
Spider Nevi
Swelling of the lymph nodes
No taking " vitamins and minerals: to CURE the disease! I am weak thats my savour Thank God for naturopaths!
I rest my case on comments here
I rest my case on comments here
Not at all scared of treatment.. Just want to make sure that this quacko ( not fully shuffling a deck) knows what he is doing> DUHH!!!
Would you go on interferon if you had the flu?
There you go,, NO proof that it is needed thus far
AMEN!!
Interferon no joke!
Would you go on interferon if you had the flu?
There you go,, NO proof that it is needed thus far
AMEN!!
Interferon no joke!
Hmmm. So there is no way they can see my pancreas on a colonoscopy? hmmmm How very Interesting?
I feel that he is "utmost incompetent" and he now doubt wishes the hell I Would die that's the reality..I am going to have to file complaint to College of Physicians as he told me previous that I had cancer and my life ( hmmm awful+)is in shambles! he has scared the h.. out of me! Only to conclude that I not have it!
BTW I will ask him about the pancreas !
lol! you are sure uh?
I feel that he is "utmost incompetent" and he now doubt wishes the hell I Would die that's the reality..I am going to have to file complaint to College of Physicians as he told me previous that I had cancer and my life ( hmmm awful+)is in shambles! he has scared the h.. out of me! Only to conclude that I not have it!
BTW I will ask him about the pancreas !
lol! you are sure uh?
"yeah that should have been the first clue to get a new doctor...that's like looking in your ear canal and saying you see the brains....pretty funny cowriter!!. "
I wonder what a doctor would say if you looked at him straight in the eye after he told you he saw bacteria around the pancreas and told him, "I want to know how you did that since the pancreas can't be visualized during a colonoscopy".
LOL....I would pay to hear the answer....LOL
Co
I wonder what a doctor would say if you looked at him straight in the eye after he told you he saw bacteria around the pancreas and told him, "I want to know how you did that since the pancreas can't be visualized during a colonoscopy".
LOL....I would pay to hear the answer....LOL
Co
"The specialist knows that I have had been diagnosed with Hep-c since 1995 although, it hasnt been active. WHAT REALLY ARE THE SIGNS OF ACTIVE HEP-C"?
I'm glad you're getting a 2nd opinion, however you were diagnosed since 1995 and are still considered in-active? Question that as well, in fact I would question that statement first. If you're having problems with liver enzyme fluctuations and losing all that weight, it could very well be time to tx, as those could be symptoms of active HepC. I also notice by your question that you seem totally against treatment. Not everyone has nasty sx's. good luck and God Bless
I'm glad you're getting a 2nd opinion, however you were diagnosed since 1995 and are still considered in-active? Question that as well, in fact I would question that statement first. If you're having problems with liver enzyme fluctuations and losing all that weight, it could very well be time to tx, as those could be symptoms of active HepC. I also notice by your question that you seem totally against treatment. Not everyone has nasty sx's. good luck and God Bless
So glad to hear you asked for a 2nd opion. There is noway from a colonscopy he could so your pancreatitis sounds like a quak to me. You may also check with your state health dept about testing for hep c and geno typing. They may also be able to give suggestions on getting tx. There are alot of horror stories about tx but there are some real positive ones also. Each person is an indivual and as always each person is different. I would also get copies of all your exams and tests before your appt so you have them for your new dr.I do know that thyroid and blood counts are momitoreed carefully as tx can cause anemia. No biggy unless it is hard for you to have blood drawn. You may also want to call the new doctor and talk with the nurse to see if they would like blood drawn before seen? Sometimes they do that to help decrease time. You might also ask if the appt person if she has a stand by list. Most offices do. They can put you on a list then when they have a cancellation they will call people on that list to fill it. The other option if find out which doctors are on your insurance. You may call the different specialists and see if they schedule any sooner. You may also call your insurance administrator and let her knoe what is going on. She.He may also be able to get you seen sooner. Please forgive my typing and spelling erros. I have alot of brain fog from my treatment. God bless take care
yeah that should have been the first clue to get a new doctor...that's like looking in your ear canal and saying you see the brains....pretty funny cowriter!!.
If you have HCV you should consider tx soon. Especially if you have weight loss and pain, you may have advanced HCV which without medical treatment always leads to end syage liver disease.
There are no alternative treatment that cure this disease. Some item may slow fibrosis, or make you feel better, but non with cure save the current Interferon/pegasus standard medical treatment.
depending on your health and genotype this treatment ranges from 50% to 90% success rate,
Liver specialist are very busy and 6 month waits are not uncommon, ask if you can see one of his colleugues of his NP sooner, and you could at least get the biopsy and the genotyping done in advance of seeing him. Then when you do see him he will decide on tx....and if you stats are alarming they may fit you in sooner for a consult to begin tx.
meanwhile read up on tx and know what to expect, it's scary but lots of folks do get well, and they get to keep their liver and health. So read up. Treatment will sound like an ordeal....but mushrooms and milk thistle will never cure you, just suck up all your spare cash, This is a hard virus to kill....it's the first virus that has ever been killed with drugs,
so we are just at the start of this new frontier. Good luck to you
mb
If you have HCV you should consider tx soon. Especially if you have weight loss and pain, you may have advanced HCV which without medical treatment always leads to end syage liver disease.
There are no alternative treatment that cure this disease. Some item may slow fibrosis, or make you feel better, but non with cure save the current Interferon/pegasus standard medical treatment.
depending on your health and genotype this treatment ranges from 50% to 90% success rate,
Liver specialist are very busy and 6 month waits are not uncommon, ask if you can see one of his colleugues of his NP sooner, and you could at least get the biopsy and the genotyping done in advance of seeing him. Then when you do see him he will decide on tx....and if you stats are alarming they may fit you in sooner for a consult to begin tx.
meanwhile read up on tx and know what to expect, it's scary but lots of folks do get well, and they get to keep their liver and health. So read up. Treatment will sound like an ordeal....but mushrooms and milk thistle will never cure you, just suck up all your spare cash, This is a hard virus to kill....it's the first virus that has ever been killed with drugs,
so we are just at the start of this new frontier. Good luck to you
mb
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