Aa
many symptoms... bloodwork normal... am i crazy?
i was diagnosed with hep c genotype 1b back in 07... off and on i have had symptoms. i recently got clean 3 years ago and i have not drank or drugged... dr said i wasnt a candidate for treatment when i found out.. lately i have been having pains in my legs bad, throwing up blood, nausea, and jaundice off and on with pain... i go to the dr and they run blood test and they say all my levels look good... i know that this is not normal... i just feel like its being dismissed because i do not have insurance... what do i do? this is unbearable... please help!
thank you for th info. i am going to look into all of the suggestions made. today is a pretty good day and i am feeling some better.
Welcome to the forum.
It sounds like whoever is treating you does not know much about about Hep C or general medical care. As others have stated, you need to get under the care of a competent Hepatologist ASAP.
You are about 50 miles from Durham. Duke University Medical Center is probably where you could get the best care. They may have free medical services for those who qualify. I do know they have sliding scale fees according to income (I have a friend who gets her medical care at Duke). If I were you I would call Duke University Medical Center and talk with their financial services dept, and/or their social services dept. There is contact information below under the financial assistance part that I copied and pasted. They will be able to help you get insurance and they should also be able to arrange for financial assistance for your care. Then make an appointment with a Hepatologist and get in to see one ASAP.
Duke University Health System Consultation and Referral Center: 888-ASK-DUKE (888-275-3853)
Here is info on their financial assistance. There is a chart which shows the discounts (some are 100% ..... free) but I cannot copy and paste that so go directly to the following web page and you can see for yourself. Plus, you can download the financial hardship form. It also sounds like you can make the appt. and then apply for the assistance:
http://www.dukehealth.org/patients_and_visitors/what_duke_will_do
Financial Assistance:
"Duke’s commitment is to provide care to all patients with a high level of dignity, respect, and skill.
What Duke Will Do for You
Duke’s commitment is to provide care to all patients with a high level of dignity, respect, and skill.
Can’t Pay a Bill? We Can Help
Please tell us if you cannot pay your bill in full and let us help you. Our patient account representatives and financial care counselors can assist you with filling out applications for government-sponsored programs and describing monthly payment plans and other financial assistance programs available for those patients who meet certain financial criteria.
Charity Care Eligibility
Patients who do not have insurance and receive treatment at a Duke University Health System (DUHS) facility may receive discounted services under DUHS' charity care policy.
Medical treatment that is urgent or provided on an emergency basis, is eligible for a charity care discount under the DUHS charity care policy.
Examples of this type of treatment include:
Treatment provided in a DUHS Emergency Department
Treatment provided in an inpatient setting following an urgent admission to a DUHS hospital
Follow-up treatment to services provided through the Emergency Department once a follow-up visit and evaluation has occurred with a Duke physician
Health care services necessary to prevent a serious health impact as determined by a Duke physician also may be eligible for a charity care discount.
Cosmetic, transplant, experimental, and elective services are not eligible for a charity care discount.
Patients may receive up to a 100 percent discount on eligible services. Discount amounts are based upon a patient’s adjusted gross income compared to percentages of the current Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Patients who have large medical bills after insurance pays may also be eligible for charity care discounts. These medical hardship situations impact a patient’s ability to pay for basic living expenses and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Applying for Charity Care
For care provided through the Emergency Department and for many uninsured patients receiving eligible services, no formal application is required. During the visit, financial counselors will meet with patients to determine whether there are any outside forms of financial assistance, such as Medicaid, Crime Victim, or the Cancer Control Program available to pay for services.
If outside financial assistance is not available, a charity care discount will be provided automatically based upon the patient’s reported income level.
For other eligible inpatient and outpatient services, DUHS financial counselors will assist patients in applying for outside forms of financial assistance or charity care during the patient’s stay or visit.
To qualify for a charity care discount, a patient must provide the necessary information and documentation to determine whether any form of outside financial assistance is available. Patients may be denied charity care if they or their family fails to cooperate with this process.
If you believe that you qualify for charity care or other forms of outside financial assistance but have not spoken with a financial counselor or received a discount, please contact customer service at 919-620-4555 or 800-782-6945.
Download the forms:
Financial Hardship Form -- English (PDF, 80 KB)
Financial Hardship Form -- Spanish (PDF, 84 KB)
Uninsured Patient Discounts
A 50 percent uninsured patient discount is available to all domestic uninsured patients. This discount applies to all services except cosmetic services. No application is required. This discount is automatically applied to the total statement balance."
Do not delay in seeking treatment. Your situation and medical condition sounds serious.
Best of luck.
It sounds like whoever is treating you does not know much about about Hep C or general medical care. As others have stated, you need to get under the care of a competent Hepatologist ASAP.
You are about 50 miles from Durham. Duke University Medical Center is probably where you could get the best care. They may have free medical services for those who qualify. I do know they have sliding scale fees according to income (I have a friend who gets her medical care at Duke). If I were you I would call Duke University Medical Center and talk with their financial services dept, and/or their social services dept. There is contact information below under the financial assistance part that I copied and pasted. They will be able to help you get insurance and they should also be able to arrange for financial assistance for your care. Then make an appointment with a Hepatologist and get in to see one ASAP.
Duke University Health System Consultation and Referral Center: 888-ASK-DUKE (888-275-3853)
Here is info on their financial assistance. There is a chart which shows the discounts (some are 100% ..... free) but I cannot copy and paste that so go directly to the following web page and you can see for yourself. Plus, you can download the financial hardship form. It also sounds like you can make the appt. and then apply for the assistance:
http://www.dukehealth.org/patients_and_visitors/what_duke_will_do
Financial Assistance:
"Duke’s commitment is to provide care to all patients with a high level of dignity, respect, and skill.
What Duke Will Do for You
Duke’s commitment is to provide care to all patients with a high level of dignity, respect, and skill.
Can’t Pay a Bill? We Can Help
Please tell us if you cannot pay your bill in full and let us help you. Our patient account representatives and financial care counselors can assist you with filling out applications for government-sponsored programs and describing monthly payment plans and other financial assistance programs available for those patients who meet certain financial criteria.
Charity Care Eligibility
Patients who do not have insurance and receive treatment at a Duke University Health System (DUHS) facility may receive discounted services under DUHS' charity care policy.
Medical treatment that is urgent or provided on an emergency basis, is eligible for a charity care discount under the DUHS charity care policy.
Examples of this type of treatment include:
Treatment provided in a DUHS Emergency Department
Treatment provided in an inpatient setting following an urgent admission to a DUHS hospital
Follow-up treatment to services provided through the Emergency Department once a follow-up visit and evaluation has occurred with a Duke physician
Health care services necessary to prevent a serious health impact as determined by a Duke physician also may be eligible for a charity care discount.
Cosmetic, transplant, experimental, and elective services are not eligible for a charity care discount.
Patients may receive up to a 100 percent discount on eligible services. Discount amounts are based upon a patient’s adjusted gross income compared to percentages of the current Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Patients who have large medical bills after insurance pays may also be eligible for charity care discounts. These medical hardship situations impact a patient’s ability to pay for basic living expenses and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Applying for Charity Care
For care provided through the Emergency Department and for many uninsured patients receiving eligible services, no formal application is required. During the visit, financial counselors will meet with patients to determine whether there are any outside forms of financial assistance, such as Medicaid, Crime Victim, or the Cancer Control Program available to pay for services.
If outside financial assistance is not available, a charity care discount will be provided automatically based upon the patient’s reported income level.
For other eligible inpatient and outpatient services, DUHS financial counselors will assist patients in applying for outside forms of financial assistance or charity care during the patient’s stay or visit.
To qualify for a charity care discount, a patient must provide the necessary information and documentation to determine whether any form of outside financial assistance is available. Patients may be denied charity care if they or their family fails to cooperate with this process.
If you believe that you qualify for charity care or other forms of outside financial assistance but have not spoken with a financial counselor or received a discount, please contact customer service at 919-620-4555 or 800-782-6945.
Download the forms:
Financial Hardship Form -- English (PDF, 80 KB)
Financial Hardship Form -- Spanish (PDF, 84 KB)
Uninsured Patient Discounts
A 50 percent uninsured patient discount is available to all domestic uninsured patients. This discount applies to all services except cosmetic services. No application is required. This discount is automatically applied to the total statement balance."
Do not delay in seeking treatment. Your situation and medical condition sounds serious.
Best of luck.
Do you qualify for Medicaid?
I agree you need to see the right doctor and find out what stage your fibrosis is (how far the disease has progressed). I would be worried too but you had to quit using first and as someone who is in recovery myself that was the most important thing you could do. Now you are ready to devote time to learning about living and treating Hepatitis C.
People in the ER and family doctors do not have the training or experience to interpret what is happening to you as it possibly relates to HCV. In fact (unfortunately) there are even lots of Gastros out there who do not have much experience with HCV. The point is there are times you might wonder if you are crazy or feel like a hypochondriac since unqualified people are using the wrong tools to evaluate your symptoms. This is why it helps to see a decent doctor and learn about the virus.
Without bombarding you with information sometimes Hepatitis C is asymptomatic and people walk around for years and years thinking they are OK while the disease is progressing. On the other hand some people have weird or unexplainable ailments they might discount since there is no apparent clinical reason they have them. Some of these are called extrahepatic manifestations.
Extrahepatic manifestation means diseases or conditions that affect organs other than the liver. Extra hepatic manifestations of hepatitis C can be found in the skin, eyes, joints, immune system, nervous system and kidneys.
That is a cut and paste from a website called HCVAdvocate. This is in part why it is unlikely an ER doctor or even a family doctor will be able to evaluate your overall health. This is also why it would be better to see a Gastroenterologist or Hepatologist.
Ceanothus gave some good areas to look for support. There might be a HCV support group in your area.
Hang in there :)
I agree you need to see the right doctor and find out what stage your fibrosis is (how far the disease has progressed). I would be worried too but you had to quit using first and as someone who is in recovery myself that was the most important thing you could do. Now you are ready to devote time to learning about living and treating Hepatitis C.
People in the ER and family doctors do not have the training or experience to interpret what is happening to you as it possibly relates to HCV. In fact (unfortunately) there are even lots of Gastros out there who do not have much experience with HCV. The point is there are times you might wonder if you are crazy or feel like a hypochondriac since unqualified people are using the wrong tools to evaluate your symptoms. This is why it helps to see a decent doctor and learn about the virus.
Without bombarding you with information sometimes Hepatitis C is asymptomatic and people walk around for years and years thinking they are OK while the disease is progressing. On the other hand some people have weird or unexplainable ailments they might discount since there is no apparent clinical reason they have them. Some of these are called extrahepatic manifestations.
Extrahepatic manifestation means diseases or conditions that affect organs other than the liver. Extra hepatic manifestations of hepatitis C can be found in the skin, eyes, joints, immune system, nervous system and kidneys.
That is a cut and paste from a website called HCVAdvocate. This is in part why it is unlikely an ER doctor or even a family doctor will be able to evaluate your overall health. This is also why it would be better to see a Gastroenterologist or Hepatologist.
Ceanothus gave some good areas to look for support. There might be a HCV support group in your area.
Hang in there :)
thank you... i am trying to stay positive.. but it is getting harder and harder.monday i will go and look into the insurance and my family knows but are not really supportive. i do have friends that know i am sick but i am not sure about that. i will look into finding someone.. cause right now i feel all alone. the bf broke up with me and doubted me becasue the dr in the er said all my bloodwork was normal... im just frustrated i guess... i just want answers thats it...
Welcome to the forum! I'm so glad Hector answered you right away - he's our top expert here on advanced liver disease. Please take his advice and find a way to get health insurance, as this could soon become a matter of life or death for you. Another thing I'd like to suggest is that you recruit a friend or family member to be an advocate for you. This is a huge help for anyone who is sick, as advocates can help you remember the questions you need to ask, they can listen to what the doctor is saying and tell you what you missed hearing when you were busy freaking out internally over what they said a moment earlier, they can be an observer who can occasionally serve to inhibit medical personnel who might otherwise blow you off. They can be a witness to how you are treated, and this can improve the way you are treated. A close friend or family member is best but if you can't enlist anyone from those groups then you'll have to get more creative. Maybe someone in your church? Maybe you'll even want to join a church or other community group in order to have a greater chance of finding a good advocate. I think it is extremely important for anyone who has a chronic illness to have an advocate, but if you are also in an uninsured or poorly insured position then it becomes absolutely critical. Good luck, and don't give up!
thank you... have a hepatoligist but i can never seem to get an appointment with her. i had to go to the er last sunday and they saw me throwing up the blood and said because bloodwork came back normal it was just my hep acting up and sent me home.. not before wanting to pump me full of pain meds.. i had also had a rash everywhere and they said they found nothing.. im kinda scared cause it seems like all of this is happening and no one cares.. i mean of course im tired alot but i am worried... thanks again for your help
You need to see a Gastroenterologist (digestive system doctor) or a hepatologist (liver specialist) ASAP. Whatever doctor you have seems to know little to nothing about liver disease. The symptoms you are having, throwing up blood, jaundice can be signs of serious even life-threatening advanced liver disease. Vomiting blood itself can be life-threatening depending on the amount of blood loss.
You need to get health insurance somehow. From Medicaid or anything else. What is available in NC I don't know. You need to find out as soon as possible. You need to assess you financial and medical status and find out what health insurance is available to you. If you have low income and a child you should be able to get Medicare.
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dma/medicaid/apply.htm
Medicaid serves low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. There are different types of coverage for people with different needs. Income and resource limits for each of these groups vary:
Aged, Blind and Disabled
Infants, Children and Families
Long-Term Care
Medicare Recipients
To be eligible for Medicaid, you must also:
Be a U.S. citizen or provide proof of eligible immigration status. Individuals only applying for emergency services are not required to provide documentation of immigration status.
Live in North Carolina, and provide proof of residency.
Have a Social Security number or have applied for one.
You are automatically eligible for Medicaid if you receive any of the following benefits:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Work First Family Assistance
State/County Special Assistance for the Aged or Disabled (Adult Care Home Assistance )
Special Assistance to the Blind
To receive Medicaid, you do not have to go through a physical or other type of exam. However, if you are applying because you are disabled, a medical exam may be required. If you are applying for Medicaid because you are pregnant, proof of pregnancy is required.
You may apply at the County Department of Social Services (DSS) in the county where you live.
You need good health care as you may have serious health issues. If you don't do something about them they will only get worse.
Good luck.
Hector
You need to get health insurance somehow. From Medicaid or anything else. What is available in NC I don't know. You need to find out as soon as possible. You need to assess you financial and medical status and find out what health insurance is available to you. If you have low income and a child you should be able to get Medicare.
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dma/medicaid/apply.htm
Medicaid serves low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. There are different types of coverage for people with different needs. Income and resource limits for each of these groups vary:
Aged, Blind and Disabled
Infants, Children and Families
Long-Term Care
Medicare Recipients
To be eligible for Medicaid, you must also:
Be a U.S. citizen or provide proof of eligible immigration status. Individuals only applying for emergency services are not required to provide documentation of immigration status.
Live in North Carolina, and provide proof of residency.
Have a Social Security number or have applied for one.
You are automatically eligible for Medicaid if you receive any of the following benefits:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Work First Family Assistance
State/County Special Assistance for the Aged or Disabled (Adult Care Home Assistance )
Special Assistance to the Blind
To receive Medicaid, you do not have to go through a physical or other type of exam. However, if you are applying because you are disabled, a medical exam may be required. If you are applying for Medicaid because you are pregnant, proof of pregnancy is required.
You may apply at the County Department of Social Services (DSS) in the county where you live.
You need good health care as you may have serious health issues. If you don't do something about them they will only get worse.
Good luck.
Hector
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