Can't Find A Good Doctor

[skersj]

I just found out I have Hepatitus C and probably have had it since 1979 when I received blood. There is only 1 doctor in town to go to. I had 1 visit and he would not look me in the eye and would not let me ask any questions. But he did schedule a liver biopsy for next Monday and order a test to find out the genome and viral load. Should I drive out of town to see a doctor that I feel comfortable with or should I just accept this doctor since he did actually do what needed to be done. I am not a passive person and it will be hard for me to just show up and do what a doctor says without actively participating in my care. How sick does the average person get from the treatment? What are my chance of developing depression? Right now, I have no symptoms, just slightly elevated AST (61) & ALT (61)  & GGT 135. I am more afraid of the treatment than the desease at this point. Can any body help me know what to expect?

[fretboard]

Nobody can tell you what you're up against b/c everyone handles tx differently.  Some people get really bad sx's and other's don't feel too bad.  I've run into doctors with that same attitude and I kinda look at them like I look at anyone else, they put their pants on the same way I do.  Bottom line is like it or not, they're gonna talk to me as long as I stay calm I can usually connect with them.  Sure I had some I had to change after all, some doctors are gonna carry that stigma around with them, if it's not the stigma of you having HepC, then it's their arrogance or egos that get in their way.  I had a doctor and I stayed with that puke for like 6 months, it just so happened one day I went to see him and I ended up seeing one of his associates.  We got to talking and he offered to be my doctor, everything was really cool then he left to teach at the hospital.  Sheesh I thought now I gotta break another one in, I think quite a few people have this situation finding doctors and that was my PCP.  I don't know how to advise you about finding the right doctor, I do know that I will never stay with an uptight knucklehead for longer than a couple of visits.  Come back and let the forum know what genotype you have cause a couple can take less time to treat.  God Bless  

[patti1957]

hello - i am no expert except i was just diagnosed a few months back and had it just about as long as you.  the liver biopsy will tell you the extent of damage the virus has done on your liver.  in my case - very damaged liver but luckily i had GT 2b - the best possible result for a good outcome of the therapy.  my first GI sounded like yours, almost told me not worth the therapy - i felt like i was given a sure death sentence but i luckily found a liver specialist (not a hepatologist, but he does specialize in liver disease) and he put me on the therapy. i only have to do 6 months of the therapy and after my first 4 week blood test, the virus was gone.  this new GI gives me hope - try to find a doctor that has a specialty in liver disease instead of just a general GI.
good luck and keep us posted on your results - remember this is a best place for info - keep reading