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Dr Joanne Imperial
Has anyone been treated by Dr. J. Imperial for HVC? if so, please share your experiences and comments? thanks!
FYI, i am looking for an experienced hepatologist in San Mateo, CA area.
FYI, i am looking for an experienced hepatologist in San Mateo, CA area.
If you are still interested in Dr. Imperial, well I was treated by her. Her compassion, concern and abilities are unquestionably all the best I have ever had with any doctor. Best of all she made my wife feel connected in my treatment, which was so helpful. Unfortunately I did not take to the treatment several years ago. At that time she was working out of Stanford. She then opened her own clinic, and I had just a few brief contacts with her. I recently got my blood word done, and it has come back much worse. I have type 1b, and my viral load is three times what it was at its highest. I found Dr. Imperial through the internet. She had published some paper through UCSF, and would you believe it, I called and she came on the line. Tell me the last time you got the doctor on the line without an intrusive "gate-keeper"? Well she gave me the name of her assistant in San Mateo (I think General Hospital is where her clinic is) anyway they squeezed me in and I will see her again in a little over a week. I will have to travel several hundred miles since I now live on the coast around SLO, but I believe the trip will be worth it. If you are looking for a recommendation, I would give her 5 stars. She is the best.
Robertsong2
Robertsong2
I wanted you all to know that Dr. Imperial started the liver program and Pac Med way back and hired Gish. He was hired by Dr. Imperial. She saved my Fathers life! I recommend her highly!
Was treated for HCV both by Dr, Gish in SF and thereafter by Dr. Imperial in Palo Alto. I responded to Dr. Gish's treatment but relapsed, I then moved to San Mateo and sought out Dr. Imperial. She placed me on a 12 months Infergen treatment. I completed the treatment and have been HCV negative ever since (11 years). I thought both were outstanding and know that they are both national authorities on the subject.
I don't know m uch about Cali but I do have a friend that is in the southern part of the state that is treated by Dr. Pokros who understand is also cutting edge.
Mouse
Mouse
My first meeting with J. Imperial was yesterday. although it was my first appt with her, i found her very knowledgable and straight forward with her consultation.
She knows and works or worked with all the reputable hepatologists in the field. At one point, i asked what she thinks about Gish and his group in SF. She replied that she worked with both Gish, SF and many others in this field including Pockros,SD.
She is pro-treatment and suggest that i go forward with the treatment asap. FYI, i am 55 and have both active B and C(genome type 1B). my liver conditions have not changed over that past 15 years, and i've been holding out for new medications becoming available. But with my uncle and cousine died unexpected recently of B, so i am scared and is considering to move forward with the treatment.
My latest lab results show:
- liver biopsy : activity at grade 2+, fibrosis at stage 1+. how many grades and stages are there?
- HBV DNA via ultraQuat PCR is 3480 (not sure of its unit) in one test, and 180,000 IU/mL in another test using Quat diluted protocol. in truth, i dont really knwo what it means here. but Imperial thinks it is quite high. If u would, please help me in better understadnign the numbers.
- HCV RNA via PCR Quant is 3,200,000 IU/mL.
i heard of and read about that people with high DNA and RNA counts like myself, the chance of being effective with the latest treatment protocols is very low. Perhaps, this was the reason i've been delaying the treatment and waiting. now that some of my relatives died suddently from nowhere, i am really scared. if you would, please shares with me your thoughts and comments as well as your treatments if you've already done so.
Dr. Imperial also said something about the E-type virus. i vaguely understood it is something one contracted with at birth, and it can mutate. this is something new, and i appreciate if you can share with me your knowledge.
Many thanks in advance. SenorD
She knows and works or worked with all the reputable hepatologists in the field. At one point, i asked what she thinks about Gish and his group in SF. She replied that she worked with both Gish, SF and many others in this field including Pockros,SD.
She is pro-treatment and suggest that i go forward with the treatment asap. FYI, i am 55 and have both active B and C(genome type 1B). my liver conditions have not changed over that past 15 years, and i've been holding out for new medications becoming available. But with my uncle and cousine died unexpected recently of B, so i am scared and is considering to move forward with the treatment.
My latest lab results show:
- liver biopsy : activity at grade 2+, fibrosis at stage 1+. how many grades and stages are there?
- HBV DNA via ultraQuat PCR is 3480 (not sure of its unit) in one test, and 180,000 IU/mL in another test using Quat diluted protocol. in truth, i dont really knwo what it means here. but Imperial thinks it is quite high. If u would, please help me in better understadnign the numbers.
- HCV RNA via PCR Quant is 3,200,000 IU/mL.
i heard of and read about that people with high DNA and RNA counts like myself, the chance of being effective with the latest treatment protocols is very low. Perhaps, this was the reason i've been delaying the treatment and waiting. now that some of my relatives died suddently from nowhere, i am really scared. if you would, please shares with me your thoughts and comments as well as your treatments if you've already done so.
Dr. Imperial also said something about the E-type virus. i vaguely understood it is something one contracted with at birth, and it can mutate. this is something new, and i appreciate if you can share with me your knowledge.
Many thanks in advance. SenorD
¡Hola, Señor D!
Dr. Joanne Imperial is with Stanford University med center. Here is a link with a quick overview of her credentials:
http://med.stanford.edu/shs/txp/livertxp/staff.vitae/imperial.vitae.html
I’ve never dealt with her personally, however I do know of a member here that underwent treatment with her back when interferon was just beginning to be used for HCV At the time she was affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center. She mentioned some personal issues with her, but admitted that she is a well-qualified doctor.
Dr. Imperial gave a presentation last summer at the AASLD summer wellness center in Walnut Creek, CA, but I was unable to attend.
I understand your position not wanting to make the drive north to San Francisco on 101, but Gish and company (Cal Pac Medical Center) is a world recognized transplant center and Hepatology center. You would only have appointments about once a month, so your time commitment isn’t that overwhelming.
I’m sure that Dr Imperial is qualified as well, and Stanford will be a much easier drive for you.
Either way, I want to wish you good luck in your travels. Take care,
Bill
Dr. Joanne Imperial is with Stanford University med center. Here is a link with a quick overview of her credentials:
http://med.stanford.edu/shs/txp/livertxp/staff.vitae/imperial.vitae.html
I’ve never dealt with her personally, however I do know of a member here that underwent treatment with her back when interferon was just beginning to be used for HCV At the time she was affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center. She mentioned some personal issues with her, but admitted that she is a well-qualified doctor.
Dr. Imperial gave a presentation last summer at the AASLD summer wellness center in Walnut Creek, CA, but I was unable to attend.
I understand your position not wanting to make the drive north to San Francisco on 101, but Gish and company (Cal Pac Medical Center) is a world recognized transplant center and Hepatology center. You would only have appointments about once a month, so your time commitment isn’t that overwhelming.
I’m sure that Dr Imperial is qualified as well, and Stanford will be a much easier drive for you.
Either way, I want to wish you good luck in your travels. Take care,
Bill
I heard of Gish, but he's in SF. however, if i could not find anyone close by, it's worth a trip to see a right specialist. Thanks for your helps. All the best! SrD
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