Hepatologist Referal

[Bill48]

Need to find a good hepatologist in the Washington/Baltimore area.Was diagnosed with chronic Hep-C in April of 2002.Went through 48 week peg/rib tx but virus reappeared 6 weeks later.Current viral load counts over 6,000,000.Since ending tx last Sept.2003,my PCP has had me on Ritilin(20mg.)a day to combat fatigue.Have you ever heard of this tx before? Seams to help except during this summer the heat and humidity has still gotten the best of me.I am a 18-wheel driver so I have to be extra careful what I can take.Any info or help would be greatly apprieciated.Thanks,Bill

[PhilaGuy]

Hey Bill:  I was referred to my hepatologist (who is amazing) through asking around in here as well.  I later found that he (Dr. Kenneth Rothstein in Philadelphia) was listed here:

http://janis7hepc.com/How%20to%20Find%20a%20Doctor.htm

Hopefully you'll have some luck in finding a good one in your area from this list.  I didn't see any, but you probably can't go wrong with Hopkins in Baltimore.  Good luck!  I hope the second time is the charm.

[britgirl]

Ritalin is basically legalised speed! I would be very careful taking that stuff. It is addictive, of course. Here in the UK there is a black market in the stuff. Must be really awful for your liver. I can't believe a heptologist would put you on it.....but what do I know??!!

[Sam Hall]

Ritlin you are joking surely. It's a serious cns stimulant ,addictive and capable of produce psychotic imitation. Like britgirlsays what kind of Dr would put you on that. You might as well take meth orcoke.
Sam(well experienced )Hall

[PhilaGuy]

...seems like you may want to find a new PCP, too.  :-)

[jonihs]

I ditto everything that was said before, but want to add that being here has added you to alot of prayer lists, and I want to add my best wishes for your 2nd time.      Joni

[tina-b]

Thanks for the info...........Will you tell Tnhepguy we miss him!? Thanks!

[DH Bill]

Sorry to break in but just got home with the following 24 day post tx results:

HCV BY PCR / QUAL
         NEGATIVE for Hepatitis C (HCV) Viral RNA by the PCR based Roche
HCV/PCR - COMMENT
          HCV RNA can be detected in the blood of infected individuals as
HCV/PCR -COMMENT
          the limit of detection of the COBAS AMPLICATOR HCV Test. version 2.

WBC            5.0
RBC            4.45
NEUTROPHILS    63
SGOT (AST)     22
SGPT (ALT)     17
TSH            4.17

It seems with all my numbers going in the right direction this is very optimistic news for me?????

With my docs office history of FUBAR I decided to call today instead of waiting till Friday and found out this has been sitting somewhere for a few days plus they said doc would have to call me back with results so I went to primary care docs office and they gave me copies in 5 minutes. I aint gonna wait for no stinkin doctor to call me back, RIGHT?

Humbly Yours,

downhill bill

[mikesimon]

Fantastic news! Keep it up. Good luck. Mike

[mikesimon]

Great news. Stay well. Mike

[jonihs]

you sound like me. If you can't get answers, then do what ya have to. Great news!!!!  Joni

[Tony-z]

Here is a line fron the A-Z Combo survival Guide. It is a great web page, I used it when I did my first round of TX in 2000, it has lots of tip's to help with the SX of TX.

"Many doctors are prescribing Ritalin for brain fog.  They are doing in on a case by case method since it may potentially be a hepatotoxin.   People that are prescribed Ritalin for brain fog need to have their ALT's monitored carefully.  Please talk to your doctor to see if you qualify.  Here is a medical reference on it: http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-r03.html."



<a href="http://www.hepcsurvivalguide.org/comboguide.htm">Hepatitis C survival Guide.</a><BR>>

                       TONYZ

[kennedge]

a big congrats to all who are getting good news, and wishing you good news on future tests...but i am gonna put just a lil cloud on all the sunshine...I had to beg my DR just to get a 3 mo post tx test as he wanted to wait for 6 months...the problem with getting it to early is that there is still residual drugs working in you and may continue to fight for you...when your system is flying solo and you are still negative at 6 months then it's time to get on the bus....

1's its 50%


darn how depressing

[Showboat]

Kennedge:: Yes, that is one of the reasons I was unsure about whether to go for the 3 m PCR....but,  my husband thinks that I should have it done anyway.  He said that if it comes back, it usually acts fast....He was a 1a had a 3, 6 and 12 month done...all clear....He is still clear at 3 years now.  I have decided to go for the 3 anyway.  (I have my fingers crossed)

CHEV****  After I read and answered your post this morning, I decided to go ahead and call for my 3 month PCR.  I was able to get a cancellation, and I am in the door at 9AM tomorrow.  As Kennedge posted, the virus can show negative at 3months and make a comeback at 6, but I decided to see if perhaps it is active already......what the heck......I will not live in "fear of myself" lol....no matter what the outcome, I will live fully in every moment I have.  :>)  Besides I feel that every test that shows "clear" is a good sign.  Even though I said it to you before, let me again say "congratulations" to you....and if the bus seats hold three perhaps we can fit Berlynn on our seat too....:>)  :>)  :>)

[Showboat]

Forgot to wish you well and congratulations to you too!

[jonihs]

I had a 6 week and 3 month because what I have heard on here is that if it's going to come back, it will in 3 weeks. By 6 weeks it would be in sufficient numbers for it to show. I never thought  about the drugs still killing it, but I'm sure 1 of the other 2 will know.   Good luck,  Joni

[honey1616]

Great News!  Your numbers look so good,,,You must have all kinds of energy!! I'm so happy for you and pray SVR for life for you!!

[DH Bill]

Chev, The post with your good news was closed so... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I'm more active every week and feeling better all the time.


Kennedge, Your right about the 6 month but this really helps. I will have to find a new doc by December this was the last thing I had to do with this idiot. No clouds here, it is supposed to be over a 100 degrees by Friday which me and my wife will probably go celebrate as we were also married on Friday the 13th.

[Fubarcat]

Congrats to both of you.  Such good news this week from the Dragon Slayer front.  I recommended an SVR train rather than a bus a few months ago, and I'm thinking we definitely need to add more cars to the train!  Good luck to you both.  Very encouraging news.

[Showboat]

You got it, Girlfriend...I did save a space for Winkin'Honey too!!!!!!!!  I am happy to hear that we may be getting a SVR train since the passenger list keeps getting bigger!!!! Yahoo!!!!!!!!!  It sounds like you and Honey and Berlynn all lost weight on tx....I stayed the same...so I think we can all fit four in a seat...hahahah...(good incentive for me to stay away from all that "cotton floss" and now my "blue moon" sundaes...(no lie...that is the REAL name)....Maybe we can request seating that may include a few more...lol...geeeesh!!! I am getting all gushy and mushy with love in my heart!!!!!!! I have met so many wonderful people here.......we really need that Blue Moon Partae'................................
Your Friend Always tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Love ya
"Showbow"

[kennedge]

it sounded like you thought i might have relapsed....no nononononon...i had my 6 mo post in july...all clear dear..

anyway don't get me wrong everyone i am all for checking by three months if "it" has come back..and that was my main argument with dr that i needed a 3 month test for my mental well being...witch fotunatley was well for my mental being : )

anyway the point was/is...too early may not be helpful...but by 3 months your gonna be pretty sure of the out come...i think someone said around 90 % sure...

anyway again only best wishes and best of health

[honey1616]

Ken,,I asked my dr this past week,,,when he did do post test? He said 6 month and then said that we need that time to get back to our old life as much as possible and if relapse,,,he wouldn't do anything until 6 month mark anyways to give a break from the meds.  I'm sure though as I get closer to that time,,,I will be just as nervous to want to get my 3 month just to see if I'm still on the no detect track.

Showboat & Chevy,,,Count me in Girls!!  That is for SVR Bus and the Blue Partae!!!  LOL

[CGTMHI]

You mentioned that you are in the Baltimore area.  I suggest you contact the following doctor at Johns-Hopkins.  

David L. Thomas, M.D.  

Associate Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
Joint Appointment, Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Hygiene

Research:
Viral hepatitis

Clinical Interests:
Infectious diseases
Viral hepatitis

Education:
Medical School: West Virginia University
Internship and Residency: Wake Forest University
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Societies:

Infectious Disease Society of America
American Society for Advancement of Science
American Society of Microbiology
Editorial Boards:

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There are several ways to make appointments at Hopkins. The most direct way is for your physician to call the Hopkins Access Line (HAL) at 1-800-765-5447 (continental United States) or 410-955-9444 (Baltimore area and international calls).

If you prefer to make an appointment yourself, call our appointment service lines:

410-955-5464 for calls in Baltimore
410-847-3582 for calls from outside the Baltimore area
+01-410-847-3580 for calls from outside the United States
A representative will be happy to schedule your appointment with a Hopkins physician at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, Johns Hopkins at Green Spring Station, Johns Hopkins at White Marsh, Johns Hopkins at Cedar Lane, or at another Johns Hopkins location near you.

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I hope this is helpful to you.

Cindy Thompson
Med Help International