Medicaid and Hep C Medication

[Jazmine6]

Hi.  I am new here and have always been a reader of the forums.  Everyone always has great information to offer.  I have my first appointment on the 14th of April to see a doctor about my Hep C.  My only insurance is medicaid and I'm concerned that being on state insurance they will want me to take the less expensive medication with harsher side effects. Can anyone help me with this?  I just want to know what I can say when I go in and if I still have the option to ask for one of the newer medications being on  low income insurance.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Also is there a place on the forums or on the web where I can be referred to a good doctor in my state if I need to search out a different doctor?

[Jazmine6]

Those are extremely helpful questions.  Thank you so much.  I am so happy that I found this forum.  I don't have anyone else to talk to about this so it's very nice being able to come here and find answers to lots of my questions.  You all are some really great people.  God bless you all.

[patra_]

Hi, jaz:  Here is a list of questions that Someone on the Forum posted.  From these, you can pick and choose, and add others.

Good luck on that appt tomorrow!!     Pat

Do I need to be vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B?

What is my genotype? What does my genotype mean?

Do I have liver damage? If so, how much liver damage is there?

What are my treatment options?

Is there one treatment you think is best for me?

Are there any clinical trials?

What are the benefits of each treatment option?

What are the potential risks of each treatment option?

How can I protect the people around me from hepatitis C?

Do I need to start treatment for hepatitis C now?

How will this treatment interact with my other medications?

How will you assess whether the treatment is working for me?

What should I do if I have side effects? How can I manage the side effects?

What are symptoms to pay attention to and look out for?

How likely is it that I will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer?

If I do not start treatment now, how often should my liver be monitored for liver damage?

How often should I see a liver specialist? Primary care physician?

[Jazmine6]

I definitely will.  As you can tell, my nerves are getting to me.  Trying to overdo my reading on the net.  I want to make sure I ask the right questions.  I think I am most scared of a liver biopsy.  But I will be here tomorrow to let you know what I have found out. :)

[AWorriedMom]

Good luck tomorrow, Jaz. Let us know what the doc says.

[Jazmine6]

I have gone there.  I just wanted to see what others could give me as input

[dontworry_behappy1]

Sovaldi.com is a very good place to start.  If you have questions after reading
straight from the source.......ask here.