Hep C doctor south florida

[sandysf]

Hi all,  I am new to the group.   Nice to see so much support out there and information.   I had preliminary results yesterday that I was Hep C positive.   Going for liver ultrasound tomorrow and appt with GI.  I have to admit I am a bit scared.  Everything I read sounds so ominous.   Any recommendations for a Hep C specialist in South Florida?  I live in Boca Raton.

[sandysf]

also what questions do I ask?   I see all these terms online and I am not familiar with each of them.

[sandysf]

Hi all, need your advice, input!  Just got my blood work back.   I am genotype 1a, viral load is 1,000,000.. doc said it was elevated so they want to talk about treatment, but good news is, blood test shows no signs of fibrosis,  the protein blood work they did came back 5.6

what does all this mean?

[FlGuy]

I had a 'normal' U/S.  The findings were something like 'NAF' No Abnormalities Found, or some three letter abbreviation like that. So, that was kinda good information, for what it was.  A little prior to that I had a biopsy that showed cirrhosis. As explained, the U/S can detect gross anomolies but is not able to detect the finer aspects of liver condition like fibrosis and cirrhosis. I'd guess that you just got some good news, but not complete news.

[sandysf]

So thankful for all the responses and the wonderful input I have received thus far.   Do not have all bloodwork back yet, but got results from liver ultrasound today and they said it was "normal"   This seems like great news.. is it indicative or doesn't mean much?

[feather857]

first of all don't freak out!  that was the best news I got when the DX was given to me.  I thought my world would end but it did not.  I gave up cigs. (just put them down after 35 years & would not pick up another one --- mind over matter!) and I was never much of a drinker. this is what cards were dealt to me so I will figure it out on a day to day basis.  one day at a time.  know there are others in the same boat ( boat?  it's more like a fleet)
and keep coming here for help & smiles & advice.  My family always said to get all the advice you can & then do as you please.  hang  in there & please let usknow how you're doing.

[juana828]

Your AST/ALT are pretty low - normal range AST is between 10 & 35; ALT norm range is 9 - 60.

Good luck to you.

[Bill1954]

I think there is a misunderstanding about a 10% false positive rate, if that pertains to the RNA test. The HCV RNA test is *extremely* specific to infection. Additionally, the Fibrosure test results are questionable at best; they are weak especially towards the mid ranges of fibrosis.

Best of luck to you, and let us know how things proceed—

Bill

[sandysf]

Thanks to all of you for your information.   I just came from GI appt, he ordered the genotype test, AFP, RNA and a fibrosure test that supposedly replaces a biopsy?  He said there is a 10% chance for a false positive.   My reactive on the antibody test was high (26) but he said that doesn't matter.   My enzymes were relatively low AST:43 ALT:45,  so if I have had this in my body for 30 years, which I suspect,  then I am doing pretty good.   So now it is just a wait and see game.  

[juana828]

My husband and I are also in Boca. He is being treated by Eugene Shiff at UM - as someone else mentioned, he's the top doc in hepatology there. They hooked us up with Dr. Servoss - to monitor and support him through treatment; our understanding is she is one of Dr. Schiff's preferred docs, so I assume that means she has lots of experience with Hep C and is probably good. We have our 1st appt with her in a few weeks - after my husband's first few weeks of treatment. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Take Care.

[allenw]

Hi there i am also new to this forum . Live in the loxahatchee area. Found a fantastic doctor through Medical specialists of the Palm Beaches.Went through the treatment and i go for my final load test on oct. 12th its been undetectable for the last 3 yrs.                                

ask alot of questions          


Good LUCK

                

[charm27]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I too live in  SOuth Florida and initially I saw a hepatologist in Pembroke Pines who then referred me to a hepatologist at U of M. I was very very impressed by the way they handled my tx. ( U of M)

After 6 months because of insurance I went back to my initial doc in Pembroke Pines.
While I was at the U of M most of my contact was with the P.A. who was fabulous and really on top of things. I only saw the head doc there for maybe 5 minutes...
which was OK..I know I was in good hands.

Wish you best of luck with your tx.
Charm
You found a great forum to educate yourself.

[FlGuy]

That's a good start.  When you speak to that doc you might inquire if she sees a lot of hep-c patients and if she consults with the liverheads at UM.  Depending on how the diagnostics go and if you consider treatment, it's an advantage to have a doc who has a lot of expereince.  In many ways, treating and dealing with hep-c is more of an art than a science.  I see a GI in West Boca but he was astute enough to hook up the the UM guys for advice.  And, I went to the UM folks for a consult before treatment.
Don't worry, the first step in dealing with the possibilty of hep-c is freaking out.  Don't be so surprised about the backlog of appointments for hepatologist it's a frequent situation that many people run in to.

[sandysf]

Jenny, and FLGuy,  

thanks so much,  I am going to a regular GI tomorrow morning after a liver ultrasound just to get bloodwork started,  I found a hepatologist (Julie Servoss)  who has an office near FAU but is connected with UM, can't get in to see her until November 17th!  

I was a bit freaked out when I received the news,  but after reading the information here and seeing the various stories, I feel calmer.

[FlGuy]

There are a lot of us South Florida types at this forum.

The diagnostic part of hcv is a start.  That includes the basic tests to determine if you have a chronic infection (as opposed to just being positive for antibodies).  With that, it's knowing you viral load (a blood test) the genotype (a blood test).  There are about 20 subtypes of hcv (the genotypes) which may determine your approach.

As JP wrote, there are several hepatologist at UM who are really up on hcv stuff.  I went to see one of them and he designed a treatment plan that overseen by a GI.

[JennyPenny]

I'm not sure how close this is but UMiami has a great hepatology department. Eugene Shiff is the head honcho there but I'm sure any of his docs would be perfectly capable of taking good care of you.