2nd time around

[teresa999]

Has anyone out there with stage 3 hep c been treated twice ??
I'm 51 and have probably had hep c since the early 70's.
9 years ago I was diagnosed stage 3 grade 2. I treated for 3 months then developed a severe reaction and had to stop.6 months ago I stopped smoking for 100 days and retained 19 pounds of water which scared the heck out of me so I started smoking again and went back to my doctor. I did the endoscopy which was normal, then I had an ultrasound. She saw something there but didn't say what so she ordered a CT scan. I'm waiting for the results.
My doctor says that once you do the treatment and it doesn't work, the virus mutates against interferon but SOMETIMES it doesn't and the only way to find out is to go back on the treatment and see if the viral load goes UP.
This seems risky! but what other options are there?? Since I've been doing a full body cleansing (8 mo.) I have less fatigue  and no headaches.
Teresa

[teresa999]

Hi Bill,
I go to Kaiser Santa Clara. My doctor is the Chief Gastroentrologist if that means anything. Thanks for the link.
Teresa

[Bill1954]

Hi Teresa,

If you can be a little more specific, I might be able to help you out with a good hepatologist. California Pacific Med Center is a cutting edge facility based out of San Francisco, but they have outreach clinics in many Northern CA and Nevada areas. They are headed up by Dr Robert Gish, a well known and highly regarded physician. Also a research and transplant facility. I treated with them for a couple of years as a grade 3, stage 3/4 the second time, and am now SVR; I highly recommend them. Very efficient and well informed staff. Here’s a link if you’re interested:

http://www.cpmc.org/advanced/liver/physicians/outreach.html

Hopefully, one of these locations is convenient to you. Best of luck—

Bill

[teresa999]

Thank you so much.
I thought a gastroentrologist  was the top physician for hep c. I have Kaiser so I guess I should check with my insurance to see if there's a hepatoligist in Central California that I can transfer to. I have a copy of every test that I've had in the past 12 years of my sobriety.
Thank You Again
Teresa  

[jmjm530]

We've had a number of stage 3's treat more than once and successfully the last time. The virus does not mutate at all from interferon treatment. Is you doctor a hepatologist (liver specialist) or a gastroentrologist. I strongly suggest you only treat with a hepatologist, especially the second time around. They are much more up to date on current drugs and protocols. Hepatologists can usually be found in your larger, teaching hospitals. Make sure to bring with you ALL blood tests during treatment and your pre-treatment levels as well as any reports such as biopsy and ultrasound. You should also know that there are some exciting new drugs in trial that you may be able to get into. Again, a hepatologist would be best able to point you in the right directions.