TO: Myown about NJ doctor

[copyman]

hi, in response from the thread below, yes my doc is the one with the "B" in the middle and that is the reason i asked about the one referred from dr A in boston. he is good but i feel rushed because it is a liver clinic which sees 80 patients a day. funny, i thought the same thing when i first called and got a machine but then found out it goes into a voice mail only when they are on the other line, but if you redial a few times it goes right through. and no problem after hrs for emergencies. i like the assistance helping CBL and have only been there 2 times. i presume you are in north jersey? thanks for letting me know about that jersey doc when you find out. once again good luck with what you decide with tx.

[Myown]

Thanks Jim. For some reason I was looking for "john" B. I guess I was confusing the Dr.'John' S of the shore. I'm really spider web brain lately.

Dr. A wants me on weight based with either one. I am up 25 lbs. I am now 145. My normal weight is 120-132. I went down to 117 when I found out I had hep. I was so upset I couldn't eat, thought I was dying, especially after seeing Dr. Jack Korvorkian dying with hep c in jail. Thought,everyone dies soon after getting it. If our PCP doctors knew a little more about hep, they could at least give a little hope to a newly dx person. Instead they just say, "you have to go to a specialist, I don't really know anything about this disease." That statement really pushed me over the edge.

I'll let  you know what Dr.A's plan for me is when I get it. Should be here soon.

see ya

[jmjm530]

LOL about the "war". Not stating an opinion, just a fact :) I'm sure in most cases it's just fine to see the NP or PA, but remember you can always ask for the doctor if you feel it's necessary. In my case, I was very involved in my own tx decisions so seeing the doctor was more important since I wasn't always following office protocols. As to Pegasys vs Peg Intron, as Dr A suggests, not all that important and certainly not more important than being on weight-based ribavirin. At your weight, I'd see a good case for Pegasys since it's one dose for all weights and that might give you more drugs per pound. On the other hand if the doctor you eventually decide to treat with is a Peg Intron fan, then go with what the doctor is most comfortable with and uses most. I know the "process" is taking a bit longer than you initially hoped, but you are lucky to be getting all your ducks in order now and not end up running around like crazy while treating -- like many (including myself) did -- trying to find another doctor. Starting out with a doctor you have confidence in will take a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety out of the treatment experience. Nothing worse than continually second-guessing your doctor while on the treatment drugs. If you read enough posts here you will understand what I mean. Tx is hard enough with the right doctor, you don't want one who may not know what they're doing.

Dr. Brown's credentials:
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/surgery/liver/staff.html
http://www.columbiaclinicaltrials.org/ctn/liver.html

[Myown]

Jim said
Worked out fine. In fact, just had drinks with him last night. I kid you not :)
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I'm glad this post is buried.  That quote above will start a war in here. lol

Jim,if I go to D for the tx, I doubt I'll see him except maybe the first time and MAYBE a few times in between. I'd be surprised if I saw him more,,,but I figure the nurses have to be good  to work for him and are following his instructions. I do have an appointment with him for consult comming up.

I can understand why the doctor would make time for you. You DO have alot of knowledge and great ideas, but I won't know if they are giving me too much procrit or not enough this or that, so I won't be needing the doc, because unlike you, once the tx starts, I'm in their hands. I know nothing about procrit or any of the drugs to insist on seeing the doc because I want to change things around. Ya know what I mean? It will be a learn as I go type of deal. Of course 'team management' from the forum members will help me alot. Plus, you can always do a good deed and meet me and hubby at Dr. D's as my official hepc advisor and sit in on the consult, if you live close to NY. lol

Where did you see Dr. Browns credentials? Can you post the site for me? I found other "Browns,"not him.

I wonder if I should go with the pegasus? Dr. A said the interferon wasn't his concern, the riba is. I read the thread discussing the differences and it does seem that peggasus has less sx? What do you think? The info that HR posted as far as length of time the two stay in your system also has me wondering which way to go. Too many decisions with this whole thing.And the effects of depression or other mental problems may not be as bad with peggasus.Your thoughts? So many people that have used both, say Pegasus has less sx.

So did you learn anything new when you and your doc had a few?
Maybe he learned something from you though, that wouldn't surprise me.

see ya later. thanks for your help.

[DragonSlayer45]

someone asking about Dr. Santoro? I did not see earlier thread.

[copyman]

hey dragon, Myown was givin a name of a NJ doc but the doc that gave her the name could not remember the correct spelling. they are going to mail her the name along with her report.  do you go to a dr santoro? where is he located? can you give me some information just in case it is the same doc that was reccomended to Myown. thanks

[DragonSlayer45]

Dr. John Santoro, he is located in Egg Harbor Twp. NJ. he office address is 3205 Fire Road Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 08234
609-407-1220. He is very good and is involved in a lot of clinical research and trials. He just returned from AASLD in Boston, where he was coauthor of 4 papers that were presented.

[copyman]

thanks to both of you. i will look into Dr santoro as he is only 20 mins away. i will keep you posted :-)

[jmjm530]

While we're doing the alphabet :) you're still planning on seeing the doctor over at C.P. Hospital that Doc A recommended in addition to Dr. D?  That way you could get a good "feel" of who you like better -- the C.P. hospital doc or Dr. D. As far as seeing the doctor, instead of the "help" -- a lot depends on how you feel and handle it. Because I got very anal with my treatment protocols -- also had my own ideas -- I was insistent on seeing the doctor at times instead of the NP so we could "negotiate" protocols. After a while, the office staff just gave up and always booked me with the doctor directly. Worked out fine. In fact, just had drinks with him last night. I kid you not :)

-- Jim

[Myown]

Yes!! Thats him. Spoke to the assistant doc again. I told him for me, Egg harbor township is too far.

Thanks dragon for your help.

Copyman, it only took a month or so to get in with doc A, but Dr. A had mentioned Dr. S right away as being very good, and I said I hoped he was near me, but now I know he is not,,,but great news for you. Are you near egg harbor township? Hope you are.

Dr. D is my next stop,but only because I may tx with him. i feel I got enough info as what to do as far as tx and the plan will be sent to me to give to a doctor.

At least in your case, you already know that Dr.S has the respect of dr. A and you can trust that the right choices will be made in tx if you don't go up to Boston for consult.

Since you said Dr. CBL has nice people working for him, maybe thats even an option for me, since we deal with the hired help more than the doc once things get rolling. Newark though,not my favorite place.. 3 hrs wait is a little much though. Well I'll see. Keep me posted as to what's what and I'l do the same.
wish you the best! hope Dr.S is close to you!!

[copyman]

well like i said i saw his fellow MD training under him for the most part then he comes in at the end, looks over everything talks for a few mins, give reccomendtions and thats it. i felt very rushed with CBL but not the fellow. lol, rushed after 2 hr ride and 3 hrs in the waiting room! then 20 mins with fellow and 5-10 mins with CBL but like i said i have only been there 2 times. but CBL has some very good credentionals. i think the other CL you referred to in his office is his father who is more of a nutritionist with liver but was also good from i what i read. i think they said the father is retired, but not sure? thanks again for your replies and help with that name.

PS, how hard was it to get appointment with dr A? how long was appointment before you got to see him?

[Myown]

as soon as i find out i will open a thread with the doctors name. I believe it was john santoro or something like that. They weren't sure of spelling, so they said they will send the name with other names. I'll post it for sure. that will be great if he is close to your house.

[Myown]

hi,
yes I am in north Jersey. Wow you come up to newark,2 hrs, some trip. How is cbl as far as dealing with? personality not too great I heard. is that true?

hope things are going well with you.