What Do I Ask?

Okay its me again.  My husband is on his way to the doctor. Remember he is the one that they have not done the biopsy yet because of his iron level which was causing the Porphyia. The biopsy is scheor June 3rd.  However he is sick and they wanted him to come in immediatley.  What counts can I find out without the biopsy?  I am dying to know so much.  Can I get the Viral count?  Also remember that the ultra sound showed cirosis.

[LvdByGod!]

hi creed, see if you can get the dr take blood for complete blood count with diff/and platelets, hepatic function panel, hcv RNA (the viral count), hcv genotype, thyroid tests like the TSH, AFP alpha feto protein tumor marker, coagulation like PT and INR, iron/hemalogic tests like iron,TIBC, and ferritin levels, electrolites, renal metabolic tests like bun, creatine, GLUC...(THESE ARE THE TESTS YOU WILL WANT LATER to be able to compare them to these same tests he will get while on treatment)...

i know it's alot but stick to your guns and let them know you want all these...they will probably want them too though. it shouldn't be a big deal unless your insurance is an HMO or something...

here is some questions that janis and friends list as possibilities for asking the dr. perhaps you will be interested in some of them for your husband...cut, paste and go.

http://janis7hepc.com/Questions_to_ask_your_doctor.htm

hope this stuff helps you, let us know his labs when you get them back...my prayers are with you guys...

sandi

[LvdByGod!]

creed see my comment below too on the fevor and stomach pains.

[gr8faith]

3a means 24 wks of tx

sorry to jump in here and change the subject.  was feeling somewhat better over the weekend and got out in the yard to do some gardening... wore a hat, long pants, etc.  Guess what...COVERED in poison ivy.  Can I just say I thought riba rash was itchy!  nothing compared to this.  i have never had this before and am trying to keep a sense of humor.  at work last week i was told I am being taken off my project, because I am sick alot, not at the top of my game, etc.  I was really down about it, but it is true, and not fair to the client.  then today I am told I need to be at a kick off meeting tomorrow for the same project.  now I am thinking, if I looked sick before, wait till they see me now!!!  not only that, but just how am I going to sit in a conference room for 2 hours and not scratch?
heard that song today on the radio "I need a new drug" and just started laughing out loud.  anyway, just needed to vent a little, am having a pity party here tonight.

[sunspot]

Welcome back. Sorry you have not been feeling well. Try some Calamine lotion. It’s still the best thing for Poison Ivy. It comes in clear or flesh tone. If you are heavily covered with rash, watch out for blood infection.
I had Poison Ivy in my 2nd week of tx. I thought it was Riba rash. Lol.

Dana

[Creed]

Here is what I found out.  His viral load is 60/90,Genotype is 3A, Liver function: ASF 42,ALF 75, LP81.  What does this mean? They put him on a stomach medicne, motion sickness medicine and a anti depressent.  Is genotype 3a bad?

[BronxRican007]

My skin is a dermatologists nigthmare. every lttle scratch leaves a dark blemish and takes weeks to heal. I have Lichen Planus as well. The worst thing I can imagine happening is falling into a patch of Pioson Ivy! Yikes!!!

[Docsgold]

How awful. I am allergic to poison ivy and I can't imagine having that on top of the riba rashes. Have you informed your physician, you may need to be referred to a dermatologist--healing is so dang slow on tx.  I hope you get better soon.

[honey1616]

Gr8,,,Wow,,,I can't even imagine having poison ivy while on tx! I'm itching just thinking about that scenario.  Hope you get some relief quickly!  Yep a new drug would be great,,,instant cure,,,no sides! LOL

Creed,,,Sounds like your hubby may have lucked out getting #3! 6 months for tx,,,however,,,,since he has cirrosis (cirrhosis),,,,Maybe longer is what I'm thinking.  I would like to hear others comment on how long.  Also,,,does he have a fatty liver?  Good Luck to you both as I know this much be such a struggle with his other health issues and my heart goes out to the two of you!

[LvdByGod!]

creed do you have more info about those numbers? they are stated different where i am...do you have the ranges for them? i hope someone else will see your post and help you figure out what they mean...

is the alf=alt? do you have any other info to help us know what these numbers are for you?

i am a 3a too.

[gr8faith]

Thanks, just got home from the kick off meeting, first hour was no problem, 2nd hour was just awful, my suit jacket was driving me nuts just wanted to strip and itch right on the conference table!  but i didn't.  bagged a lunch invite after just so i could get out to my car and scratch, which is a no, no for sure.  I have a little pharmacy of lotions, and potions and pills in my purse, with all the anti itch stuff they gave me at the dr. this week.  today it has started to break out on my feet.  EGAD!.  We opened our pool last weekend, but it is still so cold no one has gone it.  I am giving great thought to an ice swim for relief from the poison ivy.  will give it a few more days to run it's course and then maybe go back to the dr.  

Looks like I am on the project after all as I need to be at the official kick off next week as well.  thinking my boss didn't want to switch project managers after all.  

A while back cuteus posted about the upcoming Hep C walk/event in DC next month.  Is anyone here besides her thinking of going? My invite for a pool party cook out still stands and helping to find lodging info as I live 10 minutes Capitol Hill.

[cougareyes]

You can get several indicators from a liver panel. Also test for ammonia,a high level of ammonia could be why he is feeling so bad; especially if it is associated with dizziness. An ultrasound can not disclose cirrosis (cirrhosis); or stage of liver disease; it can reveal fatty liver and some other indicators that the liver could be inflammed. The biopsy is what you need to get to the total truth. I hope all goes well.