Fibrosure vs Biopsy

[mike c]

Does anyone no how Fibrosure compares to a bx.  Its been 3yrs since my last bx and it has been suggested i should take another look at my liver.  My first Bx was 6 yrs ago im 1a, and i tested stage2/g3.  I treated for 48wks w combo, failed to clear, and bxd again at stage3/3.  Ive asked my Gastro ,who says he has done many BX s,  how accurate is a BX.  Is it like taking a little chunk of a partially bad apple so that it depends on which chunk you take or is the liver the same thruout. He stated its generally a good indication of all tissue because a big enough piece is pulled off.  Id rather go for the fibrosure if its accuracy is as good or near to a reg bx, then i wouldnt mind getting a yearly Fibrosure tst
Also ive read many posts here favoring Pegasys as an easier treat with about the same results as other TXs.
any input would be very helpful.
MIKE C

[jmjm530]

I'm not going to comment on Eisbein's post on Snook. However I will say that I also found Snook's original riba post on Dr. Cecil a bit over-the-top, not only in terms of facts, but also in sensitivity -- especially in light of the fact that some members here treat with him.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Sorry man. You probably deserve some time off to recharge and rethink.

-- Jim

[Nimzovich]

Getting back to Fibrosure and insurance companies for a moment :-) let me make a suggestion from my experience. If the insurance company is billed for a Fibrosure test probably they won't pay it. But if they are billed individually for the subtests (e.g., ALT is one of the inputs) that make up the Fibrosure test they might pay for some or all of them. It comes down to what procedure codes and diagnostic codes are used when the labs do the billing.

[FlGuy]

Thanks for the info. I'll look into Neumega. I don't think I'm in danger right now but it's good to know there is an alternative.  You can learn a lot here.

Speaking of Alternatives... Your comment about your blood boiling may not necessarily be a bad thing.  Please refer to the 9/23 thread 'Alternative...in the US'.  It may be theraputic.

[jmjm530]

Call your insurance company and find out if Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp is on their list of approved labs. If not, get the entire list and call around to find a more sensitive test. Once you find a lab, at least in the case of Quest, you simply go directly to one of their collection centers with an rx from your doctor. They draw the blood and send the results back to your doctor.

-- Jim

[avidreader]

My guess would be insurance (I know, I harp about this, but . . .) My insurance won't pay for a pcr before 12 weeks and won't pay for the Quest or the Labcorp tests. So--I'm going with their test at 12 weeks and then, based on what it shows I will probably have to make the decision to shell out for the more sensitive tests. Managed health care/private health insurance is not much different from National Health Care as far as individual treatment and care goes. One rations care for profit and the other rations it so all can at least have a minimum of coverage. I wouldn't mind the endless limits and formularies in my health care plan if it meant others could get health care because of it, but that's not the case--it's just making a small number of rich people richer. There's my liberal, left wing rant for the day. Happy Autumn All!

[sunspot]

Thanks Jim. I'm fairly sure my Ins will pay. All I need now is to figure out how to get a rx. My GI turned out to be a real a$%hole. I may have to ask my Hematoligst.

Dana

[genedog]

week 50 pcr 2,800,000

[genedog]

well i gave it my best shot, go to dr tues see whats next, for all of you starting tx dont let my post stop you,

[sunspot]

I thought of another question. Should the rx say Heptimax or pcr or maybe hepc rna per quant? Maybe all 3?
thanks for the help.

Dana

[FlGuy]

My Gastro doc. has me getting a CBC each Monday at Hematologist ofc so I get the results right away.  With focus on the (WBC - Absolute Neutrophil Count) and platelets.  Was a couple of quarts low in the WBC a few times and have had both Neupogen and Neulasta which bring up the counts in a big and fast way.  Neulasta gives bone pain for a couple of days.  I don't know how plateletes are increased.  Although both docs are concerned about dropping too low (potential for bleeding). Thank goodness plts haven't been so low to effect treatment.

Anyone know how or what causes PLT increase?  The week after Neulasta PLT's doubled but are now down to a new low.  Not sure if it's just coincidental with Neulasta.

Neulasta is also pegylated just like the poison.  Wonder how much antifreeze will be pumped in before its over?

[snook_man]

The Rx has to say Heptimax... The cost is around $400

[jmjm530]

Heptimax is their trademark, so I'm sure that's enough. You can also get a code if you go to their website or call customer service. http://www.questdiagnostics.com/

Just so you know, the Heptimax test is done in two parts.

First, they do a PCR with a sensitivity of 50 IU/ml. If that test is non-detectible, then they run a TMA test that goes down to 5 IU/ml.  If they detect viral levels above 50 IU/ml they do not run the TMA part. So in this instance, waiting longer for the results is good news. :)

As an alternative, you can order their normal PCR that goes down to 50 IU/ml. Probably costs a little less and the results will be a little quicker.

-- Jim

[cuteus]

OH NO! darn it! I hate this virus and what it does to people, You were a trooper, that is for sure, willing to go the extra mile if it meant getting HCV out!
where are the new miracle meds?

best to you doggie! you were not too advanced in liver damage, I hope>

[dammitjanet]

Soooooo sorry to hear that.  I'm really too new here to know exactly what to say to you, but my heart goes out to you.   DJ

[avidreader]

Hi Ina,

We'll have to let our blood boil together. The system makes me crazy--both as a small employer (we pay for health insurance for about 45 folks at my agency) and as a user of the system. The richest country in the world should be able to do better. Peace, Love and all that good sh#!.

Have a great evening,
Tracy

[PasoPerson]

Aw genedog, I'm sorry about your pcr after 50 weeks of tx.  You did all you can do.  Let's pray together they get some of this new stuff out here so you non-responders can keep knocking The Dragon back down.  Sooner or later, it will not get back up in you!  

[sunspot]

Not wanting to open a new thread so I

[susan400]

I get a PCR with National Genetics Ins. out in Cal.  They are very accurate.  My PCR is $250.00.

I've also had one Fibrospect test done.  It was only $38.00 dollars.

I get a PCR for my 3 mon. in a couple of weeks.  This will be the first one since being on the high dose Ribavirin.

Susan

[snook_man]

Damn!!!!! Man, I was really hoping you had this thing licked!! My last Heptimax was undetectable, and that was week 42.. I just did another last week at 48, so results should be in soon.
I get another in a month or so. I'm getting my moneys worth from my insurance for sure!! LOL
I wish you the best man, and know that things will work out for you.

[carpedi]

My labs are done by the Mayo clinic in Fl. and the test they use is sensitive to <10 - my 4 week pcr came back at 45, so I would think any Mayo anywhere should be capable of using the same test. Maybe you just have to insist that your doctor (??!!)request it. Good luck!

[v eggie dip]

sorry to hear what you're going through, you're in my prayers...

Beth

[genedog]

has anyone done infergen

[LvdByGod]

genedog, i feel sooo sad for you. makes me want to just cry. i hate this virus so much...:O(

*GOD, PLEASE HELP THEM FIND THE REAL CURE SOON!!!

there are folks at medhelp who have been or are on infergen. i hope they see your last question about it. i agree with chev that you may want to conSider getting a little break before YOU jump back in...just for sanities sake...but you know what you need to do...you may just want to wack it over the head with infergen while it is still recovering from peg. kick it while its down so to speak. if i have this outcome that would be a tough decision for me to make...to go in and hit it now or wait a bit...

i guess if it's up to 2 million already, than i would think you could take a break for a bit and that it wouldn't matter. but it's better to get a few professional opinions on that...like a dr cecil or someone...gene, what stage/grade are you now? did the treatment help with that? will you go for a follow up biopsy at all? it's probably too soon for me to ask about these things, but i know you are probably asking yourself this too...

gene, please know we are all so sad with you...you have been such a great guy and we all hurt with you today...:O(

my prayers are with you gene,

sandi