Pre-Tx checkup?

[zero limit]

Hello to everyone - I received my the results of my 2nd bx last week.  Inflammation grade is much improved over the past 2 yrs.  No advancement (nor improvement )of the fibrosis, still stage 3 bridging. I continue to feel great with no apparent symptoms of the virus.

I have an appt this with the LPN week to discuss tx.  I asked my  gastro, about a pre tx health checkup and he said not to worry, he only wanted my eyes examined. ???  Oberserving here and elsewhere would indicate more than just my eyes need to be checked.  Agreed? Like heart, thyroid and kidney function tests, mental evelauation, and I don't know what else.  Surely there has to be more to it than just an eye exam.  

I've been reading the posts everyday and have learned alot reagrding the importance of baseline measureres pre tx, besides just LFT's and a PCR. I've also been paying attention to who's doing what to treat which sx, and when to the proper time may be to intervene with rescue drugs.

I'm seeking input from the group regarding what areas of concern should I be inquiring about during my next appt before I committ to allow this medical staff to manage my tx and associated sx. My thoughts are if they are behind the curve on this, I need to take my business elsewhere.  I'm in Seattle, so it shouldn't be to difficult to find a good medical team.

By sharing your experiences and how your doc's are managing your tx, is a huge help to all.  

Thanks and good health to all,
zero

[Mister beagle bailey]

If you have to take the procrit it's not that bad.  I take 60,000 units a week and still my HGB is down to 7.5 and Tues. will find out if it dropped more.  But if not for the procrit they would have cut my riba and that I didn't want.
I hope your HGB is holding and every thing else checks out tomorrow.

Beagle

[strator]

Hey you two thanks for the concern. Cuteus I appreciate your offer, but right now I'm on hold. I see the doctor tomorrow and will be getting a list of questions together tonight. Actually my weekend hasn't been much different han any other one on tx. After working and a meeting yesterday I was up til 3AM baking with my son, and did shot #31. Got through church and a long but great Easter at my sister's house. Tomorrow he'll probably have them do a cbc as I'm almost due for one. We'll see from there. I'm not really looking forward to procrit if needed, or the chance that he may say let's cut the riba dose. This does add a cog into the fact that the appt tomorrow is to talk about among other things that I didn't clear at 24 weeks. I doubt that they'll be any chance of upping riba if I'm getting anemic, and I don't know what criteria insurance uses for approving stuff although it does seem to cover everything.
On a bright note I'm down to 138lbs from 158 at the beginning of tx, so maybe the riba is getting more work done. I'll keep you updated and may you both be blessed with a healthy life spiritually and physically.
Thanks,
Don

[zero limit]

Thanks for the input on pre tx check up.  I'm putting together quite a laundry list for my next visit to the doc.  I've also located another clinic near the UofW that states HCV treatment is one of their prime areas of focus. I plan to consult with these people before any of this takes place.  And yes, I do keep all copies of all labs and bx reports, good advice for all.  Hope everyone is making the best of the holiday.  Take care.

zero

[NYgirl]

I had a lot of tests before treatment - the eye exam was very important so I hope that your doctor prescribes that one too.  I had every test in the world it seemed and I just didn't know WHY.

I did have baseline thyroid done and thank GOD the doctor did it or we would not know that the interferon killed my thyroid and I would not be getting treatment

Every test that they want to do has a GOOD reason it seems behind it - even if we don't understand it at the time

Make sure you get ALL TEST RESULTS and keep a copy for yourself so YOU CAN look and compare.  Nobody cares more about YOU than YOU!

[Mister beagle bailey]

Hope your feeling better this morning.  Please let us know what the doc has to say about the sxs your having.  Glad you'll being seeing him tomorrow.  

Beagle

[cuteus]

happy easter/passover,etc to everyone that believes.  I believe in the spiritual world and the positive and negative energies within, but have a hard time with organized religion. Long term side effects from 12 yrs of religion in catholic school!

strator; after the laughter there was not much pissed off going on, so I guess it was a short confession. I thought the worst time for confession was Easter Sunday, the lines are longer than the after thanksgiving at wal mart. I read a lot of people only go to service once a yr, and that is it.   The energy level dwindling on you is definetely chronic anemia catching up with all your systems. If you get the procrit approved, it will help enormously, any problems, I have 4 vials, will drive to the border to release them to anyone in need.

zero; If my insurance allows, I would request the baseline tests you mentioned, plus a neurological, endocrinology(antithyroid antibodies), and cryoglobulins(even if no symptoms) and if you are at it, a test for the HLA especially the b27 to see if you have disposition to autoimmune conditions. After that, you should be set.

[strator]

Thanks fella, I saw and answered your blurb lookin for me down in the post...Had a friend ask...
Just baked cookies and Irish soda bread w/the kid. See the doc Monday finally, although at BB and Jim's suggestion I tried to catch him Friday with no luck, sx seem to have kicked up. Put another notch in my belt today.. but it was just to hold my pants up. Wouldn't mind the wt loss if I had the energy to back it up. Tryin to stay awake cause I gotta do shot 31 after the breads done and then make the Easter Basket for a kid that now has 20lbs on me and wears it well. At least if I shrink enough the bill collectors won't be able to see me.
Best wishes to you and yours,
Don

[can-do-man]

If life smiles at you, smile back.
If life isn

[strator]

Hope everyone has a spiritually healthy weekend. No matter Whoever, Whatever, However, you believe or don

[can-do-man]

Yes i've made a lot of people happy, Like they say what goes around comes around. But when my wife called the office and made sure they knew well, I had a bag on my desk waiting for me, i got everything from maxi-pads to pamplets on how my little friend would visit me once a month. sympathy cards TO MY WIFE. And other things i never new there was. Not to mention pink thongs, hose, garterbelt, lipstick, Oh and some nice black high heels that wasn't even my size.


HAPPY EASTER MY FRIENDS

[can-do-man]

CDM...brushing your teeth with Vagisil huh. This explains a lot

Sorry that wasn't me. i'm the one who was using vaginal gel on their forehead. GEEZ i'm  not that crazy:)

Happy Easter to you and thanks

ps didn't help my forehead but i don't have a yeast infection

[Mister beagle bailey]

HAPPY EASTER AND PASSOVER TO ALL.

Lilmomma -- You just saw what can do did?  LOL  That's what we were kidding him about all week.

Dyce-- You sound like your having a good night.

Hope everyones shot nights went well and no sxs for all this Holy weekend.

Beagle

[What Next]

I hope everyone has a nice Easter and is in good spirits and health tomorrow. I am really glad hear we can all talk about this Hep c monster openly. I feel lucky to have found you all.
Happy Easter

[dyce]

Ha girl , your a winner and DON'T YOU FORGET IT!!!!

Dyceman

[jmjm530]

Yes, happy Easter and Passover to all.

CDM...brushing your teeth with Vagisil huh. This explains a lot.

[jerialice]

chiming in...happy resurrection to us all. to me it's all about the joy and hope in healing and love! you all take care.

[goldyn]

oh lilmomma you sound like me i want to do sun rise its such a special  service  but to tell you the truth it will prob be the 11:00.. come home hubbys gonna bbq.  Easter egg hunt with cofetti filled eggs we hit on each others heads its a family tradition..

Rocker- please tell me youll add alittle real butter to anything youll eat for  Easter....

[lilmoma]

OMG!!!!!!!!! I know Im a little belated, but I just read your post from the 12th!!!!!!!!!!The vagisel story,.....OMG Im rolling, I gotta go tell hubby! Be right back!!!!!!!!!
lilmoma

[lilmoma]

We obviously celebrate Easter alike, sounds like this house.
We were gonna go to the sunrise service,...but gotta admit, I just DONT want to get up that early if I dont have to.
We will probably go to 9:00 service.
Actually this year we are doing something different, hubby is gonna grill huge steaks, and of course all the trimmings to go with. mushrooms and onions roasting away on the grill!!Yum!
Tonight Im gonna make a chocolate pudding cake.
Gosh, Im getting tired just thinking about all this stuff.
I have spent all day on the couch, napping off and on.
I feel like such a loser!!!!!
lilmoma

[anise]

Happy Easter and have an enjoyable time in whatever is your fancy!  (I can hear Can-do-man thinking up something on that last statement) :)

[dyce]

Hi lilmoma, sorry to hear your still having the bloating sx's! Yes tomarrow is easter dinner and we'll have ham ,lots os sx dishs and of course lots of sweets(Good for riba diba absorbtionLOL). A day to give reconition to the passover and the lords sacrificial death and resurrectin. How bout you?

Dyce

[lilmoma]

Well Happy Easter to you too!!!!!!!
Hope things continue to go well for you.
Are you having a special dinner tomorrow?
lilmoma

[dyce]

Happy easter all my friends!  The riba is still given me the jibas but all is well this holiday weekend.

Dyce

[Mister beagle bailey]

Hey Dyce,

Your blood looks good.  Your HGB is holding pretty good, your at where I was before doing tx.  Glad your doing well.

Beagle