physician referral

how can I find a good doctor? I have been through the interferon treatment once but I relapsed, the doctor I was seeing referred me to another but I don't like him, he has the bedside manner of a bedpan, so how can I trust his judgement, especially if I don't respect him.

[TnHepGuy_]

Here are two sites that have doctor listings across the US. The first one is for hepatologists and the second one is for docs who treat hepatits:

<a href="https://www.aasld.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=aasld3&WebKey=e3b65c0e-4e1a-46ac-83e1-797c2f3e30fa">The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases</a>

<a href="http://aids.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fhepatitis-central.com%2Fhcv%2Fdrs%2Ftoc.html">Physicians Who Treat Hepatitis - Personal Patient Referrals</a>



TnHepGuy


https://www.aasld.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=aasld3&WebKey=e3b65c0e-4e1a-46ac-83e1-797c2f3e30fa

http://aids.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fhepatitis-central.com%2Fhcv%2Fdrs%2Ftoc.html

[Xenigma]

Well, after a six and a half month wait I finally just got home from my Hepatologist.  Dr. Schiff is an outstanding doctor and a heck of a guy too.  I felt so comfortable with him.  Because of my heart condition he wants to wait to treat me.  He guaranteed me that he would have me on a treatment in 3-5 years, one that won't give me heart arrhythmia's and that I will be cured then. I asked him what it was and he wouldn't tell me, he only said I guarantee I will cure you in 3-5 years.  He is doing a whole new bloodwork-up on me.  My liver is of normal size so he doesn't want to do a biopsy now. He is testing for Cryogolemia <sp>, he thinks I do have that along with the RA, Sjogrens, Raynuads etc... (Which I test positive for) My rheumatologist will take over for now and treat my symptoms of pain with pain pills to make me more comfortable until I am able to do (the new) treatment.  He is also genotyping me which I never had done but I know my VL is 1,370,000 that was in Jan. 04 so he is also doing another VL.
Besides HCV, I have also HAV, and HBV.  The HBV is confusing to me but he explained that I did clear it on my own and do not need to take the immunizations for it.  I am immune and cannot pass it on.  My husband and I have been married 21 years and my hubby tested Neg. for HCV last month.  
The Doc said the two most important things to remember is not to share razors and toothbrushes.  So that's about it.  I will just wait and hope that I do not progress rapidly and that this new treatment will be out soon.  In the meantime I will just treat symptoms and see him again in one year.  I learned a lot from this site and will continue to read from time to time.  If you live in the Miami area, Dr. Schiff is seeing new patients only, and is well worth going to.
Good Luck to everyone and thanks for everything....
Enigma

[Showboat]

Wow.....sounds like you did get some encouraging news....You have peaked my interest with your doc's prediction of a "guarantee" of recovery in 3 to 5 years............if you get any information on the new and coming meds, I sure would love to read about them.  Thanks for sharing your information, and congratulations for stepping in the right direction!
Peace

[Xenigma]

I will let everyone know if I get any info on these new meds.
The Interferon causes the heart flutters so I'm thinking it has to be something other than Interferon. (Or a med in the Interferon that has been removed?)  I don't know the exact make-up of the Interferon itself. I did ask him twice about the new meds and he wouldn't say. He was mentioning putting me on 1/2 does but with all my labs being normal and liver and spleen feeling unremarkable, he decided against it.  He also feels that the extrahepatic manifistations (RA/Sjogrens,fibro Etc) that I have, I may have had since a child and may not be directly related to the HCV but exasperated (more pronounced) by it.  3-5 years is a long time, unfortunately, too long for some, but it does give us hope. It was an encouraging appt..
Thank you
Enigma

[TnHepGuy_]

Hello, Mr. Hall.

Was thinking of you the other evening as my wife and I watched an episode of All Creatures Great and Small. Wondering if you are familiar with the Yorkshire Dales at all?


TnHepGuy

[MajNeni]

I think many hospitals have some sort of Nurse Referral service.  Nurses see drs. work, they can tell which ones are good, which ones are good with patients, which ones specialize in various type cases.  I found my good doc that way.  Once you get the names of a couple of docs, call their offices and ask how many heppers they have treated, and if you could talk to anyone who has done the tx.  (They referred me to several other patients who had been through tx, and they called me.)  You want a doc with lots of experience and happy patients.

After you narrow it down to one name (or hopefully one practice), try to inquire by telephone:  Do they lower your med doses, or do they use Neupogen and Procrit as needed? (You want the latter)  How do you get concerns addressed after hours, and how quickly do they respond?  What testing do they do during tx, on what schedule?  If you don't clear in the first 12 weeks, can you continue tx?  Can you extend tx, if it comes to that?  Can you have copies of all lab reports (this better be a yes answer)?  Do they have a Nurse Practitioner or P.A.?  (They can give you more time.)  If you submit these questions in writing, you may get answers more easily; you want the doctor's version, not just the front office.  

I left doc one - a good GI, but with very little knowledge of Hep C tx - and found my terrific doc this way.  Good luck to you, too.
Maj Neni

[Showboat]

Thanks for the info....I will be keeping my eye out for you....stay well......