Changing Dr.?

[TashaZZ]

I am not sure if I should change Dr.   When I started TX his nurse told me to call any time I call in sick to work to have it noted on my chart in case the case the DR would ever have to sign anything. I

Last time I met with the Dr.  he said that I could come see him if I needed before my 3 month checkup.  I have had sides since Sat.  I left a voice mail Mon - Wed to let them know to note my chart.   I did not ask them to call back. The headaches, muscle aches, eyes hurting etc I know what to do.  Since I started TX I have fallen 4 times because of dizzyness which reulted in a sprained ankle and bruise ribs with strained back.  The other 2 times I fell full force on my knees (I am not skinny)  I almost fell 3 times this week so I thought maybe I should see the Dr.  A nurse called me back and said that the Dr wanted my viral load taken that maybe I should stop TX. (There is only one nasty nurse there and that is who called) I told her that I do not want to stop I only have 16 weeks left.  My last alt was normal.  She said that I shouldn't have any sides after the 1st 3 weeks. I told her that was not true that only applied to the flu like sides. All of the meds that I am given note that dizzyness could be a side effect as well of a host of other stuff.  When I do not feel I can drive safetly I do not drive.  Sometimes I have to drive 100 miles in a day for my job and other days are in the office. Taking a shower can be a major event.

If I stay with the Dr.  I will not call him again.  I do not want to be threatened that tx is going to be stopped.  He said that I have a 90% chance of being cured.  

2 questions:
Do you think I should wait for the results or start looking for a Dr?  If I do stay with him I am going to ask him specifically how he wants things done.  I do not think he is on the same page as that one nurse.

Does anyone Dr. want to be kept informed when another Dr. prescribes drugs?

Thanks for listening to my ramblings - I do not want to quit at this point so I am very depressed that it is even being  questioned.  It seems to me that I should get some say so on what I am willing to go through.

Thanks for your support. It is so helpful to talk to others who know what it is like.

[wyntre9]

The nurse sounds like an idiot.  It's obvious she doesn't know what the f**k she's talking about.

Although dizziness hasn't been a primary SX for me, it does happen, especially when i don't eat every 3 or 4 hours.  I've read about peg and riba SX, too, and that's a main one.

If you have fallen 3 or 4times, I'd say you should talk to you Dr. about that.  That's pretty serious.

i would call the office and INSIST on meeting with him.

I also think most Doctors do want to be informed of meds you are taking that have been prescribed by someone else.  There can sometimes be adverse reactions from mixing certain drugs.

I don't blame you for not wanting to stop TX when you only have 4 months to go.  But, since HE didn't say that to you, and the nurse is evidently slightly misinformed, I wouldn't assume that just coz SHE said you would have to stop TX that that's HIS policy.

I would make an appointment to see him, let him know all meds you're taking and discuss the dizziness with him.  

wyntre

[ladywhy]

Get rid of the nasty,clueless nurse, for one. Tell Dr. you only want to see him at your appt. I switched dr.'s when I was at th 6th week of tx. I am now at 28th and want another expert opinion. Make sure you have copies of all your labs....wishing you all the best!
Yvonne

Quite often, there is a waiting period to get in to see a Hep Dr. Don't delay making the appt.

[TashaZZ]

Thanks for your comments.  My husband said to ignore the nurse too. I just feel I have worked so hard to get through this that I do not want to stop.  If I was going to stop it would have been when my hair started falling out!  I was thinking of taking the drug info that comes with the meds and giving it to the nurse if I could do it tactfully or when I done with tx giving it to her so maybe she does not do the same to others.  

I will bring all the meds when I visit.  I am trying not to take anything for my ribs and ankle to see if that helps. I have started looking for another Dr. in case things do not work out.  I have about 5 weeks of meds left.

Thank you both I do feel better.  

[wyntre9]

Rather than giving the nurse the SX list for peg/riba, during your LAST appointment with the Dr., I would inform him that you have been given unreliable, possibly erroneous info by a member of his staff and name names!

I wouldn't waste another second on her.

Glad you feel better.  And your husband is right!

wyntre

[TashaZZ]

I forgot to say that I am afraid to tell him if about any sides.  I was just going to keep my mouth shut and not call unless there is blood or something really bad or just go to urgent care.  I do not want to quit and it seems if I am willing to go through the sx he should let me.

Most of the other drs in this immediate area share a practice with him but I will find a back up

Thanks for listening.  It is so hard sometimes to swallow the anger.

[zazza]

Has your hemoglobin been checked? Do you know what it is at today? Has it fallen much since the start of tx?

I am glad to see you are being cautious and looking for another doctor if you need one. Good also that you have 5 weeks of meds to go. Do not stop tx until you are yourself convinced that you have to. A second opinion is good.

[TashaZZ]

My last labs report my Alt went down to normal. White 2.4, Platelet 115 , Absolute Neutrophils 1289, and monocytes 98 are all low.  Hemoglobin is fine 12.8 and it has alway been in range. Beside the platelet, alts and other obvious ones I do not know what the other stuff is.  He said he pays attention to the white count and alt.

I had a sinus infection 2 week ago I didn't realize what it was right away because the sides masked it. I am around alot of germs our office is in a trailer and I visit alot of schools. The Dr. told me after my 1st viral load that I had a 90% chance of getting rid of it.

Thanks for your input   :  )

[zazza]

I figure you are geno 2 or 3 then? Had a 4 week viral load test? UND? I would go for it.