Is anyone from Louisiana?

We need to find a new doctor/hospital that offers care for low income/no income people with no insurance.  Thanks for any help!

[Proactive]

http://www.hepprograms.org/drug/drug9.asp
http://www.tulane.edu/~tmcid/links/links.htm
I'd give Tulane a call....Pro

[Proactive]

another idea might be contacting a facility in Memphis...

[hitherdither]

Thank you for your help.

[R Glass]

I am in Baton Rouge. I don’t know what part of La. you live in but you may want to contact The Pennington Bio Research Center here in Baton Rouge. If they cannot help you, they may be able to direct you in what to do. If he is a Veteran, he can go to the V.A. You may also want to try one the State Hospitals, we have the Earl K Long in Baton Rouge and if you are from North La. there is one in Monroe (or West Monroe) Best wishes.

[hitherdither]

Actually, we are in Hammond and we are currently going to Lally Kemp in Independence. I'm familiar with Eark K. Long. My sister went there for cancer.  My H. isn't a Vet.  I've heard of a hospital in Houma but not the one in Monroe.  Thank you for the tip on Pennington.  Do you know anything about the Hep C drs. at Earl K Long?

[R Glass]

Sorry but, I don’t know anything about them. You may be able to find out by calling them. If you have to go in, be sure to bring a lunch because they do not get in a hurry.
I have to contact my Gastro’s Nurse sometime this week. I will see if she has any helpful information.

[hitherdither]

Thank you. Yes I know about the waiting. It's like that at Lally Kemp also. I appreciate your help.

[R Glass]

You may also want to try Southeastern or LSU for guidance. With Southeastern being big on Nursing, who knows what they may have.

[cajunldy]

I do not live in louisiana right now, but lived there most of my life.  I live in California now.  Believe it or not I did live in Albany, La. in my first marriage, he is now deceased.  I have friends in Baptist and all around there.  Lally Kemp in Independence would not be my choice of a treatment place.  Get a good doctor, you will need one that understands the side effects for this treatment and will know how to respond properly.  Not an easy treatment but it is doable.  You know if you contact the drug companies you can probably get the medications free.  There is alot of ways to get this treatment without insurance and low income, don't let that stop anything.

Oh yeah, I met my very best friend in the whole world when I lived in that area.

Good Luck,
Cajun

[hitherdither]

I suppose you know that we are only about 10 minutes away from Albany. We have good friends there also. Small world.  

Yes, I am disappointed in Lally Kemp.  Seems all the charity hospitals aren't that great here.  Earl K. Long wasn't either when my sister had cancer.    I'm working on it everyday.  I know we can get the meds for free.  Trying to find a good hepatologist in our area. The closest one is in Covington which isn't that far.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

[cajunldy]

OOOPPS,  Covington is close and may be easier to make arrangements according to income.  Check the area for any trials going on right now.  New Orleans, I know is still a mess, but you may see if one of the medical school hospitals have a specialty dept. regarding hepC.  Oh, by the way, I am originally from Lafayette.  

Cajun

[cajunldy]

What is his geno type, has he had a biopsy?  That would be one of the first things to find out what damage he is dealing with.  That will help him and you know how much time he has before he really has to treat. It will help to make your final decision.

Cajun

[hitherdither]

His N/P hasn't done a bx due she says to his platelet level being 112,000.  She in her guesstimation is putting him at stage 2/3 which she says is beyond fibrosis. He has a hepatologist but he only gets to see him like every 3 months. He referred us to her and said she was the best. Yeah, right!   I called a gastro for a second opinion located in Baton Rouge and have an appt. for Oct 29th.  There just aren't many hepatologists close by that will even see us unless we have insurance.  One I called said they don't even want to be paid out of pocket.  His N/P upset us our last visit when we asked about rescue drugs in case his platelets drop.  She said she wouldn't give him any.  Check my post "I have questions!"  That is why we are seeking a second opinion/doctor. She said other off the wall things too. Oh, his genotype is 1a and his v/l is 650,000.  She said he's probably had Hep C for around 38 years.  

Been to Lafayette a few times. Nice place.

[R Glass]

If you don't nmind ne asking, which Gastro are you going to see in Baton Rouge it may the same one that I am seeing (Christianson) or might be in the same clinic.

[cajunldy]

I did my tx with a gastrologist, he was pretty good.  Sometimes you have to even keep them up to date on new stuff.  But, my doctor did listen to me most of the time. Baton Rouge is big enough to have a good selection like R Glass mentioned his.

Cajun

[hitherdither]

This doctor is with the G I Associates. His name is Dr.Douglas Walsh.  I called a doctor that wouldn't take us because lack of insurance and they told us to call these doctors.  So, that's how I got in. I hope he can answer questions that we have. Oh, just checked their website and there is a Dr. Christopher Christensen.  Would that be him R?  Was he good?  

Just heard on the news that Sheriff Harry Lee died.  He went through a lot with his different illnesses.

[R Glass]

Yes that is where I go and Dr. Christopher Christensen is my Gastro. I like him because he is down to Earth and takes his time to answer all of my questions and makes sure I understand his answers.

[hitherdither]

R. I'm hoping this Dr. we are going to see will be like that.  I'll be lettin ya know.