Jim,
thanks for getting back to me. I think it is important to know what are opitions are and not to put our full trust in anyone person. I do believe there are true experts in the medical field that bring to our treatment a lifetime of study and shall we say a more global perpective.
I guess for me I look to this site for others going through treatment what their issues have been and how they have delt with them not unlike an AA meeting. As I was saying to my Dr. today the internet is both a blessing and a curse. Should I have a problem I would know where to look (here) but I also expect to have problems because of what i read here.
just another point of view
I'm a writer -- mostly marketing but some editorial and satire. No formal or intimate medical knowledge other than dating a doctor here and there :)
I tend to immerse myself in anything that interests me -- be it an interest, sport, or in this case fighting hep c. Basically, for the past year on tx, I've been reading pretty much everything I could put my hands on -- including many full-text articles. Also, spoke or corresponded with a number of hepatologists on different issues.
At some point -- around month 3 I believe -- I felt comfortable enough to call many of the shots in my own treatment and have since worked with my medical team in a partnership relationship.
As far as my strong opinions, I think most of them are fairly mainstream, at least with some of the more agressive hepatologists. The one exception are some of my views on ribavirin which come from studies outside the United States, i.e. Sweeden, but I try and make that clear.
I really don't think hep c treatment as it exists today is rocket science, or even close. From what I've read, there are a lot of folks here who know more about treatment protocols than a number of doctors who treat hep c. That is unfortunate in the sense that if we can put in the homework, so should someone takes in the conficence and makes a living treating sick people. But don't get me started here :)
-- Jim
Jim,
I just have to ask what your background is. Are you a Dr.? Are you invlovled with hep c research? You seem to have very strong point of views and was interested in how you formed them.
oh and about the gold bond, i am using clinique body butter.it's a bit pricey, but since i need a small bit of consolation that is my one splurge. it works real good. what are the bumps? i got wierd little pimple things las time..... they hurt!
i am self emloyed (not) so on a serious budget especially since i spent my savings last go around. God will provide that is the one thing i leaned and i'll be ok.
Cando's gotta list, he's checkin it twice, he'll let ya know who'se nutty or right,la la la la , oh la la la la ! Welcome my friend !
Dyce
Hello to you, welcome to the funnyfarm, im also so a geno1 as is many others here. Yes a lot do go UD at week 12 but don't be discouraged if you don't. If not UD we hope for a 2 log drop and then clear by week 24. Hope to see you here often, and if you want to know who the crazy ones are just ask me. i keep a list of them.:)