1st appt with Liver Specialist

[jules2551]

Hi everyone!  Ive posted a couple of times on here and just want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement!  The question I have is.....What questions should I be asking the Dr?  I am Hep C Geno 1B.  Since you all have already been through this I thought it was best to directly ask all of you.  Thank you again and hope everyone is getting well!

Jules

[jules2551]

Thanks gentleman for your comments.  My Dad is actually flying in tonight to go with me to the Dr.  He has a Phd in physics and I am sure he will be taking notes non stop.  I will keep in touch and let you know how it goes.

Best wishes!

[can-do-man]

Good luck, you want to make the most of your time with your doctor so make sure you spend your time wisely, i wouldn't waste time by asking questions that you already know the answers to.......... If you do decide to tx make sure your both on the same page on when or if rescue drugs are used, at what point does he dose reduce, his stopping treatment plans, How often he does cbc's and pcr's.

BTW, write down your questions and leave a space to write down his answers, one tends to get nervous and its easy to forget later........ Good luck

[HectorSF]

Here are some sample questions that you may want to ask...

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Hepatitis C

What is hepatitis C doing to my body—and how serious is my condition?
What can I expect to happen to me now that I've been diagnosed?
What other tests do you recommend?
Should I be checked for other infections? Hep B, HIV, etc.
Should I consider treatment?
What treatments for hepatitis C are available and suitable for me?
Should I start treatment right away?
What are the side effects of treatment?
What can be done to minimize the side effects of treatment?
Can I get pregnant while on treatment?
What else can I do to minimize my chances of liver disease? Can I still drink alcohol?
Are there any supplements or over-the-counter drugs I should take or avoid?
Where can I find emotional support for my family and for me?
How can I avoid infecting others?
How can I expect this to affect my marriage or other intimate relationships?
How do I explain my hepatitis C diagnosis to friends and family?
Where can I get more information about my condition?

Hector