Well I woke up feeling blue, but I have new hope again. Thanks everyone. Also a few post had me laughing today. I love a sense of humor!! Hope everyone is having a great 4th. Take care
I had to travel 200 miles away to get a doctor to treat me after my liver failed due to the burst varicies and massive bleed.
That was 200miles each way, over a mountain range. (the Cascades)
I suggest you widen your range and see whats available w/in a days drive. We did the round trip in a day-one long day. I always got my appointment for 11:30am b/c thry always see everyone in the waiting rm before lunch. I would walk in, have my tests and walk out, often before my partner found parking, and drive right back home.
There are some studies taking non responders now. I hope you can find one. Best of luck to you.
That positive attitude beats the heck out of that worried attitude , doesn't it.
Ring every telephone in Tulsa if you have to. "Somebody" will be able to direct you to the right resources. We have to take control of our disease and tx because they obviously not going to do it for us.
Good deal , I'll watch for your posts in the upcoming days/weeks ahead.
Mark
Thanks everyone for the info. I am going to get on the phone tomorrow and start calling. I do feel better now.
Sorry you've run into trouble. That EGD deal is something you want. They will look for varicies (viens that have rerouted to where they don't belong due to cirrhosis). If they find them, they will shut them down with a rubber band. You don't want to ignore that.
As understand it, it used to be that cirrhotics were not offered treatment. Then they were, but only at larger (level 1? )facilities like trnsplant centers. I would be reluctant to treat with the GI who seems to have cold feet. That dude ain't going to be aggressive, I can tell you that from here.
One path that hasn't been mentioned is to email some high falooting (sp) hepatologists and see if they will recommend anyone closer. Or maybe find one out of the immediate area who will treat in conjunction with your PCP?
What a pain, and a burden of unneeded stress. Good luck to you.
DUH! here's the list of GI's in tulsa...(thanks brian..)LOL
http://hepatitis-central.com/hcv/drs/ok/tulsa.html
sorry i forgot to add that maybe you could ask over the phone when calling if that particular dr. treats cirrhotic relapsers or not? and avoid a consultation fee.?...It seems they'd be able to tell you upfront wether or not you're wasting your time and money..
Here's a list of Hepc doctors in Tulsa. Don't know if you've tried 'em all or not...they are all private practice. I see a pp doc, and other than paying for his visits ($60-80 every 3 months or so) there are options to help w/ expenses. :) good luck once again. tracy
Here in Tucson the only way you can see a Hep-c liver doctor is to be refered by another doctor. I called around one day and from what I could understand Hep-c people take up a lot of time and doctors don't want to deal with it.
Ron
I have all the info & links for all the drugs and labwork for free meds/rescue drugs etc. if you need them. Liberal ceiling on income levels. I'm uninsured as well but it sounds like finding a dr. is your biggest problem right now. I wish i could help but if you need the links let me know. good luck to you. tracy
Sorry about your difficulties. A quick "google" of Tulsa's Yellow Pages comes up with only one listing: http://tinyurl.com/hs95e
If that doesn't work out, sounds like you may have to travel outside your geographic area for at least an intial consultation. Then maybe you can work something out where you see the specialist maybe once every three months and the rest of the time coordinate with your local PCP.
As a stage 4, relapser, I'd want to be seen by a liver specialist (hepatologist) at a larger, teaching hospital where they have the needed expertise and scope of experience.
As to whether or not they will take you, try and get as much information on the phone, including if they are accepting new patients and how they would work with you given your lack of insurance. Some of these places have clinics or may be running trials. Sometimes faxing over a brief treatment history, including recent blood labs, biopsy report, etc, is helpful. If you want, you might even have your PCP contact the doctor after you've done some leg work.
All the best moving forward.
-- Jim
Continued: Also I wanted to know if anyone has had this rubberband procedure and how does it work? I just don't know what to do. I really wished I could find another dr. Anyone from Tulsa out there that has a good Doctor?