insurance

[jay1975]

Hey guys, is jmjm530 out there???  The new Doc I'm going to see seems "gung ho" for lack of better words on doing a biopsy and he hasnt even seen me yet.  I'm not sure if my insurance would cover that since all my test have been negative and all my numbers have looked great.  I'm not sure I want to see a Doc that hands out liver biopsy's like chicken mcnuggets at a drive thru!!!  After talking to all you guys it sounds like having a biopsy should only be done if it is warranted.  what do you guys think!!!

[NYgirl]

Jay,

Personally I couldn't make an educated decision on the decision or "to treat or not to treat" without a biopsy.  It is really the best way (and most exacting) to find out exactly where you stand.

Liver enzymes and numbers CAN change and go HIGH up and down to normal again.....just like viral loads can. But the biopsy will tell you exactly how much liver damage you do have.

Most insurance does cover this.

[jay1975]

Here are my test results to date so you can be informed -
3 HCV EIA tests all negative
2 HCV RIBA test all negative
1 HCV RNA qualitative - negative

9/05 ast20 alt18
6/06 ast21 alt20
7/06 ast18 alt19
9/06 ast20 alt17
10/06 ast17 alt14

Have lots of symptoms but no evidence.

[jay1975]

you've always had a good outlook on biopsys!! If I have to get one done does it hurt as bad as some people on here say????

[mycoldfeet]

No it don't hurt bad, but if they offer drugs....take em. I did it both ways and I'd rather wake up with it done and time to go home.

[FlGuy]

With those negative tests I'd sure ask my doc what he would expect to learn by taking a few divots from my liver.  Seems like there should be more, less-invasive diagnostic tests to do before everyone starts scrubbing up.

[jay1975]

tell me about - am i crazy for thinking that??? I dont think so and I think jmjm530 would agree.

[jay1975]

from what I understood they would be looking for HCV in the liver itself since its not showing up on blood tests.

[FlGuy]

Doc: "Jay, I've got good news not only do you not have hcv in your blood, but you don't have it in you liver either"

Jay: "Doc, that is good news. And, I had a suspicion that you were just on a little hunting trip in my liver"

Doc: "Well Jay, I feel a lot better that we got into your liver and extracted a few good core samples.  By the way Jay, did I tell you my theory about HCV hiding in brain matter?"

[copyman]

i agree with FLGuy there should be no reason for you to have a biopsy. the only reason i can see the doc giving you one is to finally make you understand that you do not have hepatitis or cirhossis. you have received some sound advice from your previous post below. i will try and make you understand: FORGET ABOUT HEPATITIS AND GO ON WITH YOUR LIFE! PLEASE DO NOT WASTE ANYMORE TIME ON THIS FORUM! YOU DO NOT HAVE HEPATITIS OR CIRHOSSIS!

ps, are you related to niceguy?

[painterlady13]

Jay,
You don't say if you have ever been DX with HCV.   the doc might just not be looking for HCV but maybe for actual liver damage.  There can be many other reasons that could call for further testing also if you have other elevated enzymes or tests they might warrant the Biopsy.  I would be sure to ask the reason your doc feels you need that test aand then make an informed decision as to whether I should have the testing.

[jay1975]

I dont know why he thinks theres damage. Nurse just said he'd probobly want to do it for reasurance that I dont have HCV. Thanks for your advice.

ps - Sorry for upsetting anyone in here -

[rentapen]

Don't go looking for a bear if your happy and clear now. be cool.
rent

[copyman]

sorry jay, i did not mean to vent on you but there are sick people on this forum that really need help. this is a hepatitis forum and you tested negative several times and your liver enymes are perfect. please save yourself the grief of a biopsy and go on with your life. best of luck to you.

[jay1975]

thats cool - and I totally understand you - I actually needed someone to kick my rear & tell me how it is.  I actually thank you for that!!!  I wish you guys all the best of luck and you will all be in my prayers!!!!  You guys help soooo many people, even if its just advice.  Its a shame that there is so much illness in this world...be it physical or mental!!!

[NYgirl]

Jay

You're negative for HCV but have liver problems?

Biopsy's are relatively completely painless - fortunately we do NOT have nerves in our liver to cause us pain...but it is nerve wracking because quite simply it's almost impossible to believe that it's not going to hurt!

What reason does the doctor have for giving you a biopsy? While they aren't painful - unless he has some reason in mind to think that you do have liver damage.....why would he try and make you do it?

I don't have any problem with having one done at all and IF there is a cause to think that you might have damage am all for it - but if it's a guessing game.....then I'd tell him uh no I'll wait.

Do you have any idea why he thinks you do have damage? I'm sorry to make you repeat things - on treatment I'm hardly brilliant and have trouble remembering (not that I was EVER brilliant before either so why would it be different now? ;)

I wish I could help more.

But just know - if he is dead set on your having one...it's not, 99.999% of the time, any big deal at all. It's just your BRAIN that it going to hurt cause it's going to work overtime to convince you that you are going to be crying!

[copyman]

very nice words jay. i truly wish you the best and you are in my prayers as well.