Aa
pre treatment exams??
A lot of people have mentioned getting pre treatment exams done, (eye dr, EKG, and psych) My Dr said they were not necessary and the only thing I need to do before starting treatment is to see an eye dr because I complained of dry, irritated eyes. Does this sound normal? Has anyone here skipped the pre treatment exams and just went straight to treatment? I also mentioned before that he says a liver biopsy is not needed. Just concerned and would like to hear your opinion, thank you!
Wow, why were you in the hospital so much? Was it from the side effects or treatment or something else? Sounds awful, are you ok now?
Well, let's see. Since my shrink was the fastest way for me to get referred to a tx'ing doc for hcv, the tx'ing doc knew I'd already had psych, lol. He did request that I do any other physical workup though. When I went to him, I already had everything done that I could paperwork wise and I had already gotten the test run for genotype and viral load and we were just waiting on the results. I was a documented acute and I took him all of that documentation, so there wasn't even a question of treating. I said, I would like to do thus and such medication protocol and I've already started pre-dosing with procrit because I have anemia.
And he said, ok, as soon as we get confirmation on your viral load, genotype, etc, we will order your meds and set up your bloodwork schedule. And he wanted me to continue to see the psychiatrist since I'd already been seeing her. (That turned out to be kind of funny because I got SO sick on tx SO fast that I frequently did not see her and she would drive by my house to see me because she was so scared that the treatment was going to kill me).
Also, I was in the hospital so much that I almost never went to see the doctor at his office again or did bloodwork there again. Instead, most of my bloodwork was done at the hospital. So I pretty much tossed the schedule out of the window. Really, my treatment physician ended up being my hematologist (who they referred me to just about ten days or so into tx) and a collection of assorted other hepatologists and specialists. The gastro I started with actually retired while I was treating I think, or shortly after. His "group" kind of did oversight of refilling my hcv meds, basically, and one of them would see me in the hospital and say hello and I would make them run yet another viral load every other time or so. Oh, and even though they are doctors, and they are supposed to know about these things, they kept ordering hiv tests, since I had been sexually assaulted. Even though I'd had one, and it was negative.
I was comfortable after the first one came back negative, but they have now run a slew of them. They even ran one a year ago when they ran another hcv pcr. It's like they can never quite believe that I really have SVR and that the guy who assaulted me really didn't give me HIV. For people who are supposed to be rational, doctors can be really superstitious sometimes.
And he said, ok, as soon as we get confirmation on your viral load, genotype, etc, we will order your meds and set up your bloodwork schedule. And he wanted me to continue to see the psychiatrist since I'd already been seeing her. (That turned out to be kind of funny because I got SO sick on tx SO fast that I frequently did not see her and she would drive by my house to see me because she was so scared that the treatment was going to kill me).
Also, I was in the hospital so much that I almost never went to see the doctor at his office again or did bloodwork there again. Instead, most of my bloodwork was done at the hospital. So I pretty much tossed the schedule out of the window. Really, my treatment physician ended up being my hematologist (who they referred me to just about ten days or so into tx) and a collection of assorted other hepatologists and specialists. The gastro I started with actually retired while I was treating I think, or shortly after. His "group" kind of did oversight of refilling my hcv meds, basically, and one of them would see me in the hospital and say hello and I would make them run yet another viral load every other time or so. Oh, and even though they are doctors, and they are supposed to know about these things, they kept ordering hiv tests, since I had been sexually assaulted. Even though I'd had one, and it was negative.
I was comfortable after the first one came back negative, but they have now run a slew of them. They even ran one a year ago when they ran another hcv pcr. It's like they can never quite believe that I really have SVR and that the guy who assaulted me really didn't give me HIV. For people who are supposed to be rational, doctors can be really superstitious sometimes.
Summer, your doctor knows you. The rest of us don't. He knows your history, what you need and what you don't need. I am an older woman for whom there were concerns over certain medical hx and also I was trying to get into a study protocol which is always somewhat persnickity depending on the phase, the drugs etc. But your doc knows you. If you believe in him and you did your research to make sure he was a good liver doc (how many hepc cases have you treated doc? how many were successful doc? etc.) then trust him and follow him. Not us.
I was required to have an eye exam. Since I was starting tx just before turning 50, I did not have to have an EKG. I have already had 4 liver biopsies with the last in 2006. I've been with my doc since 1994 and she knows I'm crazy so I guess she let the psych evalution slide.
In my early years of treatment with this doc when she and I were both new at this, she could be tentative always saying "first, do no harm." So perhaps your doc just wants baseline testing for his or her peace of mind.
Good luck as you move forward.
In my early years of treatment with this doc when she and I were both new at this, she could be tentative always saying "first, do no harm." So perhaps your doc just wants baseline testing for his or her peace of mind.
Good luck as you move forward.
Thanks everyone. I'm just nervous and want to make sure my Dr is doing everything he is supposed to do. I'm grateful to everyone on this forum. It helps to talk to people who have Bernard thru it, thank you!
I completed triple tx two years ago. I was required to have a liver biopsy before starting tx but I was in a trial and that was a trial requirement. Before tx the nurse practitioner did an eye exam but I wasn't seen by an eye doctor. I discussed my history of depression with her also but did not see a psychiatrist. They did do an EKG but I think that was because of my age (mid-50's). I think the EKG is less important for someone who's younger and has no known heart problems, no high blood pressure, etc. This is just my own experience but hope it helps.
Lapis
Lapis
I think it's the baseline thing too. If a person is coping well and currently taking an AD, I think they shud stick w it. I had all the tests but the retina thing? I did go for my annual eye exam in March. Same thing?
about having a baseline testing done, I feel the same since some of the sides can be retina problems and heart problems possible.When I was first dx, i went to a counselor. for me it was a waste of money. I spent all my money educated him on HCV. Probably just picked the wrong guy. The meds do play with your emotions, I strongly suggest anyone who has symptoms of depression and the like to get on an AD to keep you more stable/comfortable.. But where a more in-depth condition like bi-polar or manic or other phycological issues, One should be evaluated and followed closely by s psychologist while treating. Just an opinion.
Hey summer, I had all of the above except for the biopsy, I am geno type 2 and said it wasnt necessary. I truly think that If I refused the other stuff he probably would have dropped me, not sure but it wasnt a big deal ins. payed for it so why not. I think they want it to have a base line just incase you do have some eye problems or heart or flip out, they want to know that it was from the meds and not a condition that you had before. Just my thought.
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