Aa
Questions
Why is it so difficult to find a hepatologist in Eastern North Carolina? Gastro's coming out the woodwork but no Hep Doc's. Two big training hospitals (Duke, Pitt) but they're all gastro's. Do I settle for that if thats all there is? They do have a study trial starting ( IMO2125 ) but I don't think I fall in to the catagory they're looking for.
For those that advocate waiting for treatment if you have minimal liver damage, what length of time are we talking about? Can I wait 2 years? 5? If I'm stage 1 and in good health and don't drink, does the disease progress over time? Is there a study on the progressive nature of Hep C? Can I go from stage 1 to stage 4 and if I can, is there a time span and how can I avoid it or slow it down?
I've seen this asked before but I'm going to ask again. Is there a study on the long term side effects of Interferon/Riba combination? There are some concerns that are cropping up and I'd like to find out if they're related to treatment. Concentration is one of them. I can't seem to stay focused on any one thing. My mind wanders to something else and when I try to back to the orginal thought, I've forgotten it. An Arthritic condition is another. Before treatment I had no problems with arthritis but now I find it difficult to grip or squeeze anything with my hands. Jeez, I've just went a full circle on this damn disease. For those doing it a second time or more, can I pretty much expect the same sx as the first time? Is there anything you would do different? Thanks for any info.
For those that advocate waiting for treatment if you have minimal liver damage, what length of time are we talking about? Can I wait 2 years? 5? If I'm stage 1 and in good health and don't drink, does the disease progress over time? Is there a study on the progressive nature of Hep C? Can I go from stage 1 to stage 4 and if I can, is there a time span and how can I avoid it or slow it down?
I've seen this asked before but I'm going to ask again. Is there a study on the long term side effects of Interferon/Riba combination? There are some concerns that are cropping up and I'd like to find out if they're related to treatment. Concentration is one of them. I can't seem to stay focused on any one thing. My mind wanders to something else and when I try to back to the orginal thought, I've forgotten it. An Arthritic condition is another. Before treatment I had no problems with arthritis but now I find it difficult to grip or squeeze anything with my hands. Jeez, I've just went a full circle on this damn disease. For those doing it a second time or more, can I pretty much expect the same sx as the first time? Is there anything you would do different? Thanks for any info.
someone who's a top doc for one patient may be not at all right for another"
I don't really think this makes any sense at all. If you want someone who is one of the top doctors in a field...you'd pretty much assume he is the leading person of knowledge and expertise - technically they would be able to treat anyone...with just a matter of personality, finances and location to be the deciding factors. At that level - they should all be the 'best' there is.
I don't really think this makes any sense at all. If you want someone who is one of the top doctors in a field...you'd pretty much assume he is the leading person of knowledge and expertise - technically they would be able to treat anyone...with just a matter of personality, finances and location to be the deciding factors. At that level - they should all be the 'best' there is.
I refer to Dr. Ira Jacobson as a top doc. Not only does he have many years experience treating people - he is the lead investigator on most of the big trials that are done. He is not complacent with just the medication and information we have today. He has spent his lifetime learning, examining, testing everything that has to do with this disease. He has more knowledge and understanding about not only what is out there but what IS coming down the pike.
He's the doctors doctor. Not only is he associated with one of the biggest hospitals in the world - he's the lead guy there ... if a HepDoc got Hep, he's the one he'd most likely go to in this area.
That's why he is considered a TOP DOC. They have made it their lives passion to beat this disease - not just treat it. They are the specialists specialists and if you want to have one of the doctors that knows more than 99.999% of the other doctors - you'd go to one of these four or five guys.
He's the doctors doctor. Not only is he associated with one of the biggest hospitals in the world - he's the lead guy there ... if a HepDoc got Hep, he's the one he'd most likely go to in this area.
That's why he is considered a TOP DOC. They have made it their lives passion to beat this disease - not just treat it. They are the specialists specialists and if you want to have one of the doctors that knows more than 99.999% of the other doctors - you'd go to one of these four or five guys.
glad you got a chance to visit with your Mom and take a break for awhile. Not to mention a break from the internet, I think I'm do myself..(g)
Me?
...............I feel like I'm swimming through jello and my mind can't focus on the tiny marshmellows straight ahead....;^)
Me?
...............I feel like I'm swimming through jello and my mind can't focus on the tiny marshmellows straight ahead....;^)
I can relate. I tried to talk to my doc about weight based riba 1/2 way through treatment. I was so sick and foggy I couldn't even get angry about her blaise attitude. It is so important to be prepared and educated before treatment. Next treatment will have contingency plans ahead of time with doc, so I won't have to worry so much.
...besides not knowing what day it is...how are you handling everything? I have yet to catch up with the forum...I finally got to visit with my mom and stayed away from the internet and just relaxed for the week. It did me good to see her...I didn't wanna come home.
"Reality is...at this date...I don't even know what week I'm in...... " I can identify with that!! It sounds like a second opinion would be a very wise choice...
I guess I'm just to questioning at times.., did the top doc make the lecture circuit, or did the lecture circuit make the top doc... I guess it shouldn't matter.....;^)
I guess I'm just to questioning at times.., did the top doc make the lecture circuit, or did the lecture circuit make the top doc... I guess it shouldn't matter.....;^)
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