I need a doctor around Phoenix who will treat me before I am "sick"

[diandamnit]

Ive reccently tested positive for Hepatitis C  and have type 2b with a medium viral load.  Im thinking that the longest I could have it is about three years.  I tested negative before that time.  My problem is that my liver enzymes are normal and my ultrasound only shows gall stones but no inflammation of the  liver etc.  As far as symptoms I have a somewhat chronic back problem for the last couple of years and some arthritis.  I am 51 currently.  I saw Dr John C Wells , an enterologist in Phoenix and all he will do is monitor my enzymes and when my ALT becomes elevated or some other problem more major than gall stones arises then we would consider treatment,

Now this is against everything Ive ever practiced as far as early intervention and early treatment usually will produce a more beneficial end.. right?  So my question is .. Is this the way every physician is going to be? Are these the recommendations set forth by the insurance companies and the "powers that be" that you must be in some advanced stage of liver disease in order to be  treated?

I inderstand that most people do not even know that they have hepatiitis C until they are in a somewhat advanced stage.. however I am sure that there are many individuals like myself that are finding out that they have hepatitis C before they are chronically ill.  I  thought this would be a good thing to treat early and knock it out before I am actually sick, but that doesnt seem to be the case.  

So does anyone have any first hand information of this? And can someone recommend a doctor around the Phoeenix area that I could get an appointment with to start treatment?

Thanks
Dian

[fashion345]

You may try to obtain an apt at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.  They have a liver clinic that is very good.  

[spectda]

definitely find a better doctor. I think 2b is one of the easier genotypes to treat, Im not sure though.

[RobertBeWell]

Oh, and just to clarify, if you've had it three years, you are chronically ill. If your body is able to beat it on it's own, it will do so much sooner than that.

The good news is, at three years, I would suspect damage is negligible. Many of us have had this for decades.

[RobertBeWell]

Find another doctor. Not much more to be said there.

Early treatment is certainly an option, but depending on the amount of liver damage, if any, you may be advised to wait a while for the next round of medications coming on the market in the next year or two.

And no, all physicians are not like this. Actually, I've never met one like you describe.

Best of luck