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Hubby just diagnosed w HEP C
58 yr old husband just diagnosed with Hep C, stage 2, geno type 1, no cirrhosis. He also was diagnosed with lymes
and hemocromosis recently. Further he has hereditary spherositosis and has had his gall bladder & spleen removed in the 70's. (possible that he was infected w hep c during that operation in the 70's). He smokes but does not drink. He is currently having head aches and sick to his stomach all the time. His next appt with a gastro doctor isnt for 3 months! They told him he will start tx then. We dont know if his current symptoms are lym, hep C or what. Its terrible that he has to wait so long to see a doctor. Shouldnt someone be treating him right now? Should we try and see another doctor who can see him sooner? Will the other diseases he has hurt his chances for overcoming the virus?
and hemocromosis recently. Further he has hereditary spherositosis and has had his gall bladder & spleen removed in the 70's. (possible that he was infected w hep c during that operation in the 70's). He smokes but does not drink. He is currently having head aches and sick to his stomach all the time. His next appt with a gastro doctor isnt for 3 months! They told him he will start tx then. We dont know if his current symptoms are lym, hep C or what. Its terrible that he has to wait so long to see a doctor. Shouldnt someone be treating him right now? Should we try and see another doctor who can see him sooner? Will the other diseases he has hurt his chances for overcoming the virus?
thanks so much portann. We have not spoken with the doctor since the biopsy but the nurse said the gastro doctor wants to begin treatment right away (I suppose after our Jan. appt). I think you are right, a second opinion is in order. I have read that a new treatment is on the horizon and they are advising some to wait till its available. Is there a link or somewhere to obtain information on the new treatment? Also how does someone determine how long they have had HEP C?
There's no need to dig up a new doctor to treat this minute with his relatively good biopsy results. Three months is really not very long to wait.
The most important thing to do is for both of you to get into as good shape as possible before starting treatment and to make sure you will be working with the best hepatologist (liver doctor) that you can find, even if you have to change doctors now. Your husband has several health issues and he'll need someone very experienced to provide treatment. A gastro who does not specialize in hepatitis may not be at the top of his game.
At his age (which is mine), and with his grade and stage (similar and considered relatively minor), some here would suggest a wait and see approach, while others would say the sooner he plunges in, the better. This is a personal decision, based on your values and information to educate yourselves to the extent possible for you. My hepatologist advised me not to treat because of new and better protocols in future. I panicked, though, thinking I was really getting over the hill and had better get rid of the virus sooner than later. If I'd known what I know now, I can't tell you for sure I'd make the same decision but since I'm in the middle of treatment, I'll stick it out.
I can't say I ever had symptoms of HCV and my grade and stage are similar to your husband's.
Your current doctor thinks he should treat but I would still get a second opinion from the best hepatologist he can see, even if you go forward with this.
The most important thing to do is for both of you to get into as good shape as possible before starting treatment and to make sure you will be working with the best hepatologist (liver doctor) that you can find, even if you have to change doctors now. Your husband has several health issues and he'll need someone very experienced to provide treatment. A gastro who does not specialize in hepatitis may not be at the top of his game.
At his age (which is mine), and with his grade and stage (similar and considered relatively minor), some here would suggest a wait and see approach, while others would say the sooner he plunges in, the better. This is a personal decision, based on your values and information to educate yourselves to the extent possible for you. My hepatologist advised me not to treat because of new and better protocols in future. I panicked, though, thinking I was really getting over the hill and had better get rid of the virus sooner than later. If I'd known what I know now, I can't tell you for sure I'd make the same decision but since I'm in the middle of treatment, I'll stick it out.
I can't say I ever had symptoms of HCV and my grade and stage are similar to your husband's.
Your current doctor thinks he should treat but I would still get a second opinion from the best hepatologist he can see, even if you go forward with this.
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