stopping tx 3 weeks early ?

[mikerr61]

when to doc on monday in week 42 i informed him i have no refills left on meds that would take me to only 45 weeks.he said oh it is what it is we will just go with meds you have left.Called my med provider they said they sent him refill request on 4/17/12 i saw him 4/23/12 he refused refill on 4/24/12 i was not an early responder, und at 8/9 weeks any one ever run into this or heard about stopping at 45 instead of 48      mike

[FaithforHealing]

I don't have a clue, but I'm putting this on my watch list as I am very curious to know what the science/logic is behind the doc's decision. He gave no explanation?
I think you'll get some good answers on here....

[willbb]

Hi Mike..
This seems like a very odd response from you doctor ,to "refuse" as you say to ok the refill for the balance of the meds as per the prescribing protols..

I see you were on SOC (Peg/Riba) and the drug protocol is clearly to do "48" weeks.

You actually were an "Early Responder" ( Und. by Wk12)  however not the ultimate in response which is UND. @Wk. 4 (RVR).

Would you still  attain SVR doing only 45 weeks?  I imagine that can happen,however ,personally I would want to do everything I could to insure success and that is 48.

I would  want a sit down with your doctor and let him know ,that you are not at all interested in doing only 95 % of the therapy and would he please ok the order forthwith.....

Good luck..
Will

[willbb]

"protocols"

[can-do-man]

I agree with will, talk with your doctor. I would flat out tell him you didn't go thru 45 weeks of hell for him to risk your SVR by not doing the full treatment that is clearly called for....... Make him give you answers, best to you.

[mikerr61]

thank you thats what im going to do i came this far im doing all 48

[HectorSF]

Your doctor is asking you to treat not according to the standard protocol. Doctors like this give the profession a bad name. Is he a gastrenterologist? He obviously shouldn't be treating anyone as he doesn't follow the standard protocol for Peg-IFN and RBV. You should treat for a full 48 weeks as everyone else does and what all the statistics for SVR are based on.

The best thing I can say about your doctor is he is a laziest doc I have ever heard of. Your insurance company is paying for the meds. What does he care? He gets paid for your visits what else does he want.
Instead of arguing with this incompetent doc. I would find a gastro tell him or her what is going on and if they will help you complete your treatment.

I would never ever let this doctor treat me for anything. His cutting corners is bad medicine. One day if it hasn't already happened he will be sued for not treating a patient properly after something really bad happens.

Get away from this doc ASAP. Find someone who does his job and actually cares if you clear the virus or not.

Hector

[willbb]

im doing all 48
. -----------------

Good stuff Mike ..and please come back and let us know how it went..
Best..
Will

[HectorSF]

Will and Can-do-man are more diplomatic then myself. But we all agree...do the full 48 weeks.

;-)

Hector

[willbb]

Hey  H....tell us how you really feel about this doc..lol

[HectorSF]

Or you can tell him you are only gonna pay for part of your visit costs. See how he likes some of his own medicine!

haha

Hector

[HectorSF]

I tried very hard not to use a few 4 letter words so I thought I was being diplomatic.
Oh well...

Hector

[libzo2]

Well that was cleansing!!!  Serenity soon.

[belle19]

absolutely go the distance!!  why blow now when you've gone this far?  i'm in week 44 and i have 4 more left.  talk to your doctor.  something is not right with his logic.  good luck with all that.  belle

[1swimmer]

I'm still pretty new to this forum and I can really appreciate all these people standing behind you. You leave your docs office feeling like something ain't right, guess what, something ain't right. I favor the idea of finding another doc that will finish your treatment according to protocol. Good luck.

[Dee1956]

It is amazing to me that the doctor took such a cavalier approach to your need for additional prescriptions.  Some doctors have to fight the ins companies for meds.  I am wondering what is going on with the clearly incompetent doctors treating people with Hep C.  As if it is not important.
I hope you can get this worked out.  Can your insurance help you?  When I was on tx and could not get my meds approved I called my patient advocate and they called the doctor.
I am sorry you are going through this, wishing you the best
Dee

[mikerr61]

Talked to ins its covered,aslo peg and riba nurse all based on 48 week tx.Have doc app tues keep ya updated tues after app     mike

[LookingForward12]

Good news" now you can stay the course!

[BoceprevirGal]

Make sure you dont take "no" for an answer, from your Doctor.  There is obviously a reason why they use 48 weeks, and much research has gone into this, that's why it's the protocol. Good luck to you, for tuesday~
  

[pooh55811]

That is very good news. Now the doc needs to get his butt in gear and follow the protocol. Good luck.

[2mlbb]

Great news!  Good job defending your health care.

[flcyclist]

If you go into the appt having done your research and asking some tough questions, I can't imagine the doctor not allowing you to continue tx for another 3 weeks since your insco and specialty pharma has already approved it.   If the doc insists on sticking to his decision, I would insist on getting his rationale in writing why he won't allow you to finish tx.  I wouldn't leave without that in writing.  Good luck.  

[babs824]

there is no question that there is something fishy here. you absolutely must insist on the full tx. you might start with telling him that you spoke to another hep doc you know elsewhere and he advised u to  finish the full regimen. ( my experience is to start soft then bring out the sledge hammer if necessary) if he does not budge you should tighten the screws with a threat. i am not sure precisely the governing body for med license but i would check on this and use it to arm twist. there is no excuse here. as the others said it should be nothing to him. if you were good at 12 week your chances are good of clearing. it is sooooo impt to complete tx, all the best, babs824

[mikerr61]

Thank you for all your support,Went to docs told him i wanted all 48 tx he said when im under a doctors care i should listen to him i replied i wanted meds ordered i just didnt feel right coming all this way to come up short . he orded meds and gave my co-pay for visit back......must have been my look lol ty all      mike

[rivll]

Unbelievable! What a jerk... I wondered if he was going to try to hold on to the drugs for your last 3 weeks for another reason...Hate to assume he is so devious, but why would he behave so badly? It is unreal.
Good for you for holding your ground. I truly admire you for it.