what to ask my gi dr???

[happyoldergal]

i want to know the right questions to ask my gi dr on friday,,,like what stage and my enzymes but i need to ask what like i have seen things about geno type and then what else like alt or what,,,i just need some info to ask whhat,,,i just know my viral load...so could you telll me what to ask?

[IMstacie]

Also, regarding the questions for your doctor,  this is a good site you may want to look at

http://janis7hepc.com/Questions_to_ask_your_doctor.htm

[IMstacie]

Make sure you keep a copy of all your labs.

[happyoldergal]

well my ultra sound was good but they didn't send my blood work to dr office so on monday i am to go to hospital to get it myself,,,i found out it was there just noone sent it,,well i will get it monday and go to dr on friday agin..i just want to get this started because i know my insurance will pay for it but to get ti started,,,also i might be trying to read my blood work to yall since i will have it in my hand,,tomorow is my bday and i just wanted to know about the genotype and stage all olf that...thanks for all the cincern,,,i have already called the hospital and they have it so going to get it in my hot hand cause that is what my dr told me to do and to bring it to him on friday myself,,,kinda messed up huh,,,sure going to need all of yall for surpport...happyoldergal

[WriteItDown]

Hi Happyoldergal -- hope your doc's app't went well!

Sober193, rescue drugs refers to drugs that help people with various bad side effects of the treatment.  A couple of the biggest ones are Procrit for anemia, which stimulates your bone marrow to produce red blood cells; and for depression, the SSRI's, such as Prozac and Lexapro.  Those a just a couple.  

But remember, you might not need any of these. My husband is on week 23 of treatment and so far all he's taken are a few OTC things.

[sober193]

I seen that you mentioned rescue drugs in a post. What exactly are these and what are they for ? I havent started my treatment yet but should be this month, waitng on ins. to  kick in . Thanks bill

[DD9th]

How did your Doctor's appointment go today?

[WriteItDown]

I recall from your previous post that you are diabetic.  I would certainly bring this up with your doctor, since diabetes and insulin resistance could have an impact on deciding whether or not to treat, and, if you do treat, will probably effect the treatment.

Good luck.

[nygirl7]

There was a really great comprehensive list on here at one time that was put together by the forum members.  If only I could remember how to find it!

1. Genotype - most important question
2. Stage and grade of your liver damage
3. what your liver enzymes are alt/ast
4. Will the doctor prescribe the rescue drugs of procrit and neupogen if you should need them rather than dose reduction?
5. How often will you get a PCR (Ie: will you get one at week 4 - crucial to get it then)
I know there is a lot more but right now that is all I can think of.  I'm sure the other guys will add some stuff but to me those are the biggies.

Oh yes, get a notebook and WRITE DOWN THE ANSWERS. You  will be so surprised at how you will forget everything he said the minute you walk out - it's a lot to take in.

Get copies faxed to you as soon as the results of all your tests come in and put them in a folder or something. Learning how to read your own bloodwork doesn't seem important now but believe me it will be later on. Just post it in here and people will tell you what to look for (that is how we all learned pretty much).

Good luck!