What factors do doctors take for treatment

[Unsure86]

This is a weird question but I'm sure I have read that sometimes doctors don't treat your hep c unless there is issues with your liver which I currently have as I have fatty liver is this enough to start treatment? I haven't seen the specialist yet as can't get in till October am also concerned how treatment will affect my ability to look after my daughter and also about what precautions I need to take to ensure I don't reinfect myself once treatment has began and completed

[Anand]

Hi Unsure,

I also could not get an appointment with a specialist or Hepatologist for about two months.  I have Hepatitis C.  I went to a GI doctor so that he will prescribe blood work to get the Genotype, Viral Load and other information.   He also ordered an abdomen scan.  Meanwhile I kept phoning the specialist for any cancellation.  On the third try I got an appointment for the time slot that somebody canceled.

 The GI doctor was ready to start treatment without going into my special medical conditions. We did not like that he did not ask questions.  I informed him that I would like to get second opinion and ended up seeing the specialist or the Hepatologist with already-obtained Hepatitis C data and saved time.  I hope this is useful.  Good luck.  Anand

[lporterrn]

Unsure86 - The fact that you have HCV and fatty liver may make you a prioty patient for treatment given the latest guidelines: http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/when-and-whom-initiate-hcv-therapy However, October is a better time to be starting this process since the newer treatments will likely be approved by Oct. 10.

[Unsure86]

I'm in Australia will the new drugs be available here?

[willie g]

hi, on your question about new drugs being where your at you can go online and Google it etc. and I am sure you will get some info which will lead you to your answer and then go from there,just my opinion,  good luck!  willie g

[Mike]

One of the reason doctors would hold off on treating Hep-C unless really needed was that the treatment protocol was horrific (48-70 weeks of Interferon and Ribvirin).

This has significantly changed over the past 6 months with the approval of Solvaldi-based treatments, and the side effects are very manageable, treatment is far shorter and the outcomes are much better.

I would imagine the treat-or-not-treat protocol will soon change and everyone will be treated.

Best wishes, Mike

[willie g]

Hey UNSURE whats crackin, I was just thinking about you and how are things going ? have a good week  willie g

[Unsure86]

No a lot still got over a month to wait to see the specialist feels like forever I have a form to have pathology do my genotype test which will be sent to the specialist I think the worry has made my hair fall out seems like it's half the thickness it used to be am concerned about my 2yr old daughter having HCV but have been putting off getting her blood test done until I see what the specialist thinks am pretty sure he will tell me to get her tested but am not keen to hold her down and get it done I just wish this whole thing was over already and can move on with my life 3 people who were friends that I told of my condition no longer speak to me and it's horrible not being able to talk to people about it out of there stupidity and lack of knowledge

[willie g]

I know unsure in the beginning I thought it was going to be "bada bing" and I remember LUCINDA saying Willie it will probably be Awhile.time does drag on,not like regular life where it zooms on by.Everything will come together you'll see and keep reading. Positive things, any self help books,just anything feel good positive stuff.it really helps and when your dwelling at night just put on a dim light and read and prayer of course is a big one.whatever your feeling just talk to your creator. I got a book MEDITATION FOR DUMMIES .that's a good thing to do and its easy and it does work.LUCINDA PORTER has two books she wrote( one of our moderators on this site.when I was just starting this journey I read them both.so start there) I had to have family members tested and none of them likes needles so they said I owe them one lol.a lot of times we think the people we tell are being different towards us but it is us isolating and dwelling and assuming what people are thinking.we have a tendency to let this Dragon consume us so please don't let it do that to you.just flow with this and if your two year old needs to be tested then so be it.it's one poke and it will be done and then you can do something special special with her that day.she sinces her momys feelings more than you know and she is a good buddy to talk with.I have a two year old grandson that makes more since AND listens to me and he knows grandpa gives him the real scoop and he likes it that way.3 year old girl grandchild too and we sit there talking about everything like it's story times. I have shed slot of tears thru this and I was raised to Suck it up which wasn't good I don't think  . This is not a death sentence of any kind.these new drugs are working so stop overthinking this. We are here for you as well as your here for us.I have some Real Sucky days,trust me but I do have a tool box (ways of coping) and each day I try to add one more thing.and take some suggestions here and there that make since. SO SMILE and be glad you are who you are.no one can take that from you and there's groups in your area on this or just any self help group.THIER free and you don't have to share ,you can just listen for awhile. Any self group believes in that and they have all been where your at. Later buddy ,Willie g

[Unsure86]

I just wanted to update everyone had my specialist appointment I have Genotype 3a the only treatment avaliable to me in australia at the moment due to other not being accepted by the pbs is interferon and ribavirin not sure at this point when treatment will start as had more tests done and have to see a nurse which he said would take approx 2 weeks then I can start so am feeling good am worried about my chances of success although my mum seems hopeful with the 66% cure rate

[lporterrn]

You sound like you are taking this decently. GT3 might explain the fatty liver. We'll do what we can to help you through this. The trick is to do it - then to stay on it - then to finish it.