RE: Appt. at VA

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike, You're going to need to get the flu shot every year & probably the pneumonia shot too. You now have a compromised immune system & are high risk for serious infections. Once you find out how your liver is you can make decisions about tx etc. It sounds like you've got a good doctor there - he knows his business. Too often we have to educate the medical professionals we deal with. Your doctor will run more tests & depending on those results you may have to have an ultrasound, cat scan, MRI or biopsy. Genotype is important in that the different genotypes respond differently to tx. My doctor doesn't think viral load is important - it can change rapidly. Then there's the good old ammonia level if it's elevated you get

lost in the fog like me. It's a lot to process all at once. Ask your doctor for copies of your blood work then if there's anything you don't understand, ask - we've got the answers. We all need the support & friendships we've found here. We may be a little odd but we're a loving bunch. Let us know what the doctor says. SuZie Mike <nc_yankee89@...> wrote: I finally had my first appt at the VA clinic today. I guess it all has began. Four viles of blood,and other stuff he did. I was surprised to hear just how much capability the

local clinic has. He is going to run some tests there(if needed),I thought I would have to go to the hospital to get done.He was surprised to see how much I knew about hvc.He said it helped him alot in discussing my situation with me.I gotta call tommorrow to get the next appointment made.Probably,in a month or so.I have been assigned a doctor,and he will be handling my case.Prescribing what treatment,etc.I was really impressed.I even got a free flu shot shot.So,now it's waiting till my next appointment,and see where it goes.I sure appreciate the support here. I will probably need it.Mike

Next time I'm coming back as a cat

[Guest guest]

Mike you should also be seeing about getting your shots for hep A and hep B.That is standard for anyone with hep c and they are free,plus the pnemonia shot.Sounds like you have a good doctor.Make sure you get a copy of all your results for yourself to keep.

Gail

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ]On Behalf Of Kathy BrunowSent: January 23, 2006 2:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: Re: Appt. at VA

Hi Mike, I'm Kathy aka Boo.. My husband uses the VA here in Ole Milwaukee.. We both were pleasantly surprised at how much the Va has changes over the years..He was going to the Moblie clinic but it is now in New Orleans..Isn't it nice that you don't have to wait forever any more when you have a problem ..I remember the VA from when I was a child, and it wasn't nice then.. I know you'll be getting first rate care there.. Good luck on your journey my dear man.. Kathy BooMike <nc_yankee89@...> wrote: I finally had my first appt at the VA clinic today. I guess it all has began. Four viles of blood,and other stuff he did. I was surprised to hear just how much capability the local clinic has. He is going to run some tests there(if needed),I thought I would have to go to the hospital to get done.He was surprised to see how much I knew about hvc.He said it helped him alot in discussing my situation with me.I gotta call tommorrow to get the next appointment made.Probably,in a month or so.I have been assigned a doctor,and he will be handling my case.Prescribing what treatment,etc.I was really impressed.I even got a free flu shot shot.So,now it's waiting till my next appointment,and see where it goes.I sure appreciate the support here. I will probably need it.Mike

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy Boo!

Thanks for your message of encouragement.I am finding most of the

staff really caring at the VA clinic.I remember the old army

hospitals while I was in active duty. Seemed like PRODUCTION LINE

MEDICINE. Its been a slow process getting started with my hep-c

thing. But,it looks like it's underway.I am not looking forward to

it at all.But,so be it! Gotta do it.I am glad I have access to their

treatment. Would not be able to afford it any other way. The co-pay

for medicine there is really cheap. Thank God for that.

Mike

I finally had my first appt at

the VA clinic today. I guess it all has

> began. Four viles of blood,and other stuff he did. I was surprised

to

> hear just how much capability the local clinic has. He is going to

run

> some tests there(if needed),I thought I would have to go to the

> hospital to get done.He was surprised to see how much I knew about

> hvc.He said it helped him alot in discussing my situation with

me.I

> gotta call tommorrow to get the next appointment made.Probably,in

a

> month or so.I have been assigned a doctor,and he will be handling

my

> case.Prescribing what treatment,etc.I was really impressed.I even

got

> a free flu shot shot.So,now it's waiting till my next

appointment,and

> see where it goes.I sure appreciate the support here. I will

probably

> need it.

>

> Mike

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Kathy Brunow

>

[Guest guest]

It is mandatory to get vaccinated for Hep A & B Mike.. Especially if you are seeing an hepatologist for Hepatitis C..I was told that in my weakened condition getting either one could kill me..I've never had an Pneumonia shot.. And have not had a flu shot in 3 years..Kathy Kathy Brunow

[Guest guest]

In the VA clinic.They have an INFECTIOUS DISEASE CLINIC. That's where

my doctor is.I guess he does other diseases along with hvc.I am really

impressesd with how he is handling my case,and I feel like I can trust

his judgements. My next appointment is feb 23rd.I know he is wanting

to know which hep I had years ago. hid did say something about a shot

for A & B.

Mike

>

> It is mandatory to get vaccinated for Hep A & B Mike.. Especially

if you are seeing an hepatologist for Hepatitis C..I was told that in

my weakened condition getting either one could kill me..I've never had

an Pneumonia shot.. And have not had a flu shot in 3 years..Kathy

>

>

>

>

>

> Kathy Brunow

>

[Guest guest]

Mine

weren’t free – maybe in Canada.

De

RE:

Appt. at VA

Mike you should also be

seeing about getting your shots for hep A and hep B.That is standard for anyone

with hep c and they are free,plus the pnemonia shot.Sounds like you have a good

doctor.Make sure you get a copy of all your results for yourself to keep.

Gail

[Guest guest]

I’ve

always gotten a flu shot because of my asthma, and as soon as I finished

treatment my doc made me get a pneumonia shot.

De

RE:

Re: Appt. at VA

They can find out with

your blood work.When they did mine it showed that I had come in contact with

hep a but didn't get it and I had never had hep B so I had to get vaccinated

for both.I know since I first got this disease I have had pnemonia 3 times.I

got the shot cause I couldn't afford to get it again.I have also always gotten

the flu shot for some 30 years cause I was always getting sick and I thought

the flu shot would help.I didn't know It was hep c until 89 even though I had

the symptoms since 64 when I had my transfusions.I had to find out the hard

way.Had a reaction to a drug the doctor gave me and turned jauntice They called

it Non a-Non b at that time.Now it is hep c.

Gail

[Guest guest]

I probably got this stuff from the military. The least they can do is pay for all of this. My meds will have a $7.00 co-pay. Thats not bad. Mike>> Mine weren't free - maybe in Canada.> > > > De> > RE: Appt. at VA> > > > Mike you should also be seeing about getting your shots for hep A and hep> B.That is standard for anyone with hep c and they are free,plus the pnemonia> shot.Sounds like you have a good doctor.Make sure you get a copy of all your> results for yourself to keep.> > Gail> > > _____>

[Guest guest]

Danny's right Mike-o.. Can't blame the care givers..The VA is actually a wonderful health care system at the present moment.My Husbands Nurse practitioner found out I had Hep C.. He insisted Bruce get checked for the Virus or is it a protein.. There is a debate on that subject..Also most people can't actually pinpoint when I got Hep C..I may self have wondered at times it it was from IV drug use or the fact My sister and I were vaccinated with airguns before moving to South East Asia as children..Yes they did dependents with those things too..There are many people who will guide you on your journey there..We found our local Veteran Representative/Liaison in the Government section of the yellow pages..They Will help you file for all kinds of claims ( you did keep copies of all your milatary moves and orders?)..I have visited www.hecvet.com the forum Danny speaks

of.. It is a good place to go for support from other Vets..But you don't know how you got it Mike, You said your self you did share needles while on tour in West Germany..And if you have mentioned that to any one documenting your care.. Well it is now record in your chart..Kathy Boocaptdanny <captdankw@...> wrote: Mike, I've followed this thread a bit now let me put in my two bits. The standard protocol for the VA in trmt. of hep c is shots, hepa+b which they call twin-rx as it is a combined shot 1 followed by another after 1 month followed by another after 6 months, if you screw up the sequence you have to start again. You will get a tetnus shot,

pneumonia shot and a flu shot. The psychiatrist will also get involved as will a social worker. Always remember not to take your anger out on any of these people as even though you MIGHT have gotten hep from the military you did not get it from your present caregivers. I was a nurse at a VA hospital so I know somewhat how the system works. My claim against them for hep was denied as was my claim for going blind. Your going to have to learn a bit about patience for the patient as the VA is the largest healthcare system in the country so right now your just a number which is your last initial and the last 4 of your

ssn. Have you checked in with with your local veterans counciler yet, they are not VA employees but are paid by the county that you live in. It's their job to help you deal with the VA and to ensure that you will get any benifits entitled to you. If you can't find one please let us know as I'm sure either Dick, Kathy Boo or myself can help locate your rep. You might want to check out www.hcvets.com they have a forum that deals with a lot of the VA problems and is a good place to locate other people that you were stationed with and have hcv. dannyMike <nc_yankee89@...> wrote: I probably got this stuff from the military. The least they can do is pay for all of this. My meds will have a $7.00 co-pay. Thats not bad. Mike Kathy Brunow

[Guest guest]

I have followed this thread also.....

Mike, I think you are on the right track. I just finished tx with the VA.

I have appts scheduled for the next year and a half to monitor what is

happening. My best advice is to do what you are told to do and accept tx

as soon as they offer it. The co pay will be $14 a month and will cover

about $50 K worth of treatment for the year. You might be asked for a

means test...to determine any other expenses you might be in for. I don't

know if you are service connected or not for any other health problem you

might have.

I am here for any other questions you might have.

Dick

At 09:20 AM 1/28/2006, you wrote:

Mike, I've followed this thread a bit

now let me put in my two bits.

The standard protocol for the VA in trmt. of hep c is shots, hepa+b which

they call twin-rx as it is a combined shot 1 followed by another after 1

month followed by another after 6 months, if you screw up the sequence

you have to start again.

You will get a tetnus shot, pneumonia shot and a flu shot.

The psychiatrist will also get involved as will a social worker.

Always remember not to take your anger out on any of these people as even

though you MIGHT have gotten hep from the military you did not get it

from your present caregivers.

I was a nurse at a VA hospital so I know somewhat how the system

works.

My claim against them for hep was denied as was my claim for going

blind.

Your going to have to learn a bit about patience for the patient as the

VA is the largest healthcare system in the country so right now your just

a number which is your last initial and the last 4 of your ssn.

Have you checked in with with your local veterans counciler yet, they are

not VA employees but are paid by the county that you live in.

It's their job to help you deal with the VA and to ensure that you will

get any benifits entitled to you. If you can't find one please let us

know as I'm sure either Dick, Kathy Boo or myself can help locate your

rep.

You might want to check out

www.hcvets.com they have a forum that

deals with a lot of the VA problems and is a good place to locate other

people that you were stationed with and have hcv.

danny

Mike <nc_yankee89@...> wrote:

I probably got this stuff from the

military. The least they can do is pay for all of this. My meds will have

a $7.00 co-pay. Thats not bad.

Mike

[Guest guest]

Kathy boo,As for how I contacted hvc.The shared needles was a strong possibility,and as well as the airguns. Anyways,thats water under the bridge.And as you said. I probably don't know how I contacted it officially.my primary concern is to get the treatment,and live out my life the best way I can,and do what ever I need to survive.as I said in the previous post. I am happy to have the care I have. Thanks for the advice and input. Mike> I probably got this stuff from the military. The least they can do is pay for all of this. My meds will have a $7.00 co-pay. Thats not bad.> > Mike> > > > > > Kathy Brunow>