Guest guest Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 Feeling a little better today, but still going to find another doctor. Yesterday (Saturday), I called Kaiser to schedule an emergency appointment. Told them I hadn't slept much since I found out, and needed something to help me sleep. Also told them my doctor wasn't returning my calls...just his assistant telling me to wait 2 weeks for the class. So, they got me in yesterday to see another doctor. This doctor went over my initial test results with me, felt for enlarged liver or spleen, and generally just listened to my fears and talked to me...something my other doctor hasn't done. The doc yesterday told me that because of my age (36), relatively low ALT number (in the 70's), and the fact that he couldn't feel enlargement in my liver or spleen...that the chance is low that I have serious liver damage at this point, despite my years of drinking. He explained the way Kaiser operates (again, something my other doctor hasn't bothered to do): they send people diagnosed with HCV to this class, that explains the disease, how it's transmitted, what it means, what the different treatment options are, what the side effects of treatment are, etc. After the class, then you discuss with your doctor whether you're willing to consider treatment. If so, then they refer you to a GI, do a biopsy, check your genotype, etc...Once more is konwn, then you make the decision on treatment. They're stance is that if a patient is going to definitively rule out treatment, there's no sense in doing a biopsy, so they always wait until after the patient is informed about treatment. The anger and anxiety I've had for the past week could have easily been avoided if my doctor had explained this to me properly, then *talked* to me when I called back freaking out. Because of is poor " bedside manner " , I will be finding a new GP. Have a great 4th, I'm off to a BBQ. -Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 Tony, I'm so glad you were proactive with Kaiser. And I'm so glad you were able to talk to an understanding Dr. I hope you're feeling a little better everyday. Love anne Update Feeling a little better today, but still going to find another doctor. Yesterday (Saturday), I called Kaiser to schedule an emergency appointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 Tony, I'm so glad you were proactive with Kaiser. And I'm so glad you were able to talk to an understanding Dr. I hope you're feeling a little better everyday. Love anne Update Feeling a little better today, but still going to find another doctor. Yesterday (Saturday), I called Kaiser to schedule an emergency appointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 Hmm. I wonder if they do this to scare people away from treatment. I wouldn't make a decision regarding treatment until I have had the liver biopsy and I would have the liver biospy regardless whether I chose treatment or not. The liver biopsy is the only way to know what condition your liver is in. Doug Tony wrote: >He explained the way Kaiser >operates (again, something my other doctor hasn't bothered to do): >they send people diagnosed with HCV to this class, that explains the >disease, how it's transmitted, what it means, what the different >treatment options are, what the side effects of treatment are, etc. >After the class, then you discuss with your doctor whether you're >willing to consider treatment. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 Hmm. I wonder if they do this to scare people away from treatment. I wouldn't make a decision regarding treatment until I have had the liver biopsy and I would have the liver biospy regardless whether I chose treatment or not. The liver biopsy is the only way to know what condition your liver is in. Doug Tony wrote: >He explained the way Kaiser >operates (again, something my other doctor hasn't bothered to do): >they send people diagnosed with HCV to this class, that explains the >disease, how it's transmitted, what it means, what the different >treatment options are, what the side effects of treatment are, etc. >After the class, then you discuss with your doctor whether you're >willing to consider treatment. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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