Re: when to run pcr?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/15/2005 10:37:29 A.M. Central Standard Time,

kathi_riley@... writes:

Hi! I'm trying to find out just how much difference that it makes,

to have your viral load checked at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks? My doc

and I don't get along too well, I know this isn't good; but went

to see him yesterday and he was upset that I was ready to take a pcr

at 12 weeks, he ended up giving in and throwing the prescription

order at me, but he also included, " that if I havn't dropped two

logs, then he will discontinue treatment for me, and that it would

be in my best interest to wait until 16 weeks! " Any advise out

there...Kat

get a new dr..

[Guest guest]

Yeah, Get a new Doctor!!!!!!

Chris

when to run pcr?

Hi! I'm trying to find out just how much difference that it makes,

to have your viral load checked at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks? My doc

and I don't get along too well, I know this isn't good; but went

to see him yesterday and he was upset that I was ready to take a pcr

at 12 weeks, he ended up giving in and throwing the prescription

order at me, but he also included, " that if I havn't dropped two

logs, then he will discontinue treatment for me, and that it would

be in my best interest to wait until 16 weeks! " Any advise out

there...Kat

It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found

the support you need with us.

If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just

click the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

Happy Posting

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

Most doctor run the PCR at 12 weeks to see if the treatment is working. But 16

weeks couldn't hurt as it gives the meds more time to work,getting rid of the

virus. I don't think there is any set marker other than most doctors and the

researchers find that if you haven't had a signfication drop of the virus by 12

weeks chances are the treatment is not working for you at this time.

Love

Janet

Kathi Riley wrote:

Hi! I'm trying to find out just how much difference that it makes,

to have your viral load checked at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks? My doc

and I don't get along too well, I know this isn't good; but went

to see him yesterday and he was upset that I was ready to take a pcr

at 12 weeks, he ended up giving in and throwing the prescription

order at me, but he also included, " that if I havn't dropped two

logs, then he will discontinue treatment for me, and that it would

be in my best interest to wait until 16 weeks! " Any advise out

there...Kat

It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found the

support you need with us.

If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just click

the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

Happy Posting

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I must agree that I am not happy with the way the doctor treated you. I know if

is hard to switch doctors mid-treatment. But if you intend to stay with your

doctor, it might be advisable to have a talk with him. Ask him why he wanted to

wait till the 16th week, you needed to know this for your own information and to

give you some peace of mind.

Remember your doctor is your employee, believe it or not. And you have the right

to fire your doctor. You can contact your insurance company and ask for a list

of doctor in his specialty.

Love

Janet

PS everyone has the right to a second opinion as far as their doctors go.

Txshihtzumom@... wrote:

In a message dated 1/15/2005 10:37:29 A.M. Central Standard Time,

kathi_riley@... writes:

Hi! I'm trying to find out just how much difference that it makes,

to have your viral load checked at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks? My doc

and I don't get along too well, I know this isn't good; but went

to see him yesterday and he was upset that I was ready to take a pcr

at 12 weeks, he ended up giving in and throwing the prescription

order at me, but he also included, " that if I havn't dropped two

logs, then he will discontinue treatment for me, and that it would

be in my best interest to wait until 16 weeks! " Any advise out

there...Kat

get a new dr..

[Guest guest]

Right Kathi, when your results come in, you will know how well your responding.

If your not responding well, maybe you should stop. what geno are you?. how are

you handling treatment?.If your not doing good, as far as virus reduction goes.

and yet you still feel ok, why would you stop? tell your doc you will keep

going . And right now your angry. How angry are you? is it spilling over into

other areas of your life? check yourself. It was a major reason I couldn't deal

with treatment..What I'm trying to say is all these things are your decision..

As long as you can recognise what's going on with you.. so tell your doctor (

the asshole ) that your the one going thru treatment and to back off!!. PCR's

need to be run at 12 weeks for your information, so it can show you it's

working and give you the hope and strength to go on.....ric

[Guest guest]

Hey Kathy,

To elaborate a little more about the Dr. I am in my second series of

shots. My first one was 24 weeks. I changed Dr's twice because of their

attitudes. They were both turned off by the idea that I contracted this disease

via IV drug use. My third Dr has been a blessing. I would try locating a

more compassionate Dr!!!!

Good luck.....Chris

when to run pcr?

Hi! I'm trying to find out just how much difference that it makes,

to have your viral load checked at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks? My doc

and I don't get along too well, I know this isn't good; but went

to see him yesterday and he was upset that I was ready to take a pcr

at 12 weeks, he ended up giving in and throwing the prescription

order at me, but he also included, " that if I havn't dropped two

logs, then he will discontinue treatment for me, and that it would

be in my best interest to wait until 16 weeks! " Any advise out

there...Kat

It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found

the support you need with us.

If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just

click the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

Happy Posting

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear that you got a good doctor finally. Funny how people will stick

labels on you and then make their opinion of you based on that label. Those

doctors should have to review a class of medical ethics once again. No matter

how you got the diease, you got it and you are seeking medical treatment. The IV

drug use was in the past. Now you need to slay the dragon, your doctor needs to

be a partner in your efforts not judgemental about your infection.

Recently a friend of mine found out that I had hepatitis C, of course she had

read some of the info on how you can get it. She said to me, I didn't know you

were a IV drug user. I was like shocked!! I said to her what give you that idea.

She said that she had read somewhere that was the only way you could get it. I

shrugged my shoulders and told her you better get educated. (Remind you this

friend is a nurse). I was like I am surprised that you have that idea and you

really need to check up on this subject since you are a healthcare worker.

Then I went about educating her. Hepatitis C is a blood to blood transfer,

therefore it can be transferred via IV drug use,needle sticks,bloody

spills,mother to infant during pregnancy.

Using a toothbrush,or manicure implements,using a razor used by someone with Hep

C.

Anything that has to do with blood to blood transfer such as blood transfusions.

I told her that is why we use universal precautions in hospitals,gowns,gloves

and other precautions. The Hep C virus can live 7 to 14 days out of the body.

By the time I was through she was like wow, do you think I ought to be tested?

She had used other peoples toothbrushes(Ugh) gotten needle sticks, had blood

spilled on her.

I was like well whatever you feel like. But I was sympamatic before I got my

first test.

So congrats on finding a good doc.

I love my doctor, he is the best.

Love

Janet

ccwyland wrote:

Hey Kathy,

To elaborate a little more about the Dr. I am in my second series of

shots. My first one was 24 weeks. I changed Dr's twice because of their

attitudes. They were both turned off by the idea that I contracted this disease

via IV drug use. My third Dr has been a blessing. I would try locating a

more compassionate Dr!!!!

Good luck.....Chris

when to run pcr?

Hi! I'm trying to find out just how much difference that it makes,

to have your viral load checked at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks? My doc

and I don't get along too well, I know this isn't good; but went

to see him yesterday and he was upset that I was ready to take a pcr

at 12 weeks, he ended up giving in and throwing the prescription

order at me, but he also included, " that if I havn't dropped two

logs, then he will discontinue treatment for me, and that it would

be in my best interest to wait until 16 weeks! " Any advise out

there...Kat

It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found

the support you need with us.

If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just

click the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

Happy Posting

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Ric, the deal is I don't want to stop treatment, it is my dr. saying

if I don't have a 2 log drop he will discontinue treating me. In

other words the doc doesn't care if I am willing to continue, I get

the feeling he doesn't want to mess w/it. As far as I'm concerned I

am handling the tx pretty well. I have some sides but nothing to

stop me from doing pretty much what I want. My blood has stablized

and I only take B12 shots bi-weekly. I am geno type 1a. Angry has

nothing to do w/my question, and no it isn't spilling over into my

other areas of life. Thanks for the concern, though. I just feel

discouraged at times w/this dr. and trying to talk to him is like

talking to a wall. Anyway, I believe I will do some side work on a

couple of other doc's around here, see if any will pick me up in the

middle of treatment. Oh, and by the way, I do have excellent support

individuals; it's just that I'm looking at different angles w/the

support groups, which also helps me along. .... Kat

> Right Kathi, when your results come in, you will know how well

your responding. If your not responding well, maybe you should stop.

what geno are you?. how are you handling treatment?.If your not

doing good, as far as virus reduction goes. and yet you still feel

ok, why would you stop? tell your doc you will keep going . And

right now your angry. How angry are you? is it spilling over into

other areas of your life? check yourself. It was a major reason I

couldn't deal with treatment..What I'm trying to say is all these

things are your decision.. As long as you can recognise what's going

on with you.. so tell your doctor ( the asshole ) that your the one

going thru treatment and to back off!!. PCR's need to be run at 12

weeks for your information, so it can show you it's working and

give you the hope and strength to go on.....ric

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Just a addition to the emails I been reviewing as I am a new member

here. Let me say first that many doctors even specialists are not

familiar with the golden protocols for a valid reduction in viral

count. Many go by outdated information even though they will hide

that fact. If a doctor can not take constructive criticism then you

need to get one who can. Sometimes the patient has a better

understanding of their situation than another person can. I've been

through 3 Hepatologist in 7 years.

The one I have now is great. He prescribed the original Rebatron off

label as it was originally (FDA) was approved for patients without

Cirrhosis and or drug abuse backgrounds. I was on Methadone for 30

years and well stabalized. Most doctors will not take chances even

when they know you are right. Good point in question is that I asked

my doctor to re-establish new therapy for both Cirrhosis and past

drug abuse in new trials. He shot off a letter to his friend

(Director of the Transplant clinic at Shands Hospital) one of only

three transplant centers in Florida. They run a diverse trial

program for the government as well as private drug firms. I was seen

by him and he whole heartedly agreed with both me and my doctor. I

was admitted to a new trial almost immediately.

Some doctors use the old Schering Plough protocol. That in itself is

ready for the scrap heap. It is old and not ready for prime time.

The basis for that was developed during the trials for Rebatron and

continued into Pegasus trials which excluded many real time

situations of patients. Ex drug users make up a majority of people

that have HCV. But that in it self is not the only cause of the

disease.

On a note about hospital workers protection. They are mandated to

double glove when in doubt about a blood born disease. Most don't so

a large portion get HCV through carelessness this includes EMS

personnell. Also Piercing of the body and tattooing can cause HCV.

Also Kidney Dialysis machines in the past have added to the causes

of HCV.

Well I'll stop rambling here as I could go on forever.

Love and peace to you all.

Fred