Re: hit a bump in the road - Teri

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the info. After I posted yesterday I did my best to learn what

that titer test is, and yes, I do need it. I don't know why the NP yesterday

thought I didn't, but I did get the impression she wasn't real familiar with

HCV...I had to show her on my lab results where it showed I tested positive

because she couldn't find it. (It felt kinda good to momentarily be smarter

than someone else. It's been a while since I felt that way!)

I am going to spend this morning calling doctor's offices as you suggested, and

say exactly what you said. And I will be saving my pennies. My husband (,

for future reference) and I talked last night, and if I have to I will wait

until he has open enrollment on his insurance next spring. He thinks they don't

ask any questions first. He sees his neuro-oncologist next week and he is going

to ask her to release him early from her care so that hopefully next year his

insurance will cost less and we can afford to put me on it, too.

I believe there is a reason things didn't work out yesterday (there always is).

If I keep doing my part things will work out. Just because I don't see how

right now doesn't mean the universe is not working behind the scenes!

I hope you are feeling better today.

Robin

>

> Robin,

>

> You are running into brick wall after brick wall. Here is my suggestion.

Call

> a local doctor. Any local doctor. You need a GP anyway. When you call, ask

to

> talk to the nurse. Let her know that currently, like a lot of other people,

you

> do not have insurance and financially you are not in great shape. Tell her

you

> have recently been told by way of a routine insurance test, that you have

tested

> positive for HCV antibodies. Let her know that this whole situation has been

> emotionally taxing on you and you need some answers but you need assistance as

> well. The nurse can go to the office manager who has the ability to control

what

> the doctor charges you. You should be able to get an office visit for a

> reasonable price. Let them know you want a HCV test done along with liver

> function tests and a tider for the Hep C. Yes, you need a tider. That is

where

> you find out what your viral load is. The office will make payment

arrangements

> for you. You may have to call several doctors to get one that will work with

> you but about now most of them know everybody is broke and people still get

> sick. The cost of those tests sound about right with what you were quoted.

But

> you need the full panel to find out exactly where you stand. I think you

might

> have better luck with a local doctor who can then refer you to a

> Gastroenterologist or a Liver Specialist. Yes, they are two different things.

> The Liver Specialist is a gastro with additional schooling to specialize just

> on the liver. My doc was a liver specialist. When it comes to Hep C, I'd

> pretty much rather be going to a Liver guy than just a gastro. Just my

opinion

> but the Liver Specialists tend to do more with Hep C treatment and usually

tend

> to think a little more outside the box. They are also less concerned with

> finances than regular GP's and Gastro's would be but you need a GP to get to

> them usually.

>

> It's worth a shot and will put you in a better position than you are in right

> now.

>

> Hugs,

> Teri