I am just concerned about the time between visits so far. I mean really, my Dr doesn't know I have he results of the test/type yet, and I would have to wait until what I found out to be my next appointment Nov 27 .. The facility allows lab /test results to be retrieved by private account.
Waking up this morning with the level 8 pain in the liver zone freaked me out. I have never had that before, and unless it was my gall bladder it is concerning to me. My memory adds to my concern . It is something new.
So, it works out that to just get to the Dr to get the order for load, and type, to my next appointment is about 8 months . If I can get her to write the orders, with a monthly appointment with her, I would feel much better .
I am approved to have everything I need, but I am afraid that the grant will run out before I even get to the point of getting on the train.. I want to stabilize, and get going to the meds.. I am looking at options for the scan.
Appreciate the listening and info.. I am going to need you to get thru this system.
Isiscat2011 said
Oct 30, 2014
Hi Duane:
They have so many views of your liver they could probably draw it from memory! I could do Fibroscans all day because they are totally non-invasive. If your health care facility has a fibroscan machine you could have had one and didn't even know it because they are like an ultrasound (only faster)!
Dzdayscomin said
Oct 30, 2014
That is my GI clinic .....funny they've done every flippin other thing to me....not that I need one.
Tig said
Oct 30, 2014
I've been trying to track down some additional information on the insurance side of the Fibroscan discussion and it's still being left to the carriers to decide. The patients need some advocacy assistance and I don't think we're going to get much positive help from the insurance companies.
I did find one Minnesota GE Provider that has provided a CPT code (91299) and charge ($547) for their fibroscan services. So the discussion is developing speed, although slowly. This is just for reference, nothing more. Being associated with the ultrasound business, I can assure you that this price is outrageous for the complexity of the test! But comparatively speaking, the ease and cost savings to biopsy is light years ahead. Further searching I found an Atlanta lab that is offering the Fibroscan alone for $249 and with a routine liver ultrasound the price is $349. That's more reasonable and they will bill insurance using the CPT code mentioned. It's good to see progress being made, albeit slowly, but it's gaining ground...
I don't know if most Insurance Companies are even paying for Fibroscans yet. My last one was in June and doc said insurance still had not included them even though they were FDA approved in April of 2013. Go figure.
Anyway, yes you can pay privately and they cost around $300-$350 USD. Here is a list of facilities that do them:
http://www.fibroscan502touch.com/find-a-facility
Brian1412 said
Oct 30, 2014
Yes, the Dr is excellent, but I am finding out that the " office/clinic" is very disorganized.. I finally got my g-type and levels, so I have not had the opportunity to discuss them. Thanfully, everyone was able to get me up to speed. It seems this is the way this will goas I don't see them reorganized any time soon.
It was suggested I get biopsy/Fibro . I found out today that my next appointment is not until Nov 27 ( which I think is bunk because of the Holidays)... I guess my question is this type of appointment " spread" normal, or acceptable?
I woke up this morning with pronounced pain under my ribcage and in my back near kidneys. First time with that. I also noticed that I have been having issues with memory. I start a thought, then I can't remember the subject. This is something new to me.
So I guess I will have to get in touch with her and get this stuff scheduled asap. There is no problem with the resources of the Facility, it is excellent, but they have a history of letting people in the clinic " slide off the radar "
it's going to be my battle . Is there a private way to get a fibroscan?
Thanks,
Brian
RMLARRYM said
Oct 27, 2014
Hi Brian,
Having a good Dr. that you respect and talk with is soooo important. I am luck to have one too. He is and infectious disease specials and is amazing. Gives me a hug when he comes into the room and spends as much time as he needs.have been in his office for an hour before..so take advantage
Good to know about the Pomegranate. Sounds like you are eating well and have plenty of energy..glad to hear that
Welcome to the forum. I am new also.
Larry
Brian1412 said
Oct 22, 2014
OK, I have the lab report
HCV log 10- 7,37 Hep C Geno 1 a with I think it is RT? after the geno type so 1 a rt.. I have a whole page of results for the blood test, so I don't know what else to include. Let me know and I will post everything. I don't have a scanner
I guess I got the jack pot. 1a is the most difficult to treat?
Brian1412 said
Oct 22, 2014
Yes, it could have been much worse.. almost was but she remembered me when I first presented at the ER, and she was able to close the ulcers etc as I had to leave the next day on Tour . She was amazed I made the whole tour.. So she decided to take me as a patient and got me the grant . Phew ! She has connection for the treatments also. The only downside is her case load but I'll take it.
The difficulty for me has been my past heavy health issue of Testicular Cancer in which everything is Must happen now ! But I am adjusting to "see you in a month " I am going to go try to get my blood tests so I can post . I am one who needs to know the big picture so I can still have some sort plan to hold life together .. Hopefully they will give them to me.
Tig said
Oct 22, 2014
Hey Rob,
Glad to hear it Brother! Nothing should make you feel better than an excellent doctor, the new drug protocols and a grant!! WOOT!!! Keep us informed, sounds like you're on your way to a hep free life! Good luck...
Tig
lilbit said
Oct 22, 2014
Awesome. It sounds like it is coming together for you. Hang tough.
Brian1412 said
Oct 22, 2014
Well, it took some time, but I now have a very good Dr, I did my type, Viral load etc last week and I will have the results next appointment Nov 7..( I will get them from records before that )
My Dr is a highly regarded Gastro, and I like her. she is the one that fixed my bleeding ulcers.
At least with her, I don't have to go out of State and I can work. She doesn't seem to be overly concerned about anything so I will go with that . Also, with her, I am covered by a grant thru the whole process, meds and all as needed which is a huge relief. Cancer wiped me out with that whole deal and my private insurance options not so good
I feell ok, most of the time, and I am not at any sense of a normal energy range, but I do get a lot of exercise, and I am eating right. I found a fig newton will set off the pain in the liver, so I really just stick to no fat, chicken breast veggies. I am drinking alot of Pomegranate as she told me it is good for Hep c Liver . Taste good so I am with it.
I do sometimes have pain in my side ,and I sometimes feel in a fog, but others I feel great.
I have come to terms with all this, and I am sure I will need to ask a lot of questions, but hopefully, cure has begun. That is a huge relief for me.
I am just concerned about the time between visits so far. I mean really, my Dr doesn't know I have he results of the test/type yet, and I would have to wait until what I found out to be my next appointment Nov 27 .. The facility allows lab /test results to be retrieved by private account.
Waking up this morning with the level 8 pain in the liver zone freaked me out. I have never had that before, and unless it was my gall bladder it is concerning to me. My memory adds to my concern . It is something new.
So, it works out that to just get to the Dr to get the order for load, and type, to my next appointment is about 8 months . If I can get her to write the orders, with a monthly appointment with her, I would feel much better .
I am approved to have everything I need, but I am afraid that the grant will run out before I even get to the point of getting on the train.. I want to stabilize, and get going to the meds.. I am looking at options for the scan.
Appreciate the listening and info.. I am going to need you to get thru this system.
Hi Duane:
They have so many views of your liver they could probably draw it from memory! I could do Fibroscans all day because they are totally non-invasive. If your health care facility has a fibroscan machine you could have had one and didn't even know it because they are like an ultrasound (only faster)!
That is my GI clinic .....funny they've done every flippin other thing to me....not that I need one.
I've been trying to track down some additional information on the insurance side of the Fibroscan discussion and it's still being left to the carriers to decide. The patients need some advocacy assistance and I don't think we're going to get much positive help from the insurance companies.
I did find one Minnesota GE Provider that has provided a CPT code (91299) and charge ($547) for their fibroscan services. So the discussion is developing speed, although slowly. This is just for reference, nothing more. Being associated with the ultrasound business, I can assure you that this price is outrageous for the complexity of the test! But comparatively speaking, the ease and cost savings to biopsy is light years ahead. Further searching I found an Atlanta lab that is offering the Fibroscan alone for $249 and with a routine liver ultrasound the price is $349. That's more reasonable and they will bill insurance using the CPT code mentioned. It's good to see progress being made, albeit slowly, but it's gaining ground...
http://www.mngastro.com/sites/default/files/Price%20Quote%20FibroScan-14.pdf
http://fibroscan502touch.com/reimbursement
Tig
Hi Brian:
I don't know if most Insurance Companies are even paying for Fibroscans yet. My last one was in June and doc said insurance still had not included them even though they were FDA approved in April of 2013. Go figure.
Anyway, yes you can pay privately and they cost around $300-$350 USD. Here is a list of facilities that do them:
http://www.fibroscan502touch.com/find-a-facility
Yes, the Dr is excellent, but I am finding out that the " office/clinic" is very disorganized.. I finally got my g-type and levels, so I have not had the opportunity to discuss them. Thanfully, everyone was able to get me up to speed. It seems this is the way this will goas I don't see them reorganized any time soon.
It was suggested I get biopsy/Fibro . I found out today that my next appointment is not until Nov 27 ( which I think is bunk because of the Holidays)... I guess my question is this type of appointment " spread" normal, or acceptable?
I woke up this morning with pronounced pain under my ribcage and in my back near kidneys. First time with that. I also noticed that I have been having issues with memory. I start a thought, then I can't remember the subject. This is something new to me.
So I guess I will have to get in touch with her and get this stuff scheduled asap. There is no problem with the resources of the Facility, it is excellent, but they have a history of letting people in the clinic " slide off the radar "
it's going to be my battle . Is there a private way to get a fibroscan?
Thanks,
Brian
Having a good Dr. that you respect and talk with is soooo important. I am luck to have one too. He is and infectious disease specials and is amazing. Gives me a hug when he comes into the room and spends as much time as he needs.have been in his office for an hour before..so take advantage
Good to know about the Pomegranate. Sounds like you are eating well and have plenty of energy..glad to hear that
Welcome to the forum. I am new also.
Larry
OK, I have the lab report
HCV log 10- 7,37 Hep C Geno 1 a with I think it is RT? after the geno type so 1 a rt.. I have a whole page of results for the blood test, so I don't know what else to include. Let me know and I will post everything. I don't have a scanner
I guess I got the jack pot. 1a is the most difficult to treat?
Yes, it could have been much worse.. almost was but she remembered me when I first presented at the ER, and she was able to close the ulcers etc as I had to leave the next day on Tour . She was amazed I made the whole tour.. So she decided to take me as a patient and got me the grant . Phew ! She has connection for the treatments also. The only downside is her case load but I'll take it.
The difficulty for me has been my past heavy health issue of Testicular Cancer in which everything is Must happen now ! But I am adjusting to "see you in a month " I am going to go try to get my blood tests so I can post . I am one who needs to know the big picture so I can still have some sort plan to hold life together .. Hopefully they will give them to me.
Hey Rob,
Glad to hear it Brother! Nothing should make you feel better than an excellent doctor, the new drug protocols and a grant!! WOOT!!! Keep us informed, sounds like you're on your way to a hep free life! Good luck...
Tig
Well, it took some time, but I now have a very good Dr, I did my type, Viral load etc last week and I will have the results next appointment Nov 7..( I will get them from records before that )
My Dr is a highly regarded Gastro, and I like her. she is the one that fixed my bleeding ulcers.
At least with her, I don't have to go out of State and I can work. She doesn't seem to be overly concerned about anything so I will go with that . Also, with her, I am covered by a grant thru the whole process, meds and all as needed which is a huge relief. Cancer wiped me out with that whole deal and my private insurance options not so good
I feell ok, most of the time, and I am not at any sense of a normal energy range, but I do get a lot of exercise, and I am eating right. I found a fig newton will set off the pain in the liver, so I really just stick to no fat, chicken breast veggies. I am drinking alot of Pomegranate as she told me it is good for Hep c Liver . Taste good so I am with it.
I do sometimes have pain in my side ,and I sometimes feel in a fog, but others I feel great.
I have come to terms with all this, and I am sure I will need to ask a lot of questions, but hopefully, cure has begun. That is a huge relief for me.
I am going to get my results today
Hanging in there