topic Re: Shocked and sad in Among Friends

Shocked and sad

FuzzyFace — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:43:23 GMT

I've been feeling pretty lousy lately: I have hepatitis and am being treated by a liver doctor, so I called him about it and his assistant returned my call just a few hours later--before the end of the day on Froday (I was impressed).

In short, after discussing this with her, she mentioned that this is just part of having hepatitis. I'm ready to cry; I don't want to feel like this for the rest of my life. And this is with a lot of medication and frequent visits to my doctor--he's not just letting it slide.

I think I need a 2nd opinion. And I've been advised NEVER to ask the doctor treating me for the referral; I don't want to go to golf buddy Jane who doesn't want to offend her pal. Instead, I'm going to ask my family doctor, who's given me good referrals before.

What do you think?

Re: Shocked and sad

YorkieonmyPillow — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:49:19 GMT

@FuzzyFace I think you should do it, if for no other reason than to ease your mind.

Sorry you're going through this......

Re: Shocked and sad

Lotus_OM — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:54:29 GMT

This is your body and you should do whatever you need to do to feel better. Check out the Mayo Clinic or search for Hep support groups. You may find recommendations for specialists in your area. Don’t give up hope. Stay positive and believe that the right person to help you will come into your life. Sending you blessings and best wishes for your healing. 🌹

Re: Shocked and sad

Love my grandkids — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:54:58 GMT

IMO a good doctor won't be offended to give you a referral. But if you are concerned, contact a local medical facility and get a referral from them. Explain you want a 2nd opinion and don't wish to ask your doc for one. That might be the way to go.

Re: Shocked and sad

hayseed00 — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:00:52 GMT

I think you should get a second opinion if you have any doubts , it is your body, and we have to be our own best health advocate. Good thoughts !!!

Re: Shocked and sad

151949 — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:05:11 GMT

I think you could have 100 different doctors and they will all say that being very tired is a part of having hepatitis.

Re: Shocked and sad

cbrite — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:07:31 GMT

@FuzzyFace You know there is a new medication which has a 98-99 per cent "cure rate"......for Hep c...........you did not mention which you have but I'm guessing.... Odd your doctor never mentioned about this new drug which only takes a few weeks to a few months......You should google it. Good luck.

Re: Shocked and sad

FuzzyFace — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:09:53 GMT

cbrite: I don't have hepatitis C; what I have is auto immune hepatitis in which my liver is attacked by my own immune system.

For the sake of people who do have hepatitis C, what's the name of the medication?

Re: Shocked and sad

cbrite — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:13:20 GMT

@FuzzyFace OH...........oh my.....I'm sorry....just awful...... I will look it up and come back to tell you about the new drug for Hep C.........I can't remember the name...my gf said she took it and is now cured.....I think she was on Medicaid or Medical...and it paid for her treatments....it is about $1,000 per pill.............one pill per day for about 6 weeks. Terrible these drug companies do that.....

Re: Shocked and sad

RedTop — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 17:45:46 GMT

My thoughts are that if you are being treated by a liver specialist, your treatment plan is probably spot on for management of your condition.

However, since your family doctor needs to be kept aware of your treatment for hepatitis, I would discuss everything with him and see if he says anything that makes you feel there’s an actual need for a second opinion.

I get the feeling you just need some reassurance you are being treated correctly, and that the way you are feeling is a result of your body processing the many medications. Having a condition that affects one of the major filtering systems in your body would make you feel lousy all the time. I believe you have to find a new normal for feeling good with a chronic condition.

Best wishes to you!

Re: Shocked and sad

chrystaltree — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 18:05:01 GMT

I think you should definitely go for that second opinion and I agree that you should ask your own pcp for the referral to one not because the specialist you are seeing would send you to friend who would then lie to you...you do have a low opinion of doctors. You should ask your pcp for the referral because the second opinion issue is a hard conversation to have with a doctor. Most people don't know how or when to bring it up, they don't want to give the doctor the impression that they don't have faith in them so they just don't ask for one. It's easier to go through your pcp.

Re: Shocked and sad

LurkyLoo — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 18:09:05 GMT

I'm so sorry for your suffering @FuzzyFace.

I don't know anything about this condition, but you have good advice here from others.

I'm going to pray for your strength to face this tough challenge, and that if there is further help available, it will be revealed to you quickly.

A second opinion never hurts!

Hugs 💗

Re: Shocked and sad

FuzzyFace — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 18:14:46 GMT

Bless you all for your kind words and compassion. They really do help; I feel a little better.

Re: Shocked and sad

151949 — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 19:44:59 GMT

Autoimmune diseases are usually treated with drugs that shut down the immune system, thus stopping it from attacking what it's attacking.

Just like asthma - rheumatoid arthritis and a number of other immune disorders.

Re: Shocked and sad

Drythe — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 20:54:10 GMT

@FuzzyFace

I’m so sorry. I know personally what it’s like when your immune system is wonky, and it is hard to deal with all the changes it can bring.

When I want more information, I always see my Immunologist. Even if the diagnosis is the same, I get a much better understanding of what is going on with my total health rather than just one organ.

Sending you all best wishes.

Re: Shocked and sad

Imaoldhippie — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 21:48:49 GMT

I suggest you research the hepatitis you have, read all you can about it, symptoms, treatments, medications and longivity of the illness. Then make up your mind as to a 2nd opinion.

Re: Shocked and sad

Noel7 — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 21:50:43 GMT

@FuzzyFace

Do you know what the underlying autoimmune disease is and are you getting treatment for that?

I'm sorry you are ill.

Re: Shocked and sad

webbgarner1 — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 21:53:04 GMT

@FuzzyFace so sorry you have hepatitis, I.m glad it is not hep c. The name of the medication you are asking about is Harvoni, and it is specifically for certain types of Hep C. I agree, it would not hurt to get another opinion, especially if there is a hepatology clinic at a large teaching university/hospital close to you.

Re: Shocked and sad

OfCourse — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 22:00:05 GMT

My father had an autoimmune liver condition. He died last year at 86. That isn't what killed him, though. Do you have a major medical center near you? Ask your doctor if he/she can refer you to a liver specialist who is well known in this area of his/her specialty. Such a doctor would be up on the latest things. You might also see a nutritionist after that who also works with liver patients a lot and see how you might change your diet and add supplements maybe to feel better. Best of luck!

Re: Shocked and sad

chiclets — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 22:06:52 GMT

Ask for another referral. You need to see someone else because if you do not then you will never be sure. You need to hear another doctor tell you about your condition. You need to do this for your own peace of mind.