Issues with exam results

This topic has 23 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 7 months ago by JohnSmith.

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18 March 2018 at 2:59 pm #27637
Mar
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- Guardian Angel
@mar
The # 0 rule seems to carry the most wisdom

Like Dr James advised, getting rid of the Hep C virus as soon as possible seems like the most urgent thing to do John. Then you can worry about weight loss and the fibrosis, there is a lot of evidence that the liver starts reversing the fibrosis on its own once you get rid of the Hep C virus. Weight loss is then going to hasten that.

Making the world a better place – one patient at a time.
19 March 2018 at 3:51 am #27639
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
The wife priority was the best

So, in other words, it’s not an issue to start the treatment with a 42 BMI. This won’t interfere with the treatment and with the recovery. Right?

Thanks again!
19 March 2018 at 4:34 am #27640
Dr James
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@fixhepc
Hi John,

No, it should not be a problem for the treatment per se.

Long-term, carrying the extra weight wears out your lower back, hips and knees and we only get issued with one set per person.

I’m happy to share the standard advice I give patients about how to move the needle and keep it moving.

YMMV
20 March 2018 at 5:49 am #27644
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
I’ve just downloaded your book and it’s certanly helping me a lot! Thank you very much for your help!
20 March 2018 at 8:55 am #27645
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
First of all, congratulations for your result! It’s amazing! I’m really glad for you!

I forgot to ask you if the MRI you had was a regular MRI, a gardolinium MRI or a MRA.

Tigerfan wrote:

Yesterday I (i) received my 4 week VL results reflecting HCV as undetected, and (ii) had a full abdominal MRI Scan to determine my liver damage after 40 years of the virus.

While the technician was scanning my liver (which I could see in the screen on the wall), I joked that I didn’t see any damage. The technician didn’t either. If I understood the call from the NP this morning, both he and the radiologist thinks my liver is pristine–no damage at all. I will see the results of the scan in a few days.

After a liver biopsy in 2003, I was diagnosed as F-2. After 15 more years of the virus, I was prepared for more serious damage.

So, to follow up the previous poster, is there something odd/unreliable/inconsistent, etc. with these diagnostic tests?
20 March 2018 at 6:49 pm #27647
Tigerfan
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- Treatment Warrior
@tigerfan
John-

The test is labeled a “US Abdomen Complete”.

Do you have any insight as to the reliability of this test?

1970’s-Bad behavior as a teenager.
2001- Insurance Company denies coverage due to HCV positive
2002- Another HCV positive reading and referral to liver doctor.
2003-Commence Interferon Combination treatment. VL 205,088 after 3 months. Doctor says stop.
2007-VL 1,045,320.
2017-VL 3,121,174.
2.5.18-Commenced generic Epclusa.
3.7.18- VL Undetected!
3.13.18-US Abdomen Complete scan reflects Normal echogenicity with no mass detected. No dilated intrahepatic biliary ducts”.
20 March 2018 at 11:03 pm #27648
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
No. I had the same exam and I’m trying to look everywhere for information. I know that doctors say it’s useless for detecting fibrosis, but my guess is that could show liver alterations and perhaps portal hypertension by alterations that are signs of cirrhosis, but I don’t think it could show cirrhosis stage 1 that most changes are not visible yet and it’s reversible.

Let me be clear that I have no idea what I’m talking about. It’s just a wild guess, but I couldn’t find anything for sure.

The only think I know for sure is that after 40 years with the virus and an MRI like that, you’re gonna be ok
21 March 2018 at 12:37 am #27649
Tigerfan
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- Treatment Warrior
@tigerfan
A July, 2002 study published in the Digest of Liver Diseases concludes as follows:

“Assessment of liver echogenicity is of value for detection or exclusion of moderate to pronounced fatty infiltration (correct classification 86.6%), but cannot be relied upon in diagnosing fibrosis, not even cirrhosis in asymptomatic patients with mild to moderately elevated transaminases”.

So, I may just walk down to the GI Clinic and see if they will sell me a $65 Fibroscan in the next few weeks.

1970’s-Bad behavior as a teenager.
2001- Insurance Company denies coverage due to HCV positive
2002- Another HCV positive reading and referral to liver doctor.
2003-Commence Interferon Combination treatment. VL 205,088 after 3 months. Doctor says stop.
2007-VL 1,045,320.
2017-VL 3,121,174.
2.5.18-Commenced generic Epclusa.
3.7.18- VL Undetected!
3.13.18-US Abdomen Complete scan reflects Normal echogenicity with no mass detected. No dilated intrahepatic biliary ducts”.
21 March 2018 at 1:57 am #27651
JohnSmith
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- Recovery Champion
@johnsmith
That’s what I’ve been reading everywhere but my doctor excluded my supposed cirrhosis detected by fibroscan using an MRI. I don’t think both of our doctors would order an “useless” expansive exam for no reason. It doesn’t measure the fibrosis level but it certanly do something related to our case.

EDIT: The study you’ve mentioned is related to echogenecy in ultrasound. Has nothing to do with MRI.
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