So Sarah, is your GP looking to referring you as a public patient to one of the Brisbane Hospital Gastro clinics for your Hep C? Because it is always such a long wait to get in. It depends on how long their waiting list is – which a DR can enquire about; and apparently, according to the Private Specialist I saw 1st, the introductory letter/Referral and whether it’s written by a GP or a Specialist. Typical bureaucratic run-around – your GP wants to get you into a Specialist because you can’t afford private but they pay more attention to an Intro Letter/Referral from a Specialist than a GP! The more severe your case the more priority, like you have to be near death’s door but NOT on the front step!
BTW, Awesome that your GP had the Factsheet mine didn’t know anything about it, so i gave her copies of the Genotype facts on this site – something with scientific data always gets them Wish you all the best on your journey

Well I am certainly feeling very frustrated! I’ve been waiting all month for my GP to discuss with my Specialist my decision on treatment and getting the script. Yesterday I’m told she’s been unable to contact him and I need to call the RBWH and find out how to contact him. She said that in his letter, from my visit last month, that treatment isn’t urgent since I’m ‘not severe’ (don’t have cirrhosis?).

Firstly, at that appointment when I said I was interested in importing the generics after reading Greg Jefferys story, he asked if I’d seen the movie ‘The Dallas Buyers Club’ – which I had – and gave me his phone showing the Fixhepc website and told me to copy the details and do some research. He offered to write the script and monitor me. He told me not to put it off if I wanted to see my 60th birthday and be there for my little boy AND to act quickly because the Gov and Pharma Co’s were trying to block access. He said since I’m Geno 3 it’s harder to treat and success rate 65-70% so would I consider adding Interferon!!! WT*, my inch-thick file in front of him was filled with history and assessments claiming I’m NOT an eligible Interferon patient!!

In 1999 I had a Liver Biopsy – results – F0; early 2013 a Fibroscan score 4.2 kph – Specialist who did this said it was a good score meaning I had minimal or no scarring BUT that a lot can change in 2 years, especially my age and how long I’ve had it. She told me then some exciting new drugs were on their way and to get ready to do treatment in the next 2-3 yrs (i.e. now).
Since then I have had regular blood tests (always abnormal LFT’s) and only Ultrasounds on my abdomen – saying my liver etc are ‘normal’!

So, I rang the RBWH and since that Specialist is only a visiting MD for the Hepatology Clinics on Fridays they couldn’t give me contact details. I was told to look up his private practice. So, I did and rang them and they said all they can do is ring my GP and give her the Specialist’s contact.
I now have to wait until Monday’s appointment to find out if there’s been progress. I wanted to start in Jan – New Year – New Beginnings etc.
Why do we have to be ‘dying’ before we get help? I also don’t trust that the Ultrasounds are reliable, I’ve never read anywhere that they are used to diagnose fibrosis, so much relies on the technician’s skill.

Ok, that’s out of my system – back to waiting….

Thank you Browny, I actually have been worried about that. I’ve been feeling much worse in the past couple of years, always abnormal fluctuating LFT’s but also other issues. I don’t trust the ultrasounds I’ve had. I just ‘feel wrong’, my brother has already got cirrhosis and he knows what i mean about ‘feeling things aren’t right’.
As GAJ and Neilo have suggested I will contact GP today re Specialist number and Monday’s appointment – if she still hasn’t contacted him I’ll ask her if she can refer me for fibroscan and write script. I know she already said she would be happy to help monitor me, doing my blood tests, but if I can’t get to the public clinic until next April then i’ll do the GP2U. Thanks for the advice everyone.