What is Hepatitis B
Originally known as serum hepatitis, hepatitis B has only been recognized as such since World War II, and has caused current epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa. Hepatitis B is r...
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I recently went to see a doctor because I had developed jaundice. Other than being fatigued I wasn't sick, meaning that I was still eating with no problems. I did have dark urine and lighter stools for a while.
I don't have insurance or a job. The doctor that I visited didn't take any tests. He just said, "it was going to cost thousands and thousands of dollars". He told me I most likely had pancreatic cancer. He said if he ordered the tests necessary I'd have to pay for it up front. I said I didn't have the money for that. He said I should leave his office and immediately go to the emergency room. He even recommended where I should go. I unfortunately took his advice. He had me scared to death. The ER I went to admitted me for "liver failure" and began ordering tests. I asked if simple blood tests for hepatitis was be done first. They said, " oh yes those are standard with your symptoms". They took blood and order a CT scan. Once that was done they took me to a room. Later that night I was given an Ultrasound. The next day the doctors told me that I looked as though I had been exposed to hep b at some point in the past but was now immune. They asked if I had the vaccine and I told them no. The CT scans and Ultrasound showed nothing. Everything looked normal. For some strange reason the doctor wanted me to have an MRI. This was sat. and I would have to stay until Mon. for that. He said he would release me late Mon. if every thing looked ok. I told the admitting doctor on Sunday that I didn't think it was necessary becasue my stools were getting darker and that meant that there couldn't really be bile duct blockage which is what they said they were looking for. She insisted that it was necessary. Just as I told then it would be, the MRI was negative. They still were reluctant to release me. I began complaining to the hospital that things weren't going fast enough and that I wanted out. I didn't want to leave AMA but that they should release me. I told them that the stress of the charges would be enough to kill me. My anxiety was through the roof, and it still is. One of the doctors that was treating me was off work and her replacement came on duty. This guy shows up in my room and says, "it looks like you have hep b". I said,"you better check with the other doctors because they are telling a different story". The other doctors then changed their tune to match the newest doctor on the scene. They all seem to be in agreement that I have hep b. The GI doctor said, "I just need to prove it now." I said, what do you mean? He said I want to order a blood test that will confirm it. (I was thinking to myself, "why the sam hell wasn't that test ordered 4 days ago?") By this time my blood is boiling. I told that doctor I wanted to be released that day! He agreed to let me go. It took a week but I finally got him to call me with those final test results and hep b was confirmed with HBV DNA and E antigen tests. He also told me I needed medication and that it would cost $600 per month. I had to deny treatment due to cost and I'm no longer seeing a doctor. That hospital and those doctors managed to get the bill up to more than $21,000.00 so far. More charges are arriving in the mailbox everyday. I think I got scammed because I was uninsured. The charges I got are horribly over priced. I don't know how I will ever get over this. I mean the bill not the disease. I have no job and I'm not able to look for work at the moment. This is likely going to cause me to sell my home. Here are the test results which I find a bit confusing. It wasn't explained to me well at all what this all means. Hep B Surface Ab = 4.94 (consistent with immunity) Hep B Surface Ag = Positive Hep B Core Ab, Total = Positive Hep B Core Ab, Igm = Positive Hep Be Ag = Positive HBV DNA = 66600000 copies/ml Can someone help me to understand all of this? What do these results mean? I don't get why I have antibodies, unless my immune is already hard at work fighting this virus, in which case the doctor's is wrong about the need for meds. I'm really confused and I'm not so sure the doctor knows what he is talking about. I'm also reduced to asking for public assistance as a result of this. I need to try and pay this without losing my home. Meds might be nice too. http://www.savemark.110mb.com Thank for any help, Mark Posted on 06/22/09, 06:06 pm |
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Well I know a viral load needs to be run the HBV DNA may be that but I am not sure, I have chronic HEP-B but don't know as much as I should, viral load will show how sick your liver is generally speaking, you need to call American liver foundation or google hep-b foundation, pls do both, start with the ALF they can and will answer all your questions and they are very nice, As far as the hospital, I work in one and the "protocol" you mentioned is very typical, but I am glad you stuck it out because you have a lot more information than you did before, and It's your health so the more you learn and narrow down the better, these boards pretty slow, lots of great people here and please come back and let us know what you find out but PLEASE call the American liver foundation, I am sorry I don't have the number on me...........................luck and hugs 
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Thanks for the reply.
I'm not sure why you directed me to the ALF because they were of no help at all. I did call them and they said I would have to speak with a medical professional. They couldn't answer any of my questions. Sadly, I doubt anyone will help me unless I have a fist full of dollars. I've already been financially raped by the health care system and it has failed miserably in giving me anything but bills. But, that's the American way. I should expect nothing else. I hate to be so cynical but if you walked a mile in my shoes you'd understand.
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Oh wow, well I am sorry it must be the hep-b (foundation?) people, cause I know I had been to the doc but didn't understand what was all happening, and somebody explained everything to me, Before I got ins, I was supposed to hook up with county liver clinic, I acquired ins in the meantime tho and have been using that. Can you access county services? If it is like here they will take care of you and work out (or not depending on circumstances) a payment plan........hhhhhmmmmmm let me see if I can find a number for you...........
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It was the HEP-B foundation http://www.hepb.org/ and here is their number.........215-489-4900....................they must have been the nice ones, try them, sorry bout your bad experience.................:(
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Mark, your story got me rilling on the floor even though is so pathetic, I'm recently diagonised, you don't have to pay $21,000 when treatment have not even started, i see this as a clear case of fraud allowed by American system. But if the bill will include total cost for treatment it ain't bad at all. But I advice you read more about the illness it helps too. More information and knowledge. thank u
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I took your advice Grantm and I called the hepb foundation. They are the polite, knowledgeable and helpful ones.
If anyone needs help in understanding hep b or labs they are the place to call. While the resources of the internet will not show a chart with results like mine, it is clearly possible. I was told it was due to timing of tests, a transition period of resolution where both antigens and antibodies are present. I hope they are right and I'm developing immunity. We'll see next week I've I'm there yet.
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