Good luck, WE. Sounds like a great plan. Your doctor will present to you what he/she will feel is best for your condition.

Until then, I would research the current tx and the current clinical trials. There is a handful on here, who have done or doing non interferon trials. Have you been following their progress?

Prepare yourself for your next appointment. Think about questions you'd like answers to
What are the "red marks". The only skin conditions I know are related to chronic HCV are spider angioma. You can also get lichen planus on your legs and feet.
There are four stages of liver fibrosis not 6. Stage 4 is called cirrhosis and then there are 4 stages of cirrhosis.
Your biopsy should give a good idea of where you stand with your liver.
I'm not sure what you mean by a C scan. The usual imaging for the liver is either and Ultrasound which only shows shape and shadows, not fibrosis and a Fibroscan.
Talk to him about the new Interferon free drugs that are very effective and only 12 weeks in duration. They should be approved later this year.
See this link and perhaps take it with you to ask his opinion on.
http://www.gilead.com/pr_1771657
Best of luck!

Hi We
I never heard of red marks on the chest having to do with hcv either. Like Kramer said, you have to wait for biopsy & other test results before you & your dr can decide what tx & if you can wait.
Take a notebook with you when you go to the dr. Write down questions as you think of them, & write down answers as dr gives them to you. There's alot to know & consider. If you can bring someone with you to your next appt to help you listen & remember, that would be good.

Thanks Peace. I forget to mention "write down your questions..take a notebook!"

@kramer- there are three methods to score fibrosis and the Ishak scale goes up to six.

@ we- I think if it were me - unless there was a compelling reason to treat immediately -I would wait. Tx w/Incivek can be really tough and the drugs are so toxic. Many will never be the same again after treating w/IFN.

I believe most doctors today who are well informed would not recommend triple/Incivek unless there was a particular reason for it.

If your doctor recommends tx, get another opinion.

Good luck in whatever path you choose.

Thanks Kat I am most familiar with Childs Pugh 1 to 4. Either way it is best to ask.

Seems I'm going to have to revisit fibrosis scoring methods. Childs Pugh seems to be 1 to 3..hmmm

Metavir :-)
http://hepatitis.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/Metavir.htm

Child pugh is for ESLD I thought...otherwise knodel, ishak, and metavir.

Yes correct Childs Pugh is Cirrhosis stage assessment.

I don't understands the red streaks. I do know that I was dx with rosacea years ago. Under the oral treatment for my Hept c; my roscacea started drying up and went away. The nurse called me and asked about the rosacea--how long I had it, tx etc one day while I was at work with just that specific question. I think it comes more from the dx of cryoglobulins, much like the rash that people with lupus have, but not sure.

I don't understand why he doesn't review all your labs/studies before you come in. If he waits to read the pathologist and the radiologist reports and then comes up with a plan while you are there for your appt., how much thought did he put in it?? Discussing different options is what I would want to discuss and not just one plan.

Stage 3 out of 6 fibrosis, wait! I read an article that half the pts. with hept C are requesting they wait and even @ 50% of docs are doing the same thing.

Interferon is rough. I heeded the past expereince of others and told the clinical trial coordinator, nothing but all orals for me in a trial, or I will wait. My Angel called me with an all oral.

The 8 folks in the trial that I am in, had/having minimal sides and most folks, none! Good luck on the decision. And remember whose bed your doctor may be sleeping in :)

We. You should go see the docs I told about at AGH. I have had past experience with UPMC. You can get biopsy reports , CT reports and your own lab results within days from medical records. You shouldn't have to wait. UPMC is a teaching hospital with a clinic where interns in training are seeing you from time to time. AGH is more personal one on one care from start to finish.

Another thing. You have rights to the actual microscope slides prepared after the biopsy if you want to take them to another MD for his opinion.

Welcome We but I can not answer your question is something you have to decide yourself. We are all different and in different stages and different types and kinds of hep c. I would pray an ask God to show you the way Layter Jim Sorrycouldnrt give you an answer.

I know red palms isn't good palmer ertheymea (spelling)? Ive had them gor years since puberty. ..different docs different dx or reason why.