tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post1394172669945929598..comments2024-03-22T17:05:55.267-04:00Comments on MD Whistleblower: Is Treatment for Hepatitis C Hype or Hope? Big Win for Big PharmMichael Kirsch, M.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-33043053689036944202015-10-24T16:38:42.249-04:002015-10-24T16:38:42.249-04:00Hi Michael,
First off, I came across your site an...Hi Michael,<br /><br />First off, I came across your site and wanted to say thanks for providing a great resource on disease for the community. <br /><br />I thought you might find this interactive infographic interesting, detailing the effects of Hepatitis C on the body. I know our readers have given us great feedback, and thought yours might get a kick out of it too! http://www.healthline.com/health/hepatitis-c/effects-on-the-body<br /><br />Naturally, I’d be delighted if you share this embeddable graphic on http://mdwhistleblower.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-treatment-for-hepatitis-c-hype-or.html , and/or with your followers on social. Either way, keep up the great work Michael!<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Nicole Lascurain | Assistant Marketing Manager<br />p: 415-281-3100 | e: nicole.lascurain@healthline.com<br /><br />Healthline<br />660 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107<br />www.healthline.com | @HealthlineNicole.lascurain@healthline.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-45389464738580336352014-09-06T03:50:01.873-04:002014-09-06T03:50:01.873-04:00Hello Dr. Kirsch,
I wish I would have read your bl...Hello Dr. Kirsch,<br />I wish I would have read your blog four years ago before I started the peg interferon + ribavirin treatment. I never recovered from it: Depressions, joint aches and a burnt out thyroid...<br />I cannot run anymore and there are days when I cannot walk without excruciating pain, I am always tired and have to sleep even during the day, I keep forgetting things and it takes me so much longer to get organized, understand and learn anything, at my worst I could not even follow simple shows on TV. I am on anti-depressants and take thyroxine but nothing gets my energy levels and my quick grasp of things back. And in addition I gained 20 kilos... <br />I consulted physicians but they always tell me that this is a natural aging process and that there is nothing wrong with me. This enfuriates me! I used to be an energetic mother of five, working 10 hours or more a day, coming home in the evening getting meals on the table and getting housework done and on Saturdays run Marathons. All that was over the moment I started the treatment. Trying to get my energies back now, after three years that I have finished the course of the treatment all I get to hear is that most women gain weight in their fifties, that it is normal to have joint aches, to forget things and get slower with age and that there is nothing wrong with me! My life has never been the same - to all of you who think about starting the treatment!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453512995462740192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-45385114130916906852012-06-08T00:18:51.594-04:002012-06-08T00:18:51.594-04:00As you know, without a liver biopsy it's hard ...As you know, without a liver biopsy it's hard to know what's really going on. (at least order an ultrasound people!) Many folks have totally normal LFT's with Hep C, and are found to have serious liver fibrosis or worse. I don't like family medicine docs/internists that do a quite physical and tell the patient they are fine without explaining ALL complications. Every patients with Hep C should see a grastro/hepatoligist at least once. All is well until someone ends up in the ICU with liver decompensation and it's a fast ride to the grave. Yes, it's rare, but I'm sick and tired of MDs that are so comfortable ignoring serious conditions because they think "treatment is toxic".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-13526802418664463322012-03-23T19:18:06.316-04:002012-03-23T19:18:06.316-04:00Interesting article Dr. Kirsch and so true about y...Interesting article Dr. Kirsch and so true about your comment concerning for every yes, there is a no. I personally have hep C genotype 1b, and before 2011, my doctor had taken your same approach, we’ll just wait and see. I’ve had 2 biopsies now, 5 years apart, both showing stage1 and my viral load fluctuates from 19,500 to about 23,000. I am probably your typical “wait and see” patient that you speak about. However, in the past 5 years, I have been plagued with joint problems, one right after the other it seemed, which were put down as tendonitis in my elbow, and or bursitus in my shoulder, SI joint popped out problem, and knee wear and tear. All of those were dealt with by cortisone shots and physical therapy, lots of PT without much relief. Finally an allergic reaction at a dentist office got me on the road to the real culprit. The allergist sent me to a hemotologist when a blood test of my immune system showed a problem. Turns out, I have a very high concentration of Cryogobulins which is an antibody, circulating in my blood and is directly related to the Hep C. This is and has been causing me all the problems with my joints. I also have a non working, or should I say gravely overworked immune system. My compliment system (CH50 is non existant) it’s being drained from constantly fighting the Hep C virus the hemotologist informed me.I catch the flu and other viral infections at the drop af a hat as well. With these 2 extra Hep C related issues, I have to say that they have made me fairly miserable. My doctors, (the Hep C specialist, the Hemo Doctor, My Cancer doctor (had breast cancer surgery and RAD 9 months ago) and my PCP all agree that it’s time to treat the Hep C. I know my chances of getting rid of the Cryogobulins, entirely, is slim, but it does happen, and maybe it will stop the advancing vascular problems that I’m experiencing. Also, it should put my immune system back in normal working order since it will no longer have to fight a virus that it can’t beat, on a daily basis. In light of these things I have mentioned here, think of your patients that you treat. Do any of them complain about joint pain (average age of Hep C patients is 50+, and the majority of patients along with their doctors put the joint pain down to just getting older), or maybe they seem to get sick with viruses like colds and flu more frequently? I will be starting the 3 drug treatment in 1 month, but wish that I would have started before my overall health went south. Remember, I would probably be one of your wait and see patients, stage1, viral load less than 25,000, non drinker. My tests show that my liver is doing actually pretty good considering I have Hep C. My point is there’s more to this virus than the damage to your liver, and can be easily missed. Perhaps this will encourage you to ask your “wait and see” patients about other symptoms they might be having. Some that they might think have nothing to do with Hep C. Maybe you can help some of them before they get into my situation.<br /> Thank you for the article and for listening.<br /><br />Also a comment for Elaine.<br /><br />I bet you are seeing more patients such as myself in your practice. Would you as a hemotologist recommend the Hep C treatment to try and relieve the immune system such as myself?<br /> Take care,<br /> KellyKellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-26973092558380732712012-03-20T12:46:47.217-04:002012-03-20T12:46:47.217-04:00Hi Dr. Kirsch,
I've enjoyed looking through y...Hi Dr. Kirsch,<br /><br />I've enjoyed looking through your Whistleblower blog! I couldn't find any contact info for you, so I'm just leaving a comment, but I wanted to pass along our new infographic about how oral health affects overall health: http://www.1dental.com/blog/infographic-oral-health-overall-health/<br /><br />As you may know, it’s a pretty serious issue that many people don’t know about, so we want to raise awareness. I would love for you to mention it on your site - let me know what you think! Thanks and have a wonderful Tuesday,<br /><br />HannahHannahhttp://www.1dental.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-7960191209540919392012-03-18T22:57:04.858-04:002012-03-18T22:57:04.858-04:00Thanks for the post, Doc. I was dx'd with HCV ...Thanks for the post, Doc. I was dx'd with HCV over 10 years ago, in all probability contracted 30 years ago. I am one of those you describe who are symptom-free and who discovered the disease by accident, during a routine blood panel. The GE I initially consulted pushed for treatment (this was back in the peg interferon + ribaviran days when odds were good it would not take) - I declined.<br /><br />I'm curious to know if there is any ongoing research that seeks to devise "a reliable method to determine who will progress and who won't." That is, is any progress being made in terms of knowing why the current treatment regimen tends to work for some, not for others?<br /><br />Even were a test available, and were it to inform me that I would be likely to achieve remission, and were I in a position where insurance would cover the cost, I am not at all sure I'd move in that direction.<br /><br />I quit drinking immediately upon learning I was infected, and as time progressed, I quit smoking, changed my diet to one that's vastly more healthful - rarely eat meat, lots of fresh veggies and fruits, very few processed foods, and now cutting out sugar. I also do a couple hours of yoga daily, ride my bicycle everywhere, etc.<br /><br />In short, the dx of a chronic and potentially terminal disease was, for me, a gateway to a far more healthful - and enjoyable - life. <br /><br />I can't help but wonder, if I was cured, would that motivation - at least to some degree - recede? <br /><br />I prefer not to take that chance.gwizard43https://www.blogger.com/profile/07593620523101022936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-45665545861058018272012-03-17T20:15:53.206-04:002012-03-17T20:15:53.206-04:00Thanks, bigfish. I think well meaning physicians t...Thanks, bigfish. I think well meaning physicians tend to exaggerate benefits and gloss over hazards & limitations of treatments they are advocating. Appreciate your comment.Michael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-87238710745982233212012-03-17T00:01:57.693-04:002012-03-17T00:01:57.693-04:00Generalizing one of the concepts from this post, a...Generalizing one of the concepts from this post, any honest portrayal of the benefit vs. risk profile of a given medical intervention should include a review of the likelihood of experiencing an adverse outcome WITHOUT treatment vs. the likelihood of experiencing an adverse outcome WITH treatment.<br /><br />Too many patients – consciously or subconsciously – confuse treatment with cure (i.e., going from an X% chance of adverse outcome to 0% chance of adverse outcome).bigfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00917477422060180463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-38244112137924834802012-03-12T15:13:37.191-04:002012-03-12T15:13:37.191-04:00Thanks, Elaine. The voice of conservatism with hep...Thanks, Elaine. The voice of conservatism with hepatitis C - and much else - can be lonely. Glad you're part of the small choir.Michael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-65403315393365493312012-03-12T08:31:06.307-04:002012-03-12T08:31:06.307-04:00Great question, Michael. As a hematologist/oncolog...Great question, Michael. As a hematologist/oncologist, I examined patients with serious blood complications of hep C. Lately, in reading on how common is the virus, and so many new drugs on the market, I've wondered the same.Elaine Schattner, MDhttp://www.medicallessons.netnoreply@blogger.com