Hepatologist Appt 🥰: For those who have been... - PBC Foundation

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Hepatologist Appt 🥰

gwillistexas profile image
44 Replies

For those who have been wondering, I finally had my appt yesterday. He isn’t the one I’ve been waiting for. Seemed the other one was taking a little too long. My GI’s NP made a phone call to Dr Mantry, head of Hepatology at

Methodist Liver Institute in Dallas. (Methodist denied him seeing me a few months ago because I am self pay). So Machelle worked her magic & he agreed to a consultation appt. After reviewing my records he said he has no concerns. I will continue OCA. The two vitamins he wants me to take are Vit A & Vit D (prescription). I expressed my concerns regarding fibroscan. He said BMI has a lot to do with accuracy & he does them daily & will probably want to do one himself at his Dallas office. I stil don’t want one., lol! There might be a biopsy in the future. No diet restrictions because he feels my liver is having no problems functioning , but I will still be sensible. NO RAW FISH. He feels weight loss is due to thyroid & definitely not the liver. So unless I have a problem, I see him 6 months & labs will be done at that time. He said if I get antsy & want them at 3 months, ok, but no need. So I am finally at total peace ☺️. I love this man & feel blessed.

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gwillistexas
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44 Replies
4pjx__ profile image
4pjx__

That's very encouraging news! It sounds like younare doing great!

Pam

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to4pjx__

Yes. I have had many restless nights worrying. He told me maybe I would sleep last night after seeing him. Indeed I did😊

Arlie profile image
Arlie in reply togwillistexas

I’m going to NYC on the 30th , lots of questions

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toArlie

Ok. I wish you the best. 🙏🏻. Please stay in touch😊

Arlie profile image
Arlie in reply togwillistexas

I sure will

Arlie profile image
Arlie in reply togwillistexas

I’m so happy for you 🙏

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toArlie

Thanks Arlie 🌹

IAmTheGlue profile image
IAmTheGlue

I'm very happy for you!

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toIAmTheGlue

Thank you. He was well worth the wait 😊

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel

Yay!! ❤❤. A bit of relief for you and us as well. Thanks for sharing. Please keep sharing. I'm still waiting to be accepted for Ocaliva. Feel ok. Labs in February. We will see.

Stella❤

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toKtltel

Yes ma’am. Makes such a difference when you know you are eye to eye with a specialist who knows his stuff. He was quite humorous a couple times. He was so easy. Really hoping OCA comes through soon for you. It should make things better. Stay in touch😊🦋

Ballymahon2 profile image
Ballymahon2

Very encouraging

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toBallymahon2

Yes it is😊👍

Bobbiesitzman profile image
Bobbiesitzman

Whoot Whoot!!! So happy for you!!!

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toBobbiesitzman

😀. Thank you!!!

HealthyChik profile image
HealthyChik

So happy for you! It makes a huge difference when you have a doctor that you feel confident in. Sounds like he has eased your mind💕

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toHealthyChik

Yes he did. Thank you ☺️

Arlie profile image
Arlie

Hi gwill , i’ve been reading an MRE is replacing a biopsy , it detects the whole liver

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toArlie

Hi Arlie! Been wondering about you. Yes it does. He may not do biopsy unless he feels a need. I know Dallas has the MRE & I will definitely ask him about it. For some reason he is confident with fibroscan. He asked if a dr performed my fibroscan. He seemed surprised that a technician did it. So how are you doing?

Arlie profile image
Arlie in reply togwillistexas

I’m ok nervous until I go to NY , I started back on lactulose, the ammonia level is elevated

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toArlie

I’m hoping you will feel much better so you can travel to see your sister & I can meet you. 😊

Arlie profile image
Arlie in reply togwillistexas

I wish that also

ninjagirlwebb profile image
ninjagirlwebb

I am so happy that you were able to see the hepatologist to ease your concerns. Sounds like you are in great hands. Have you done a biopsy before?

Carry on & continue to take good care of yourself.

Haley

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toninjagirlwebb

Thank you! I’ve never had a biopsy. But I felt so much trust with him I told I will let him do it if that need arises. 😊

ninjagirlwebb profile image
ninjagirlwebb in reply togwillistexas

I had one to diagnose the pbc. I was apprehensive about getting one, but it was necessary.

VeeWat profile image
VeeWat

How much A and D did he prescribe? Were you low?

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toVeeWat

10,000 IU A daily. 50,000 D weekly. No, Vit d hasn’t been checked in a while & it was normal. Dr said we have trouble absorbing those two.

Arlie profile image
Arlie

Thanks ninj

Karaliz profile image
Karaliz

So happy to hear this news!

The value of having a kind, understanding, expert Dr who both has your back and possesses a sense of humour is enormous!

You can sleep peacefully now Gail.

Karen

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toKaraliz

Hi Karaliz. Yes that’s so true. He was very late coming in the room but I got my time with him. 😊. Yes, I slept like a baby last night. Thank you so much🌹

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toKaraliz

Karaliz...when we were discussing Ocaliva, I told him about you & the trial. 😊

Karaliz profile image
Karaliz

I wonder was he interested!

I have just discovered in fact through my research that OCA has been passed by the TGA here and will hopefully be available soon.

Great news all round!

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toKaraliz

I was telling him my concerns with OCA & went on to tell him about you being in the trial & OCA had actually helped you. He stated, as we have read, most of the problems were with physicians & improper dosing. He has participated in several clinical trials as a site principal investigator & is also a consultant for many pharmaceutical companies. Is also involved in PBC research. That’s great news for Australia! 😊👍

Karaliz profile image
Karaliz

That certainly seems to be the consensus. Because I am receiving OCA offlabel ( ie post the trial but before it is commercially available) I was given a lot of literature related to the adverse events we were all made aware of. Incorrect dosing as you say was the main problem and I believe it may not be suitable for those with advanced cirrhosis ( I know of one person with decompensated cirrhosis who was taken out of the trial).

Yes indeed - I typed in OCA Australia and found the information !

Sleep tight.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toKaraliz

That’s awesome!!! Good things coming your way🙏🏻☺️ G’night

I'm pleased for you. It sounds like you succeeded with your search for a doctor who Knows as well as Cares. You have a good contract now: you can do your stuff and relax knowing he'll do his. It's what we all need, and all we need? x

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to

Thank you😊. Yes I feel he is a good choice. After researching his background I felt comfortable. He is from Pakistan but speaks English relatively well. Now, if I had to be drugged & talk to him, I might have difficult time following him, lol! But yes, he is definitely who I need. As this was only a consultation, it was enlightening. Future will tell ☺️🦋

butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi

So good to read your positive news.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply tobutterflyEi

Thank you butterflyEi😊

liver-bird profile image
liver-bird

So pleased for you x

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toliver-bird

Thank you😊

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toliver-bird

Thank you!

Vivaldii profile image
Vivaldii

Such good news xx

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toVivaldii

Yes ma’am. Thank you!😀

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