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Suggest A Rheumatologist For Polymyalgia Rheumatica And Giant-cell Arteritis While Treating Hepatitis-C
Question: Thank you, sir. How would you suggest I find a qualified rheumatologist (to treat diagnosed GCA/PMR) who has experience with Hepatitis C patients? 69 years old, Geno 2 with symptoms over a long hard journey. Entered end stage HepC, with too many extrahepatic manifestations to list. This is the latest issue. First time I am a "frightened" survivor. Will not entertain corticosteroids (had suicide attempts, corto's NOT for me) Treatment naive, only liquid nutrition over 2 years now. A fighter who needs a doctor who will work with me! Have best primary and carido, psch, and now need rheumatologist I can trust. Live in central Florida. GCA found by my optometrist after my complaints. Losing eyesight; progression slow but steady. Please advise. I do my work, but this has me 'stuck'. One Truth from long experience: Doctors DO NOT want to work with HepC patients! Especially those they think they cannot help. Where do I turn now...or do I? I know you are wise and kind; thank you. a 'survivor in waiting' :)
Brief Answer:
many rheumatologists work with hepatitis patients
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First of all you need to find a rheumatologist that has worked with hepatitis C patients in the past. This may mean calling the offices and asking. Although rheumatologists do not treat hepatitis C many of them work with hepatitis C patients because one of the manifestations of hepatitis C is joint pain. I can tell you that most well trained rheumatologists will be familiar with medications and complications of hepatitis.
Unfortunately the primary treatment for PMR/GCA is steroids. Other treatments like methotrexate may have some role but have not been proven to work as well as steroids. Fortunately, rheumatologists use drugs like methotrexate all the time because it is one of the treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.
If you cannot find a rheumatologist near you, you may want to consider going to one at Mayo clinic in XXXXXXX
I hope you find a rheumatologist soon.
Dr. Robinson
many rheumatologists work with hepatitis patients
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First of all you need to find a rheumatologist that has worked with hepatitis C patients in the past. This may mean calling the offices and asking. Although rheumatologists do not treat hepatitis C many of them work with hepatitis C patients because one of the manifestations of hepatitis C is joint pain. I can tell you that most well trained rheumatologists will be familiar with medications and complications of hepatitis.
Unfortunately the primary treatment for PMR/GCA is steroids. Other treatments like methotrexate may have some role but have not been proven to work as well as steroids. Fortunately, rheumatologists use drugs like methotrexate all the time because it is one of the treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.
If you cannot find a rheumatologist near you, you may want to consider going to one at Mayo clinic in XXXXXXX
I hope you find a rheumatologist soon.
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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