Cirrhosis Support Group

Dennis - Great post to grandmere! I just learned that my Liver Doc is NOT a hepatologist!

First someone tells me he is then finally I get the truth. Does a Cirrhosis patient "need" a hepatologist? From listening to you and others it sounds like a good idea, but this Liver Doc, being a GI Specialist, hasn't recommended I get one and apparently does this Cirrhosis and referral to transplant eval and treatment all the time. Uggghhh Ru

ruth

A hepatologist is a physician who specializes in liver diseases, if you have Cirrhosis you should definetly be seen by one.

I have a GI doctor, but for any and all questions I always go to my hepatologist.

You might have a great GI doctor, but unless he is also a hepatologist, he does not specialize in liver diseases.

Do a google search for your doctors name, it should tell you what studies he has done, and what kind of things he specialize in.

Good luck

Sammy.

Ru, my husbands Dr. does both, Gastroenterology and Hepatology

and is a specialist in Alpah 1. , maybe that is why he had to spend 4 days getting different test done

I just researched and found this information makes me feel even better

Excellence Award recognized 4 recipients out of 95 hospitals evaluated:

 California Pacific Medical Center - Pacific

 UCSF Medical Center

 Cleveland Clinic

 Saint Lukes Episcopal Hospitaland Cleveland is in the top 4....

Sammy and Prayer - thank you!!! I will see if the Liver Transplant Eval wants me to use their Hep or find one here in Delaware.

Now I understand why my GI Doc doesn't answer questions fully. It's been a real problem and I have to stop him to get the full answer or he just lets it roll off his tongue incomplete - like an incomplete recipe. For example Lactulose..3 answers about why I'm on it from his office:

1) Him = for memory and Gait

2) His Nurse=to maake sure you have 2-3 BM's a day

3) His assistant = for clarity.

Not ONE of them connected it with my HE or with ridding ammonia!! I didn't like that at all esp with a medical and pharmacy tech background!

Congrats prayer on finding out about your Hep Doc's Excellence Awards! I went to Vitals.com by accident the other day and found my Doctor brother (we're not very close) there and then my PCP (I was the fist to write a review about her). It lists their background and board certifications and awards, etc. Is that the site you used?

Ru

Thank you Dennis and everyone. Dennis, I couldn't agree with you more.My doctor is very nice but I do wish she knew enough to know she doesn't know enough about everything..her lack of knowledge about the liver surprised me, quite frankly, I was shocked by some of her responses to my concerns.She was so quick to dismiss them..I know my body and I am trying to listen when it is teling me something is not right. I have to take most of the responsibility though!I was an oncology nurse for years, and a very strong advocate for my patients, faced many a doctor head on with no problem but when it came to myself trying to address my concerns and fears with my own doctor I was like a scared, very vulnerable school kid..afraid to speak up or I didn't have the confidence to do so. Whatever the reason, I have to work on that..if I don't take control, who will? No one! I have to remember these people are not "Gods", they work for me and us. I am learning so much here and I know I will become more assertive and in control with the more knowledge I gain. Don't know if I am making much sense, just wanted to share my thoughts. I hope everyone here has as good a day as they possibly can.I admire the strength, courage and knowledge you all have but mostly I am overwhelmed by the kindness and concern everyone has for the other. Thank You!