Chemo and neulasta

[sumanb]

I started my chemo (dose dense 4 cycles of AC ) on 7/24. They gave me a shot of Neulasta on 7/25. The nurse said she is giving it to me from their drug rep sample so it did not cost me. But the next one will have to be covered by my insurance. my insurance is saying they will not approve the neulasta untill my Blood count drops. My onc does not want to take the chance and wait till it drops. My husband is saying let's pay for it but I feel I can take my chances and wait till wbc drops. Has anyone been in this situation?

So far i am ok. I was fine for two days after my chemo, it hit me on Friday. Friday and saturday I just did not get out my bed. Little bit of diharria but sunday I was much better. My appetite is fine.

Any suggestions would be appreicated.

Thanks as always

[PhyllisJo]

I totally agree -- DO NOT LET YOUR BLOOD COUNTS DROP.  I had to postpone chemo because mine droped.  Luckily my insurance covered, but it was not used as preventive measure.  During this, your amazing time of recovery, you may or may not become as progressivly sick from the chemo as I did as you receive each dose.  I had 6 doses, and by the 4th my blood count had dropped so low that I had to postpone.  I was so desperate to get it over with so I would be on the way to recovery.  FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT your insurance company for coverage -- and if you can afford it, pay for it yourself and take on the insurance company later.  You are fighting a disease right now -- you should not have to endanger your recovery from future treatments of chemo because insurance will not pay.  Bless you and good luck with your treatments.  I am 5 years post chemo -- and one day you will be too!!!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear sumanb:  Neulasta is an important part of dose dense therapy.  In addition to keeping your chemotherapy on schedule, which is important in itself, dose dense therapy without neulasta could be potentially dangerous.  If your counts drop too low, you could get an infection that could be life-threatening and would land you in the hospital.  There are a variety of ways to obtain coverage for medications.  You may want to meet with a social worker at the hospital where you receive treatment or the office manager if this is a private physician