Desperately Need Treatment

[poocat]

My boyfriend has Hep C, cryo, and HIV and no medical insurance. He treated with interferon in NYC in 1997 and relapsed at 6 mo PCR. We're now down in FL where there is ALOT less help. He is getting treated successfully for HIV thru Ryan White but has been denied medicaid and SSDI. He needs to treat NOW for Hep C and cryo because he is having symptoms to indicate that these are getting worse. We have exhausted all avenues in Broward County, FL. The public hospitals do not have a hepatologist on staff (can you believe that!?!) and the hematologist that he saw never heard of cryo and said there was no treatment anyway (not true). Does anyone know if he can go see Schiff in Miami without insurance? If so will they help him get whatever financial assistance he needs? I called the financial office there and they said he needs Medicaid or to be a Dade County Resident. Any other suggestions would be appreciated because we're feeling helpless and hopeless.  

[poocat]

Thanks, you guys are great. I have been reading posts for awhile and have done alot of investigative work. Unfortunately, BF does not qualify for most trials due to co-infection and may not be able to even treat SOC because of low platelets, but he has to do something. We've been trying to get him help for over a year, with absolutely no success, watching him get sicker and sicker. No one seems to care.

FlGuy: Can you share approx. how much that visit with Schiff cost? Was the advise that you got worth paying for the visit? Of course, we are having financial difficulties because he is no longer working but I do have a little savings left, worth saving his life.

Orph: Maybe if Schiff sees him, we can then investigate the free help thur pharmacies and Quest.

THANKS!!!!      

[orphanedhawk]

I don't know about doctor's costs. Some places have charity care available but you'll have to ask.

I recently learned that Quest, a major lab, has a program for those needing help paying for labs. Again, you will need to ask. Be dilligent.

He can get the meds, interferon and ribavarin for free through either from the pharmaceutical
companies.Call either:
Roche, @ 800-526-00625 or 877-757-6243
Sherring Plough @800-222-7579

I have a lot of leftover neupogen used for low white blood cells, a common side effect of the treatment. I'd gladly send it to anyone in need. There is another forum member who has leftove procrit, used for low red blood cells. He's also looking to pass them on. So coming here is a good idea if you're short on anything.     Good luck
  

[FlGuy]

take a look at this

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00353418?order=1

It's a clinical trail and UM is one of the sites.  For other trials that might be available go to www.clinicaltrials.gov.  For searching, key in hepatitis, miami or maybe hiv, miami.

I went to see the Schiff gang last year, there are 5 hepatologists there.  My insurance wold not cover the visit so I had to pay out of pocket.  Another alternative could be Shands Clinic in Gainesville (affiliated with U of Fla).

You might need to do some sleuthing. Good luck.