Aa
I need help for treatment for hep C
I just got on medicare and am on disability, I don't make enough for treatment. I won't be able to be on medicare for 18 months. I just had my blood work done and my liver enzymes and potassium was very high. Is there anyone that can help me. I just don't know where to go. Thank you so much.
i will give you my take: if you are on SSDA, its true that Medicare does not kick in for 18 months. We help people with cancer get resources and we found this out the hard way. Hector is right, you need a good liver doc asap with the numbers you are running. Go to an ER if you have to.
Meanwhile see if you can find a local indigent care program, or try to get on a trial. even tho the pharmaco's will hep you with meds, you will need an EXPERIENCED doc to help you thru treatment- and you need to find out if you are well enough to treat right now. Medicaid is avail if you make under a certain limit. if you'd like to contact me, i can walk you thru some of the things you will need to do to get help. also if you were in a hospital at all in the recent past, contact the social worker at the hospital, or find a social worker in your county to give you any support, medical or social that you might need! feel free to drop me a note if i can help.
Meanwhile see if you can find a local indigent care program, or try to get on a trial. even tho the pharmaco's will hep you with meds, you will need an EXPERIENCED doc to help you thru treatment- and you need to find out if you are well enough to treat right now. Medicaid is avail if you make under a certain limit. if you'd like to contact me, i can walk you thru some of the things you will need to do to get help. also if you were in a hospital at all in the recent past, contact the social worker at the hospital, or find a social worker in your county to give you any support, medical or social that you might need! feel free to drop me a note if i can help.
"I just got on medicare and am on disability, I don't make enough for treatment. I won't be able to be on medicare for 18 months."
Do you mean you are on SSI or SSDI but NOT Medicare yet?
As hrsepwrgy indicated, you should be able to get the treatment drugs at no cost but you will need a doctor to manage your treatment, especially if you are already ill. Treatment can cause many side effects and abnormal blood levels especially in someone who is already ill.
Are you disabled from liver disease caused by hepatitis C and have cirrhosis of the liver? If this is the case you will need to consult with either a very experienced gastroenterologist or hepatologist to determine if you are well enough to be able to try the treatment drugs.
"potassium was very high"
High Potassium levels (what is the number?) can be very dangerous.
- The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliEquivalents per liter (mEq/L).
- Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L are considered to be mild hyperkalemia.
- Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L reflect severe hyperkalemia.
If you have moderate to high potassium levels your should see a doctor. Most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%.
Please give us more information about your condition so we can give you the best advice for your situation.
Thanks.
Hector
Do you mean you are on SSI or SSDI but NOT Medicare yet?
As hrsepwrgy indicated, you should be able to get the treatment drugs at no cost but you will need a doctor to manage your treatment, especially if you are already ill. Treatment can cause many side effects and abnormal blood levels especially in someone who is already ill.
Are you disabled from liver disease caused by hepatitis C and have cirrhosis of the liver? If this is the case you will need to consult with either a very experienced gastroenterologist or hepatologist to determine if you are well enough to be able to try the treatment drugs.
"potassium was very high"
High Potassium levels (what is the number?) can be very dangerous.
- The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliEquivalents per liter (mEq/L).
- Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L are considered to be mild hyperkalemia.
- Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L reflect severe hyperkalemia.
If you have moderate to high potassium levels your should see a doctor. Most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%.
Please give us more information about your condition so we can give you the best advice for your situation.
Thanks.
Hector
Hrsepwrguy is right that's how I got my meds I lost my job due to this illness and I did get the meds free of charge and very fast good luck to u
The drug companies offer free drugs to those that qualify
855-837-8394 Vetex (incivek) patient assistance info-co pay help or finiacial assistance
877-734-2797 for pegasys and copegus
888-437-2608 for pegintron victrelis (Merck).
855-837-8394 Vetex (incivek) patient assistance info-co pay help or finiacial assistance
877-734-2797 for pegasys and copegus
888-437-2608 for pegintron victrelis (Merck).
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