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Hepatitis C (Expert Forum)
Seeking Treatment/ No Insurance
Questions posted in the Hepatitis C Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Seeking Treatment/ No Insurance
by Nancy__0__0, Mar 24, 1999 12:00AM
I was told in January that I am Hep-C Positive, and my husband was tested, is also positive.
Wow a double wammy!!!
So what a way to start the New Year!
Just in the last 3 weeks ( I assume due to stress) I started to have symptoms of muscle & joint aches, chills,head aches, blurred vision,upper right side pain (mild)...Husband feels fine and works.
Now why I am stressed....NO INSURANCE....
I have called every county & state health number there is.
My husband makes just a little over the limit to get medicaid.
He works for a 2 man business and the other worker is a Veteran, so he has coverage...the Boss won't get my husband insurance!
Now, no insurer will except us..even called the phone number for the uninsurable...no help!
I call the University of Miami (Center for Liver Diseases) to see if we could get into a study!
Again this is questionable if we can qualify, as no other underlying problems can exist ( Husband may have high blood pressure)AND we would have to pay for a Liver Biopsy...any idea what that will cost?
We barely make ends meet now, and with a small savings for my Daughter, she is attending Community College.
I am 42 and Husband is 47.
I have put us on a healthy diet, and milk thistle, vit.E,C,garlic,selenium,echinacea,co Q-10....and juice carrots,brocoli,garlic,tomatos,...and now feel this sickness overtaking me!
My Doctor (general practioner) won't even return my calls, as I requested 2 weeks ago ,and still haven't received my blood tests copies...which was a full Hepititus screening for a,b & c and a liver enzyme test (total $365.00 plus visit) that he said was normal ,just a month ago.
So if my liver enzymes were normal,why do I feel so bad?
We are not intervenous drug users, and I believe I got this virus from my ex husband, who is positive, I just found out,(he also gave me 7 cases of clamydia (chlamydia) in 7 years).
So it has been with me for 16 years.And they say that it is very unlikely to get it sexually! LOL
My 19 year old daughter is negative, thank God!
I don't know where else to turn and am so glad to find this site..I spend hours online in search of any information, that I can!
We live in Palm Beach County Florida, and any suggestions will be greatly apreciated!
Sincerely,
Nancy
Wow a double wammy!!!
So what a way to start the New Year!
Just in the last 3 weeks ( I assume due to stress) I started to have symptoms of muscle & joint aches, chills,head aches, blurred vision,upper right side pain (mild)...Husband feels fine and works.
Now why I am stressed....NO INSURANCE....
I have called every county & state health number there is.
My husband makes just a little over the limit to get medicaid.
He works for a 2 man business and the other worker is a Veteran, so he has coverage...the Boss won't get my husband insurance!
Now, no insurer will except us..even called the phone number for the uninsurable...no help!
I call the University of Miami (Center for Liver Diseases) to see if we could get into a study!
Again this is questionable if we can qualify, as no other underlying problems can exist ( Husband may have high blood pressure)AND we would have to pay for a Liver Biopsy...any idea what that will cost?
We barely make ends meet now, and with a small savings for my Daughter, she is attending Community College.
I am 42 and Husband is 47.
I have put us on a healthy diet, and milk thistle, vit.E,C,garlic,selenium,echinacea,co Q-10....and juice carrots,brocoli,garlic,tomatos,...and now feel this sickness overtaking me!
My Doctor (general practioner) won't even return my calls, as I requested 2 weeks ago ,and still haven't received my blood tests copies...which was a full Hepititus screening for a,b & c and a liver enzyme test (total $365.00 plus visit) that he said was normal ,just a month ago.
So if my liver enzymes were normal,why do I feel so bad?
We are not intervenous drug users, and I believe I got this virus from my ex husband, who is positive, I just found out,(he also gave me 7 cases of clamydia (chlamydia) in 7 years).
So it has been with me for 16 years.And they say that it is very unlikely to get it sexually! LOL
My 19 year old daughter is negative, thank God!
I don't know where else to turn and am so glad to find this site..I spend hours online in search of any information, that I can!
We live in Palm Beach County Florida, and any suggestions will be greatly apreciated!
Sincerely,
Nancy
Doctor's Answer
by HFHSM.D.-D.M., Mar 24, 1999 12:00AM
_
Dear Nancy:
I am quite touched by your situation. I can certainly imagine your frustration about not having insurance and feeling that people are not treating you and your husband properly either as individuals or as patients. More people than you think are in your situation and I have communicated with many of them over the years. One thing I always try to emphasize is that hepatitis C is a chronic condition that evolves over many years. While you should be evaluated in a timely manner, we are fortunate that hepatitis C is rarely an emergent problem. In other words, you should have time to sort things out.
I still feel there are something’s you and your husband can do to sort things out. I am disappointed that you did not have more luck with the University of Miami. They do a large number of protocols, though I can understand why they prefer that an insurance company pay for the biopsy. At Henry Ford, the biopsy would cost in the area of $400.00 though we would always try to work with someone who did not have insurance. You might keep trying with them. High blood pressure usually does not exclude people from these studies. In addition, , many of the companies that make the drugs for hepatitis C have programs where they can obtain the medication at no charge or a reduced charge. I have experience with these programs and I can tell you they are legitimate. You do have to show, however, that you cannot afford the drugs. Schering-Plough, the makers of combination therapy (interferon and ribavirin) have an excellent program. However, you would nee a physician and lab tests.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have additional information or questions, I would invite you to post the material to MEDHELP or to contact us directly at Henry Ford (313) 916-8865. If you are in the Detroit or Michigan area, I would certainly invite you to see us. We have an active group of liver specialists and we have a strong interest in and experience with hepatitis C.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
