financial assistance with med programs

       I tested positive for hep c 2 weeks ago. I'm not insured. I should know more about the condition of my liver within 2 weeks. I'm hoping to get a fibro sure test on a sliding scale at the county heath clinic that found the disease.
             From what I'm seeing on this site, I am planning to need treatment. I'm 55, have had the disease for atleast 35 years, and drank regularly until 2 years ago.
             Any advise on drug company programs for lower income people with out insurance would be appreciated. I know I need a biopsy, but don't know how to pay for one yet.

[Mary4now]

Maybe you should get the biopsy then figure out how to pay for it.  I had mine and the hospital negotiated the cost after a couple of months reduced it by 40%.
Your doctor should be able to provide some help with the pharmaceutical companies, the problem there is the care you might need while on the drugs.  
You can try to get into a trial where they use all the gold standart drugs, but add another drug for the study.  Then you would get your monitoring paid for.  
Go to a good University Hospital near you and start inquiring.  Stay off the alcohol for sure, for really sure, my hepatologist said it was like mixing fuel to fire when you drink with this virus.  I would not risk it...  Good Luck,,,, M

[woody03]

                Thanks for writting ! I've been alcohol free for over 2 years. I have orders for a ultrasound and can afford it, but I'm afraid they will just recommend a biopsy. I think my best bet is to just figure out how to get the biospy. How did you manage to get the biospy without paying up front? I will be suprised if I don't need treatment. I've had a spell of severe jiont stiffness and a few of significiant pain under myright rib cage. I'm caling a number Monday in Dallas about a Merk trial.

[Bill1954]

Hey Woody,

Although a biopsy can be an excellent guide for treatment related issues, it doesn’t make the meds themselves work any more efficiently. I am a genotype 1 (hard to treat), and was offered the opportunity to treat my HCV without biopsy, as long as I intended to undertake treatment soon anyway. If one is going to do the watch-and-wait approach, a biopsy can make a lot of sense. It also might make in-treatment decisions in case you don’t have a rapid response to the interferon. All of these issues can and should be discussed thoroughly with our doctor.

Regarding Patient Assistance Programs (PAP’s) for HCV meds, all manufactures provide meds for little or no cost to those that are uninsured or underinsured, as long as they meet the income guidelines. This assistance is income, rather than asset based; they’ll review your last year’s federal tax forms to determine eligibility. Here are some numbers to the patient assistance programs; you’ll want to call the appropriate company to inquire further:

Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797

Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157

Much luck to you, and congrats on putting the plug in the jug—

Bill

[woody03]

       Bill,



             I appreciate the info ! Do you have to have the biopsy to establish your geno type, and do you have to know your Geno type before tx? I'm going in to the clinic Friday andwill be able to see my blood work (2) the antibody test and the quanitive test. I don't think the clinic will treat me, they are trying to send me to a Gastrologist. I know I can be approved based on my income for the meds. I have been on a precription program for 3 years at the clinic for blood pressure med. My problem appears to mem to be able to affrord a Dr. that will and can precribe the meds and treat me during tx. Im going to try to get the County Heath Clinic to do it, but am doubtful they will. Yes thank God for sobriety here (everyday), clean 7 years from any substance abuse also.

                                                                           Thanks Woody

[Marcia2202]

The test for genotype is a blood test and is usually done at the same time they do the PCR test. Yes, you have to have your genotype to do tx, as it decides for how long you should treat. 48 weeks for G1 and G4  and 24 weeks for G2 and G3.

A biopsy should also be done before beginning treatment.

I cannot answer the other questions, I'm not living in the US.

Marcia

[can-do-man]

While the fibrosure test is not as good as a bx, it will give you and ideal on how your liver is. So if you decide to tx and can't afford a bx i would go ahead and tx without one if it meant using any extra cash you have on finding a doctor to tx you.

Best of luck going forward, just so you know there is also help with helper drugs to keep you on tx.

can

[woody03]

              Thanks for the concern ! I have an order for a ultrasound. Would you prefer the fibrosure to the ultrasound ? I can get the fibrosure on a sliding scale, for a fraction of the cost of the ultrasound.

[can-do-man]

This is just my thoughts on it, I had a fibrosure test done 3 + years ago, at that time the cost was 350 dollars, they (labcorp) accepted what my insurance paid as payment in full, which i think was around 100 dollars That said if on a sliding scale your out of pocket cost was that or less and being money is limited that is where i would start.

From what i've read and what my hepo told me was that the fibrosure was pretty good on results in the early stages and late stages of liver disease. So if the results came back stage 0 or stage 1 then i would just go with that.

Also your geno type plays a role, some doctors don't even do a bx on geno 2 and 3's.

Of course the ideal thing to do is have a bx and a ct scan, but sometimes we have to do what we can afford. Also keep in mind that most if not all doctors will want some tests (EKG) done before they will RX these drugs. Good luck going forward.

cando

[woody03]

              I just went ahead andpayed for an ultrasound today. I'll be able to get the results Friday. I'm afraid it's not going to tell me much. Thanks, I'll let you know what I find out.

[justme53]

I had a triphasic ultrasound early on because of an elevated AFP level...which read normal as to show NO cirrhosis or lesions or tumors or spleen enlargement, but could not adrress any fibrosis.The testing may be more definitive now, (four years later), but I'd shoot for the bx or a Fibroscan, if possible, to truly get a handle on the condition of your liver. In hindsight, it's the only way to make an educated decision for the future.

Best wishes, Pam

[can-do-man]

Good luck on your Ultrasound guy, do let us know.

cando

[hava]

This is free and you can do it yourself.Start today and the hep C will get better gradually and be cured over a longer period.It is the systematic approach and the duration which really helps the body.
You need to help your body to build up your immune system.The breathing exercises - pranayam is a holistic approach creating extra oxygen supply in the body and will slowly help with the health problem.Do the pranayam to see the benefits.If you feel tired or dizzy stop and resume after 1 minute.Build up your timing slowly and after two weeks at the suggested duration you will start to notice benefits.

Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose.Duration upto 5 minutes.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for upto 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Anulom Vilom - Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.


Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 10 times
----
Only by doing you will benefit and will feel good that you can do something to help the body.Copy and print this to master the technique.This is  simplified pranayam for everyone and you do not have to go to classes to learn. This is for life unlike short term classes where you do it in the class then stop when classes are over.  

[Texas714]

Now if breathing could cure this disease, none of would be here in the first place.
:-)
Humming like a bee!?
Ok.