frustrated: i have to wait to re-start tx

[musicmang]

this is only my 3rd time here. my doc called yesterday and said since i can't get procrit, my load was low and my stage was 3, that he wants to wait until middle of next year for new treatments to become available. he wants to do another load test end of jan. and possibly a second liver biopsy. my load has dropped each of the two tx's i have tried. my doc is trying to get me into a clinical trial but they are filled up. my problem is at about 4-5 weeks into tx my white and platlets drop to danger zone. i am going to try and contact the drug co,'s and apply for procrit and neupro. myself. i dont want to wait. i feel that i can get clear with a 6 month tx. i am gen. 3. my insurance has a script cap of 1500.00 but did approve me using procrit.

[Marcia2202]

I think you should try contacting Roche or Schering Plough in your country and ask them, if they have any assistance programs. Your wife cannot treat while she is pregnant and should also wait for the baby to stop breast feeding, before starting treatment.

Marcia

[aungkyawsan]

HI Sharon and all friends,
This is Aung from Burma (Myanmar), is there any possible way to get drug assistant or any support from Medical Company or patient recruiting programs for people from Burma. This is for my wife HCV positive.
Your help must be highly appreciated...
Aung

[Marcia2202]

omg... lol

[jmjm530]

They use Hamster albumin to make this stuff! Can you believe it!
------------------------
Certainly can. After all, why not harness the energy of dancin' hamsters for those of us slowed down by treatment...

http://www.you-tube.ro/hamster-dance-v2920.html

[B-bunch]

I got Procrit for free for as long as I needed it. Even though Procrit has not been approved yet by the FDA for treatment of Hep C.

Procrit has a HOTLINE the telephone number is: 1-800-553-3851
It's called the ProcritLine
http://www.procritline.com
Procrit is (Epoetin alfa)
This is their Patient Assistance Program Line.

The company that makes Procrit is OrthoBiotech I think they are also associated with Johnson&Johnson somehow.

You'll need a prescription from your Doc and a FAX machine.You will also need to prove you cannot afford $2000.00 per month, because that is what it costs for 40,000iu per week. Charming huh. They use Hamster albumin to make this stuff! Can you believe it! I called the ProcritLine that morning and was injecting Procrit that evening. They are awesome. You may have to call ahead to your pharmacy because it has to be refrigerated and they might not keep it in stock and you will need needles from your Doc as well.
Good Luck.
Sharon

[l-horn]

My doc, or his nurse rather,  did all the paper work for me to get on the procrit PHP. I didn't have to do anything. However, I'm uninsured and on the Schering patient assistance program so that may be the difference as to why it was so easy for me. Hope it works out for you.

[Kalio1]

Could you possibly get another opinion? Your doctor's optimism that the "new" drugs will be available next year is unrealistic and overly optimistic, the trials aren't even completed yet. The data from the current trial  hasn't even been completed much less compiled and analysed. There is no way the "new" drugs will be available to the public next year when they are still unapproved and 2007 is just around the corner. I don't know what drug he is referring to but it sounds like he is referring to VX950 and it just isn't possible they will be available that soon according to even the VX950 folks.

With stage 3 damage, you might want to get another opinion and get started sooner. Remember, the "new" drugs when and IF they ARE available(if they do get approval from the FDA which they do not have yet) will be drugs that are ADDED to the current treatment available so you would be taking the drugs people take now PLUS the new added drug. It isnt going to be a "new" drug tht eliminates the need for the current drugs, it will enhance the chances of the current drugs working it will not replace them.

If you need assistance with the costs of the treatment drugs please contact the patient assistance programs. Commitment to Care ( the makers of PegIntron) can be reached at 800 521 7157. The makers of Pegasys also have a program, you can find them at Pegassist.com. They have very generous qualification standards, it is well worth applying.

[cuteus]

don't jump on the statement that tx will be available next yr, data will be available, not the tx, unless it is in a trial

[chcnme]

Hi Music.  If your counts have bottomed twice already and they've pulled you each time, you're no doubt going to need rescue meds (or a new plan.)  Will your current doctor treat you now if you can get the rescue drugs?  (I can't tell by your note.)  If he won't, you might be spinning your wheels looking for assistance / medicines / rescue drugs, etc., because you have to have a prescribing doctor, I think.  Have you ever gone for a second opinion?

[bobbyullc]

sorry for your dilema but am real encouraged by your dr's feel that vx950 will be available next year. i have been given similar time frames. i am also stage 3 ,just finished tx and waiting 6 mo results. the news is encouraging on vx.
bobby

[NYgirl]

$1500 will be the first month worth of injections and that's about it.

You'd be best off contacting Commitment to Care today - cause one month worth of meds isn't going to be anything near enough.

Contact Procrit today too.

Nobody said new treatments are going to be available in a few months - so what he's talking about I have no idea unless he is talking about putting you in a study. Of course, since studies are designed to learn ABOUT new treatments there is no guarantee that you won't get the placebo ----

You'd be much better off and contact C2C and Procrit today and take care of it yourself.  It won't even take you a week to get started.