Aa
money thats what i want
so i go back to the dr today since blunderwood screwed up he still wants another biop so now i have to pay AGAIN since im not going back there im going to Jefferson and... he said the pi's will be out in about 10 months and the cost is about $40,000 on top of the $30,000 for the interfuron and the riba and the insurance co's are going to prob require you do interfuron and riba alone for 12 weeks before they will even let you add the PI's and then you will need to do another 6 months at least with all three so the duration will probably not be shorter...
start saving your pennies now, if your co-pays are $1000 a month for just the if & riba add another $1000 on top of that...
looks like im going to be dying of liver failure because i cant afford these drugs... me and a whole lot of other people...
start saving your pennies now, if your co-pays are $1000 a month for just the if & riba add another $1000 on top of that...
looks like im going to be dying of liver failure because i cant afford these drugs... me and a whole lot of other people...
hey chick get this, i just talked to the pathology lab this a.m. and asked them if the results had anything to do with the condition of my liver and they said ABSOLUTELY NOT THE SAMPLE WAS TOO SMALL
ahhhaaaaaa i should have recorded the conversation!!!
LOL
ahhhaaaaaa i should have recorded the conversation!!!
LOL
Now you have the proof you needed to get them to do a do-over.
Good. Just shows THEY screwed up for certain!
Good. Just shows THEY screwed up for certain!
just got the report
specimen received in fixative consists of several irregular to elongated fragments of pale tan to tan-brown apparent tissue ranging from >0.025 cm to 0.7 cm in length and up to 0.05 cm in width. Entire speciment submitted in one cassette
Diagnosis - The specimen did not survive tissue processing. No tissue is present for diagnostic evalation.
specimen received in fixative consists of several irregular to elongated fragments of pale tan to tan-brown apparent tissue ranging from >0.025 cm to 0.7 cm in length and up to 0.05 cm in width. Entire speciment submitted in one cassette
Diagnosis - The specimen did not survive tissue processing. No tissue is present for diagnostic evalation.
Don't know where you're at geographically, but if you're looking for as trial they're recruiting for the PI TMC435 trial for people who have previously failed treatment.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00980330?term=tmc435&rank=1&show_locs=Y#locn
6/7 chance of getting the good stuff, and FREE.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00980330?term=tmc435&rank=1&show_locs=Y#locn
6/7 chance of getting the good stuff, and FREE.
going to another hospital, i dont trust blunderwood... i talked to my insurance and they will pay again they arent going to deny anything... so all im going to do is just refuse to pay the co-pay to underwood, im waiting for the dr to fax me the report now, i will post what it says
well thats it, this time it was only one click ... the last time it was 3 clicks just like you described...i remember it hurt to breath for about an hour after the first one, this one it was nothing...
i understand what copy said about fragmented sample and all but i really dont think thats it, i think they just didnt get enough of a sample,
i understand what copy said about fragmented sample and all but i really dont think thats it, i think they just didnt get enough of a sample,
"Call a lawyer "
Don't waste your time. Just make sure they don't double bill you. You may have to argue a bit but they should repeat the bx at no cost to you.
Don't waste your time. Just make sure they don't double bill you. You may have to argue a bit but they should repeat the bx at no cost to you.
know the first one i had hurt a hell of a lot more than this one and the first one worked fine"
It shouldn't really hurt and they should have grabbed 3 samples when they did it.......click click click over in two minutes.
Something doesn't make sense but if they screwed up it should be their responsiblity to redo it......I agree with newleaf on this one you'd better go to somebody and have this taken care of. The insurance company should be the ones to insist that it's done again.
It shouldn't really hurt and they should have grabbed 3 samples when they did it.......click click click over in two minutes.
Something doesn't make sense but if they screwed up it should be their responsiblity to redo it......I agree with newleaf on this one you'd better go to somebody and have this taken care of. The insurance company should be the ones to insist that it's done again.
I was told today by a very emminent Hepatologist who has many published articles about Hepc and treatment that the PI's will not be out until 2011. He also attended the most recent AALSD conference.
He also recommends relapsers treat with censensus interferon (Infergen) and Ribaviron if biopsy shows stage 2 or above.
He also recommends relapsers treat with censensus interferon (Infergen) and Ribaviron if biopsy shows stage 2 or above.
it seems even fragmented specimens can be examined... they didnt tell me anything about a fragmented sample, they just said the sample didnt survive... i think they just did not get enough of a sample when they did it... i know the first one i had hurt a hell of a lot more than this one and the first one worked fine
Background: Although fragmentation of a liver biopsy specimen has been considered to be suggestive of cirrhosis, the evidence for this is difficult to find in the published literature.
Aim: To determine whether fragmentation of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens correlates with the degree of fibrosis.
Methods: One hundred and eighty-six patients underwent percutaneous liver biopsy prospectively. The specimens were measured for the length and number of fragments. The extent of fibrosis was scored by a pathologist blind to the clinical data. Length and fragmentation data were compared between the different stages.
Results: The overall median fragment length was 1.85 cm and the median fragment number was four. Specimens with advanced fibrosis (stages III–IV) had more fragments than those with no or mild fibrosis (stages 0–II) (P < 0.0001). The aggregate fragment length decreased with increasing stage of fibrosis (P < 0.0001). Specimens with greater than 12 fragments were seen only with advanced fibrosis.
Conclusions: Fragmentation of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens is common and increases with progression from early to advanced fibrosis. Fibrotic specimens fragment more often and more extensively.
Background: Although fragmentation of a liver biopsy specimen has been considered to be suggestive of cirrhosis, the evidence for this is difficult to find in the published literature.
Aim: To determine whether fragmentation of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens correlates with the degree of fibrosis.
Methods: One hundred and eighty-six patients underwent percutaneous liver biopsy prospectively. The specimens were measured for the length and number of fragments. The extent of fibrosis was scored by a pathologist blind to the clinical data. Length and fragmentation data were compared between the different stages.
Results: The overall median fragment length was 1.85 cm and the median fragment number was four. Specimens with advanced fibrosis (stages III–IV) had more fragments than those with no or mild fibrosis (stages 0–II) (P < 0.0001). The aggregate fragment length decreased with increasing stage of fibrosis (P < 0.0001). Specimens with greater than 12 fragments were seen only with advanced fibrosis.
Conclusions: Fragmentation of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens is common and increases with progression from early to advanced fibrosis. Fibrotic specimens fragment more often and more extensively.
oh man you just echoed my fears there, i was wondering if maybe the reason the biopsy didnt work is because my liver is shot... and i think thats why the dr is saying do it again...
i did get the fibrosure blood test about 6-8 months ago, it showed stage 2/grade 2 just like my biopsy 5 years ago... also had an ultrasound last year, i think it was 3rd one i had since i was dx'd, it was normal... my alt/ast are just slightly elevated... all other bloodwork was ok done about 8 months ago...
i did get the fibrosure blood test about 6-8 months ago, it showed stage 2/grade 2 just like my biopsy 5 years ago... also had an ultrasound last year, i think it was 3rd one i had since i was dx'd, it was normal... my alt/ast are just slightly elevated... all other bloodwork was ok done about 8 months ago...
$1000 a year not a month...
That makes much more sense because mine was $40 a month. $1,000 seemed way out of orbit to me.
That makes much more sense because mine was $40 a month. $1,000 seemed way out of orbit to me.
couple things,
many times core samples from biopises fragment. this is not the fault of the doctor or hospital doing it. this just happens and is one of those things. Have you had any other non-invasive tests done to check liver fibrosis? i.e. Fibrosure bloodtest. Many times core samples fragment because there is some liver damage so I would want to know what condition my liver was in. A biopsy will help you to make rational decisions moving forward.
The pharm compaines will help a patient out with the drugs if they don't have insurance. It is a very easy process and I know many that they helped out.
Bottom line is keep your health insurance !!!
many times core samples from biopises fragment. this is not the fault of the doctor or hospital doing it. this just happens and is one of those things. Have you had any other non-invasive tests done to check liver fibrosis? i.e. Fibrosure bloodtest. Many times core samples fragment because there is some liver damage so I would want to know what condition my liver was in. A biopsy will help you to make rational decisions moving forward.
The pharm compaines will help a patient out with the drugs if they don't have insurance. It is a very easy process and I know many that they helped out.
Bottom line is keep your health insurance !!!
ya i am spazzing out for nothing really, and those costs they really dont mean a dam thing, i guess i have good insurance because my co-pay for the i/f and riba if i wanted to treat right now would be less than $1000 a year not a month... i can deal with that, even another $1000 a year for the PI's... he just freaked me out when he threw those figures at me i guess thats the cost that is not really the cost.... you know, thats what they charge people without insurance... it makes no sense at all... and its all in the air right now with the insurance co's as to what they are going to pay for and how they are going to include the PI's, you right it will prob take them a year or two to figure it out haha im thinking they wont be available until 2011, i think my dr is just being optomistic he wants them NOW becuz they double the chance of clearing
and about the biop, yes im writing a letter if it was a screw up on the lab or the dr's part im going to dispute my payment, have to get a copy of the report from my dr...
i just had to vent thanks all for listening to my rant...
and about the biop, yes im writing a letter if it was a screw up on the lab or the dr's part im going to dispute my payment, have to get a copy of the report from my dr...
i just had to vent thanks all for listening to my rant...
I don't know why you would be responsible for paying for a do-over either. Perhaps you need to calmly bring the screw-up to the attention of the department head or even the head of the hospital. Skip the bean-counters on the bottom rungs. It's their job to save the hospital money. The higher-ups are more concerned with the hospital's reputation.
I don't think your doctor's estimations are entirely correct. The PI's are further away than 10 mos. That was an early estimate by Vertex (maker of Teleprevir) and now the thought is that they will be out in 2011. I don't know where he got the notion of 12 weeks of SOC before starting, either. That would be totally against the practices that the companies have established for dosing: add to SOC after 4 weeks for boceprevir, start with the Teleprevir with SOC on day one. For patients who clear during their first month on the PI's, TX will be 28 weeks long. I would anticipate that the insurance companies would not immediately jump on board, due to burocratic hoopla if nothing else. A shorter treatment means less meds and less adverse events and will save them money in the long run.
Don't forget that there are currently help programs thru several big pharmas for the SOC meds. That may come about for the new drugs as well, just hard to say when.
Cool down, get some sleep. Approach the hospital again when you are sure you can discuss their screw-up with the biopsy in a calm logical voice. You are still in control of your life and will not die of liver failure while you remember that.
I don't think your doctor's estimations are entirely correct. The PI's are further away than 10 mos. That was an early estimate by Vertex (maker of Teleprevir) and now the thought is that they will be out in 2011. I don't know where he got the notion of 12 weeks of SOC before starting, either. That would be totally against the practices that the companies have established for dosing: add to SOC after 4 weeks for boceprevir, start with the Teleprevir with SOC on day one. For patients who clear during their first month on the PI's, TX will be 28 weeks long. I would anticipate that the insurance companies would not immediately jump on board, due to burocratic hoopla if nothing else. A shorter treatment means less meds and less adverse events and will save them money in the long run.
Don't forget that there are currently help programs thru several big pharmas for the SOC meds. That may come about for the new drugs as well, just hard to say when.
Cool down, get some sleep. Approach the hospital again when you are sure you can discuss their screw-up with the biopsy in a calm logical voice. You are still in control of your life and will not die of liver failure while you remember that.
you said:KNEEL DOWN NOW AND THANK GOD hahaha
Believe me,i prayed for 2 years and this boceprevir came along,but i lost my job at thje same time,was this a trade off?...maybe a way of paying off my debt (sins) was to SVR and lose my job,remember thie God works in mysterious ways
Believe me,i prayed for 2 years and this boceprevir came along,but i lost my job at thje same time,was this a trade off?...maybe a way of paying off my debt (sins) was to SVR and lose my job,remember thie God works in mysterious ways
They probably will want to see people treat first on SOC before they spend the money for the PIs is what I thought personally - but I have no real knowledge however knowing how the insurance companies are it only makes sense.
they refused to pay for my extension because it was "experimental" but would later pay for a transplant if I needed one so it figures.
That is one reason I'm not so sure about all this watching and waiting for the PIs - personally I think it's going to be many more years before they are available to the regular Joe. Especially since some doctors are so high on Infergen and even that could be tried before the more expensive drugs are ADDED to SOC - it would still be less expensive.
they refused to pay for my extension because it was "experimental" but would later pay for a transplant if I needed one so it figures.
That is one reason I'm not so sure about all this watching and waiting for the PIs - personally I think it's going to be many more years before they are available to the regular Joe. Especially since some doctors are so high on Infergen and even that could be tried before the more expensive drugs are ADDED to SOC - it would still be less expensive.
yes i knew it was going to be an issue as well, because its added to the SOC and you might need it you might not, some people do clear on SOC
im quitting the whole ******* thing, screw them im not doing another biopsy and paying anothr 20% because these hosiptals are ******* incompetent im not paying $10,000 for a chance that i might clear, im going to the bar **** this ****
thats the way i feel right now anyway...
all the millions & bilions of dollars they have already made off of treating people with stage zero or stage 1, its insane isnt it still the thought that you are going to die with this and not from it IF you are a) lucky, b) alcohol and drug free ... ????!!!
so, forget the bar haha im going to just keep doing what im doing, not drinking, watching my diet,etc, if i die of liver failur in 10 years or so then i guess thats whats meant to be, i refused to pump dollars into the ******** paranoid health system in this country
i think these dr's and drug companies pray on people's paranoia about this disease...OH TREAT NOW WITH THESE DRUGS OR YOU ARE GOING TO DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH!!!! its ******* ********....
im quitting the whole ******* thing, screw them im not doing another biopsy and paying anothr 20% because these hosiptals are ******* incompetent im not paying $10,000 for a chance that i might clear, im going to the bar **** this ****
thats the way i feel right now anyway...
all the millions & bilions of dollars they have already made off of treating people with stage zero or stage 1, its insane isnt it still the thought that you are going to die with this and not from it IF you are a) lucky, b) alcohol and drug free ... ????!!!
so, forget the bar haha im going to just keep doing what im doing, not drinking, watching my diet,etc, if i die of liver failur in 10 years or so then i guess thats whats meant to be, i refused to pump dollars into the ******** paranoid health system in this country
i think these dr's and drug companies pray on people's paranoia about this disease...OH TREAT NOW WITH THESE DRUGS OR YOU ARE GOING TO DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH!!!! its ******* ********....
I've always thought the adoption of PI into insurance formularies was going to be an issue and not automatic upon FDA approval. For those on the sidelines (for whatever reason) will likley have another chance at PI drugs. At some point after approval (for example Boceprivir and Teleprivir) there will likely be head-to-head comparison in trial-like conditions. It's probably not a real soon thing, though.
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