Has anyone got Avastin approved through there insurance company?

[Diane B]

Has anyone got Avasitn approved through there insurance company? I am trying to get Avastin approved because I have been on Doxil and Topotecan for the past 10 months and nothing is working. Also has anyone been on gemzar and cisplatin? If so how were your results?

Thank you for any information.  Happy Holidays!  Diane

[Jatoo]

Dear Diane:

I pray weekly Taxol will work for you. VEGF trap - Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor another antiangiogenesis drug which is I think similar to Avastin. My wife was almost on this trial but she did not have ascites and the sponsors got cold feet on her - a blessing in disguise.

Just in case you are well below here, just start posting with the title of "The Recurrence Forum" and many people will help you. We started this forum within a forum to address a common "interest".

All the best to you Diane.

Jatoo

[Diane B]

Hello again, I saw my oncology doctor today and presented her with the studies.  Since I didn't like the results and side effect of Gemzar and Cislatin I told her I wanted to try the weekly Taxol.  She didn't seem to have a problem.  But she is still working with my insurance company to get Avastin approved for the future and so is Genentech the drug company working with my insurance company to get them to change there decision.  But I felt I need to start something real soon as my abdomen was getting very bloated.  I could hardly eat anything over the holidays. Today I got some relief and I hope every week I will get a little more.  I just couldn't wait another two weeks either to get into the clincial trial at Fox Chase with another VegF which Sorafenib is doing. So thanks again for all your help.  Diane  

[Diane B]

Dear Jatoo Thank you very much for all your help and information.  I know that since my insurance will not pay for the Avastin my onco wanted to put me on the Cisplatin/Gemzar  and I really didn't want to do the cisplatin so thank you again for other options.  I wish you and your wife a Merry Christmas and good luck with her treatments.  I will let you know how I make out.  Goo Bless, Diane

[Jatoo]

Dear Diane:

To get the weekly taxol study: Type on Goggles, "Weekly Paclitaxel and recurrent ovarian cancer". Many will appear but click on NewsRx study. They will ask for $3 from your credit card. The study is dated 2006 Aug 21 as reported.

There is another by clicking "Gemzar and weekly taxol on Ovarian Cancer" by Garcia (The same author of Avastin/Cytoxan study (we spoke to him personally)). You don't have to pay for the study on the web. Gemzar/weekly Taxol has the same results of weekly taxol. But in case weekly taxol won't work you can add Gemzar along the way. Present both studies to your onc. Compare it with Cisplatin/Gemzar (personally I think it is a very tough combination re side effects. Our friend surrendered on this drug) Our GynOnc was willing to give Avastin to us for free. So we can use it later on.

Hope you will find the right drug Diane (but it should be well studied with good results).

A blessed Merry Christmas to you.
Jatoo

[Diane B]

Thank you very much and happy holidays.

Diane

[Jatoo]

Dear Diane:

Please read under The Recurrence Forum and also Helmar for some info. I wish you all the best.

Jatoo