Another Sovaldi/Olysio APPROVED!

[Pamelajean1]

And this time it's me! :)

Just off the phone with the pharmacist...drugs shipping today to arrive Friday!
First dose Friday....2 months to the day that my prescription was first submitted.

As a recap, I'm GT 1a, cirrhotic with ascites and treatment naive. Treatment naive is key because I didn't have a prior failed treatment with interferon and/or ribavirin to prove I was intolerant and meet the criteria for the 'off label'.

I was preparing for my 2nd appeal with Catamaran, my pharmacy benefit manger, But! And your not going to believe this....I had called my hubby's HR Benefit Coordinator and told her my story. She asked me to put it in an email. Without me knowing she sent my email to a Clinical Consultant with Catamaran who two days later was in a meeting when she hears they are updating criteria for Sovaldi and Olysio. And she remembered my email!

Long story short, she was able to override the still current criteria and get me approved!!! So the moral of my story is to never say never....I was telling my story to whoever I could and lo and behold the stars came into alignment!

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks New! I'm excited.... :)

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks Ms Maddie! They just arrived via FedX and I've decided dinner 7:00pm will be my start time...anxious to get going!

[ActingBrandNew]

Thats great news! Congratulations!

[ms maddie]

FANTASTIC!!!!  
I am so happy to hear that you have been approved.  Sweet!  All your hard work and perseverence has paid off.  
Good luck,  Maddie

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks Lynn! Watch out....I'm in your rear view mirror! :)
Let's stay in touch.

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks Groupergetter! Just found out about the sun...thanks for the confirmation.
What week is this for you? Doing 12 weeks? And most important...will ya fry us up a pan of grouper at the end of this journey to celebrate? :)

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks and Welcome! Lots of good info and support at this site...good luck on your approval! Keep us updated.

[flyinlynn]

Woo whoooo Pamela
Congratulations I am on day 2 myself good luck to you.
Race you to SVR!
Lynn

[Groupergetter]

Congratulations, really happy for you. Hopefully you'll breeze through this and find SVR.  Be careful about too much sun. It doesn't take much, I found out the hard way. Stay covered or use sunscreen.

I hope your tx is as smooth as others here. Look forward to hearing your positive lab results.  Hopefully mine will be in tomorrow. A bit anxious over this.   Be well.

[Hlthy8]

Congrats.  I just joined the community.  I am applying for this combo too. How are you doing? SVR levels? Best to you

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks V! For the kind words. The higher success percentages and lack of severe side effects became my mantra....I can quote the stats from Cosmos and the recommendations from AALSD in my sleep.
It still is quite surreal. Maybe tomorrow when I take the first pills it will be more real. :)

Ciao Bella!

[Verdugo]

Congrats to you Pamelajean!  Way to be your own advocate!  

The side effects of ribavirin and interferon can be rough for many people and it's so great that you fought to avoid those drugs, especially when the cure percentages are higher for the route you will follow.  You are lighting the way and giving courage to others who have never treated.  GOOD ON YOU!

Cheers, V.

[Pamelajean1]

Thank you nursehepc! I remember being at the end of my rope but thinking who else can help? I started calling Aetna and then thought about HR...telling my story to whoever would listen. Lol In the end they...HR and the clinical coordinator both thanked ME...said they normally had to educate the patient but in my case I had to educate them. Said I helped pave the way for others and that's the biggest compliment ever!
I'm so grateful....so Blessed! Thank YOU for all you do here! :)

[nursehepc]

I am glad that you were approved. Its tiring and stressful to fight, but we all need to be our own advocates. Cudos to the angel on earth that helped you  (your hubby's HR benefit coordinator)...she went above and beyond! Good luck!