Meds, how long to receive??

[beeblessed]

Getting concerned.  I have scheduled to begin tx September 1st (and scheduled time off) but can't unless I get the meds on time.  My NP told me the ball got rolling on insurance and meds on August 10th, and guess-timated I would have meds (or maybe be contacted to set up delivery) around the 22nd.  My question is: How long before your first shot did you receive your meds??  A week before, a few days before??  Should I call my insurance?Thanks for any help.  I just don't need anything else to stress about at this point.

I'm treatment naive.  Gen 1, Hep C.  Will be doing Triple therapy with Victrelis.

[beeblessed]

Hi everyone.  Another update......
Still no meds.  Couldn't take it anymore so I called my insurance.  All 3 drugs were approved on the 18th.  YAAAYYYY!  I go to the doc and also go to the training session on September 1st. Nervous, depressed, anxious, scared, did I say nervous already?  Yeah, I'm thinking they're gonna have to up the dose on my AD or put me on something else, again.  Wish there was a non-addicting, non-drowsy, liver-friendly version of Valium.  Never done drugs but was on Valium for some minor surgery, and I was awake.  I was TOTALLY chill :)  Praying and know others are praying for me.

[beeblessed]

I hear ya.  Praying that it works out but if the timetable doesn't happen as planned, I will just learn to deal with it.  Man, 3 month delay for you?  I could see where your doc was coming from.  That was truly compassionate for him to put your son first, so you could care for him while you were still at your best.  Bless him.

And I love ducks.  Thought mine were all in a row, but I guess there's always one little straggler, LOL!  Thanks again, I appeciate it. Blessings to you and your family.

[meakea]

I hope everything comes together for you but, if there is a delay, it truly will not be the end of the world.  I do understand how you are feeling about wanting things to go according to a predetermined schedule but, with a treatment as tricky as this, you will find that you need to go with the flow.  

I was originally scheduled to start treatment 3 months prior to when I actually started.  My doc found out I was assisting my son through chemo treatments and put the kabash on starting treatment until after my son finished his chemo because he didn't want me to have that stress on my plate while treating.  At first I was upset to think that I had to delay my treatment but, in hindsight, it was absolutely the right thing to do and that 3 month delay meant nothing in the scope of the outcome and where I am in life right now.

Delays prior to starting treatment are no really no big deal in comparison to delays DURING treatment as they are not as forgiving.  That's why there's all the advice about not rushing into treatment without having all your ducks in a row many times over.

My best to you.

[beeblessed]

Thanks Vann :)

Everyone -- P.S. TO MY UPDATE: Because I don't want to be misleading, I just got more clarity from my BFF on the meds.  IF my insurance has not approved me for all 3 meds but I begin with the NP's stash, I will have to pay out of pocket for them (and we know that is a HUGE expense).  PLUS.....if the insurance does not approve, then there's a risk if I start one week and have nothing in place for the weeks to follow.

My prayer is that ALL the meds have been approved and DO come on time next week.  Even though I don't want to delay my start date, I will be forced to IF there is any question about meds.

[Vannh9]

Bee,

Glad to hear there is a plan!! I am like you in that I like to know what the next step is...when...etc. Glad to that the start date remains the same!! good luck my friend!

Vann

[beeblessed]

UPDATE:  Okay, I feel kinda stupid.  I put in a call to the NP and she called me back within the half hour.  She said the Pegasys got approved on the 18th, so things are moving along fine and that I had no control over the situation and did not have to do anything.... but have patience :(  She said this is a very nice, calm way and said not to stress about it.  She also said that if for any reason the drugs do not arrive by my training appointment, she does have meds there that she will train me with.  Why don't they tell me that from the beginning???  Then I wouldn't feel like it was this huge waiting game, like I'm "happy" about getting started, because I'm anything but.  More like -- I want to make sure nothing went wrong with the insurance so that all the chips fall into place, and are not delayed.

Thanks Flcyclist.  Truly helps to hear your experience.  My NP sounds great, even if she's cursing my name the minute she hung up.  I will have to bring her some chocolates or donuts to thank her at our first meeting.

[flcyclist]

When I receive my meds, it contains 4 shots and enough Riba for the full month.  Every 2 months my insurance requires the specialty pharmacy nurse to review my results.  That means my doctor (or their staff) must send the results, the nurse must review them, do a brief consult with my doc, and sign off before I'm approved to continue.  Ordering a week earlier than needed as meakea suggested will allow some additional time to correct these errors, avoid any delays in shipment and won't keep you from having your meds when needed.  

This can eliminate some unneeded stress.  It's things like this that push me to Riba Rage.

[beeblessed]

Thanks everyone.  I am exhaling a bit better today.  My NP mentioned the insurance may choose to go with another pharmacy but I forget the name of it.  Good to know that meds can come overnight.  I envisioned them taking a lot longer.

Meakea & OceanBlue -- Great idea on the 2 weeks.  If I had that option, I would do it, but at this point, the holiday weekend is the best time for me to begin and gage my energy levels so i will know how I can make it through the work day.

Thanks for the encouragement Babs!  I can always count on you :)
Thanks for mentioning the no-no on Friday deliveries, Flycyclist.  Hadn't thought of that.

My NP is out on Fridays, so I think I will contact her and/or the insurance today, so I am not freaked out all weekend.

[oceanblue701]

My insurance ran everything through the specialty pharmacy MEDCO. The pharmacy telephoned me ahead of the mailing and always asked me which day I wanted delivery. The medications always came together and were sent overnight to arrive on my chosen delivery day. They were really wonderful and handled things just the same whether I phoned them or they phoned me.
I too waited to start. I waited a week. It was reassuring to know I had a weeks supply when the weather was inclement. Two weeks would be even better.

[flcyclist]

This first step is getting approval through insurance.  This shouldn't take more than a week, two at the most.  Once you've been approved through insurance, the actual delivery of the meds is usually overnight.  My first delivery was to the GI's office since they went through all procedures, but after that it was to my home.  You shouldn't hesitate to contact your insurance company to discuss day of delivery, etc.  This will give you some comfort once you know their procedures.  I'd avoid a Friday delivery just in case there's a delay.  You don't want the meds sitting all weekend in a hot truck or warehouse.   My experience is using a specialty pharmacy, so it might vary if you're going a different route.

[babs824]

my meds came from caremark and the first one came about a week early. the remaining ones were about 3 days early as they needed to be ok'd each time thru my doc. i was impressed as i could call caremark and check on status and they were fabulous. good luck to u! it is most scary in the beginning and becomes more routine shortly. hang in there. babs