Met with the DR

[mnkdrt]

Hello all...
We met with the DR last night and it went good. We talked about the treatment and what to expect and when to start.
I decided to start ASAP so if there are any problems with the treatment we will know way before my wife gets to the point where I need to be taking care of her and also before the baby is born.
I asked some questions you guys had mentioned I should ask and he answered them good.
He has and still has a number of patients on TX so I feel confident he has my interest in mind. This is the DR who told me 8 years ago not to start until the medicine had come a little ways. He still did not trust it when I was diagnosed.
I am now waiting to hear from the nurse who handles the prep and insurance haggling. I hope my insurance pays for it all, does anyone know how much TX is? I guess I can look it up somewhere.
So thats the deal at the moment...it sounds like it could become a haggling ordeal with the insurance company.
Later-
Michael.

[can-do-man]

Your hepatologist has no problem with you taking these drugs while your wifes pregnant???

[jmjm530]

Fortunately, my insurance pays almost everything, so I've never bothered to add it up, but probably costs in the neighborhood of $1000-$2000 (possibly more) a week, depending on how many helper drugs you need. That's drugs only. Then there's doctors visits, lab fees, procedures's, etc. Because of the high cost of treatment, it's important to get your insurance ducks in a row as early in the process as possible.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Frankly, don't know much about the topic, but think you're on the right track.

Either, the drug companies are being overly-cautious (don't want to risk the chance of your wife picking up a dropped pill, etc,), or there must be some specific transmission route of the riba they are concerned about possibly such as semen or saliva.

Otherwise, wouldn't all of us be warned to keep a distance from pregnant women while we're treating? Be it our a friend, relative, or even neighbor? I would think so, but we're not.

My guess is if you take some normal precautions you'll be OK but of course you'd want this confirmed by someone knowledgable in this area.

-- Jim

[Dale_Ray]

Micheal I have insurance but they tried to dodge the treatment cost on the front end but finally came around. My average out of pocket for the treatement and support drugs and doctors office is around $60 to $100 per month. Could be some exceptional months but on the average. I am taking Pegasus / Copegus and Nupogen along with Lexapro and Ambien. Whoops I probably spend $1000 dollars a month on Extra Strength Tyleno - kidding about that one. Good luck to you - Dale

[lionesss]

Yeah I heard about that contraindication for pregnent partners too. It made me wonder how toxic these drugs really.  Best to speak to doc about how paranoid you have to be.  I heard no tests were done on humans (funnily enough) but on rats.
Congratulations on starting Tx!  I just started myself and I feel positive about the process (so far).  After reading all your insurance negotiations, I am so pleased we have got medicare in this country (Oz).  I just pay $4.70 per month for the drugs. blood tests are free.  My doc is private, so i pay $70 for her (but claim $50 back). That was my choice though, I could've gone public and paid nothing.  my biggest expense is the naturopath. About $100 every 6 weeks.  But I love those herbs and fresh perspective.  When do you think you will start Tx?

[NYgirl]

It's NOT only the cost of the Interferon and Riba - Epogen ALONE is like $600 a VIAL and during the course of treatment you can possibly take $50,000 of this ALONE (if you take it twice a week as some of us have had to).  I believe there were like ten in the box and the cost was OVER SIX THOUSAND FOR THE ONE LITTLE BOX (and I've already used 5 at least at $30,000)

Then there is the cost of the Neupogen (I haven't taken dont know) and sleeping aids like Ambien and antidepressants like Paxill and various other medications for the various illnesses that are generic to our disease.

Then you add on top the things we need to just live like the water (can't drink tap) and syringes (insurance doesn't cover)and moisturizing lotions for the skin problems and things like that

Then, if you are like me and have a severe problem like having to have your thyroid out and take THAT medication for the rest of your life...and have nuclear testing etc - well I can't imagine what that cost is going to be.

Then add in all of the many CBCs, hep panels, PCRs, doctor and hospital bills....

And the total probably ends up well over $100,000 - $200,000 but at least $100,000 for just the regular treatment MIMIMUM when you are all done.

It's NOT just the Int/Riba combo at all like you'd think it is.