What are my options for tx

[Trinity4]

Hi to all

My question is:  Found to have Hep C anitbody and have had additional blood tests as well as liver biopsy to determine damage.  Will find out next week what is going on.  I only have catastrope insurance and tx will not be covered.  At this point, I don't even know if the will pay for the biopsy.  If I need to treat, are there drug companies for trials that I can sign on for?  I don't have thousands of dollars and from what I have read tx can be very expensive.  GI will be in charge and I don't know what to ask him.  In my mind I want to hear that I don't have active Hep and beat it at some point but I know that probably won't be the case.  This is all specuation at this point, but I want to be able to talk to my Doc with a degree of knowledge.  Any info will help.
Thanks,
Trinity

[Jakied]

You stated that you have Hcv antibody.  have you tested for the virus?  there is a big difference.  Some patients are antibody + and virus -.

Your add'l test is probably a Pcr, qualitative, for Hcv Rna.  There is a chance that will be neg which would mean virus neg.  No treatment necessary.

I am not saying this is your situation but it is possible.

Also, was your reactive screening test confirmed witha Riba test?

[frijole]

Patient Assistance Programs

Americas Pharmaceutical companies have a long-standing tradition of providing prescription medicines free of charge to physicians whose patients might not otherwise have access to necessary medicines. Pharmaceutical companies operate these programs, commonly referred to as patient assistance programs, voluntarily.

Many drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs which can greatly decrease or entirely eliminate the costs of many medications. The requirements for program eligibility vary. Some programs may be applied for directly by the patient, other program applications must be intiated by the healthcare provider (phsycian, pharmacist or agency).

Below are a few telephone numbers you can call to ask questions and URLS to visit for more information:

Product
Name Hepatitis
Type Parent
Company Assistance Program
Contact Information

Infergen
(interferon alfacon-1) Hepatitis C InterMune 888-696-8036
Intron A
(interferon alfa-2b) Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C Schering Commitment to Care
800-521-7157
Rebetron
(interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin) Hepatitis C Schering Commitment to Care
800-521-7157
PEG-Intron
(peginterferon alfa-2b) Hepatitis C Schering Commitment to Care
800-521-7157
PEG-Intron / Rebetol Combination
(peginterferon alfa-2b + ribavirin) Hepatitis C Schering Commitment to Care
800-521-7157
Roferon A
(interferon alfa-2a) Hepatitis C Roche 877-757-6243, option 4
Pegasys
(peginterferon alfa-2a) Hepatitis C Roche Pegassist
877-734-2797
Pegasys / Copegus Combination
(peginterferon alfa-2a + ribavirin) Hepatitis C Roche Pegassist
877-734-2797
Epivir HBV
(lamuvidine) Hepatitis B
Hepatitis D GlaxoSmithKline Glaxo Wellcome
Patient Assistance
800-722-9294
Hepsera
(adefovir dipivoxil) Hepatitis B Gilead 800-226-2056


Medicare - Prescription Drug Assistance Programs
http://www.medicare.gov/Prescription/Home.asp

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
2001-2002 Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs
http://www.phrma.org/

NAMI-NYC METRO - Resources
http://naminyc.nami.org/pharma_nos.htm

NeedyMeds.com
http://needymeds.com/

Northeastern Pennsylvania Transplant Support Group Inc. (NEPATSG) list of
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Financial Assistance Programs
http://www.nepatsg.org/finance.htm

To receive a copy of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's
Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs, contact 1-800-835-3410

HOPE THIS HELPS.
frijole

[BillyC]

My doctor was able to get Infergen and Ribavirin samples for 48 weeks of treatment for me. This was my 3rd tx and the only SVR I had, but it didn't last. I've since been in the control (placebo) group in the Telapravir (VX-950) PROVE 3 trial and am enrolling in the rollover study soon. All free.
If your physician is creative, he/she can get you treated for free or at greatly reduced cost. If not, try another doctor.
I have 3 friends who became HCV positive when I did (20 + yrs. ago) with the same genotype: 1. None of them have sustained any noticeable liver damage. May you be like them. I am still asymptomatic at stage 3.

[veggie]

Welcome to the forum. Pegassist and Commitment to Care are 2 different drug companies to get help with medicines. In my city people without health insurance can get meds through the County at the University medical center. There are clinical trials also. Maybe your doctor will know of some in your area.

Without the results of your biopsy you don't even know if you have to treat soon or you can wait.

It is good to go to your doctor's appointment with a list of questions so you don't forget anything. Also, if you treat be sure to get a copy of all your labs for your own records. I always keep the latest one on top. The doctor can write "copy to pt." in the upper right hand corner of the standing order or lab slip.

I'm 65 and just finished 51 weeks of treatment 6 weeks ago. It is difficult but doable. Take good care.

Best wishes to you.