Modifying **************

[tyler175]

Hi all

My Neuro is going to start me on medication it is a shot every other day, as he did not think that Copaxone was going to do me much good, and the other drug he really wanted me not to take it as it is a last resort drug

now I cannot remember what the name of the drug was, i should have written it down, this is a shot every other day
can anyone tell me what this is likely to be so that i can look it up,

Right now they are getting authorization from my insurance company and they said a nurse would visit with me and train me how to do the shots,

I really wish i had written it down and i could kick myself big time,

sorry to be such a pain in the butt, i am getting my self into a state, as he did tell me i would get flu like symptoms
so it going to be better for me to take it at night,

thank for your patience folks

Tyler

[Fluffysmom]

Hi, I'm on Avonex, which is once a week.  I just reached the full dosage, and the side effects are getting somewhat better: I still am very tired and ache some the day after my injection.  I'm told that they will continue to lessen for another 3 months or so; if so, they'll be no problem.  

The company that makes it has a great program with people to talk to and help with financial assistance, a nurse to ask questions of, and so much more.  They were able to send me thinner needles than were sent with my starter package, which made the injections much easier.

I'm "lucky" enough to have so little income that I qualify for Extra Help from the State of Oregon.  I'm on Social Security Disability, and pay for a blue cross MedAdvantage plan.  Without extra help, my co-pay would be 20% of the cost of the medication; with the extra help, my co-pay is $6.40 a month.

Each insurance and each policy seems to be different, but I'm sure that the company that makes Betaseron will work with you to make sure it is easier to afford.

Kathy

[LATW]

I am on Betaseron every other day.  I talked to the insurance company this week and it only covers 50% of the 2000.00 the injections costs each month.

I do have a cap of 2500.00 and then insurance picks up 100%.  I do NOT have the 2500.00 up front it is going to take to get that 100% insurance coverage.

So this is all being looked into and the drug company will let me know if I qualify for their copay assistance program.

I better or I will have to go off of the medication.  
For me the side effects from the Betaseron have been much more tolerable than the side effects from Avonex.  

I still have my miserable days but they are not nearly as rough as with Avonex.
LA

[tyler175]

Hi

Lord that is too sad that you cannot afford your medication, is there anyway that you can get assistance with it, have you also tried calling the drug company as i know sometimes you can get on a program with them where the medications are cheaper, until i find out how much mine is gonna cost, i will be trying that route

Tyler

[jensequitur]

My medication costs me $75 for 30 doses.  I can't afford it, so I don't take it.

[HVAC]

It varies with insurances how much they cover. My copay is $100 a month but I applied for needs based copay assistance from the drug maker and they help me out. I realized it would be more expensive in the long run for me not to be on my DMD.

Try not to dwell on costs at the beginning. I freaked myself out so bad I decided it was better for my family if I did not treat my MS. If you had cancer you would find a way. We have just as much right to health care as anyone. It is unfortunate these drugs are expensive but that just is the way it is.

Alex

[tyler175]

Hi

I read up on the drug but OMG this is gonna cost like 22 thousand to 33 thousand a year, do you know how much the insurance company pays

there is just no way i can afford that amount of money, i am with pacific care

thanks
Tyler

[jensequitur]

Betaseron is a DMD, like Copaxone, Avonex, Rebif, Tysabri.  They must be putting you on the heavier dose, if it's once every other day.  Definitely take a look at it - you'll feel better about it.

[tyler175]

I just called the neuro office and they told me the doc had ordered Betaseron, so I am going to look that one up as i am not sure if that is one drug or one of many,

thanks
Tyler

[jensequitur]

It'll star out anything that sounds like a dirty word, even if it isn't.  For example, p r i c k (as in injection) will be starred out.

And there's a couple of drugs that do what you describe - Avonex and Tysabri.  

[tyler175]

Darn i dont know what i wrote there but it came up all stars