Re: No more self injection at home???

[Guest guest]

I got a letter from the speciality pharmacy repeating the warning,

stating they are committed to my safety, yea right. After all the

warning information it states:

" If you are currently self injecting your medications at home, please

call your Dr to discuss alternative administration site options that

may be available to you " .

I guess the insurance company controlled pharmacies know better then

my Pulmo (this is an expensive drug), the last time I talked to them

a Pharmacist Tech. was trying to tell me what to do, didn't last long

because she realized I was informed on the particular issue.

This whole thing is upsetting to me and you can put any spin on it

you want, I don't buy it!

Ron

On Aug 31, 2007, at 2:46 PM, uca79iii wrote:

> When I got my shots today, my xolair nurse told me that the specialty

> pharmacy's who dispense xolair along with Novartis are going to

> require all doctors to give xolair in their office. Thus, no more self

> injection at home.

>

> She said that individual doctors could still let their patients self

> inject but that since the drug company, specialty pharmacies and the

> FDA have given this strong warning, that their malpractice insurance

> would probably go up.

>

> This is just what she told me.

>

> Anyone else have any info on this?

>

> Doug

> Group founder

> NEVER self injected Xolair but

> self injected REGULAR allergy shots for 20 years

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- In , Carpenter <cowtrail@...>

wrote:

>

> I got a letter from the speciality pharmacy repeating the warning,

> stating they are committed to my safety, yea right. After all the

> warning information it states:

>

> " If you are currently self injecting your medications at home, please

> call your Dr to discuss alternative administration site options that

> may be available to you " .

>

> I guess the insurance company controlled pharmacies know better then

> my Pulmo (this is an expensive drug), the last time I talked to them

> a Pharmacist Tech. was trying to tell me what to do, didn't last long

> because she realized I was informed on the particular issue.

>

> This whole thing is upsetting to me and you can put any spin on it

> you want, I don't buy it!

>

> Ron

>

Ron,

I don't blame you one bit. Nothing surprises me anymore about what the

drug companies, pharmacy's and insurance will next.

[Guest guest]

Now that just pain stinks! I put in a call to talk

to my " drug rep " and get back to everyone

a.s.a.p....but with Monday being a holiday....I won't

have an answer for you till possibly Tuesday.

I do home injections twice per month and have done so

since December 2005. It is SO much easier than having

to drive 30 minutes to the Dr.'s office and wait

around for 15 min. after the shot " just in case " I

have a reaction. (I'm past my 100th shot now and so

far I haven't had an ill effects!)

--- uca79iii <bme1979@...> wrote:

> When I got my shots today, my xolair nurse told me

> that the specialty

> pharmacy's who dispense xolair along with Novartis

> are going to

> require all doctors to give xolair in their office.

> Thus, no more self

> injection at home.

>

> She said that individual doctors could still let

> their patients self

> inject but that since the drug company, specialty

> pharmacies and the

> FDA have given this strong warning, that their

> malpractice insurance

> would probably go up.

>

> This is just what she told me.

>

> Anyone else have any info on this?

>

>

> Doug

> Group founder

> NEVER self injected Xolair but

> self injected REGULAR allergy shots for 20 years

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Just got my Xolair delivered to me this week. So far still self-

injecting.

Addy

Group co-owner

>

> When I got my shots today, my xolair nurse told me that the

specialty

> pharmacy's who dispense xolair along with Novartis are going to

> require all doctors to give xolair in their office. Thus, no more

self

> injection at home.

>

> She said that individual doctors could still let their patients self

> inject but that since the drug company, specialty pharmacies and the

> FDA have given this strong warning, that their malpractice insurance

> would probably go up.

>

> This is just what she told me.

>

> Anyone else have any info on this?

>

>

> Doug

> Group founder

> NEVER self injected Xolair but

> self injected REGULAR allergy shots for 20 years

>

[Guest guest]

I also got a letter at home but it said that it is recommending shots be given

at a doctor's office because of the real risk of anaphylaxis. My doctor

wouldn't let his patients self-administer anyway, so it wasn't a change for me.

But the doctor now requires that all his patients have an EpiPen or Twinjet.

Carol

Ron wrote:

I got a letter from the speciality pharmacy repeating the warning,

stating they are committed to my safety, yea right. After all the

warning information it states:

" If you are currently self injecting your medications at home, please

call your Dr to discuss alternative administration site options that

may be available to you " .

[Guest guest]

>

> I also got a letter at home but it said that it is recommending

shots be given at a doctor's office because of the real risk of

anaphylaxis. My doctor wouldn't let his patients self-administer

anyway, so it wasn't a change for me. But the doctor now requires

that all his patients have an EpiPen or Twinjet.

> Carol

My former and current doctor have always required me to get the shots

in the office and wait 30 minutes afterwards. It's only a 10 mile

drive across town and all interstate. I have been doing this

since 2003 and I don't mind at all.

Since the black box warning, he has stiffened his rules somewhat and

required me to carry 2 epi-pen's with me for the rest of the day. When

those expire, he wants me to carry a Twinjet.

I am not worried? Naaaaaaaa, I have had over 100 Xolair injections now

without any problems whatsoever.

Oh, and BTW, after over 100 shots one finally stung A LITTLE when she

gave it yesterday. She said " oops, I'm sorry. I must have pushed it in

a little fast. " I was shocked LOL!

Doug

Group founder

[Guest guest]

The reason for the two hours is that the majority of reactions have

occurred between 45 minutes and 1-1/2 hours after the injection,

although yes, they can occur much later. Also, only the most severe

and least common form of anaphylaxis involves going into shock.

Anaphylaxis includes any systemic reaction like overall itching or

hives or breathing problems. The difficulty is that there is

absoutely no way to predict which cases of initially mild anaphylaxis

will progress to life-threatening anaphylaxis, so all must be treated

immediately. If you have an anaphylactic reaction after leaving the

doctor's office and you use your Epi-pen, each Epi-pen injection will

only be effective for 2-5 minutes, so you need to immediately return

to your doctor's office if you're nearby. Otherwise go right away to

an ER or call 911 to take you to one. And yes, we are beating a dead

horse!

Fran

> > >

> > > I also got a letter at home but it said that it is recommending

> > shots be given at a doctor's office because of the real risk of

> > anaphylaxis. My doctor wouldn't let his patients self-administer

> > anyway, so it wasn't a change for me. But the doctor now requires

> > that all his patients have an EpiPen or Twinjet.

> > > Carol

> >

> > My former and current doctor have always required me to get the

shots

> > in the office and wait 30 minutes afterwards. It's only a 10 mile

> > drive across town and all interstate. I have been doing this

> > since 2003 and I don't mind at all.

> >

> > Since the black box warning, he has stiffened his rules somewhat

and

> > required me to carry 2 epi-pen's with me for the rest of the day.

When

> > those expire, he wants me to carry a Twinjet.

> >

> > I am not worried? Naaaaaaaa, I have had over 100 Xolair

injections now

> > without any problems whatsoever.

> >

> > Oh, and BTW, after over 100 shots one finally stung A LITTLE when

she

> > gave it yesterday. She said " oops, I'm sorry. I must have pushed

it in

> > a little fast. " I was shocked LOL!

> >

> > Doug

> > Group founder

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

WHAT? I second Adah's questions. Did something new happen? I

hadn't heard anything - was just going my merry way. No letters from

Curascript or my pulmo. In fact, my pulmo doesn't have anyone

trained to give Xolair shots so I think she only gives it to those

whom she believes can handle it appropriately (i.e., responsibly as

well as medically). SOMETHING must have triggered this latest

event ... would like to know what. So, let me ask ... is this really

a hard and fast new rule - is it MORE " hard and fast " than the other

warnings? Or is it just re-hash revisited? I don't understand

this.

It would be a very unfriendly confrontation if they sent me somewhere

for shots. I do not have any use for nurses injecting me. My doctor

is 2 hours round trip plus $45 for each visit every 2 weeks plus $12

for parking. That's absurd.

The most I've had and still don't know if it was the xolair, is the

last time I injected I did it 24 hours early because I wanted to

change my schedule in prep for a trip (did NOT want to take $3,000+

worth of med w/me). I felt a tad woozie for maybe 10 minutes and

slightly nauseous (which could have happened anyway). It all went

right away. No swelling, hives, or breathing difficulties. I have

so many things wrong that I don't know for sure what causes what

anyway.

> >

> > I also got a letter at home but it said that it is recommending

> shots be given at a doctor's office because of the real risk of

> anaphylaxis. My doctor wouldn't let his patients self-administer

> anyway, so it wasn't a change for me. But the doctor now requires

> that all his patients have an EpiPen or Twinjet.

> > Carol

>

> My former and current doctor have always required me to get the

shots

> in the office and wait 30 minutes afterwards. It's only a 10 mile

> drive across town and all interstate. I have been doing this

> since 2003 and I don't mind at all.

>

> Since the black box warning, he has stiffened his rules somewhat and

> required me to carry 2 epi-pen's with me for the rest of the day.

When

> those expire, he wants me to carry a Twinjet.

>

> I am not worried? Naaaaaaaa, I have had over 100 Xolair injections

now

> without any problems whatsoever.

>

> Oh, and BTW, after over 100 shots one finally stung A LITTLE when

she

> gave it yesterday. She said " oops, I'm sorry. I must have pushed it

in

> a little fast. " I was shocked LOL!

>

> Doug

> Group founder

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket:

mail, news, photos & more.

>

>

[Guest guest]

If I had to wait 2 hrs in the doctor's office, I think I'd quit the shots. That

*is* an insult to one's intelligence. Most of us have to work for a living and

to pay for the insurance that pays for those shots. What employer is going to

be OK with us taking off 2-3 hrs once or twice a month?

Do you know the statistics on bad reactions to Xolair?

Carol

Ron wrote:

I do not want to beat a dead horse here, but the warning states you

can go into shock 24 hours or longer after the shots. I'm not

impressed with their percentage of " shock victims " and the " 24 hours

or longer " , therefore you need to stay in the Dr.'s office for 2

hours. This is somewhat of an insult to my intelligence.

[Guest guest]

I went to my allergist today. One of the things that we talked about

were self injections. I have been self injecting since December of

2005, had no problems what so ever, but I have an Epi-pen " just in

case " . Neither of us has gotten ANY notice saying that Novartist is

going to require doctors to give Xolair in their office. I have a

one months supply of Xolair here in my fridge at home,as well as

sharps and a mixer for the Xolair. I'll be allowed to self inject

those,but " who knows what " after those 4 injections have been done.

I am planning on speaking with my Pulmonologist tomorrow, to see what

his thoughts are, as he is the one who put me on Xolair. Hopefully

one of my two doctors will be speaking with their Xolair drug reps

with in the next few weeks, so I'll have an " official " answer.

I live a whopping 6 miles from my allergists office, so it's not

like going there is going to be " out of the way " trip like most of

you folks who are in this group. BUT what it is going to do is take

a way a bit of the freedom/life I just got back from going on

Xolair!!!!! I have " de-stressed " SO MUCH ( especially since

getting off that evil candy!!!!) and I don't really want to have

any new stresses!

>

> When I got my shots today, my xolair nurse told me that the

specialty

> pharmacy's who dispense xolair along with Novartis are going to

> require all doctors to give xolair in their office. Thus, no more

self

> injection at home.

>

> She said that individual doctors could still let their patients self

> inject but that since the drug company, specialty pharmacies and the

> FDA have given this strong warning, that their malpractice insurance

> would probably go up.

>

> This is just what she told me.

>

> Anyone else have any info on this?

>

>

> Doug

> Group founder

> NEVER self injected Xolair but

> self injected REGULAR allergy shots for 20 years

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, goodness, I hope the Genentech Reps are NOT going to be allowed

to determine who gets self injection and who has to go to the

office. They're not even doctors. Before I ever got Xolair one of

them hassled me and claimed I had to go to a clinic. I never did go

to a clinic. Still injecting at home. Have any patients here dealt

w/reps? Or just their docs?

Just got back from a 5 day trip to upper Midwest and never did take

any pseudoephedrine while I was gone - that's new! Down here it's

most every day! Also, saw what I thought was ragweed blooming

(bright yellow) (my mom claims it's mustard) and was surprised that

w/my extreme allergy to ragweed I didn't sneeze my head off (forgot

my allegra). I did have to use Advair 500/50 once every day. Have

been on Xolair for nearly 6 months. Improvement was very slow and

barely noticable but apparently has happened. Still would like to

wake up a " transformed " person !!!! <grin>

> >

> > When I got my shots today, my xolair nurse told me that the

> specialty

> > pharmacy's who dispense xolair along with Novartis are going to

> > require all doctors to give xolair in their office. Thus, no more

> self

> > injection at home.

> >

> > She said that individual doctors could still let their patients

self

> > inject but that since the drug company, specialty pharmacies and

the

> > FDA have given this strong warning, that their malpractice

insurance

> > would probably go up.

> >

> > This is just what she told me.

> >

> > Anyone else have any info on this?

> >

> >

> > Doug

> > Group founder

> > NEVER self injected Xolair but

> > self injected REGULAR allergy shots for 20 years

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Oh, goodness, I hope the Genentech Reps are NOT going to be allowed

> to determine who gets self injection and who has to go to the

> office. They're not even doctors. Before I ever got Xolair one of

> them hassled me and claimed I had to go to a clinic. I never did go

> to a clinic. Still injecting at home. Have any patients here dealt

> w/reps? Or just their docs?

>

> Just got back from a 5 day trip to upper Midwest and never did take

> any pseudoephedrine while I was gone - that's new! Down here it's

> most every day! Also, saw what I thought was ragweed blooming

> (bright yellow) (my mom claims it's mustard) and was surprised that

> w/my extreme allergy to ragweed I didn't sneeze my head off (forgot

> my allegra). I did have to use Advair 500/50 once every day. Have

> been on Xolair for nearly 6 months. Improvement was very slow and

> barely noticable but apparently has happened. Still would like to

> wake up a " transformed " person !!!! <grin>

>

>

Congratulations )))

I am glad you are seeing some results even though they are gradual.

Hang in there friend

Doug

Group founder

[Guest guest]

It is not the reps decision, but they will likely be the ones to

inform folks. This sort of decision is made at much higher levels

than that. Up until the recent FDA bulletin, it was really a matter

of what insurance companies would cover. If the medication

manufacturer and the FDA say " this drug may only be administered in a

physician's office or other medical setting, " then that means no home

injection. If there is an option, then often the insurance carrier

will stipulate based on the carrier's risk/benefit/cost analysis.

Here's an example: my pulmo has a little old lady with Parkinson's

who needs an injectible for her emphysema. Insurance will not pay

for her to have it administered by the doctor's office. I know, how

stupid, she has PARKINSON'S!!! So my doc's office gives her the

injections but just doesn't bill for them, since she doesn't have the

$$$ to pay for the injections straight out.

Take care all,

Addy

> > >

> > > When I got my shots today, my xolair nurse told me that the

> > specialty

> > > pharmacy's who dispense xolair along with Novartis are going to

> > > require all doctors to give xolair in their office. Thus, no

more

> > self

> > > injection at home.

> > >

> > > She said that individual doctors could still let their patients

> self

> > > inject but that since the drug company, specialty pharmacies

and

> the

> > > FDA have given this strong warning, that their malpractice

> insurance

> > > would probably go up.

> > >

> > > This is just what she told me.

> > >

> > > Anyone else have any info on this?

> > >

> > >

> > > Doug

> > > Group founder

> > > NEVER self injected Xolair but

> > > self injected REGULAR allergy shots for 20 years

> > >

> >

>