Guest guest Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thanks to Lottie, Bobbie and for their input. Dona is on Medicare and says it now covers her Aranesp. For a while, even MDACC could not give her that shot. But now she says they have it and it is fine. Also her local onc provides it. I thnk part of Medicare banning it was the possible (probable?) side effects of heart, stroke, etc. I found the Aranesp 800 number, so she has talked to them. They do not believe this sudden imbalance is caused by their drug. From your emails, I would guess transfusions were in order from very low hmg counts. Her 9 probably not too serious. She will probably go ahead and have the one next week also. One private email stated she was so constantly severely nauseated by Aranesp and switched to Procrit with no more problems. Will send another email soon to catch up on Dona. Certainly no quality of life for her, but she stays with the original April 2001 trial. Now at least not every 3 months (up to 6 momths). I did the first 16 trips, but just had to quit so she has a paid companion (Tucson to Houston). Cheers, Avis (Hertz Nurtle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 Hi, I find this very interesting. I was given a letter, sent to U. of Mich cancer center, stating they would no longer pay for Aranesp, unless I signed a paper saying I would pay $1,700.00/per shot. They did not put a number on the hemoglobin, just a flat out no. I take 975 mg iron a day, it seems to help, but I think I'll call them. do you have that Aranesp number handy? if so, would you pass it on? thanks, Bobby a (Bobby) Doyle Brecksville, Ohio, USA DX 05/1995 02/2000 - Gleevec Trial/OHSU 06/2002 - Gleevec/Trisenox Trial/OHSU 06/2003 - Gleevec/Zarnestra Trial/OHSU 04/2004 - Sprycel Trial/MDACC, CCR in 10 months #840 - Zavie's Zero Club 09/2006 - out of CCR 04/29/08 - XL228 Trial/ U.of Michigan 06/02/08 - CCR ( in 4 weeks) 02/13/09 - XL trial ended due to side effects From: avisallen@... <avisallen@...> Subject: [ ] More Aranesp Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 5:11 PM Thanks to Lottie, Bobbie and for their input. Dona is on Medicare and says it now covers her Aranesp. For a while, even MDACC could not give her that shot. But now she says they have it and it is fine. Also her local onc provides it. I thnk part of Medicare banning it was the possible (probable?) side effects of heart, stroke, etc. I found the Aranesp 800 number, so she has talked to them. They do not believe this sudden imbalance is caused by their drug. From your emails, I would guess transfusions were in order from very low hmg counts. Her 9 probably not too serious. She will probably go ahead and have the one next week also. One private email stated she was so constantly severely nauseated by Aranesp and switched to Procrit with no more problems. Will send another email soon to catch up on Dona. Certainly no quality of life for her, but she stays with the original April 2001 trial. Now at least not every 3 months (up to 6 momths). I did the first 16 trips, but just had to quit so she has a paid companion (Tucson to Houston). Cheers, Avis (Hertz Nurtle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 Wow that's harsh. I take a supplement called Blood Builder, made by Mega Food. Customer 1 888 4ALLVIT. I get mine at whole foods and every cancer patient i know who is taking them has done well. Different cancers but good blood numbers. The thing about blood builder is that the iron comes from food and stuff our bodies know how to process. Don't tell Lottie.... But i got her a bottle for a surprise on her next visit to Texas. So we can compare oiur befores and afters... Don't know about you but regular iron tablets did a number to my digestive system. No problems with the blood builder, for me anyway. It may not replace the procrit/aranesp shots..... But it may prolong the time between??? Or may be worth a try. Good luck!!!! Love to all, Rhonda Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry [ ] More Aranesp Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 5:11 PM Thanks to Lottie, Bobbie and for their input. Dona is on Medicare and says it now covers her Aranesp. For a while, even MDACC could not give her that shot. But now she says they have it and it is fine. Also her local onc provides it. I thnk part of Medicare banning it was the possible (probable?) side effects of heart, stroke, etc. I found the Aranesp 800 number, so she has talked to them. They do not believe this sudden imbalance is caused by their drug. From your emails, I would guess transfusions were in order from very low hmg counts. Her 9 probably not too serious. She will probably go ahead and have the one next week also. One private email stated she was so constantly severely nauseated by Aranesp and switched to Procrit with no more problems. Will send another email soon to catch up on Dona. Certainly no quality of life for her, but she stays with the original April 2001 trial. Now at least not every 3 months (up to 6 momths). I did the first 16 trips, but just had to quit so she has a paid companion (Tucson to Houston). Cheers, Avis (Hertz Nurtle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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