Scores, effectiveness, and allergy shots

[Guest guest]

> Doug..

> I think the doctor may have meant the higher number because I know

> he said to qualify for the lowest dosage of Xolair you had to have

a

> score of 40. My wife had 59 and he mentioned that people have

> scores so high that they do not qualify to take Xolair.

> From what I have read of all of your posts you are very highly

> allergic. I do hope that Xolair is as close to the wonder drug as

> science can produce.

I don't think that the score refers to IgE count. I know that your

IgE has to be between 100 and 300 in order to use Xolair. Higher or

lower counts and you can't take it.

I wonder if your doctor has his own modified scoring system that he

uses to determine qualifications.

I am going to see my doctor again on January 5th and I'll ask him.

I was supposed to go this week, but since I effectively petitioned

our insurance company to cover Xolair at a $35 copay instead of 20%

(after the $500 deductible) I decided it was worth it to wait. My

contention was that at the 20% level most employees couldn't afford

to use it, and if it does work, the net result will be savings, not

cost, to the insurance company.

Is anyone out there giving themselves their Xolair shots? My

insurance company is indicating that they would like me to do it

instead of going to the doctor, and a pharmacist at NovaFactor said

that a lot of people do give shots to themselves. I guess this is

the price of the lower copay.

As far as the effectiveness, I have been amazed. I was able to play

in the snow with my 5 year old son this weekend, with NO asthma

problems whatsoever. I shoveled the driveway 3x in sub-20-degree

temps this weekend, also with no problems. I haven't been able to

do this in over 26 years. And this is while I have been suffering

from a cold!

There is no question in my mind that Xolair is the wonder drug of

the millenium. I understand that some other drug mfrs are

scrambling to find their own version in order to compete. This can

only be good because it will bring the price down for everyone.

Regarding allergy shots - I have not noticed any change in symptoms

after giving myself shots, except for the better. I give myself

shots weekly (when I remember) and actually see improved symptoms

for 2 or 3 days after the shot.

Doug - sorry to hear about your continued aggravation. As the grand

poo-bah of this group, it would seem only fair that you would be

getting better. Maybe you can ask your friend Mr. President if he

can be of assistance. For those of you who wonder about that -

check out Doug's profile on . It's a riot. Doug, I'm glad you

started this group. It has been a great help.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, etc., etc., to everyone.

[Guest guest]

Mr President. Yea right! Only thing I have is higher premuiums.

I wish he would do something about the rising cost of health

insurance.

As an ordained minister, my church gives me a salary package. My

medical insucance comes off the top of this package. My premuims just

went up another 40% to 955.00 a month which makes a whopping

$11,460.00 a year. This is just under 1/3rd of my gross salary plus,

they are going up on the co/pays for drugs. I turn 50 next year.

This will up the rate another 35-40% plus whatever it naturally goes

up anyway. Pretty soon, I won't be able to afford any coverage.

What is even more aggrivating is getting them to pay claims. They use

every excuse in the book to keep from having to pay a claim. At

least with Xolair, they are covering all but 35.00 a month. Hmmmm

wonder if it will be this way after the first of the year? I am

keeping my fingers crossed.

Change insurance compaines you ask? Yea right! NO company will even

look at my wife and I with all our pre existing conditions. I am

stuck with this company for the rest of my natural life.

Yes Mr President, please help us middle class folks that work for our

medical insurance premiums.

[Guest guest]

---Now since that last post got something off my chest....

Thanks,

After the flu my asthma seems to be better and I am going to be a

week late getting my next Xolair injections. Go figure!

Have a great holiday season everyone Here is wishing all your

nebulizer treatments will not be needed in the upcoming year

Doug