BOOOO HIV!! Doc Says Sart Meds Now!

[WillyWump]

 Got my new numbers today...not so good.

CD4 355, VL 137000 (17%)

I also developed Psorraisis (sp?) within the last month, it manifested itself as hideous red spots on my legs and arms. Doc says this is due to the sudden drop in CD4's. Just last month I had a CD4 of 589ish and have always hovered around the 500-600 level, hard to believe the drop can happen so fast.  *sigh*

Based on my new readings, and the sudden psoriasis which verifies the drop in CD4, and my low percentage doc says I need to start meds now. She recommends Atripla, which is fine, ive already done the research and think Atripla is the way to go.

But heres the problem, apparently I just cannot go down to the pharmacy with my prescription and get Atripla right NOW.  My case manager has to get me enrolled in some sort of assistance plan to get the medicine paid for, which according to her will take  a few weeks. So in the meantime here I sit stressing and freaking out about the fact that I should be on meds RIGHT NOW not in "a few weeks".

I have Medicare ( Im disabled due to being Bipolar), but apparently Medicare does not cover Atripla or does not cover all of it so she is going to submit my info to the state to get assistance in paying for Atrtipla. In the meantime I wait while this shitty virus destroys my body.

Ive resigned myself to the fact that it's time to start meds but not knowing when ill be able to get the meds is killing me!!!!!

[Miss Philicia]

Do you have the Medicare Pt. D (for prescriptions) plan already?  If it's like mine then yeah, they'll pay part of your costs but your case manager is also most likely signing you up for your state's ADAP program to cover the rest.  Where I live we have the ability to do a one-month "emergency" thingie until the paperwork is processed, but maybe they don't do that in your state.

I wouldn't worry so much about your numbers over that period of time, though I know you're looking already of how much they changed in one month.  There's nothing written in stone that your cd4 would go on a continual monthly sharp drop, and more than likely if you'd waited another month and had another set of labs done they could have easily show a rise, even if it was only ~400 -- they tend to bobble around.  However, looking at your overall numbers in your sig line it's a fairly good time to go on medication.

But bottom line, you shouldn't really be losing any sleep about this situation, OK?

[WillyWump]

Thanks for your response Miss P , You're right I shouldnt lose any sleep over this but I do tend to over react....excessively

Yes, I already have Part D....so yes I guess she (case worker) is trying to get coverage for the amount Part D does not pay. Frankly I need to pay better attention to what she tells me, but my eyes were glazed over and all I heard from her was "blah, blah, blah" (akin to what Charilie Brown here's from his teacher)

 Logic dictates that yes numbers will bounce around and I shouldnt live life "blood draw to blood draw". But for me logic and emotion never reconcile with each other and emotion always wins out.

After sleeping on it I realize that I am not going to die tomorrow If I do not get meds immediately and that I need to TRY to just chill out and let my case worker do her thing.

*sigh*
Will

[Inchlingblue]

Is the program that your case worker is trying to get you into ADAP? All ADAPs are slightly different but I know that in Arizona, for example, ADAP will supply one month's supply of meds regardless of whether you eventually qualify for it etc. There's just some initial paperwork and your doctor has to sign it etc. It's basically an initial "emergency" supply for only one month. You might want to ask your case worker or check your local ADAP and see if they also have that policy.

Here is the wording from the website for AZ ADAP:

Do You Have To Wait For An AHCCCS Denial Letter Before Submitting An ADAP Application?

No. We will provide up to 30 days of medication to an ADAP-eligible client as long as you have an appointment scheduled with AHCCCS eligibility. However, we cannot provide further medication without your denial form or letter.

[WillyWump]

Great info!

Ill Check into Texas' ADAP policies.

[Highlyfaveured]

Atripla is very expensive. Do try to get all the help you can.  I receive help from the Ryan White Foundation.  Try to relax through this new chapter in your life, Stress kills.

[CalvinC]

Hi Willy

I can't comment much on your hiv meds, but I'll mention your psoriasis.

When I converted I too got it all over my legs. I got creams etc but they didn't work. Finally, the skin doc gave me injections, which really worked (for me). I think it might have been Raptiva. (See http://www.psoriasis.org/treatment/psoriasis/biologics/raptiva.php) It then took about six months for the redness of healing to go away. It has never come back. The thing about psoriasis for me was that it reminded me daily of what just happened. Now, without that physical reminder, I don't think much about hiv, really.

Cal