Assistance With Meds

[tysonchicken]

I was diagnosed with HIV on April 7, 2012. I found out when I got a call from the Red Cross letting me know that my blood had been rejected because I had tested positive. When I found out, my heart dropped. The Red Cross told me that I would receive a packet in the mail, but no guidance was given as to what programs were available or how to go about finding a Dr. I felt like I was all alone.
After I graduated in May, I decided to enter case management and began to see a Dr. After further testing the Dr told me that I had AIDS. Once I received my results I talked to my case manager about starting medication. She informed me that I needed to fill out paperwork to get the ball rolling. At the time, I was going to be starting a job, so I had to wait until I get my first months paycheck stub in order to complete the application process. After a month went by I gave my case manager my info (including insurance card) and was about to be approved when I was in a car wreck. To make a long story short, I ended up disclosing my status to my boss..one thing led to another...and I was forced to resign. At this point everything was placed on hold and I was told to apply for Medicaid before the program could help. While waiting for this to process, I was eventually able to find another job. Afraid of a similar outcome I put treatment on hold until I had saved up enough sick days for Dr's appointments.
I just recently decided to give treatment another whirl. As of December my t-cells were at 170 and my viral load was at 50,000. My case manager just contacted me last week and told me that I do not qualify for the Ryan White program because I make a little over the income requirement, however my insurance has denied payment for my lab work that was done stating that it was "experimental" in nature and my insurance will only cover up to 25% of my medications. 
Once again, I find myself at a standstill. I am starting to get nervous because I have notice my body getting sicker. I recently started getting sores on my body and I am starting to have more days that I feel crappy then good days. Does anyone know of any assistance programs that may help me with medications. My Dr wants to place me on Atripla (which is quite expensive to my understanding). I am afraid that something may happen before I am able to figure all of the stuff out that I need to to be placed on meds. Any information that someone might be able to share would be greatly appreciated.


Tyson

[Jeff G]

Hi Tyson welcome to the forum and I'm a fan of your chicken .

The question you asked about meds is quite simply a heartbreaking one to read and even worse one to deal with in your life . I have struggled with access to meds before and I know how overwhelming it can seem .

At the top of the forum you will see the word treatment , if you hover or click on it , it will provide information for drug assistance programs , its a start at least . You can also google Atripla drug assistance program for additional info . Hope this helps . Jeff .

[tysonchicken]

Jeff-
I appreciate it. It is a start (for that I am thankful). Yeah, it definitely felt like someone had ripped out my heart when I was told I didn't qualify for the program. Keeping my head up tho.

[Jeff G]

Its a tough thing and Im hoping you keep on it until you get what you need . In the meantime I am confident that the other members here will be a source of support while you find your way . It may help if you keep a journal so you can write down what you have found or searched for while looking for resources , this way you wont waste precious time contacting or researching in places that you have already been . You will get through this , it just takes time .

[bmancanfly]

Sorry about your troubles,  I hate sutuations like this.

While Atripla is a fine med there are other,  cheaper ,  meds available.  The recently off-patent Viramune comes to mind.

Have you discussed with your doc the possibility of contructing a combo of off-patent meds.  Or at least partially off-patent combo.  That would be substantially cheaper and partially covered by your insurance.

You also might want to look at this thread
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=32850.0

Best of luck

[tysonchicken]

Thank you so much bmancanfly. I didn't know that there were "generic" HIV drugs out there. That is definitely something that I will bring up at my Dr appointment within the next two weeks.

Also, I hate to keep asking questions, but I was recently was diagnosed with HPV in my rectal region as well. Does this bring possible complications with my status? Thanks so much.

[buginme2]

Thank you so much bmancanfly. I didn't know that there were "generic" HIV drugs out there. That is definitely something that I will bring up at my Dr appointment within the next two weeks.

Also, I hate to keep asking questions, but I was recently was diagnosed with HPV in my rectal region as well. Does this bring possible complications with my status? Thanks so much.

I have the HPV thing going on as well.  At this point > dont worry about it<.   First things first.  Getting the HIV treatment squared away is the priority.  Once thats done and your stable they will start HPV treatment.  Its not going to affect you anytime soon. It takes awhile to progress.  You have time on that.

[Newguy]

Thank you so much bmancanfly. I didn't know that there were "generic" HIV drugs out there. That is definitely something that I will bring up at my Dr appointment within the next two weeks.

Also, I hate to keep asking questions, but I was recently was diagnosed with HPV in my rectal region as well. Does this bring possible complications with my status? Thanks so much.

ASK ALL YOU WANT!

First off, regarding the HPV, you said you were recently diagnosed with HPV? Do you mean anal warts? If so then you need to get them treated. I don't know where you are but first line therapies usually are liquid nitrogen burning. Are there any clinics providing this service for free near your area? HPV can be a bitch but rest assure it gets much better once your immune system starts to recover. I had a bitch of a time trying to get rid of them from my penis. After giving up on liquid nitrogen, I tried aldara and got the HPV shot. I don't know if it was a combination of the aldara, HPV vaccine or my immune system recovering (I had recently started the meds) but it worked beautifully. Now I don't think you can use aldara for anal treatment but speak to your doctor. I know you have lots on your mind but focus on getting on those meds. Meanwhile you can look to try to get those warts burned off. Once you are stable and you have taken all this in, and you will be stable! You can think of getting the HPV vaccine. It is not meant to treat what you have now but it can protect you for future infections.

GOOD LUCK

[bmancanfly]

Your welcome

A company called Cipla makes a generic version of Atripla called Viraday.   It is not currently available legally in the U.S.

There have been rumors the some members here buy it online and have it shipped to them <gasp>.   But that is not legal.

Have you checked with your local AIDS  Services  Organization?
There may be some local help available that people here aren't aware of.

 Hopefully you'll find a quick resolution to your situation.  The sooner you get on meds the better.

[buginme2]

Lets not get side tracked here.  First things first. Getting you HIV treatment.

HPV is a lot more than just warts.  Its causes anal intraepithilial neoplasia which is a precancerous condition that can lead to anal cancer.  Its common in HIV positive individuals especially men who have sex with men.  There are numerous treatments. 

Again dont worry about it now. It takes years to progress and sometimes years to treat.  I have been treated for it for close to two years and still going through treatment.

Newguy or anyone else with HPV questions lets start a different thread. Until then lets shelve it and focus on getting the OP into HIV care.

[Newguy]

Lets not get side tracked here.  First things first. Getting you HIV treatment.

HPV is a lot more than just warts.  Its causes anal intraepithilial neoplasia which is a precancerous condition that can lead to anal cancer.  Its common in HIV positive individuals especially men who have sex with men.  There are numerous treatments. 

Again dont worry about it now. It takes years to progress and sometimes years to treat.  I have been treated for it for close to two years and still going through treatment.

Newguy or anyone else with HPV questions lets start a different thread. Until then lets shelve it and focus on getting the OP into HIV care.

Agreed! Getting on those ARV's is number one priority!

Good Luck

[tysonchicken]

My Dr. wants me to see a specialist within the next few months for the HPV thing. In regards to the medication topic. Thank you guys so much. I have thought about posting on this site for a while, but was scared for some reason. I am glad that I mustered enough courage to finally post. It helps knowing that I can talk to people who are going through the same thing.

[tysonchicken]

I will definitely keep you guys posted.