Author Topic: Re: Newly diagnosed (Read 7672 times)

Waterboy · « **on:** June 02, 2014, 11:38:14 pm »

I just tested poz a few weeks ago and went in for more test today to see what drugs will work for me. My viral load was 30,000 and my cd4 count was 401 the first doctor I went to said it was to good to start taking medication so went to get second opinion. I thought I would never get hiv or I had some resistance to it. For one I have never bottomed I thought if I only top my chances were less but I played the odds to long. I have had a ruff few weeks I had to tell my wife of 25 years she has been very supportive. Well this is a lot blood pressure has been high with stress. I found out my insurance will pay after deductible is payed. What do you think

Jeff G · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2014, 11:49:24 pm »

Welcome to the forum Waterboy . I moved your thread into its own so that you can get the welcome you deserve . There are many opinions about when to start meds and I personally think the earlier is the better but that does not mean you have to do it this week .

Take a little time and decide what is right for you and make sure you are ready to commit to taking daily meds .

Waterboy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:00:52 am »

Thanks I have been doing a lot of reading on when to start and I think I want to start as soon as I can.I have to much going on in my life to get sick. I think I got it in December I was so sick at the end of January but tested neg at that time and was retested first week of May would that sound right with my levels. By the way my name is Jeff too.

AusShep · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:36:13 am »

Hey Waterboy,

Welcome, and glad to see you're going to get started soon. I really think that's the best solution for you and your wife.

What is your medical/Rx deductible that has to be met before drugs are covered?

What is the copay amount for HIV drugs after you meet your deductible.
A flat fee, or a %of cost fee; e.g. $30 copay vs 20% of total cost copay.

finally, what is your individual out of pocket max for the year.

All of the manufacturers have programs where you can save up to $400 of out of pocket costs on their drugs per month. And there are other income based programs others can tell you about if you need help paying for the first few months until you hit your out of pocket max and everything is fully covered.

Waterboy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:46:45 am »

$3000 and the they pay 80% to $8000 then they pay the rest new insurance not good I don't fit in any program the doctor said he might have some for me to check into

AusShep · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2014, 01:26:59 am »

Quote from: Waterboy on June 03, 2014, 12:46:45 am

$3000 and the they pay 80% to $8000 then they pay the rest new insurance not good I don't fit in any program the doctor said he might have some for me to check into

It may not be that bad, it looks like you have to pay 3k, then another 1k for the next coverage assuming the 80/20 is for the 5k after the initial 3k, taking it to 8k total. Of which you pay a total of 4k, then you're covered 100%. That's probably 4 months of meds, so copay assistance could knock out up to 1600 of your total out of pocket expense.

If 2.5 to 3k is too much to absorb in a few months, I know there are programs that will pay for insurance premiums and drugs before insurance kicks in. From reading on here they need a lot of documentation to determine if and how much your covered, so you might want to hook up with a local aids service org. now to get the ball rolling.

Waterboy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2014, 10:59:11 pm »

I found Stribild for 3 month at $3730 from my insurance they don't take the manufacture card the local pharmacy is $2500 a month.i think that what the dr is going to recommend. My wife is having a hard time today she is neg thank god

AusShep · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2014, 11:11:19 pm »

Have you talked to a service organization about getting help yet?

Waterboy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2014, 11:20:50 pm »

had a crazy day at work today I will check tomorrow thanks

AusShep · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2014, 11:37:30 pm »

Good luck man. That's a lot to deal with all at once.

Waterboy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2014, 12:47:34 am »

I pick my son up at the airport tomorrow on leave form the Marines and my others son is coming home for Alaska in a few days I am so happy. I will not tell them of my situation at this time they both are doing well and I know they would be supportive but I don't want to give them something to worry about.

Waterboy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2014, 09:44:30 pm »

Well I go to the doctor tomorrow to find out what genotype I have.i have been doing good busy at work and at home and out in the boat fishing.My wife has been having a hard time the last week withe the boys gone again. I talked to her about counseling but I don't think there's a group within 80 miles. She has been taking this harder than me so it's been a little tuff at home and I know it was my wondering ways that caused the situation.she has stood by me to this point but said she needs a long vacation away.My deductible is paid up for the rest of the year with mainly blood work it looks like the drug company will pay most of the medication cost so there won't be more out of pocket after insurance. I don't think a lot of people would feel sorry for me trying to live a double life but you make choices in life and at the time I did not feel I could have a family and that was the road I took. Right or wrong I don't regret it.

absopozilutely · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2014, 02:19:29 am »

Welcome! I along with others on here are sorry to see you here on one hand at all, but extremely grateful you have found us. I'm a newbie, diagnosed in February, UD last week, as you can see some of us update signature lines with our info, others don't. In case you get lost like I did, UD=undetectable, OP=original poster, DX=diagnosed, WB=western blot those are the basic ones that threw me for a loop when reading. My best advice, don't overwhelm yourself with anxiety and worry. Truly The words HIV are scary, no doubt, but you will find it's not what it once was, and you may even be able to take only 1 pill a day, at any time during the day, and be fine.
When you have questions just ask anyone here, we all if we know it would answer and jump in to give advice. Most of the people here are not doctors, to me their almost better, they've lived with HIV for a very long time. Look at the bright side of things, at least now you know, now you can manage the HIV and not let it manage you.
I'm no expert, but trust me were all here for you.

Abso!

Waterboy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2014, 12:47:17 am »

Thanks things have been going well been on stribuild for 12 days without any problems got a 3 month supply as I travel a lot. Been to busy to let it get me down and all the shock has worn down I did get a pill box so I don't forget. I go in on July 11 to see how the drugs are working.i do won't to thank you guys for your support and all you do for people looking for help it's good that you are here.

Kardean · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2014, 11:43:10 pm »

Glad to hear things are going well for you guy. Do let us know how it goes the 11th. In the meantime have a great HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!

Waterboy · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2014, 10:09:35 pm »

Well guys have been on meds for a month I was retested after 3 weeks because the doc was going on vacation. My viral load went from 30,000 to 29copys/mL and my CD4 count from 401 to 468 at 39 %i don't know what the % stands for but I am told it's ok. No side effects from the meds all has been going well.

Kardean · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2014, 10:24:17 am »

Allow me to be the first to say... YAY! Sounds as if everything is heading in the right direction as well as it should. Keep up the pace.

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Author Topic: Re: Newly diagnosed (Read 7672 times)