2 days of missed Atripla

[Hellraiser]

So, I've been trying to calm myself down but I am concerned about having missed 2 doses of Atripla.

This came about because my insurance company is forcing me to use a mail order pharmacy to get my "specialty" meds.  Aren't all prescribed medications specialty meds?  Anyway on monday I called the mail order pharmacy and they told me no way they could do it in a week, so I took it to the local CVS hoping for an over ride.  No go, so then on Tuesday I called the mail order pharmacy and told them to do it Urgent/Escalated/Expedited/Rush Order.  After calling between all of the involved organizations (there are 4 of them) multiple times on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I realized there was no way they would get my meds to me before I ran out.

So here I sit asking everyone locally who I know is poz if they are on Atripla if I could borrow 2-3 pills until my RX comes in.  No luck there, I also called the local ASO Acadiana CARES, who promptly told me to wait until monday.  I now think the name Acadiana CARES was created just to mock me.  Anyway, I know from the FOTO study 2 missed doses shouldn't be a problem but I feel I've done everything within my power to ensure that I won't miss doses and it's happening anyway.  This is mostly just a rant, although if I do develop resistances I figure I might could sue and live a life of luxury with wumpy as my man servant.

[mecch]

That sucks. Do you have a plan to start building a stock of at least a week or two? If I were on your combo I would send you a bottle, but Im not.  Hard to believe no local poz's had a couple of pills to spare.  Geez

[Rev. Moon]

So here I sit asking everyone locally who I know is poz if they are on Atripla if I could borrow 2-3 pills until my RX comes in.  No luck there.

This wouldn't happen if you lived in a more civilized area, such as Miami.  You could have borrowed a couple of pills from moi or from PhilD.

Two days shouldn't/won't cause any problems (think FOTO, as you mentioned).  Also, if I recall correctly, you mentioned once before that you had been doing your own version of FOTO where you skipped one pill or so every other weekend (or am I confusing you with someone else; my files are not readily available). 

Ideally this won't happen again in the future.

[Miss Philicia]

I bet I could find five days supply of Atripla on grindr in 3 seconds.

my files are not readily available

got a spreadsheet for that, no doubt

ps: hey Trey -- I bet Boo Radley has extra pills. Want his phone number?

[Rev. Moon]

I bet I could find five days supply of Atripla on grindr in 3 seconds.

Well, unlike Ms. Trey, you live in a "real" city.  Doesn't Philly have like a black market for Truvada/MTV (for the queens who want to go on a weekend rampage of bareback sex)?

[Miss Philicia]

Doesn't Philly have like a black market for Truvada/MTV (for the queens who want to go on a weekend rampage of bareback sex)?

Yes, it can be bought from a Colombian named Carlos at the Sansom Street Cinema/Tomcat Bookstore on 13th Street, or at the Club Body Center around the corner.

[eric48]

Hi,

If I remember correctly, you've have a bit of a hard time sustaining coverage.

When things get back into order, as Mecch mentionned, you may want to start having a stock of meds. Where I live things can become so uncertain that supplies could become a concern. (one GSK plant was on strike for 3 weeks...) I am now safely sitting on a 3 months stock. I order them every 4 weeks instead of every 30 days. I have received no complaint about this.

2-3 days should not be a problem. Actually may be a good opportunity to see if it helps you feeling better

Cheers Eric

[eric48]

see:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=43034.0

eric

[Hellraiser]

I skip every Saturday night's dose in order to help build a supply.  I have asked literally everyone I know including Mikey as I was going to drive to dallas to pick them up, but he already gave them away.  I also normally have a massive stockpile but since I just got insured again 2 months ago I haven't had a chance to rebuild it yet.

Also Philly, I'll regret saying this later I'm sure but I moved for my job about 4 months ago and went from New Orleans to Lafayette.  Even if I were going to stick my tail between my legs and ask Boo for meds it's not really an option.

[Miss Philicia]

I skip every Saturday night's dose in order to help build a supply.

OK, I'll bite -- where's this fancy supply?

I moved for my job about 4 months ago and went from New Orleans to Lafayette

Clutch the pearls, girl -- Lafayette's a shit hole.

[Hellraiser]

OK, I'll bite -- where's this fancy supply?

Clutch the pearls, girl -- Lafayette's a shit hole.

I already ran through it.  I had built up about 4 extra.  Lafayette is awesome.

[Rev. Moon]

I already ran through it.  I had built up about 4 extra. 

You may need to get yourself a bottle of Viraday.  A girl needs to be careful some times.

Lafayette is awesome.

In what sense?

[Miss Philicia]

In what sense?

Girl, don't you watch Anthony Bourdain? That's where they have 3-day feasts on pig entrails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQAwgCTF58s

[Rev. Moon]

Girl, don't you watch Anthony Bourdain? That's where they have 3-day feasts on pig entrails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQAwgCTF58s

I am soooo moving there. 

Trey, can I sleep on the couch?

[phildinftlaudy]

Trey:
When are you getting your meds? I don't think that two days or even three will cause any harm.... It isn't the best situation, but as long as you have been adherent and jump right back on them when they come, it should work out.

If you don't think you are going to have them soon - shoot me a PM - I can probably swing by the post office tomorrow and send you out 5-7 to get you by - I could overnight them, so you would have Tuesday....  Let me know.

I have a little cushion on my meds.... so I can spare a few if needed.

-Phil

[Hellraiser]

Thanks, I'm taking my happy ass up to the ASO tomorrow at 8am and calling the insurance company (again) right after that.  I'll definitely keep in touch, I should hope that my meds will be coming to me no later than Tuesday.

[Hellraiser]

Girl, don't you watch Anthony Bourdain? That's where they have 3-day feasts on pig entrails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQAwgCTF58s

That was one day

[mecch]

You sure you want to be missing 1 day a week just to build up a reserve?  I guess that makes sense cause having a reserve is better than a 1 week gap.  Or are you planning on skipping 1 day a week forever? 
Anyway I thought foto was for people with solid immune systems..... all built back up to healthy levels...

[buginme2]

I have some extra Atripla's and some extra Viraday's I bought off the Internet.  If ya need some let me know. 

[Hellraiser]

You sure you want to be missing 1 day a week just to build up a reserve?  I guess that makes sense cause having a reserve is better than a 1 week gap.  Or are you planning on skipping 1 day a week forever? 
Anyway I thought foto was for people with solid immune systems..... all built back up to healthy levels...

Undetectable viral load is the important key actually and I've been doing it since august of last year, which means 8 months.  My last set of numbers I was still UD and my CD4 was better than ever before, so I'm ok with it on Atripla, on complera I won't be skipping any doses.

[Buckeyerob75]

Hey Trey- I have a brother that lives in Lafayette and has been there 20+ years. He loves it but I'm not sure why. I have only been there once like 20 years ago lol It was a fun trip and we did go to La Grande Boucherie! That's where they kill the pigs to be roasted up. 

[Miss Philicia]

Oh, now this is major lamer territory -- seems two years ago during the boucherie they didn't even use a pig for the first time in 36 years.

[forrest]

Hey Hellraiser... did you get your meds figured out/straightened out today?  I sure hope so. Hope all worked out.   

[tealeaf]

sandunboi was trying to give away his left over Atripla yesterday http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=43146.0 Maybe he has it.

[Hellraiser]

Hey Hellraiser... did you get your meds figured out/straightened out today?  I sure hope so. Hope all worked out.   

No I've now missed three doses, but at least my insurance company is very concerned considering they haven't even approved the claim to the mail order pharmacy they're making me use yet.  They told me they would call me some time tuesday.  Assuming that is the case then I will receive my medication on wednesday.  I am now well into resistance territory and I'm sweating it.

[Miss Philicia]

What happened to the ASO visit today?

I'm taking my happy ass up to the ASO tomorrow at 8am

[Hellraiser]

What happened to the ASO visit today?

They didn't have any meds on hand and I make too much money for them to case manage, so it was not fruitful.

[LiveLaugh]

My concern is...Why wont the Insurance Company get you a weeks worth from the local pharmacy to carry you until the nimwits at the mail pharmacy gets it to you.  You would think that in the long run the amount they save in your Medical bills with you staying healthy would be well worth paying a little more for the medication up front. 

[forrest]

That sucks!!! This whole fiasco is scary as hell for not only you but also for someone looking at starting mess. . It's your effing life!  Grrrrr

[mecch]

That sucks!!! This whole fiasco is scary as hell for not only you but also for someone looking at starting mess. . It's your effing life!  Grrrrr

Forrest, HIV is for life.  When its time to take meds, one takes them, no matter one's real or irrational fears of future catastrophes and misc. what ifs.

[MarkB]

Hellraiser

I've read this thread. I'm in the UK, but you can have as many of my Atripla meds as you need. Let me know how I can get them to you quickly.

Mark

[Hellraiser]

Hellraiser

I've read this thread. I'm in the UK, but you can have as many of my Atripla meds as you need. Let me know how I can get them to you quickly.

Mark

I think I am taken care of now.  Phil has me covered with 5 pills, and I finally got to place the order for the complera today.  They said it should be at my door by friday.

PS: Thanks everyone again for all the support.  Hopefully the fact that I've missed 4-5 pills won't be a big deal.  I'm rationalizing it by hoping that there is still enough truvada left in my system to keep the virus under control until I can take my next dose and avoid resistance developing.

[Rev. Moon]

I think I am taken care of now.  Phil has me covered with 5 pills, and I finally got to place the order for the complera today.  They said it should be at my door by friday.

PS: Thanks everyone again for all the support.  Hopefully the fact that I've missed 4-5 pills won't be a big deal.  I'm rationalizing it by hoping that there is still enough truvada left in my system to keep the virus under control until I can take my next dose and avoid resistance developing.

Philomena is an angel.  I'm glad that you've found a temporary solution.

As far as fear of resistance you should not have to worry too much.  Last year my doc put me on a temporary med holiday as she wanted to check something related to my liver.  I was supposed to be off meds for two weeks, but I chose to go against her advice and did it only for a week.  Everything was fine afterwards. Of course, everybody's situation is different, but with you being undetectable (and the amount of time that Sustiva remains in your body) I expect there will be no issues.

[bocker3]

Trey,

I'm glad you found someone who could help -- it shows the power of this group of pozzies.  No matter what, we help those of us in need.

I have to agree with others -- I am appalled that your insurance wouldn't cover a handful of pills from your local pharmacy while awaiting your mail order.  Personally, I'd be calling and demanding to speak to someone high up and let them know that they are endangering lives by their inability to go "off script" and react to a real scenario.

Hoping all goes well for you -- and hoping we will be seeing you in DC in July.

Hugs,
Mike

[Hellraiser]

Philomena is an angel.  I'm glad that you've found a temporary solution.

As far as fear of resistance you should not have to worry too much.  Last year my doc put me on a temporary med holiday as she wanted to check something related to my liver.  I was supposed to be off meds for two weeks, but I chose to go against her advice and did it only for a week.  Everything was fine afterwards. Of course, everybody's situation is different, but with you being undetectable (and the amount of time that Sustiva remains in your body) I expect there will be no issues.

This makes me feel better.  The other thing is Truvada sticks around for quite a while and considering Gemini has been on monotherapy once she hit UD for some time, I just have my fingers crossed my system works something like hers.

Without the group of people who have helped me here with my med issues over the last year I would've been off meds for quite some time.  At my CD4 count this would be "a very bad thing".

I may bicker and fight with some on here but at the end of the day I would give the shirt off my back to help anyone on these forums, because I don't think there's another group of people who understands the trials and tribulations that we go through.

[tednlou2]

Trey, I'm glad to hear you found a solution and hoping no consequences come about.  My friend gets his meds through the VA.  They do the mail deliver service, and many of his prescriptions come after his supplies have run out.  This would scare me with HIV meds.  I actually have no idea where I will get my HIV meds, once I start.  I assume I would just take them to Walgreens for filling? 

It is appauling to me they wouldn't cover getting enough at CVS to get you through.  Or, how much would one pill cost, if paid out of pocket?  I mean, most pharmacies would give a person an emergency supply of blood pressure pills to get them through.  I've heard of people having that done, even without proof they even had a prescription for it.  But, I'm guessing each Atripla pill costs nearly $100 per pill?  That wouldn't be an option for most.  If this situation happened to someone and it led to resistance, I think that person should sue their insurance company.

Anyway, glad things seem to have worked out through the generosity of great folks here.   

[J.R.E.]

  My friend gets his meds through the VA.  They do the mail deliver service, and many of his prescriptions come after his supplies have run out.  .   

I am not sure why your friend is running out of meds.  I also get my meds through the VA, and have no problems whatsoever.

From the time I order them, it takes about 5 days before their sitting in my mailbox. They tell you on the phone it can take up to ten days for delivery, but I've always received them in 5 days or less.  I've been able to build up a good supply. Never had any delivery problem with the VA.

As my doctors told me at the VA, " We don't want you to run out of meds, so order early"  At the VA I go to, their very particular about making sure you don't run out of medication. This is mentioned to me, on every visit.


Hope your friend has better luck in the future.




Ray

[Hellraiser]

I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield which means I can't use Walgreens (pharmacy coverage through Express Scripts and Walgreens lost their Express Scripts contract).  Anyway I was able to fill once at CVS with Atripla (30 day supply) and then my insurance cut me off.  I called CVS to see if they could float me some pills, they asked for the medication by name and then said definitely not.  I really like my new doctor but she's so busy I really can't get in touch with her easily which is the only reason I didn't have her write me a week's script for Atripla and just buy them out of pocket.

Anyway Ted, this is the first time I've ever had this issue and it mostly came about because I didn't make sure to have enough onhand to offset the delay I knew that would come from using mail order.  However my previous mail order was extremely efficient, 2-3 days to get me my meds even on a new script.

[MarkB]

When I read things like this, I'm horrified at what you have to go through, and at what it costs you in personal and financial terms, to get the meds you need. I just wish there was something I could do.

[Hellraiser]

When I read things like this, I'm horrified at what you have to go through, and at what it costs you in personal and financial terms, to get the meds you need. I just wish there was something I could do.

That abominable social healthcare *shakes fist*.  You'll have to wait in lines and receive subpar care!

Every British person I've ever heard talk about the healthcare there is fairly enamored.  Why can't the US get on the damn train already.

[MarkB]

The British NHS is way from being perfect, but for all its faults, when it comes to access to HIV meds I have to say I'd rather be here than where you are.





/... edited for typos, 'cos I'm using a friend's laptop which had half a bottle of red wine knocked into it at one point, and not all the keys work ... 

[Theyer]

Anyway Ted, this is the first time I've ever had this issue and it mostly came about because I didn't make sure to have enough onhand to offset the delay I knew that would come from using mail order.  However my previous mail order was extremely efficient, 2-3 days to get me my meds even on a new script.

NO NO NO
Trey this came about because the mail order pharmacy where unbelievably intransiant and then a whole load off other shit do not take it on .
michael

[klassykitty]

Hellraiser,

According to my English teacher, the Gov't has the Pharmaceutical companies in their back pocket and would lose to much money if we had a decent health plan.

Michelle

[jkinatl2]

Hellraiser,

According to my English teacher, the Gov't has the Pharmaceutical companies in their back pocket and would lose to much money if we had a decent health plan.

Michelle

Actually, isn't it the pharmaceutical companies that have the government in THEIR back pockets?

WHichever, it sucks, and this is an example of why. This might not be a HUGE deal for other meds, but not HIV meds. And I am certain other conditions require the same diligence.

What is awful is that the patient suffers (or in case of ADAP, dies) while the industry suffers no consequences.

[forrest]

...Why can't the US get on the damn train already.

AMEN!

[Hellraiser]

Thanks to Phil I am back on the Sustiva again with only 4 missed doses of meds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAmUwy3ex9k&ob=av3n

[mecch]

Seems to me universal coverage in the USA would certainly NOT hurt Pharma profits and probably raise them.
If everyone were getting the drugs necessary, more drugs would be sold.  The cost of paying for all these newly medicated people, MIGHT force payers to negotiate lower prices for drugs, but hardly much lower, and this would be offset anyway by more people having drugs.

I do find people blaming big PHARMA for the US health care mess a bit simplistic and finger pointing.   Pharma wins in universal coverage.   Maybe doctors and hospitals and insurance companies lose.   

Conspiracy theorists should keep this straight.  You're supposed to hate big pharma for keeping the cure a secret.  Not for supporting a system (US Health Care) which actually LIMITS their market.

Oh and Big Pharma didn't have anything to do with 9/11, the assassination of JFK, and who killed Jimmy Hoffa.  Just for keeping the cure secret....

[Ocean1617]

@Hellraiser...

I just saw your post. I just started my first HIV med, Complera, 5 days ago. My insurance only allows refill every 30 days at a pharmacy or every 60 days via mail order pharmacy. This makes me very uneasy. I imagined myself not having meds and I could't get a refill in time for whatever reasons. I didn't think anyone would go through my imagined situation. I am very sorry that you had to go throug it.

I take trip to Thailand sometimes, and I plan to buy my reserve meds there, just in case I need to bridge the gap between refills.

[Miss Philicia]

Most of the time when an insurer says "every 30 days" what that really means is you can get it filled 5 days before that 30 day period. They all know people go on trips, etc. Additionally there's usually a way for the pharmacist to override even that 5-day advance limit (like when a patient is going on vacation) as long as it's not done more than a couple times a year. Sometimes you will have to get this vacation thingie pre-approved before the pharmacist can over-ride it.

Bottom line, ask your pharmacist -- they should know. If they don't know, then call your insurer and just lie and say you're going out of town on a trip, etc.

If the 5-day thing is standard (sometimes it's 7 days) then it should only take you six months to build up a one month supply of medications.

[tednlou2]

Yes, even with controlled substances, I can refill them on the 28th day.  And, I've been able to fill non-controlled substances on the 25th day.

Modified:

Not sure why I said substances.  Of course, medications would have been the word.