Re: Re: side effects---Sally

February 22, 2004

Sally,

I was unaware that diabetes is caused by Hep C until Claudine's post yesterday.

Don't know why I thought it was a possible side unless I'd read that somewhere.

And I too am leary of our drug companies. When I started treatment at County,

they gave me a med that is taken daily for GERD (I'd never heard the full term,

I just called it Acid Reflux). I'd never had a problem with that...maybe only 3x

in my life...and refused to take the med. I still fill the scripts because I

have a friend on that med so might as well save her a little money while I can.

I too was unemployed for a couple years...and had it not been for my piddly IRA

I would have ended up homeless. Very frightening to be unemployed in these times

when there are no jobs. And so many jobs nowadays don't even offer insurance. I

felt blessed when I got my job...even with no benefits.

But I am fortunate to live in Chicago where there is a County funded hospital

and clinics. It took many trips there and many hours (and more hours) of waiting

during each trip, before I got referred to the GI clinic from the walk in

clinic. But I wasn't working and had the time...I'd take a jug of green tea,

plenty of reading material and a camp stool to sit on...and paid my dues. Once

in the GI clinic they ran a quantitative RNA and my viral load had gone from

4.2mil to 44.6mil during the 2 years I was unemployed. The doctor gave me a

script for Pegasys right then and there...and I get it filled at Country for

free (well, the taxpayers pay).

It's a hastle...sometimes almost unbearable...to deal with the County. Every

month I have to wait for labs, a separate trip to wait to drop off my script,

another wait to pick up my scripts and a half day wait to see the doctor.

Fortunately my job knew I was in this treatment when they hired me so they allow

me the time I need for these visits (I work for a grassroots, not for profit

organization that is sort of a City Hall watchdog). And they won't treat my

sides...like prescribe my synthroid...that would involve another clinic with

more days of waiting. Fortunately my doctor of over 20 years, prescribes these

things for me. I send him my lab results and he adjusts my meds as needed. I get

my scripts from him filled in Canada...he faxes the script to Canadameds.com for

me so there is less waiting time.

And there are ways to get meds for free but you need a doctor to work with you.

I did this when I was unemployed. www.needymeds.com has the information but your

doctor has to fill out the forms and submit them and they send a 3 month supply

to your doctor for you to pick up. But you have to have a doctor who is willing

to work with you.

And if you have a doctor who works with you, the Pegassist program is designed

not only to provide support for people in treatment, but they have a program to

supply you with the meds similar to Schering's Commitment to Care program. I

learned during my unemployed years that there are workarounds...it just takes

time and a doctor willing to work with you.

Blessings

Tatezi

I was diagnosed HCV and diabetes at the same time. ...I'm suspicious of our

drug company lobby ... .GERD is gastro esophageal reflux disease, ... Actually,

I'm up for therapy again if I can get good health insurance and an income to

support it. I've been unemployed for over 2 years,

Sally

February 22, 2004