Guest guest Posted November 19, 2001 Report Share Posted November 19, 2001 Hello everyone: I am new to the Thyca group, finally found the site thanks to the lastest Thyrobulletin from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada which I am a member and President of my own chapter. Anyway I have a question concerning a whole body scan. I had half of my thyroid removed in July 1993 due to cancer. When they removed the tumor it was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma mixed with papillary follicular. I then went threw a second surgery in September that same year due to the fact I bled into my tumor and the Doctors where afraid the cancer may have spread to the other half. I then had radioactive iodine followed by 6 weeks of cobalt radation. I had a whole body scan sometime after that before they put me on a thyroid supplement. Other than not being able to stablize my dosage (which in 8 years has increase quite a bit.) I feel pretty good and can now tell when I need to increase or decrease my dose. My question is the doctors for the last year have been telling me I need another whole body scan, in which I would have to go threw the HYPO HELL.I have 2 small children and no sitter and my husband is a truck driver and don't think that I could do it alone. Therefore I have refused to book the appointment. My doctor is trying to get some kind of medication from the US so I will not have to go off my supplement at all. Does anyone know about this drug? Is there any side affects? Can it be brought into Canada? I don't want to get my hopes up for this if there is no chance of obtaining it here. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2001 Report Share Posted November 19, 2001 > Hello everyone: > I am new to the Thyca group, finally found the site thanks to the > lastest Thyrobulletin from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada which I > am a member and President of my own chapter. > Anyway I have a question concerning a whole body scan. I had half of > my thyroid removed in July 1993 due to cancer. When they removed the > tumor it was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma mixed with papillary > follicular. I then went threw a second surgery in September that same > year due to the fact I bled into my tumor and the Doctors where > afraid the cancer may have spread to the other half. I then had > radioactive iodine followed by 6 weeks of cobalt radation. I had a > whole body scan sometime after that before they put me on a thyroid > supplement. Other than not being able to stablize my dosage (which in > 8 years has increase quite a bit.) I feel pretty good and can now > tell when I need to increase or decrease my dose. > My question is the doctors for the last year have been telling me I > need another whole body scan, in which I would have to go threw the > HYPO HELL.I have 2 small children and no sitter and my husband is a > truck driver and don't think that I could do it alone. Therefore I > have refused to book the appointment. My doctor is trying to get some > kind of medication from the US so I will not have to go off my > supplement at all. Does anyone know about this drug? Is there any > side affects? Can it be brought into Canada? I don't want to get my > hopes up for this if there is no chance of obtaining it here. Any > information would be greatly appreciated. > Thank you Darlene Darlene, Hello. Do a search of " thryogen " . This is a synthetic thyroid med that can be taken during a scan. I believe it has been shown to be less effective then the traditional withdrawl treatment, but if you don't have that option or feel you don't this may interest you. I have no clue as to availability. Good Luck, Shelagh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 Hi Amy! I just had my first Thyrogen scan a couple of months ago. I thought my insurance company wasn't going to cover it - they said it wasn't covered under the perscription portion of my policy. I think it ended up somehow being covered under the medical portion of my policy. Also, I think it had to be ordered directly from Genzyme. Ultimately it was covered, but it took an extra two weeks of back and forth phone calls with the ins. co. and the dr's office - I ended up being on the LID for like four weeks - I was NOT happy but it was still better than going hypo! Good luck! - Gayle On Wed, 21 Nov 2001 08:55:09 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time) " Amy " wrote: > I was told that Thyrogen is very expensive. My endo wants me to have > another scan in August (my one year mark) but wants me to try to get > thyrogen coverd. He said it is upwards of $1,000 and a lot of insurance > companies don't like to cover it. , did your insurance company cover > it? > Amy > > -- Re: Whole body scan > > I underwent my last scan last year using thyrogen and it sure beats > the heck out of going off synthroid and going HYPO. My doctor - the > endocrinologist did have some trouble obtaining it (he had to receive > it himself) and it does require refrigeration and it is somewhat > expensive. Personally, I might consider forgoing scans if thyrogen > wasn't available. It has been eleven years since I was diagnosed with > papillary and follicular cancer. > Regards from Philadelphia,PA, > > > > > > > Hello everyone: > > > I am new to the Thyca group, finally found the site thanks to the > > > lastest Thyrobulletin from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada which > I > > > am a member and President of my own chapter. > > > Anyway I have a question concerning a whole body scan. I had half > > of > > > my thyroid removed in July 1993 due to cancer. When they removed > > the > > > tumor it was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma mixed with > papillary > > > follicular. I then went threw a second surgery in September that > > same > > > year due to the fact I bled into my tumor and the Doctors where > > > afraid the cancer may have spread to the other half. I then had > > > radioactive iodine followed by 6 weeks of cobalt radation. I had > a > > > whole body scan sometime after that before they put me on a > thyroid > > > supplement. Other than not being able to stablize my dosage > (which > > in > > > 8 years has increase quite a bit.) I feel pretty good and can now > > > tell when I need to increase or decrease my dose. > > > My question is the doctors for the last year have been telling me > I > > > need another whole body scan, in which I would have to go threw > the > > > HYPO HELL.I have 2 small children and no sitter and my husband is > a > > > truck driver and don't think that I could do it alone. Therefore > I > > > have refused to book the appointment. My doctor is trying to get > > some > > > kind of medication from the US so I will not have to go off my > > > supplement at all. Does anyone know about this drug? Is there any > > > side affects? Can it be brought into Canada? I don't want to get > my > > > hopes up for this if there is no chance of obtaining it here. Any > > > information would be greatly appreciated. > > > Thank you Darlene > > > > Darlene, > > Hello. > > Do a search of " thryogen " . This is a synthetic thyroid med that > can > > be taken during a scan. I believe it has been shown to be less > > effective then the traditional withdrawl treatment, but if you > don't > > have that option or feel you don't this may interest you. I have > no > > clue as to availability. Good Luck, > > Shelagh > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 For me, Thyrogen is covered under my prescription plan. My endo orders it through a company called Theracom that works directly with Genzyme. Since it is a drug, it falls under my prescription plan and I pay the normal co-pay for a brand name drug. The rest of the treatment (scan, doctor's fees) is covered under my medical portion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 I underwent my last scan last year using thyrogen and it sure beats the heck out of going off synthroid and going HYPO. My doctor - the endocrinologist did have some trouble obtaining it (he had to receive it himself) and it does require refrigeration and it is somewhat expensive. Personally, I might consider forgoing scans if thyrogen wasn't available. It has been eleven years since I was diagnosed with papillary and follicular cancer. Regards from Philadelphia,PA, > > Hello everyone: > > I am new to the Thyca group, finally found the site thanks to the > > lastest Thyrobulletin from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada which I > > am a member and President of my own chapter. > > Anyway I have a question concerning a whole body scan. I had half > of > > my thyroid removed in July 1993 due to cancer. When they removed > the > > tumor it was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma mixed with papillary > > follicular. I then went threw a second surgery in September that > same > > year due to the fact I bled into my tumor and the Doctors where > > afraid the cancer may have spread to the other half. I then had > > radioactive iodine followed by 6 weeks of cobalt radation. I had a > > whole body scan sometime after that before they put me on a thyroid > > supplement. Other than not being able to stablize my dosage (which > in > > 8 years has increase quite a bit.) I feel pretty good and can now > > tell when I need to increase or decrease my dose. > > My question is the doctors for the last year have been telling me I > > need another whole body scan, in which I would have to go threw the > > HYPO HELL.I have 2 small children and no sitter and my husband is a > > truck driver and don't think that I could do it alone. Therefore I > > have refused to book the appointment. My doctor is trying to get > some > > kind of medication from the US so I will not have to go off my > > supplement at all. Does anyone know about this drug? Is there any > > side affects? Can it be brought into Canada? I don't want to get my > > hopes up for this if there is no chance of obtaining it here. Any > > information would be greatly appreciated. > > Thank you Darlene > > Darlene, > Hello. > Do a search of " thryogen " . This is a synthetic thyroid med that can > be taken during a scan. I believe it has been shown to be less > effective then the traditional withdrawl treatment, but if you don't > have that option or feel you don't this may interest you. I have no > clue as to availability. Good Luck, > Shelagh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 Yes it was coveredby my HMO. > > > Hello everyone: > > > I am new to the Thyca group, finally found the site thanks to the > > > lastest Thyrobulletin from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada which > I > > > am a member and President of my own chapter. > > > Anyway I have a question concerning a whole body scan. I had half > > of > > > my thyroid removed in July 1993 due to cancer. When they removed > > the > > > tumor it was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma mixed with > papillary > > > follicular. I then went threw a second surgery in September that > > same > > > year due to the fact I bled into my tumor and the Doctors where > > > afraid the cancer may have spread to the other half. I then had > > > radioactive iodine followed by 6 weeks of cobalt radation. I had > a > > > whole body scan sometime after that before they put me on a > thyroid > > > supplement. Other than not being able to stablize my dosage > (which > > in > > > 8 years has increase quite a bit.) I feel pretty good and can now > > > tell when I need to increase or decrease my dose. > > > My question is the doctors for the last year have been telling me > I > > > need another whole body scan, in which I would have to go threw > the > > > HYPO HELL.I have 2 small children and no sitter and my husband is > a > > > truck driver and don't think that I could do it alone. Therefore > I > > > have refused to book the appointment. My doctor is trying to get > > some > > > kind of medication from the US so I will not have to go off my > > > supplement at all. Does anyone know about this drug? Is there any > > > side affects? Can it be brought into Canada? I don't want to get > my > > > hopes up for this if there is no chance of obtaining it here. Any > > > information would be greatly appreciated. > > > Thank you Darlene > > > > Darlene, > > Hello. > > Do a search of " thryogen " . This is a synthetic thyroid med that > can > > be taken during a scan. I believe it has been shown to be less > > effective then the traditional withdrawl treatment, but if you > don't > > have that option or feel you don't this may interest you. I have > no > > clue as to availability. Good Luck, > > Shelagh > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 I was told that Thyrogen is very expensive. My endo wants me to have another scan in August (my one year mark) but wants me to try to get thyrogen coverd. He said it is upwards of $1,000 and a lot of insurance companies don't like to cover it. , did your insurance company cover it? Amy -- Re: Whole body scan I underwent my last scan last year using thyrogen and it sure beats the heck out of going off synthroid and going HYPO. My doctor - the endocrinologist did have some trouble obtaining it (he had to receive it himself) and it does require refrigeration and it is somewhat expensive. Personally, I might consider forgoing scans if thyrogen wasn't available. It has been eleven years since I was diagnosed with papillary and follicular cancer. Regards from Philadelphia,PA, > > Hello everyone: > > I am new to the Thyca group, finally found the site thanks to the > > lastest Thyrobulletin from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada which I > > am a member and President of my own chapter. > > Anyway I have a question concerning a whole body scan. I had half > of > > my thyroid removed in July 1993 due to cancer. When they removed > the > > tumor it was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma mixed with papillary > > follicular. I then went threw a second surgery in September that > same > > year due to the fact I bled into my tumor and the Doctors where > > afraid the cancer may have spread to the other half. I then had > > radioactive iodine followed by 6 weeks of cobalt radation. I had a > > whole body scan sometime after that before they put me on a thyroid > > supplement. Other than not being able to stablize my dosage (which > in > > 8 years has increase quite a bit.) I feel pretty good and can now > > tell when I need to increase or decrease my dose. > > My question is the doctors for the last year have been telling me I > > need another whole body scan, in which I would have to go threw the > > HYPO HELL.I have 2 small children and no sitter and my husband is a > > truck driver and don't think that I could do it alone. Therefore I > > have refused to book the appointment. My doctor is trying to get > some > > kind of medication from the US so I will not have to go off my > > supplement at all. Does anyone know about this drug? Is there any > > side affects? Can it be brought into Canada? I don't want to get my > > hopes up for this if there is no chance of obtaining it here. Any > > information would be greatly appreciated. > > Thank you Darlene > > Darlene, > Hello. > Do a search of " thryogen " . This is a synthetic thyroid med that can > be taken during a scan. I believe it has been shown to be less > effective then the traditional withdrawl treatment, but if you don't > have that option or feel you don't this may interest you. I have no > clue as to availability. Good Luck, > Shelagh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 Amy, I had Thyrogen scan twice and it was covered by my HMO. I always called Genzyme Reimbursement Hotline before I scheduled the scan. They contacted my ins. company and then called me back to confirm the coverage. They were extremely helpful. The number for the Reimbursement Hotline is 1-. I hope this help, Lana Amy wrote: I was told that Thyrogen is very expensive. My endo wants me to have another scan in August (my one year mark) but wants me to try to get thyrogen coverd. He said it is upwards of $1,000 and a lot of insurance companies don't like to cover it. , did your insurance company cover it? Amy -- Re: Whole body scan I underwent my last scan last year using thyrogen and it sure beats the heck out of going off synthroid and going HYPO. My doctor - the endocrinologist did have some trouble obtaining it (he had to receive it himself) and it does require refrigeration and it is somewhat expensive. Personally, I might consider forgoing scans if thyrogen wasn't available. It has been eleven years since I was diagnosed with papillary and follicular cancer. Regards from Philadelphia,PA, > > Hello everyone: > > I am new to the Thyca group, finally found the site thanks to the > > lastest Thyrobulletin from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada which I > > am a member and President of my own chapter. > > Anyway I have a question concerning a whole body scan. I had half > of > > my thyroid removed in July 1993 due to cancer. When they removed > the > > tumor it was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma mixed with papillary > > follicular. I then went threw a second surgery in September that > same > > year due to the fact I bled into my tumor and the Doctors where > > afraid the cancer may have spread to the other half. I then had > > radioactive iodine followed by 6 weeks of cobalt radation. I had a > > whole body scan sometime after that before they put me on a thyroid > > supplement. Other than not being able to stablize my dosage (which > in > > 8 years has increase quite a bit.) I feel pretty good and can now > > tell when I need to increase or decrease my dose. > > My question is the doctors for the last year have been telling me I > > need another whole body scan, in which I would have to go threw the > > HYPO HELL.I have 2 small children and no sitter and my husband is a > > truck driver and don't think that I could do it alone. Therefore I > > have refused to book the appointment. My doctor is trying to get > some > > kind of medication from the US so I will not have to go off my > > supplement at all. Does anyone know about this drug? Is there any > > side affects? Can it be brought into Canada? I don't want to get my > > hopes up for this if there is no chance of obtaining it here. Any > > information would be greatly appreciated. > > Thank you Darlene > > Darlene, > Hello. > Do a search of " thryogen " . This is a synthetic thyroid med that can > be taken during a scan. I believe it has been shown to be less > effective then the traditional withdrawl treatment, but if you don't > have that option or feel you don't this may interest you. I have no > clue as to availability. Good Luck, > Shelagh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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