Self injections? Must be nice

[Guest guest]

After reading all these posts about self injections, I had to jump

into the convo. sigh!

have been hesitant to share this with the group for several months

now for fear that people considering taking xolair might change their

minds. Addy and Pat already know my story and have been a big support

for me. Thanks ladies You are great friends!

First, the good news!

After being on Prednisone off and on most of my life, It effected my

pancreas which made me type II Diabetic. With the Xolair, I am pred

free almost all year long. When I do have to take it, it is just

a mild 5-10 mg dose.

While I was on pred, my blood sugar was up around 275 and my A1C

(Special Diabetic blood test. Anything under 7 is safe) was 8.3.

Now after over 2 years of Xolair, my asthma is VERY MUCH under control

and my daily fasting blood sugar is 98. A1C is 5.2 NORMAL!

Ok, here comes the fun part:

My doctor's medical group will NOT under ANY circumstance allow him to

let me give myself ANY shots at home, Xolair or regular allergy shots.

It doesn't matter that I have myself regular shots for 20 years.

What is worse is that the medical group that owns his practice and

sets the fees and files the insurance got mad at blue cross and

stopped being a provider December 31, 2004. This year his medical

group started charging 114.00 just to give one shot. At 2 shots,

that's 228.00 every two weeks, 446.00 a month!!! On top of that, I pay

125.00 in copay every 3 months to my specialty pharmacy for the Xolair

itself.

Even worse than that, his medical group does NOT cooperate with my

blue cross so its only paid at 70% after an 800.00 deductible.

Can you believe it gets even worse??? When they file my insurance, the

shot is listed as a CHEMOTHERAPY INJECTION! HEY, I DON'T HAVE CANCER!!!

Nope, I am not kidding at all about any of this.

I have NO choice but to see this doctor. He is the ONLY one who gives

Xolair within 125 miles. The doctors 125 miles away do not allow self

injection either. I have looked into it. I don't have the time or the

money for the expensive gasoline to drive that far just to let my

insurance cover 90% of the cost.

My doctor himself is trying to give me a break by kocking off some of

the cost. He spoke with his superiors about my situation and tried to

get them to help but they wouldn't budge one bit. I hope he doesn't

get in trouble. He and his staff are one of the nicest dr's offices I

have ever been to. The medical group that

owns his office is the problem.

No, there is NOTHING I can do but spend most of my monthly salary just

for xolair and its administration. I pay 1000.00 a month just for my

blue cross premiums and NO way I can change insurance companies with

my pre-existing conditions. I have tried every angle I can think of to

get out of this situation but with no avail.

Next time you give yourself that shot, just remember how fortunate

you are to be able to give your shots at home!

Yes, Xolair works! I am living proof but because of my doctor's

medical group, it is still expensive for me even with insurance.

Thanks for letting me rant!

Doug

Group Founder

Co/owner/moderator

Broke person