Need prayers and encouragement

[disabledvetswife]

Hi all,

I am 12wks pregnant today. I've been having leg cramps since October 20th. I went to the ER on 10/24 and they did an u/s for blood clots and found nothing.

I went to PCP on this past Monday with leg pain and they found 2 blood clots (1 in each leg). I was immediately admitted to the hospital and discharged on Wednesday.

I have been ordered to take Lovenox twice a day for the remainder of the pregnancy. I called around for pricing and the cheapest is Wal-Mart at...............$1900.00 for A 7-DAY SUPPLY!!!!! My co-payment PER 7-DAYS IS $393.66

I've already asked the hematologist and the OB if there is a cheaper alternative and the answer is NO. There are Lovenox manufacturer's coupons for $25/off per fill - but they are only good on the 30 & 40mg doses and I'm on 135mg!!!

I just don't know where we're going to get this money (other than the credit card obviously). I'm so sad because we are already paying off $12,000 in infertility debt. We had already paid off $38,000 in debt before that. Now we have the $12,000 to pay off, this huge copayment, plus all of the copayments for all of my specialists, OB, hospitals, labs, etc. Our copay is 25% of allowable - which racks up quickly.

I did find out we have a $3,000 oop catastrophic cap, but there is only 6 weeks left in this year...so we have to meet that then meet it again in January.

DH is a disabled veteran (100%) and I am a full time student. I own my own business, but have cut down on work to go to school and be a full time mommy. I think I only make $450/month.

I'm so down right now!!!!

Thanks for listening!

[cody82414]

Despite all the other "stuff"

CONGRATS on your pregnancy!!!!!

(I will be praying though...)

[tacatcon]

Oh I am so sorry to read this.

I developed a blood clot in my leg when I had my youngest but they didn't find it until I delivered. I took the shots but only for a short time. is it because you're pregnant and can't take coumadin or wafarin that they are keeping you on the shots?

I don't know what kind of help might be available in your state but I would look into it right away. I wish I had better advice to give you.

Hang in there and listen to the docs. The most important thing right now is for you to keep yourself and the baby healthy. As tough as the money stuff is, that can be worked out.

Hope you can get some help with this!

Sending big hugs
Tara

[lostinthemission]

Sending prayers your way. Here are some programs, it's worth seeing if any can help...

Co-Payment Programs | Prescription Assistance Program

[justmeagain]

what a bunch of crap about the cost of that script. I guess even with health insurance no one is guaranteed proper care......sorry you have to deal with this crap during what is supposed to be a happy time. Hugs sent your way.

[taylordvd]

I would try to contact the drug company who make the medication and tell them your story. Maybe you can get them to cover the costs. I know it is worth a shot. Do some more research and look into that route.

[wealthybarney]

Hi OP,
I will pray, and have practical ideas as well.
This will be LONG, but will give you many pathways to your goal-OK?
There IS help.
LOSTINTHEMISSION's link is so helpful and valuable, you may not need any of my Long post. (I put it on my favorite"s--I have been searching for that website all year!)
Find out, there SHOULD be a generic injectable Heparin, which is what Lovenox is made of.

I find this ridiculous as an RN and patient who had blood clots in my lungs after an Anesthesia mistake, who has had Heparin Injections, Lovenox and Coumadin at home!
I am on your side and a little ticked right now about your MD's inability to problem solve and help you here! So my tone is NOT directed at you, but the Medical System.

Before there WAS Lovenox, there were mini prefilled Heparin Syringes-5,000 units for injection.
There are also 30 milliliter Multi-dose bottles, (about the size of an egg)where you can get 30 doses for about $40 total now, or less.
Insurance Paid for the bottle and 30 syringes, which is a month's supply.

Heparin is so cheap to make. Lovenox is not the drug, but a brand name of Heparin.
It is SO CHEAP to make!
It is made from the lining of the intestines of pigs.
Pig intesines are plentiful.
I know that because I was allergic to pork, and needed BEEF Heparin, which is no longer made.

If I could get them 10 years ago, why is it hard for your MD's to figure this out?
I had the same problem when i had male doctors, sorry, but true. When I got a female MD, she listened and came up with practical, low cost solutions.

Is he on the Pharmaceutical Board of the company who makes Lovenox and gets "BONUSES" for every prescription he writes?
This is more common than you think-especially with Psychiatric Meds, Viagra and Lipitor and Blood Pressure meds and BLOOD THINNERS!
The doctors who prescribe these can make an extra $100,000 or more per year, especially if the patient needs that drug prescribed for a lifetime.

That is more common than you think, yes--happened to me a couple of times before i learned to ask:
"What company makes Lovenox?"
If they didn't know the answer, that would show me that may NOT be on the board.
If they answered right away, then I would ask if they were on the board of this company as a: "Consultant".
Then they would know that I also knew, and that is when I asked for samples or generic and got it.
That's how you negotiate in the medical field.

Why doesn't his Pharmaceutical Rep bring in some samples for you to have?
The MD CAN order you the multi-dose if you specifically ask for it. If you need a shot a day, the cheapest way for insurance to fill is get a 90 day supply of the bottle and don't forget to ask MD for a prescription of 90 syringes as well.
They may want to have your PTT-Prothrombin Time done more frequently to check your Heparin level so your blood doesn't go too thin and harm your precious baby.
It sounds like they may be concerned about their liability due to your pregnant status.(Congratulations, by the way!)

If all of the above suggestions fails, and you can't find a helpful Female MD, there is STILL another way to your goal-Yay!
As TAYLORDVD already mentioned,
Look at who the manufacturer is who makes it. You will find the name on the RX label.
Examples might be SmithKlineBeecham, Merck, Pfizer, etc.

Google that, and get the website and phone
number. From there you can find what dept. that you can talk to for people with life-threatening health issues that can't afford their meds.
Rarely it is called: "Compassionate Med Program", but not often.

Each pharmaceutical company gets HUGE tax breaks for it, and love the applicants for this reason.
Some may require to have your MD call them while you sit in the office, and of course PAY for the office visit and have the meds sent to the MD's office.
Each Pharmaceutical Company has different rules.
Who cares as long as you and your baby get what you need.

Please keep us informed with your journey. I will pray for the process and results as you requested. I am interested in how this unfolds, as well as many others here. I belive what you find will help other members here, I am so glad you started this thread.

[beth119]

OP....

I am so sorry! I don't have any other advice (wealthybarney summed it up pretty good).... but I do have a BIG HUG!!

[wealthybarney]

bump

[momof4inmi]

I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this at a time that should be full of Joy and Celebration. I hope that you are able to get the meds and take care of yourself and the baby.