Author Topic: Affordable Treatment (Read 19680 times)

Coach Mike · « **on:** November 26, 2015, 06:50:52 am »

Hello,
It is Thanksgiving in the U.S.
It is time to be thankful, in part, because now there is a pathway to a cure that costs less than $10,000. I understand that is not affordable to all, but it is to many.
Plus you get a 5 day vacation to a beautiful country where Christmas is in the middle of the summer.

1. Go to GP2U on the web and make an online appointment with Dr. James Freeman
(Google him to find out about this womderful man)
2. After your appointment, things will be crystal clear
3. Book a flight to Australia and plan on a 5 day stay.
4. Come home with a tested, proven cure.

Customs is not in the business of taking away legally prescribed, life-saving medications from citizens returning to the U.S.

For each person who can do this, our health care system can better afford to help those who can not.

Give your self a cure for Christmas!

Coach Mike

Coach Mike · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2015, 11:51:30 am »

Dr James Freeman is a male GP in Battery Point, TAS.

James is a graduate of the University of Tasmania and the founder of GP2U. He developed an interest in the remote delivery of healthcare while working in Katherine in the Northern Territory where as District Medical Officer he supported 35 remote clinics with the aid of a dedicated team of nurse practitioners, flight nurses and some phenomanal bush pilots. He has completed Advanced Mental Health Skills Training and through GP2U been priviledged to see telehealth deliver real results to patients who would otherwise have stuggled to access high quality care.

The good doctor's info.
CM

Gaj · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2015, 07:37:17 pm »

Hi Coach Mike,

Greetings from Oz,

As you say, it is summer over here at the moment. Both seasonally and healthwise for those of us who are now able to take charge of our own health at reasonable cost thanks to Dr James Freeman and his pioneering attitudes to medical services and treatment provision in a modern world.

A man and a mission well worth reading about and someone I give thanks to every day for the hope he has given me and others.

Gaj

Coach Mike · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2015, 07:48:49 pm »

Hi Gaj,
Or would G'day, mate be more fitting?
Maybe just a big ol' Howdy Do?

When you can access the "gold standard" multi gt HCV treatments and professional care from a compassionate medical professional for less than the cost of the airfare, its worth serious consideration.
There are good options available now where before there were none.
Watch out for those drop bears....
CM

Gaj · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2015, 11:33:01 pm »

Howdy CM,

"G'day Mate" works for me but you've got to mumbleslur it out the side of your mouth.

As you say, currently a short holiday over here is necessary for non Aussies who require urgent treatment due to our laws around prescription medicines.

But also, hopefully, someone may read this thread and research Dr Freeman and will see opportunities for his models for services and treatment to be adopted or adapted to their country's legal and health requirements.

Pfft! After this.......I ain't afraid of no Drop Bears!

Gaj

Coach Mike · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2015, 06:38:29 am »

Buna Ziua Gaj,
Where there is a will, there is a way and when you are sick, there is an incredible will.
I may just import me a cute little drop bear just like I did my generics. I could name him Zhuk. That cut my overall treatment cost to $1976. Its hard to buy a used car that will make it around the block for that price.
Waltz with Matilda once for me
CM

Coach Mike · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2015, 09:13:06 am »

A note on our government's policies concerning the HCV situation:
I am fine with the government allowing Gilead and other big pharma companies to make their blood money profits, just don't restrict MY right to access life-saving, affordable medication from abroad in the name of protecting my health.
I think Thomas Jefferson would agree.
Coach Mike

jberlin · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2015, 11:25:31 am »

Coach Mike,

Thoughtful post and we think useful information for our members to see and consider.

Just as a reminder to all of our wonderful members reading this thread, this forum is about providing useful information to our members, but we cannot endorse any medical course of action. We encourage all members to use all posted suggestions, such as this, as a starting place to do additional research for their own particular set of circumstances. Our research indicates that Dr. Freeman has a good reputation, but how it fits for any member's circumstance, or how US Customs will behave, are all questions to be carefully considered. Our wish is the elimination of Hep C as a disease, how each of us get there will be very different paths. In this time of giving thanks we are grateful for the multitude of our membership that have been cured.

-Your Hep C Moderators

Coach Mike · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2015, 11:48:03 am »

To the Moderators,
Thank you for your comments, advice and extremely valuable site. I owe my current "undetected" status to information gained on this forum.
Last of all, thanks for allowing my previous posts to remain.
The focus is, as it should be, on the elimination of this terrible disease.

Coach Mike

lporterrn · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2015, 11:40:50 am »

Coach Mike - I just wanted to add my 2-cents to your comment, "Customs is not in the business of taking away legally prescribed, life-saving medications from citizens returning to the U.S."

In the U.S., you are legally allowed to bring back 3-months of prescription meds (as long a you have all the proof it was prescribed to you) without any interference from Customs.

Coach Mike · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2015, 11:50:09 am »

Thank you Lucinda,
Your 2 cents are worth far more than that.
CM

Devil · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2015, 01:04:49 am »

Quote from: Coach Mike on November 26, 2015, 07:48:49 pm

Or would G'day, mate be more fitting?

Always funny to hear an American try to say G'day....Thanks for the laugh...I needed one...

lporterrn · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2015, 11:45:47 am »

Americans' view of Australians was forever changed by Crocodile Dundee

Coach Mike · « **Reply #13 on:** November 30, 2015, 11:14:44 am »

Hello,
Here is a link to today's HCV Advocate article. It is directly related to this topic.

http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2015/11/real-life-dallas-buyers-club-operation.html

Good things happening!

Coach Mike

Coach Mike · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2015, 11:27:14 am »

OOPS!

The above link is to the HCV New Drugs blogspot, not HCV Advocate.
CM

malou · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2015, 07:12:39 pm »

Mike, just sent you another msg. ml

Elizabethann474 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2015, 10:44:09 pm »

hi
give john a call phone number removed by moderators. a reminder to never post personal contact information on these public forums.
he is going to india next week!

Coach Mike · « **Reply #17 on:** December 03, 2015, 06:53:37 am »

Well, it appears to be a great time to visit India! The meds are very affordable and the airfare much cheaper than travelling to Australia. In fact, the entire Indian package can probably be done for about the price of airfare to Oz. India was where I was headed when I found out I could import Chinese harvoni directly from the manufacturer. That appears to no longer be an option, as the company no longer sells to individuals. So, get your passport in order, do your homework and you can probably take care of the entire process for around $3000.
For each person who can afford that, there is more money available to treat those who can't.
The health insurers should be sending people there....
Coach Mike

Elizabethann474 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2015, 09:06:00 am »

coach mike-
i take solvaldi and ribos
cured after 4 weeks- give me a call...im not going for myself.

Coach Mike · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2015, 09:39:51 am »

Hi,
Undetected or cured? Send me a PM
CM

Elizabethann474 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2015, 11:20:48 am »

phone number removed by moderators. a reminder to never post personal contact information on these public forums.
i dont know how to pm

Coach Mike · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2015, 11:39:03 am »

No reception where I work. Go up to the top bar where it says messages. Click on it. Click on send a message. Type in "Coach Mike" in the to: space. Type in the message below. Click send.
Coach Mike

Elizabethann474 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2015, 12:38:38 pm »

can you email me email removed by moderators. a reminder to never post personal contact information on these public forums.

Elizabethann474 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 03, 2015, 12:39:17 pm »

or call me tonight

Coach Mike · « **Reply #24 on:** December 03, 2015, 01:03:38 pm »

I sent you a PM
CM

lporterrn · « **Reply #25 on:** December 03, 2015, 02:57:36 pm »

I speak for myself, not for HepMag.com or the other moderators. If you've read my writing or know me, you will know that I am deeply disturbed about the lack of access to affordable HCV treatment. Hep stepped in to the controversy by publishing Greg Jefferys' blog.

That said, I am concerned about this conversation, and that some of it is going on in the forum and in the forum's private messaging. Hep is a support and information forum and not a vehicle for the actual exchange of medications.

malou · « **Reply #26 on:** December 03, 2015, 03:30:32 pm »

Lynn, I believe that you are reading more into this thread than is going on, at least from my direction. I have been asking for help connecting to a source of medication that I could travel to and purchase.

Like you I am an RN, however, I am also a Nurse Practitioner. I contracted HCV during a huge ER exposure in 1996 and actually found out about it when I donated blood in 1997. I was a non-responder to interferon in 1998- six months of it. You might have heard my voice, I was one of the first to speak up about HCV on PBS and did a radio interview for them while I was undergoing tx. I live in a very rural town and there was at least one person here who heard the interview and recognized my voice.

Because I have GT 1a, I have been waiting since 1998 for a treatment which would affect the virus. This frigging virus that makes me feel that I am infected, simply because I chose to save a patient's life. I have continued to work in Medicine for all of these years but been exquisitely careful about exposures since then.

I have essentially no fibrosis (non-drinker) and my liver enzymes have never been elevated, so I feel that I will never qualify for Express Scripts/Blue Cross coverage, even if I raise hell, which I intend to do. At one point, my gastroenterologist told me that it was more likely that I would die of breast cancer than HCV. Funny thing, I am a survivor, 7 years now from breast cancer.

So, I am taking this bull by the horns, and willing to travel to Bangladesh, India, Australia or wherever it takes to obtain the medication to cure this. That is why I have been contacting Coach Mike. I also plan on contacting PBS again to see if they are interested in a follow-up interview.

I'm not exactly sure what Elizabeth Ann is up to, but Coach Mike is already under treatment. So, give a little thought to your comments prior. Thank you, ML

lporterrn · « **Reply #27 on:** December 03, 2015, 03:55:07 pm »

I think you meant your reply for Lucinda (me). One thing that I've noticed is people assume they won't get the meds, so they don't even try. It's shocking how many people do get them considering all the horror stories we hear. What I suggest is rather than go off to Bangladesh, you try to get the meds here - you could end up paying hardly any out of pocket costs if you are lucky. Now is a great time to check into this since we are in open enrollment.

Your roll as an NP makes a convincing argument for treatment priority. Although our risk to others is not increased, it seems that insurance doesn't know that, and they'd be more inclined to approve you.

Hep C Careline - www.hepatitisc.pafcareline.org can talk to you about insurance plans that may have the treatment you are seeking.

malou · « **Reply #28 on:** December 03, 2015, 04:00:23 pm »

My gastro has filed for it, and prior to taking off, I will do the battle. We'll see how it goes.ml

lporterrn · « **Reply #29 on:** December 03, 2015, 04:16:00 pm »

Great - It fries me when people can't get their docs to treat them, so you are already over the biggest obstacle. The Careline has done excellent work with providers and patients, so if you run in to any road blocks, they are worth considering.

Good luck - let me know what happens (3 or 4 denials is not unusual, but the vast majority get approved if they can tolerate the bureaucracy)

Lynn K · « **Reply #30 on:** December 03, 2015, 09:59:53 pm »

Hi malou

Lynn here. As Lucinda said you probably meant her.

Just to add I am a Tool and Die maker and Machinist not a medical type

Best of luck to you getting treatment here at low cost.

I only paid $30 for my entire 24 weeks of Harvoni. Had to appeal to Express Scripts but did get approved.

Coach Mike · « **Reply #31 on:** December 04, 2015, 09:42:21 am »

Concerning the recent reports of the Gilead "scandal" and the price of Sovaldi:

We are entering into a "new age" in medicine. An age when illness can be cured and prevented at the genetic level. How the governments respond as these new "wonder" drugs are introduced and priced now will set a precedent for things to come. Cures for ALS, Alzheimer's, and breast cancer to male pattern baldness and toenail fungus. They will come and researchers and companies need the monetary rewards for their work and risk. Several things need to happen now to prevent profiteering at the expenses of people's lives:

1. The government needs to be proactive and set up pricing and access policies that ensures that everyone who needs the drugs can get them.
2. Researchers and companies should be rewarded adequately to encourage research. If Gilead feels Sovaldi is worth $1000 a pill, what kind of price would they charge for a cure, say, for breast cancer.
3. Companies and individuals who seek to profit excessively and use fraudulent reasons to justify those profits, should have their patents revoked.
4. #1 always trumps # 2.
5. The VA should get all meds for cost + s & h.

Our government is in the pockets of the big pharma companies because the politician's campaign funds are full of their money.

Coach Mike

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Author Topic: Affordable Treatment (Read 19680 times)