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01-19-2008, 12:16 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WHITESTOWN IN
Posts: 148
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anyone ever stop taking AI
Well, my new insurance just started and they cancelled our perscription part. I am not sure I will be able to afford the $300 for femara every month. Has anyone ever stopped taking it and done OK? I checked on arimidex and aromotosin and they were around the same price. Are there any other less expensive options?
__________________
DX IDC AT 42 12/7/06
2.2CM STAGE I GRADE 2
NODE NEG
PARTIAL 12/18/06
HER2+ /ER+(75%) PR+(5%)
4 DD AC CHEMO STARTING 1/10/07
4 DD Taxol Starting 3/5/07
1year weekly Herceptin starting 3/5/07
finished 2/18/08
changed to every 3 weeks 4/23/07
completed 33 radiation treatments 7/6/07
TAH and BSO 9/24/07
start Femarra 10/8/07
Started Neritinib trial 12/14/09
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01-19-2008, 12:32 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,380
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Kriss,
I think you should at least consider staying on the AI until you finish Herceptin. The two have some synergy and appear, at least in metastatic patients, to work better together than alone.
Have you considered looking on-line to find some independent type of group coverage that would at least pay for part of the rx?
This is a crappy choice to have to make. I hate to say this, but I think, if all else fails, this is what credit cards are for!
Hopeful
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01-19-2008, 12:55 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 232
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Kriss,
I would talk to my doctor or call the pharmaceutical company directly and see if they can help you out.
Karen
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01-19-2008, 01:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Kriss,
My Femara cost $262.00 per month/not much savings.
But you may want to research ordering your medicine from
Canada. A few years ago my husband's elderly Aunt (91)
could not keep up with her medicine costs. We began to
order her medicines from Canada and saved 2/3's. I have provided a
link for one which you can check. Kriss, also to note we did not
get generic drugs.
Let us know how you make out.
That is lousy that your insruance company has dropped your coverage.
Wishing you the best
Jean
http://www.canadadrugs.com/index.php...FQHgPAod338MFQ
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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01-19-2008, 01:24 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Consider this...
Kriss,
My Femara cost $262.00 per month/not much savings.
But you may want to research ordering your medicine from
Canada. A few years ago my husband's elderly Aunt (91)
could not keep up with her medicine costs. We began to
order her medicines from Canada and saved 2/3's. I have provided a
link for one which you can check. Kriss, also to note we did not
get generic drugs.
Let us know how you make out.
That is lousy that your insruance company has dropped your coverage.
Wishing you the best
Jean
http://www.canadadrugs.com/index.php...FQHgPAod338MFQ
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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01-19-2008, 02:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Kriss
How lousy!! Jean has a great suggestion. Regardless, Hopeful is right on about the synergy of an AI and Herceptin. You don't have that much longer to go on that.
Also, you can consider the credit card option (there are some 0% cards out there too).
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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01-19-2008, 02:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Kriss
Femara is made by Novartis, which is part of the together access network. Try this link, you should be able to get it free or at a greatly reduced proce.
http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/Tx/jsp/home.jsp
If not contact Novartis directly...I think they are at
www.novartis.com
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
Last edited by Sheila; 01-19-2008 at 02:21 PM..
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01-19-2008, 02:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Hi Kriss
There is a considerable difference in the price
of A.I.'s in Canada. It is 544.28 for 3 months
of Arimidex.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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01-19-2008, 04:13 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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Also, make sure your doctor is aware of your situation... he may be able to "sample" you with the needed AI for a while. Ask if there is a pharmaceutical nurse advocate at your clinic, through the clinic pharmacy. My clinic is partnered with US Oncology and their on premises nurse has been my consultant and conduit to help me find access to all of the meds that I need when my insurance hits the max limits. Without prescription insurance, you would be considered "uninsured" pharmaceutically, so you will possibly qualify for access programs. Also, look into the PPA, Partnership for Prescription Assistance... you have seen the commercials on TV with Montel Williams.
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
Last edited by hutchibk; 01-20-2008 at 12:44 PM..
Reason: clarify
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01-19-2008, 04:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Kriss I don't have any suggestions or advice unfortunatly but wanted to say I'm sorry you find yourself in this position. I get arimidex free every month but could'nt afford it otherwise so I really hope some of the other girls advice can help yoiu continue.
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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01-19-2008, 07:36 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hi Kriss,
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. How awful and maddening.
I pray the advice given to you by the others will benefit you with the drugs you need.
God's Peace and Love,
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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01-20-2008, 09:57 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Dear Kriss
I had another thought on this. Try to stay on Femara until 2 years from the date of your surgery as this is the most vulnerable time of recurrence.
I have a local friend who is Her2+ and highly ER/PR positive. She stayed on Tamoxifen for 2 yrs (and of course thru Herceptin) but stopped at 2 yrs from surgery to "clean out" because she is 35 and wanted to try to have a baby. She is at 4 yrs out now and doing well (but her periods really never came back and she has had difficulty getting pregnant - a common side effect of chemo).
Just want you to be as safe as you can be.
Love,
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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01-20-2008, 02:44 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WHITESTOWN IN
Posts: 148
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Thank You Ladies
I still have about a month and a half supply left. That will get me through all my herceptin. I will try all the suggestions. After looking at my coverage better I find they will pay 100% of perscriptions after I meet my 8,000 dollar out of pocket. Hey, I'll meet that next month so it won't be so bad. But the links will help me for next year. I love that I can come here and get loads of info. Thanks again, Kriss
__________________
DX IDC AT 42 12/7/06
2.2CM STAGE I GRADE 2
NODE NEG
PARTIAL 12/18/06
HER2+ /ER+(75%) PR+(5%)
4 DD AC CHEMO STARTING 1/10/07
4 DD Taxol Starting 3/5/07
1year weekly Herceptin starting 3/5/07
finished 2/18/08
changed to every 3 weeks 4/23/07
completed 33 radiation treatments 7/6/07
TAH and BSO 9/24/07
start Femarra 10/8/07
Started Neritinib trial 12/14/09
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01-26-2008, 09:00 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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I wasn't able to tolerate Femara and am taking tamoxifen instead. It has an added benefit of helping prevent bone loss and I believe, although I am not sure, that it is much less expensive. Another option: I have a Sam's Club business card ( I am self employed) and I save a huge amount on my husband's prescriptions. I get them filled at Walmart and it has been a lifesaver for us.
Leslie
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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