posted
If Medicare cannot be convinced to continue paying for my successful treatment, we are forced to find another source for it.
Has anyone had success buying Bicillin from Canada or Mexico or elsewhere? It has to be refrigerated, so that is tricky.
Has anyone had success convincing their PCP to provide the shots? They have to buy a 10 pack so may be hesitant. Also there is the matter of storing it in their refrigerator.
Any advice???
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Your PCP should have Bicillin LA shots in stock. It is used commonly to treat other infections besides Lyme.
If your PCP was willing to cooperate Medicare would probably pay for the shot if you went to the office and the nurse administered it.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107
posted
You can order the powdered form of bicillin LA from Spain. You have to mix it with sterile water, (which they also provide), and buy syringes etc.
Its about half the price of it here in US, even at Costco. And since its a powder, you don't have to refrigerate it.
Let me see if I saved the link.
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107
posted
sorry, I can't find the link.
try the search function for "bicillin spain" and see what you come up with.
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks for your advice. I will look into the powdered stuff if all else fails. I have heard that it clogs the syringe, requiring a larger one. That does not seem too appealing!
My husband said that he finally reached a senior person at Medicare who is going to bat for me. He thinks our appeal will be granted, considering how long I have been ill and the good results we are getting.
They also don't understand that this is a long term treatment for lyme disease. They seem woefully uninformed. My husband told him that I could be on it for a year or more and may even have to increase the dosage.
That got his attention. That and the fact that in just two weeks off, my stuttering is starting to occur again and other symtoms are worse. My family is very upset and determined that I stay on the shots.
Tomorrow I see a local PCP who treated me a few years ago. I am taking all my test results and protocol to her in hopes that she will help me. I shall ask her to call my LLMD to coordinate my care. He is well known and hopefully can inform her of my need.
Another suggestion was to contact the Bicillin manufacturer to ask for help.
Oh, and by the way, Costco told us they never stock it!
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
look for extencillin or something simmilar in spain.
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Thanks, Migs! We thought of that but wondered at the purity of the Bicillin. How long have you been using the Mexican stuff?
I will look it up.
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
It works great. Just read carfully...don't buy the "combinado" stuff they sell everywhere. Get the pure Benzatina Bencilpenicilina 1.2 U.
If you're worried about quality, buy Benzetacil. It's made buy Sandoz, a huge international drug company. The generics are fine I am sure though...haven't made me feel anything but better.
Posts: 410 | From Victoria BC, Canada | Registered: Jul 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
migs, do they sell the L-A form in Mexico? L.A. stands for long-acting. My llmd prescribes me Bicillin L-A.
I wonder if taking a non-LA form would still be alright? I wonder if it even could be better b/c it would hit you all at once, ha.
But I would think it could be bad if you're only doing 2 or 3 shots a week, because you'd have days where you weren't getting the med in your system.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Bicillin LA is the trade name for Benzathine Penicillin. It is long acting, keeping levels constant from anywhere from 4 days to 14 days, depending on what source you read.
In Spanish I think it's called "Benzatina Bencelpenicilina". Bicillin LA has legally cornered the market in Canada and the US but Benzetacil, Extencillin, Unicilin LA, etc...they're all the same drug.
Posts: 410 | From Victoria BC, Canada | Registered: Jul 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Okay, thanks.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Thanks Migs. We are certainly going to have to go there (Mexico) if Medicare fails us. The pharmacy gave us a discount, but we are still out more than $500 for my next 10 shots.
It works so well. What idiots they are!
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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