posted
my LLMD just ordered mepron, and i stupidly didnt ask about the cost at my apt. well i just called costco and it's over 1,100 dollars!
I cant afford this..wondering if there's an alternative or should I just suck it up and try to scrounge up the money for it somehow.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
You might tell your LLMD that you can't afford the mepron.
There are herbal protocals that work against BABS. Try the website: www.buhnerhealinglyme.com for the latest info on herbs for Babs. There should be a section on co-infections.
Maybe someone will know of alternative medications.
Good Luck.
Posts: 1358 | From Midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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Here is a quote from Burrascano about treating babs:
"Because of these dismal statistics, the current regimen of choice for Babesiosis is the combination of atovaquone (Mepron, Malarone), 750 mg bid, plus an erythromycin-type drug, such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or telithromycin (Ketek) in standard doses. This combination was initially studied in animals, and then applied to Humans with good success. Fewer than 5% of patients have to halt treatment due to side effects, and the success rate is clearly better than that of clindamycin plus quinine.
The duration of treatment with atovaquone combinations for Babesiosis varies depending on the degree of infection, duration of illness before diagnosis, the health and immune status of the patient, and whether the patient is co-infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Typically, a three-week course is prescribed for acute cases, while chronic, longstanding infections with significant morbidity and co-infection will require a minimum of four months of therapy. Relapses have occurred, and retreatment is occasionally needed.
Problems during therapy include diarrhea, mild nausea, the expense of atovaquone (over $600.00 per bottle enough for three weeks of treatment), and rarely, a temporary yellowish discoloration of the vision. Blood counts, liver panels and amylase levels are recommended every three weeks during any prolonged course of therapy as liver enzymes may elevate. Treatment failures usually are related to inadequate atovaquone levels.
Therefore, patients who are not cured with this regimen can be retreated with higher doses (and atovaquone blood levels can be checked), as this has proven effective in many of my patients. Artemesia (a nonprescription herb) should be added in all cases. Metronidazole or Bactrim can also be added to increase efficacy, but there is minimal clinical data on how much more effective this will be. (page 24)
And, here are some notes I took from Dr. H's talk on babesiosis at the recent Lyme Conference in Toronto:
He treats with clindamycin with azithromycin, also Mepron, then malarone. There is lots of Mepron resistance. So, he adds Septra (Bactrim). This works well. Also, he uses much higher doses of Mepron due to the Mepron resistance.
He uses coartem (which has Artemisinin in it) Dosage is 4 twice per day. Take at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.; then switch to 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. It can be pulsed once per month.
You can�t combine this with any med that affects the QT interval. [end of quote]
Just know that babs can be extremely difficult to get rid of and Mepron seems to be the best first medicine.
Dr. H. is the expert on treating babs. If you want to read all of the notes I took in his talk, they are here:
posted
For me, mepron AFTER insurance was $1300 and malarone was $66!! Major difference!
-------------------- Treating lyme, bart and babs Posts: 506 | From NE | Registered: Dec 2011
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Malarone is generic. It is less than half your quoted price of Mepron. Still incredibly, way too expensive (in my opinion) but very effective for treating Babesia. I think that malarone is much more effective for me than even double dose Mepron.
Costco, Sams club, and Walmart are known for having some competitive prices but they are not always the cheapest. Call around and ask locally. Prices vary. My CVS has been cheaper at times on some out of pocket meds. So it is best to ask.
Also, get a RX discount card if you don't have one already, these can help reduce out of pocket expenses. This is one that I use: http://www.pscard.com
posted
Thanks everyone. I asked and my LLMD said there's no alternative , he really wants me on it for at least two months.
I will try to sell something to pay for it. Thanks for the site dsrtldy....really appreciate that, is it legal for everyone to order it this way?
And is it safe?
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
Jennifer...I take it you just don't have insurance????
Sometimes when doctor says it's needed and alternatives didn't work .then they'll cover the med.
TF I thought Biaxin can affect q-t levels???.,,, Is plaquenil a player to help?/
Like she's asked to go on Mepron ,but needs all the help to make it work better.
posted
awesome! thank u so much! I had no idea you could order meds this way. So much cheaper. Still have no idea how Im going to pay for it, but at least it's about $500 less I have to come up with.
I have no insurance nonna05, I work part time so I didnt qualify for medicaide..although I think i should try to appeal that. My first time having to deal with all this and I dont know how it works.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
Glaxo Smith Kline has a program for people that can't pay for mepron. I think it is free if you qualify. It was posted on this forum some time ago. I applied but they told me that I did not qualify because I had insurance. Turned out that my insurance covered it.
Posts: 705 | From WA state | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
thank you lymenotlite. i will contact them today.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
There are 12 common antimalarial drugs. Here is a site.
I just got a month's worth of chloroquine and primaquine for $92. This combo cured groovy2 who is no longer on here but you can do a search.
I got mepron from Canadadrugs.com for about $700 a bottle. Each bottle lasts just three weeks. just 3 weeks. The drug I got from Canada tasted different from what I got here.
Sorry to let you down but you wont get well with two months of mepron. I was on it for five months and then switched to malarone. I pulsed Coartem every 2-3 weeks and that made a big difference.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Hopefully, your lyme doc will switch you to generic malarone after the 2 months of mepron.
I think he is wise to want you on the best med for the first 2 months of treatment.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
thank u so much. i actually called the drug co. and sent my paperwork to get approved for the program where they mail it to you free.
I am certain i will qualify as i have no insurance and low income. keeping my fingers crossed!
So thankful to have you all. idk what i'd do without the support of this forum. Thanks for suggesting I contact the drug company , i was so frantic I didnt even think of that!
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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