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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tincup: [B]Thanks again to everyone responding.
I am not sure this has been done before.. but I would like to know about how much Lyme disease costs you (one person) per month?
I am thinking of using these figures to share with the Senate folks... or maybe in an article?
Anyone willing and able.. can you make an estimate and let me know? It took me about 10 minutes to do mine.. just rough estimates are fine.
I KNOW it will vary month to month.. and will change if you are better or worse.. and depending what meds you are on. But if you can.. try to get a decent idea and add it up using this for an example...
Example- You have one MRI in a year. It would cost about $1,200.00. Divided up that would be about $100.00 per month. Got it?
If insurance pays.. still count it as YOUR expenses.. and estimate.
****Please also indicate what tick borne diseases you have.. and how long you've been sick.****
Thanks!!!
Medical (LLMD or other)- doctors visits. YEAR ONE: The first year I saw 10 Dr's. 1 primary care + blood tests - antibiotics, 2nd primary care + blood tests, antibiotics- found auto immune problems - sent me to endocromologist (3rd) Dr/ Sent to "specialist"for lyme = 4th Dr New primary care Dr = 5th DR Sent to Orthopedic surgeon (6th Dr) who did extensive blood testing and x-rays - bone scans with contrast - MRI'S and sent me to phsyical therapy. (Recommends I be treated for lyme). Sent to RHUMATOLGIST who did more extensive blood testing and x-rays (7th DR) Recommends I be treated for lyme. Find a LLD to treat me! 8th Dr. Treated with IV Rocephen for 28 days + 4 weeks of Azithromyacin and IM injections of penicillin - weekly nursing while on IV - cost unknown. Developed ocular manifestations of lyme Go to first (8) eye Dr,- sent to Lyme eye Dr specializing in ocular problems related to lyme (9) Dr who sends me to Columbia University eye Clinic (10) Dr. 2nd YEAR Lyme caused autoimmune problems (Hashimoto's) - will need to see endocronologist for the rest of my life and be on sythroid for the rest of my life Dr visits - 4 times a year + quarterly blood testing. Developed Lyme related liver problems - See gastroenterologist for bloods and ultrasound - liver biopsy and MRI. See gastroenterologist every other month for blood testing and exams. Liver problems worsen - Become Hep C positive - start Interferon and Ribaviron - about 4000$ a month for 22 months. Given weekly injections of Neupogen and Procit Treatment unsuccessful due to Lyme. Have to be retreated for lyme - Blood testing, plus antibiotics, pain meds - cost unknown. Unable to work for the past 4 years - loss of income - apply for SSD - (denied). meds at this time synthroid tylenol 3 Terazosin Glucosamine Chondroitin Silver salts Yoga - recommended for pain (weekly) Flax seed oil Eye guard vitamins
The cost of being inadequately treated for lyme in the first few weeks is beyond what I can calculate myself.
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ok, estimate of medical expenses per month....MRIs of brain and c-spine $800, prescriptions before insurance $650, prescrips after insurance $150, supplies & equipment $120, Dr visits before insurance $1700, after insurance $100, labwork $90 Posts: 11 | From Hendesron, MD, USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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$4,000 per month. ****ing ruined my life. since the EM rash, I've lost my job twice, am now filing for disability, have not been able to put away any savings even though I made a lot of money and before lyme when I made a lot of money I was able to save, have not had a girlfriend even though I never had a problem with this before, and now I have no credit even though before lyme I had near perfect credit.
oh did I mention I'm in constant pain? and I can hardly think straight? life sucks when you have lyme disease dude.
has anyone ever gotten better? If so what did you do? which doctor did you go to?
I end up spending all my time researching lyme disease - I need a doctor who will do this too - but the only one I know of charges $500 an hour and doesn't take insurance. I think he could help me get better (I won't mention his name due to fear of whatever evil ****ers want us all to suffer an agonizing death trying to put him out of business so they can buy hummers).
anyone have a doctor that can get me better?
I need co-infection tests, but I can't afford them. my parents won't loan me the money. again, not covered by insurance. **** man - this is just unreal, sometimes I wonder if I'm still on earth or if my body is in hell. it feels like it, with the constant burning pain and all. hmm...
Posts: 12 | From chico, ca, usa | Registered: Jan 2005
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I have a great insurance plan through my husband's employer so I don't know the actual medical costs. With tests, biopsies, surgery (gallbladder) I'm sure it's 10's of thousands per year in addition to IV expense.
IV Rocephin 5x/week with daily nurse visits - I have no idea, nurse is $150/day I believe and supplies and medicine I'm guessing are appx. $1500/week. Been on IV for 5 months, expect over a year total. Oh ... then there's whatever the insurance paid for implanting the Mediport and what they will pay for surgery again to take it out eventually.
dr visit co-pays, co-pay for weekly blood work, co-pays for medications - appx. $550/month, blood work can be $200-700/week easily.
supplements and over the counter meds. prescribed by dr (i.e. acidophilus, milk thistle for liver, daily aspirin for blood clots, Mucinex, blood pressure machine) - $180/month
These are the basics, it's more for other complications, such as dermatology problems (vitamin E oil and Neosporin too), gallbladder surgery, other specialists and tests, etc.
My gosh ... how depressing is this, I don't want to see the total ;~)
PS ... Have Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, babesia (clinical dx), mycoplasma(s), various viruses and blood clots. In addition, pulmonary AVMs which are from the blood disease HHT increase costs ... can't get ANY air bubbles in line! Not caused by Lyme, but it complicates treatment.
Yep Tin ... guess it's cheaper to kiss frogs than ticks
------------------ Ramona
[This message has been edited by RamonaW (edited 03 March 2005).]
Posts: 7 | From Dulles, VA US | Registered: Mar 2005
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cost including what insurance co pays... Meds approx $3600./month Labs $200./mon suppliments $250./mon PT $600./mon Dr visits $1500./mon Lost wages $2000./mon Husbandz lost wages, transportation food diet change etc
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Hard one - atleast $6100 lost wages per month gross, rx total - if lyme is what caused my problems and in turn my kids' problems - $3k per month, doctor visits approx. $150/month, supplements, approx. $200 So for myself and my two kids a total of $9450
Posts: 799 | From home | Registered: Sep 2004
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It is difficult to keep track of the numerous expenses, but my guess would be in the ballpark of $800 to $1000 per month.
Posts: 195 | From NJ | Registered: Nov 2003
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It varies, when I'm on abx it could be as little at a $15 co pay, for drugs. Oh wait-- Dr. P-- $250 per visit. Mepron and Zith-- ~$1100 for meds, my insurance covers all but about $150. I go for months with no sx, and thus no meds, then lyme starts creeping back, and back on abx.
Posts: 688 | From CT | Registered: Jan 2003
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
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up
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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tincup - i have hesitated to answer this as just don't have the energy to l;ook it up - however, last year i did 5 cycles of mepton and zith si i would guess meds and supplements would have been $1000/month - medicare pays dr vists and lab tests ???$500/month
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Posts: 122 | From richmond, ca, usa | Registered: Feb 2004
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Since Iv started total is around $7000 a month
That is not counting lost of income which last year was 200,000 and we have now depleted our entire savings and have no money now for our 3 kids. NOTHING... For one whole year of treatment we has NO med. coverage and was paying as high as $4000 a month in meds alone.(For 3 of us) One bottle of mepron was $850 and my husband had to use 3 bottles a month. We now have med coverage.Thank God!!!
Posts: 191 | From Eastern Shore. Maryland USA | Registered: Jun 2003
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we paid 25,000 for the year out of our pocket..how much the ins. company paid..very little so i will just go with the 25,000.
25/ 12 months---- 2083.00 a month.
Dominic is the only one dx all year. I got dx in Oct and the other two kids on Dec 30, so I can easily say 2083.00 pretty much all for one person per month.
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$300. average Drs. Visits $120. Podi Patches $100. Vitamins, antibiotics, epsom salts $140. Chiropractor $100. Hats, scarfs, clothes to avoid sun, handwarmers etc. $400. Health insurance that doesn't cover much $100. Extra to have all organic food $ 50. Extra dental cleanings $280. massages ---- $1,590. Out of pocket monthly expenses $7,500. Guesstimate of monthly lost income ------ $9,090. Monthly cost of Lyme. Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
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Last year it was probably over 5000 for me. This year it has gone down, average is probably about 100 a month. Hope this helps.
Posts: 6641 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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i figure around $2000 per month, plus or minus $200 depending upon the expense of the meds i am on currently. if i have to do iv, that will be a whole lot more. i don't have insurance. and that includes my lost wages since i am unable to work, although i did not make much before i got really really sick because i have been sick for a very long time and didn't know why. i have had borreliosis (and co-infections but not exactly sure which ones) for 35+ years but was re-infected last summer and was diagnosed for the first time. i have been on treatment since november 2004.
Posts: 12 | From salida, co, usa | Registered: Jul 2004
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I have no income and most of my medical expenses are now state funded (YEAH RHODE ISLAND!!)
However, last year (the last half anyway) was over $4000. after that you add the $28,000 in lost income you have to try and figure out a a monitary value for my whole life going to pot.
Posts: 8 | From Middletown, RI 02842 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
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Let's see...
LLMD visits monthly... $175 (rest covered by ins.)
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I average about $1000 per month, BUT am not seeing all my doctors ($30 per visit) or taking all medications and vitamins my doctors prescribe due to lack of money.
Glucosamine just cost me $12 "out of Pocket".
Posts: 89 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2002
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