posted
Okay, so I am back. I just got news about my 7 yr old daughter's Lyme tests.
The doctor called to tell me that she also has a coinfection, Babesia.
We have no insurance so I am hyperventilating at having to spend $1800 per month of treatment--possibly 3 months of treatment. I feel fortunate that by pinching REALLY BIG we can buy the tx for her. However, for people absolutely unable to afford the meds, my heart bleeds.
I thank God that we saw an LLMD as no one else would have been likely to look for a coninfection. Literally we owe that LLMD her life.
Never in a million years would I have thought she had a coinfection.
Posts: 12 | From Northern Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
You should see if you qualify for Bridges to Access so perhaps she can get her Mepron for free.
Your LLMD might even have some forms you can fill out to see if you qualify.
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quote:Originally posted by djf2005: nearly every lyme patient is multibly co infected...
Exactly... So spread the word!
I hope your daughter does well with treatment.
You may need to look into alternatives after the 3 months. Let's hope the babesia will be gone, but it may not be.
Do lots of reading so you will be informed every step of the way.
How old is your daughter?
to you both!!!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
I agree our medical system including dental needs help and fast.
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lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
I too was just diagnosed with Babesia. No insurance here either! My grand total on meds each month is $1830 per month. I spend an additional $180 on supplements.
I'm also able (barely) to get my meds and I'm extremely grateful for that. Thank God you can too, but I know what you mean about others.
I don't what people do that can't afford it! My heart just breaks for them, and I'm outraged that people have to choose being sick over treatment because treatment is so expensive!
Good luck and God bless to you and your family.
Lauren
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
There are two types of people:
Those that know they have coinfections and Those that do not know they have coinfections
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
There are three types of people really.
We need to mention the people who have Lyme disease and are unfortunately still running around out there undiagnosed.
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posted
Wow! I just read all of your posts. Thank you!! We don't qualify for the Bridges to Access, but I found somewhere else where we might qualify for help since we are a large family of 7. :-D
If coinfections are so common, why aren't people informed?? (rhetorical question...that unfortunately I am discovering the answer to all too soon.)
Every year the school hands out fliers about ticks and Lyme to the kids but never once have they mentioned coinfections. Guess it is time for me to try and change that. At least it is a start!
Anyway, my daughter is the one with babs and she is 7 years old...the eldest of my kids.
Thank you again for your responses!!!
Wishing you all good health!
Melissa
Posts: 12 | From Northern Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
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lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
Angelica - well said!
Jig - 5 kids?! Wow!!
My Dr. says that he believes about 70% of those with Lyme are infected with Babesia...that's huge!
Lauren
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
ALl three of my kids have Babesia and also myself. So for all those Moms and Dads out there - if your kids are on just Lyme treatment and not getting better please make sure you try and get tested for Babesia.......
Posts: 238 | From Bethlehem, PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
My tests from Igenex came back with a fairly strong for Babesia, but indeterminate for Lyme, I had some strong bands for Lyme and some were IND so the doc said technically the medical community would say negative but she said this is positive to her based on a clinical diagnosis and the tests as well.....especially since it can be tough for even Igenex to detect Lyme.
I gave them the phamracist my prescription from my LLMD and when I picked it up, they said it was $75 on my plan. I have to get a refill every 21 days. Why would it be so expensive for some and what is the issue? Is insurance not covering for most? That is insane! How are people supposed to get better if they can't afford it?! That is a TRAGEDY! What is going on in this world! I am so mad.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
Forgive me if this is an inappropriate response for this thread, or these boards, but I am in the same boat as others in this thread on the insurance costs and tests for getting diagnosis for my kid.
If you want to institute changes in how the medical system works, then whether and how we vote matters. We can act to help ourselves and our sick loved ones.
I have read frustration with access to medical care, insurance system reimbursement, and the lack of adequate screening tests all over these boards.
But who decides how the insurance system works? Who at the CDC/FDA controls which antigens will be tested on a Western Blot? Who decides if a local clinic be funded?
These decisions are made directly or indirectly by Congress, State Legislatures and Governors, plus the White House.
If you are healthy enough to vote, consider the health care positions of the candidates and vote accordingly. I know that many on this board are too sick to participate in the elections. So this is one small step I plan to take to try and get a system that doesn't hinder my child's return to health.
Posts: 170 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
A PCP I saw recently said he'd do the lab work for my LLMDs mepron prescription.
My HMO said there's only a $24.00 copay.
This was great news...
BUT, the mepron info sheets PCP gave me say 13 day treatment for babsesia and not to give if don't have positive test which I don't have.
Now I'm worried they'll cut off my copay after 13 days and the PCP won't actually do all the followups. He winced when I told him it was for 3 months.
Anyone have what I'm worrying about happen to them????
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
I got two positives for Babesia but my Lyme is questionable according to the tests....but not the doctor. Right now my Mepron is $75 copay....I hope it remains because she said this will be 5 months.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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to you both!!!!
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