I am SO hopping mad. I have been struggling mightily with Cigna, who we switched to last November when my hubby changed jobs, to get them to pay for our treatment. First they stopped paying for my Bicillin after just one month (fortunately, I had had many months of IV and IM treatment through our prior ins), and eventually I resorted to switching to orals...which have not been nearly as effective, even at massive doses.

My husband, who finally managed to get an appt with the esteemed LLMD in NY who has helped so many here, including me, has now also been prescribed Bicillin. When I attempted to fill the prescription, ins would only pay for TWO INJECTIONS...TOTAL!!

I have been fighting them on this for weeks, to no avail. Coverage denied for "safety and efficacy" reasons.

My husband suffers from signifigant problems with his intestinal tract--to the point that four doctors have now recommended surgery. Orals to treat his Lyme--which is very advanced now--are completely out of the question. He simply cannot tolerate them.

Can anyone advise me on where I could get some Bicillin...cheap?

Jeff

You may want to check that out...another name for Bicillin, for that is the case in using a Canadian drugstore.

I know what you mean by the shots being Expensive. I just recently picked up a package of ten that set us back $702.50. That is high...you may want to use that figure as a reference as to whether or not you're getting a good deal or not.

I got mine locally, at a Pop owned drugstore. I did not shop around this time as I was doing a slide South very quickly...possibly because I'd been off abx since Aug 2003 and then got married in late June and then after the honeymoon and all, I just started sliding fast and thought that time was the essense for me.

If RFDScom has the Bicillin under another name, then you can get a 7 day to 10 day turnaround from the time the prescription is faxed from you physician's office.

Sorry, I can't do better than that...I wish you luck and hey, come back and let us know "how ya doin?"

Hope to see you later hanging around,

Rosemary, thank you so much for your reply...and your warm welcome! Sorry to have been such a stranger these past few months. I will come back and try to catch up on how everyone here is doing soon...I think of you guys often, and have to frequently use the valuable information I have gathered here, for myself, my family, and many others I encounter who ask for information on Lyme.

As for my current problem I am trying to solve: I did find some Canadian pharmacies by doing a Google search, and could not find any that carried Bicillin. I checked under Penicillin, too, and no hits. So, I thought I'd come here, and once again ask for the benefit of others' experiences. I will keep hammering at this until we come up with a solution.

The few injections my husband has had so far have made an incredible difference. He desperately needs this treatment, and I will NOT give up. Cigna may be big and powerful, but so was Goliath!

I will check back later, I must run for now.

"Many of the major pharmaceutical companies offer some form of low-cost or no-cost program for patients who meet financial eligibility criteria. In addition, as of this writing, 39 states offer some form of pharmaceutical assistance program.

Information about state programs can be found at the web site of the National Conference of State Legislatures, at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugaid.htm.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a drug industry lobbying organization has launched a web site with interactive tools that can help patients identify assistance programs that may pay some, most, or all of the costs of medication, depending on financial need. The address of the secure site is https://www.helpingpatients.org/Intro.php."

And a great testimony on the power of prayer.

After weeks of fighting to get insurance to cover this Bicillin, and getting turned down flat at every level...doctor's office faxing letters, test results, all sorts of info supporting the need for this drug and its effectiveness...

My husband and I sat down together and prayed for God to provide this medicine. We decided to put our faith in Him, and not even pursue any other avenues to obtain the drug other than through our insurance.

After all we had been through with this insurance company over this prescription, it doesn't seem logical to think they would suddenly change their minds--until you factor in the fact that with God, all things are possible!

After praying for several days, I picked up the phone and called them one last time. I simply asked what quantity they would be able to approve, and was put on hold for quite awhile. When the insurance rep returned to the phone, she told me that the exceptions department had just approved as much Bicillin as we needed for the next six months!

Are you considerating doing a full 6 months of Bicillin? My LLMD, DR. C of MO, suggested for my local PCP to write me a script for 6-8 weeks of the Bicillin. But, since I had to buy it in a package of 10 shots, my PCP doesn't see any reason that I should not try and do the whole 10.

I haven't discussed this with Dr. C, prehaps I should. I'm to start on Biaxin after completing the Bicillin shots.

The Bicillin shots were expensive, but, with only a few paydays (for Chip and my SSD) left before Christmas. (say I didn't say that and it is only what? October, but, yes it's true). I just can't imagine how much more money that will be.

I really try to believe in the power of Prayer, but, sometimes it is just hard for us to Let Go and Let God. We've just recently found a church that we have been attending for the past month. I hope God understands that today, we just could not get there.

Again, very happy and excited about your great News!!!

And Rosemary...
I remember all too well how I felt a few weeks into starting Bicillin! I herxed for at least two months straight! After that, I slowly climbed back up, and symptoms I had not been able to get rid of for years started dropping off.

If you are still feeling that bad after five weeks, I would seriouly consider staying on this drug for several months if you have the means. I'm so sorry you are feeling so crummy right now. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that you are able to worship God anywhere, anytime...as much as I value going to church, you don't necessarily have to be in church to worship Him. And I know God understands when you just are not well enough to go.

I hope you are soon feeling better.