I posted some comments about a month ago regarding my experience with the
first infusion of Tysabri, and since I have had the second dose I thought
some of you might be interested to hear how it went. I contacted my
neurologist and expressed the side effects I mentioned and he prescribed
an
antihistamine to be used before and for several days after the infusion.
It
worked like a charm. I had no bad effects at all. The nurses at the
hospital said that everyone who took the drug there saw some improvement,
and usually after the second dose. They also said that most people seemed
to be worse off the week before an infusion, as though the body was saying
"it's time for another." The infusion was five days ago, and if I am
better, it is not by much. I had a fair amount of energy today, but then
again it is cool here.
I got the statement from my insurance company today, and would you believe
the hospital billed $8978 for the first infusion! My share came to $754
and
when I called I was told that was the agreed upon price, and that was
that.
The only good news is that my maximum out of pocket yearly is $1500 so I
should have the rest of the year free after I pay the second bill. This
is
outrageous. Who could possibly afford this stuff alone, but to charge
$6000
to sit in a chair for a couple of hours? Something's out of whack here,
but
all I can really say at this point is thank God for good insurance, and I
hope the stuff works and doesn't kill me!
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