I've been taking 10mg Revlimid as a maintenance since September 2012. Now my Dr. Instead wants to put me on Velcade with one injection every two weeks. My problem with this change is that if I have the injection done through the local hospital they want to use their own pharmacy so my copay is $258 a shot (they charge over $2k for the Velcade alone). I can get a 3.5 mg vial of Velcade through my insurance for $80. I guess my question is: has anyone given the shot of Velcade to themselves?? Seems simple enough to me as I've given myself blood thinner shots during this adventure. Any advice would be appreciated.
Derek Cooper
Forums
Re: Velcade
coop223 wrote:
> I've been taking 10mg Revlimid as a maintenance since September 2012. Now
> my Dr. Instead wants to put me on Velcade with one injection every two
> weeks. My problem with this change is that if I have the injection done
> through the local hospital they want to use their own pharmacy so my copay
> is $258 a shot (they charge over $2k for the Velcade alone). I can get a
> 3.5 mg vial of Velcade through my insurance for $80. I guess my question
> is: has anyone given the shot of Velcade to themselves?? Seems simple
> enough to me as I've given myself blood thinner shots during this
> adventure. Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Derek Cooper
Wow. Every so often I have to remind myself of how lucky I am to have Kaiser Permanente, even when dealing with them is such a pain in the tukus. I don't have to pay for my Velcade injections, which I have weekly. (One today, actually)
The problem with it is that it is such a PRODUCTION to get the #$% shot! I check in at 2PM, and have to wait for a full hour for a three second injection. The ritual for getting it is beyond belief. The nurse has to scan my special wrist band, confirm who I am verbally and by repeating the prescription number, THEN call in another nurse to witness...and the second nurse does the whole rigmarole of scanning, confirming, repeating for herself, then watching the first nurse do it. Again. Takes a good ten minutes just to get ready to do it.
Now, I'm with you: I could probably do the actual injection myself. I've done blood thinner shots in the tum as well....for post knee replacement surgery, not this lovely adventure, but still.
.....but somehow I don't think that's the problem. Wishing you all the best,
> I've been taking 10mg Revlimid as a maintenance since September 2012. Now
> my Dr. Instead wants to put me on Velcade with one injection every two
> weeks. My problem with this change is that if I have the injection done
> through the local hospital they want to use their own pharmacy so my copay
> is $258 a shot (they charge over $2k for the Velcade alone). I can get a
> 3.5 mg vial of Velcade through my insurance for $80. I guess my question
> is: has anyone given the shot of Velcade to themselves?? Seems simple
> enough to me as I've given myself blood thinner shots during this
> adventure. Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Derek Cooper
Wow. Every so often I have to remind myself of how lucky I am to have Kaiser Permanente, even when dealing with them is such a pain in the tukus. I don't have to pay for my Velcade injections, which I have weekly. (One today, actually)
The problem with it is that it is such a PRODUCTION to get the #$% shot! I check in at 2PM, and have to wait for a full hour for a three second injection. The ritual for getting it is beyond belief. The nurse has to scan my special wrist band, confirm who I am verbally and by repeating the prescription number, THEN call in another nurse to witness...and the second nurse does the whole rigmarole of scanning, confirming, repeating for herself, then watching the first nurse do it. Again. Takes a good ten minutes just to get ready to do it.
Now, I'm with you: I could probably do the actual injection myself. I've done blood thinner shots in the tum as well....for post knee replacement surgery, not this lovely adventure, but still.
.....but somehow I don't think that's the problem. Wishing you all the best,
-
dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Velcade
I am on Velcade through Kaiser also though my injection usually only takes about 45 min. I was told that the oncology pharmacist will not begin preparing it until I arrive due to cost. My experience with peptides and proteins is that they can be tricky to get into solution and they are definitely not stored in solution as they would be much less stable. Having boron in the structure might also complicate things. I would doubt that you would be able to get Velcade released to you unless you were a licensed MD or trained medical professional. Considering the cost, I would doubt your insurance would allow it and be willing to pay for it if not going to trained medical professional.
Re: Velcade
I called my specialty pharmacy today to confirm it was available to me. They said yes. I have FEHBA blue cross/blue shield. $80 for 3.5mg vial. Beats the hell out of the crooks that charge $2,000 and another grand to administrator it. What a scam.
-
coop223 - Name: derek cooper
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Velcade
I was getting my Velcade by IV at Kaiser two years ago and did not have to pay anything. I know they did not mix it until I arrived because of the cost and it has a limited shelf life. If I remember correctly I believe I read somewhere that exposure to sunlight will cause it to degrade very quickly. I am surprised a pharmacy would allow Velcade to be prepared at home and I would be concerned that if it was not done correctly, it may not have any potency.
-
Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Velcade
dianaiad wrote:
> coop223 wrote:
> > I've been taking 10mg Revlimid as a maintenance since September 2012. Now
> > my Dr. Instead wants to put me on Velcade with one injection every two
> > weeks. My problem with this change is that if I have the injection done
> > through the local hospital they want to use their own pharmacy so my copay
> > is $258 a shot (they charge over $2k for the Velcade alone). I can get a
> > 3.5 mg vial of Velcade through my insurance for $80. I guess my question
> > is: has anyone given the shot of Velcade to themselves?? Seems simple
> > enough to me as I've given myself blood thinner shots during this
> > adventure. Any advice would be appreciated.
> >
> > Derek Cooper
>
> Wow. Every so often I have to remind myself of how lucky I am to have Kaiser
> Permanente, even when dealing with them is such a pain in the tukus. I don't have to
> pay for my Velcade injections, which I have weekly. (One today, actually)
>
> The problem with it is that it is such a PRODUCTION to get the #$% shot! I check in
> at 2PM, and have to wait for a full hour for a three second injection. The ritual for
> getting it is beyond belief. The nurse has to scan my special wrist band, confirm who
> I am verbally and by repeating the prescription number, THEN call in another nurse to
> witness...and the second nurse does the whole rigmarole of scanning, confirming,
> repeating for herself, then watching the first nurse do it. Again. Takes a good ten
> minutes just to get ready to do it.
>
> Now, I'm with you: I could probably do the actual injection myself. I've done blood
> thinner shots in the tum as well....for post knee replacement surgery, not this
> lovely adventure, but still.
>
> .....but somehow I don't think that's the problem. Wishing you all the best,
Those double checks are just something that has to be done to protect the patient from accidental administration of the wrong medication or the wrong dose medication. Many chemo drugs are quite toxic and you can die from the wrong drug or incorrect drug. I am sure this has probably happened more than once.
> coop223 wrote:
> > I've been taking 10mg Revlimid as a maintenance since September 2012. Now
> > my Dr. Instead wants to put me on Velcade with one injection every two
> > weeks. My problem with this change is that if I have the injection done
> > through the local hospital they want to use their own pharmacy so my copay
> > is $258 a shot (they charge over $2k for the Velcade alone). I can get a
> > 3.5 mg vial of Velcade through my insurance for $80. I guess my question
> > is: has anyone given the shot of Velcade to themselves?? Seems simple
> > enough to me as I've given myself blood thinner shots during this
> > adventure. Any advice would be appreciated.
> >
> > Derek Cooper
>
> Wow. Every so often I have to remind myself of how lucky I am to have Kaiser
> Permanente, even when dealing with them is such a pain in the tukus. I don't have to
> pay for my Velcade injections, which I have weekly. (One today, actually)
>
> The problem with it is that it is such a PRODUCTION to get the #$% shot! I check in
> at 2PM, and have to wait for a full hour for a three second injection. The ritual for
> getting it is beyond belief. The nurse has to scan my special wrist band, confirm who
> I am verbally and by repeating the prescription number, THEN call in another nurse to
> witness...and the second nurse does the whole rigmarole of scanning, confirming,
> repeating for herself, then watching the first nurse do it. Again. Takes a good ten
> minutes just to get ready to do it.
>
> Now, I'm with you: I could probably do the actual injection myself. I've done blood
> thinner shots in the tum as well....for post knee replacement surgery, not this
> lovely adventure, but still.
>
> .....but somehow I don't think that's the problem. Wishing you all the best,
Those double checks are just something that has to be done to protect the patient from accidental administration of the wrong medication or the wrong dose medication. Many chemo drugs are quite toxic and you can die from the wrong drug or incorrect drug. I am sure this has probably happened more than once.
-
Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Velcade
Eric Hofacket wrote:
>
> Those double checks are just something that has to be done to protect the patient
> from accidental administration of the wrong medication or the wrong dose medication.
> Many chemo drugs are quite toxic and you can die from the wrong drug or incorrect
> drug. I am sure this has probably happened more than once.
Unfortunately, you are quite right. THAT one came home to me when I went in for my second knee replacement three years ago, and the Doc personally came in and drew a happy face and a 'cut here' sign on the knee he was to operate on (plus his signature) and a big universal NO sign (the circle with the bar through it) on the other side. 'Course, we joked about how if they got the wrong knee that time, they'd break the scalpel on the titanium knee already there, but still....
It does just seem like the procedure was overkill, though, with the Velcade. (shrug) Oh, well.....
>
> Those double checks are just something that has to be done to protect the patient
> from accidental administration of the wrong medication or the wrong dose medication.
> Many chemo drugs are quite toxic and you can die from the wrong drug or incorrect
> drug. I am sure this has probably happened more than once.
Unfortunately, you are quite right. THAT one came home to me when I went in for my second knee replacement three years ago, and the Doc personally came in and drew a happy face and a 'cut here' sign on the knee he was to operate on (plus his signature) and a big universal NO sign (the circle with the bar through it) on the other side. 'Course, we joked about how if they got the wrong knee that time, they'd break the scalpel on the titanium knee already there, but still....
It does just seem like the procedure was overkill, though, with the Velcade. (shrug) Oh, well.....
-
dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Velcade
Thanks to everyone for all your help and advice. I'll do some more investigating.
-
coop223 - Name: derek cooper
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Velcade
It can be self administered. I will be going to my Dr. in June. She will give me the first shot and then have the nurses show me and my wife how to do it. Not jazzed about giving myself shots but happy it will only cost $160 per month vs. $500+.
-
coop223 - Name: derek cooper
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Velcade
coop223 wrote:
> It can be self administered. I will be going to my Dr. in June. She will
> give me the first shot and then have the nurses show me and my wife how to
> do it. Not jazzed about giving myself shots but happy it will only cost
> $160 per month vs. $500+.
This is a great revelation. I was always under the assumption that one had to go to the hospital for these kinds of shots and that doing so would prevent me from doing any vacations longer than a few days. I assume you are talking about subcutatenous Velcade injections? Is this also true for other drugs like Kyrpolis?
> It can be self administered. I will be going to my Dr. in June. She will
> give me the first shot and then have the nurses show me and my wife how to
> do it. Not jazzed about giving myself shots but happy it will only cost
> $160 per month vs. $500+.
This is a great revelation. I was always under the assumption that one had to go to the hospital for these kinds of shots and that doing so would prevent me from doing any vacations longer than a few days. I assume you are talking about subcutatenous Velcade injections? Is this also true for other drugs like Kyrpolis?
-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
14 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Return to Treatments & Side Effects