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Hi, I'm Cass. This last July while being in the hospital for 26 days, I was diagnosed with a very rare, incurable, but treatable disorder called "autonomic nervous system dysfunction with central diabetes insipidus." Hypotension is one of the most dire effects that this disorder has on me. Essentially, my autonomic nervous system does not relay messages between my brain and my other organs very well, and this causes a trickle down effect that makes my blood pressure to be very low. During the majority of my stay at the hospital, it was so low that they couldn't send me home, even with the myriad treatments they were trying. Both diabetes insipidus and the autonomic nervous dysfunction are treatable with some relatively common medications, but unfortunately the more common medications caused other, potentially more dire, side effects in me that make me unable to tolerate taking them. I was blessed with an incredible team at Sutter Davis, though, and through the trial and error process of diagnosing me they reached out to the world specialist in this field at Stanford. He suggested a newer drug called Droxidopa (Northera). They were able to get some of this medicine (flown all the way from the east coast!) and began my treatment. It worked wonderfully! There are some other significant changes I have to make to my daily routine in order to keep myself well, but it raised my blood pressure enough that I was safely able to go home again.
The monthly cost for me for this drug is $753.66 per month after my Medicare and medicare subsidy insurance have paid their parts. Northera is $5,000 out of pocket for just one month's supply. We have worked closely with the hospital case manager and he suggested several subsidy programs. I have called every program that has been suggested, and none of them can help me. Most of them can't work with Medicare patients, and the others just don't have funds for this particular medication. The cost will increase to more than $800 per month when I get to the Medicare "donut hole."
Just as I was admitted to the hospital at the beginning of July, I was diagnosed with a severe pancreatic enzyme insufficiency which is treated with Creon (pancrelipase enzymes) which will cost in excess of $700 per month. This will also increase when I get to the Medicare "donut hole."
I have changed my insurance to mitigate the costs of these medicines, my ongoing diabetes management medications, and other medical needs. My monthly medical costs have increased more than FIVE times since being in hospital for the better part of July.
As of this writing on 8.19.18 I have four days of medication left. These funds will help pay for these unexpected increases in my medical care. I had to choose a goal amount, but really, anything would help.
I am willing to work from home to help pay for my expenses. I am a capable writer and I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting. I have a computer at home and could do formatting, typing, clerical work, budgeting, business clerk duties, and a variety of office and administrative help. I am familiar with APA formatting rules. I also have excellent customer satisfaction skills, with most of my experience being over the telephone.
This is an urgent need. I truly hope to be able to eventually find a way to manage my medical costs on my own. I just need some help to buy myself time to get there. If you can help, any help is greatly appreciated. If you cannot help at this time, please share this on any social media platform you choose. Maybe someone you know can help. Thank you so much for your time and support. I am truly and deeply grateful.
The monthly cost for me for this drug is $753.66 per month after my Medicare and medicare subsidy insurance have paid their parts. Northera is $5,000 out of pocket for just one month's supply. We have worked closely with the hospital case manager and he suggested several subsidy programs. I have called every program that has been suggested, and none of them can help me. Most of them can't work with Medicare patients, and the others just don't have funds for this particular medication. The cost will increase to more than $800 per month when I get to the Medicare "donut hole."
Just as I was admitted to the hospital at the beginning of July, I was diagnosed with a severe pancreatic enzyme insufficiency which is treated with Creon (pancrelipase enzymes) which will cost in excess of $700 per month. This will also increase when I get to the Medicare "donut hole."
I have changed my insurance to mitigate the costs of these medicines, my ongoing diabetes management medications, and other medical needs. My monthly medical costs have increased more than FIVE times since being in hospital for the better part of July.
As of this writing on 8.19.18 I have four days of medication left. These funds will help pay for these unexpected increases in my medical care. I had to choose a goal amount, but really, anything would help.
I am willing to work from home to help pay for my expenses. I am a capable writer and I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting. I have a computer at home and could do formatting, typing, clerical work, budgeting, business clerk duties, and a variety of office and administrative help. I am familiar with APA formatting rules. I also have excellent customer satisfaction skills, with most of my experience being over the telephone.
This is an urgent need. I truly hope to be able to eventually find a way to manage my medical costs on my own. I just need some help to buy myself time to get there. If you can help, any help is greatly appreciated. If you cannot help at this time, please share this on any social media platform you choose. Maybe someone you know can help. Thank you so much for your time and support. I am truly and deeply grateful.
Organizer
Catherine Stine
Organizer
Woodland, CA
