So I have read a little on these forums about sub-cu IG but it wasnt until I got my copy of IG Living and saw an add for vivaglobin did I have access to a website to find out what SCIG was all about. When I saw that the infussion took only 20min or so and that you could do it in your own home I was so excited! I called my insurance company the next day to see if my plan covered it. Of course they said no. Can you belive that! I bet the insurance company would save so much money long term if they cut out the fee they had to pay the infusion center. They did tell me if I have a prior auth. that they would review it for reimbursement. But here is the really frustrating thing... when I called my doctor to ask if they would start working on getting an insurance approval they said no. They gave me some cock&bull story about how the doctor doesnt think its safe for IVIG patients to recieve gamaglobulin without supervision. What I heard was 'we dont want you to be on vivaglobin because we dont make money if your not using our infusion center.' I am 27 years old, I HATE sitting in an infusion center for 4 hours every other week. My quality of life would be so much better if I could do my treatments at home in less than an hour. I am so frustrated and heartbroken. Does anyone have any advice, or have you been through the same thing?

Try calling Accredo: [www.accredohealth.com] They're a pharmaceutical company and they are great to work with. They will educate your doctor, advocate for you with your insurance company and send a nurse to teach you to do it. I will say that subq does take more than 20 minutes. I do it once a week and it takes about an hour and ten minutes, but it's still way better than going to the infusion center. There are lots of advantages, like that you maintain more even levels, fewer side effects etc. I wouldn't go back for anything.

Good luck.

shawne

I, too, was very excited when I heard about the subcutaneous injections. I, too, had to argue with my insurance company for approval. They kept asking for more and more documentation to prove that I need the treatments. Finally, I asked to speak to a supervisor, pled my case, and was approved later that day.

It is a new treatment, so, of course, insurance companies are reluctant to cover it. If they say no now, you can always try again in a few months.

Unfortunately, there is no way to get the Vivaglobin treatments if your doctor doesn't request it for you. If you really want the treatment, you may need to find a more open-minded doctor.

The injections are more involved than I thought they would be, but it certainly beats the IVs, as I have tiny, uncooperative veins. I have HUGE, sore, red, swollen areas around the injection sites, but that is supposed to stop after you get used to the treatments. (I have had only two treatments.) It does take 70 minutes, as the last person who responded said.

Good luck.

Don't get too excited about SubQ. In my case I have to do it twice a week and its miserable. I need a total of 83mL per week, so I break that into 2 doses. I guess its not so bad if you are a larger person, but I am pretty thin and therefore not a lot of injection sites from which to choose.
Personally, I like the IV better, once a month for 4 hours, as opposed to twice a week, consuming about 2 hours per session. Also, there are times that it can be quite painful and it usually gives me a bad headache.
The funny thing is that I was taken off IV because the clinic claimed they weren't making enough money and got rid of all IVIG patients. Anyway, SUBQ sounds great in theory, but in practice, it's like everything else, lots of pros and cons to weigh. Oh, and travel with the whole set it is difficult to say the least.
JB

JB....being that you have been denied IVIG due to clinic not making any money off the treatment... you are welcome to contact me! I am a peer contact and would like to share with you. I am CVID do understand as the same has just happened to me. I welcome the communication.
November4@Bellsouth.net Connie