This is a post from Roepaz sent via private messaging but should have been in our open forum. 06/23/2019

[j-o-h-n]

Roepaz

Hi fellow travelers, I seek advice or where I might get it. Strong family hx.

Me: 72yo. Robotic sx removal, encapsulated along with both nerves. No nodes. Gleason- 3,4. (reviewed by 2 path groups). 2012. Radiation at Johns Hopkins in 2014. PSA at 0.? in early 2018 and 9.0 today, 6/20/19. Waiting for Lupron and whatever else they decide, when doubling time dictates, I was told.

My concern today is trying to plan for the expense that's coming, the medications, follow-on testing and professional support. I thought I read that some of the meds for mCRPC can run $60,000-100,000/yr. My wife and I live on SS with an equal-sized pension, so if that's correct, things are not looking so good. Any recommended strategies, contacts? "When a bear chases you up a tree, why not enjoy the view." Dave

7 hours ago

[Drphil1938]

John, I do I respond to him so you dont have to pass it on.

[Drphil1938 in reply to Drphil1938]

That was supposed to be how do I respond to him

[j-o-h-n in reply to Drphil1938]

I just sent Roepaz a private message:

Since this is your first post, I think you should direct it to an open forum and not in private messages. Not that I (we) don't want to respond to you but it's best to post your questions or issues in an open forum. I'm not a butinsky I just want to help you...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 06/23/2019 7:35 PM DST

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 06/23/2019 7:39 PM DST

[Drphil1938]

Roepaz, I dont know which dire action you are going as far as treatment but I do know that there is help available for you if you are going to be taking Zytiga. It is through the J & J foundation. You MO probably has access to an application. The foundation would in all likelyhood make this available a little or no cost since you income is only SS. I do not have any info to share on radiation but I think this would come under Medicare.

[LearnAll in reply to Drphil1938]

J&J foundation Zytiga....good ! If not, $200 per month Zytiga from India.

[LearnAll]

This is what I have heard from people who are familiar with India import. Germany allows drug import from India ...Canada allows drug import from Germany...US allows imports from Canada. I was told that canadian pharmacies get meds thru this circuitous route.

I know an Indian Guy who went to India and got Zytiga ...(India brand name is XBIRA) for $200 a month and he told me that lots of medicines are exported from India to Russia and Eastern European nations. XBIRA is brandname of Abiraterone made by Indian company, Cipla. It is priced at approx. Rs15000 (120 tabs) One US dollar buys about Rs 70.

I have no firsthand experience myself but there are well known India pharma companies such as SUN pharma, LUPIN pharma etc who produce cheap ,good quality medicines. India has not signed international price fixing treaty yet so they can sell these meds to Indians who can not afford costly meds.

Also, direct import of medicines is not allowed by US from India.

[whatsinaname in reply to LearnAll]

I am currently taking XECYTE, a generic form of Abiraterone made by CIPLA LTD.

It costs me Rs.11,000/- or approx 157.14 US$ for 120 tablets. I buy it from a person who my MO has referred me to. Approx 1 US$ =70 INR.

This is just for information. For all those who still do not know, I am an Indian living in Bombay, India (now called Mumbai).

Carlos de Souza.

24th June, 2019

15.02 IST Bombay.

[cigafred in reply to LearnAll]

I have no trouble getting dutasteride from India (alldaychemist.com), I thought that medicine for personal use (so limited quantities) was permitted for importation from India to US?

[cesanon]

It would seem that they are starting with Lupron.

Maybe they add casodex, avodart, and some vivelle to temper things down a bit.

These are all available as generics.

It could be much less expensive than you are expecting.

See if your docs will start you off with less expensive generics.

Seems like you need to see what your docs prescribe. Then ask them questions about cost.

Oh... And then stop voting repub and volunteer some time to a Democratic presidential candidate. Perhaps that may get you some real healthcare coverage by the time you need the expensive stuff. LOL

[lincolnj8]

There is a site on Ebay. Or I just googled "Zytiga from India". I requested a quote, gave them my name and email address. The way I understand, you set up a bank account and they say it is about $100 a month. This is how some are getting their Zytiga