Provenge infusions

[xpbdb]

My doctor at UCSF is recommending Provenge. Where in California can I get those infusions?

[Magnus1964]

I was on the Provenge treatment. I had to travel to a Red Cross facility to have the white blood cells extracted. Most Medical facilities don't have the necessary centrifuge to separate the white blood cells. My cells were sent to Atlanta to be infused with the Provenge. Then sent to my urologist's office where the cells were put back in me.

[NotAlwaysSunshine in reply to Magnus1964]

Same - Hubs went to the Red Cross. Same path... Atlanta and back to Ohio.

[harryb48 in reply to NotAlwaysSunshine]

Same here, three hour procedure at a American Red Cross facility, then back to doctors office for a one hour iv replacement after about three days.

[Spyder54 in reply to Magnus1964]

Magnus, can you describe the side effects, and whether or not you felt like immune system was improved?Thanks, Mike

[Magnus1964 in reply to Spyder54]

I can't say there were any side effects accept being tired.

[Spyder54 in reply to Magnus1964]

Could you tell if your immune system was strengthened? Isn’t that the point of Provenge? I’ve heard that PSA doesnt change much. Something must be happening for men to get 1-5 additional years without progression at a cost of $100k. What are your thoughts Magnus? We would be wise to listen as you are a long haul survivor. Thanks, Mike

[Magnus1964 in reply to Spyder54]

Thanks, I went on Provenge because a CT scan showed nodules in my lungs. After the 6 week provenge treatment the nodules shrank and have stayed dormant ever since. So, did it work? Who knows.

[Spyder54 in reply to Magnus1964]

Magnus, Oh my gosh, I said you were a long haul survivor. I had not done the math to see that you are a 29 year survivor!! That has to be the longest on this site?

[6357axbz]

I’m shocked your prescribing doctor didn’t give you that information

[xpbdb in reply to 6357axbz]

I can get it at UCSF, but it is 175 miles away from where I live.

[Tall_Allen]

Contact the Red Cross to find the nearest leukapheresis center.

[Shooter1]

Mine white blood cells were pulled at a facility in Spokane and sent to SoCal for activation. Reinfused in CDA, ID. three days later.

[tango65]

Do you have a local MO? He could order the whole process and bill your insurance. The process involves the local blood bank for the plasmapheresis. If your veins are not adequate for the plasmapheresis the MO will have to arrange to put a venous access port. This is usually arrange by the MO office ,

if your MO is at UCSF you will have to do it there or get a consultation with a local MO for this treatment.

This is an expensive treatment and you need the help of an office with experience in dealing with the insurances companies for this procedure. It is covered by Medicare but if you have Medicare advantage or similar your Medicare will be managed by an insurance company. There are bills from the blood bank, possible for a venous port, the Provenge company etc.

[Schwah]

I had my blood pulled out at a Red cross center in lake forest Orange County CA. They were awesome. The key was drinking lots of water for 3 days prior. And that I did. I got mine done in what they said was record time (3 hours). It can take up to 5. Watched Netflix the whole time with my own personal nurse to watch out for me. You can’t move the entire time but your comfortable and it’s not that bad. A little humiliating that the nurse has to help you pee but what the heck. Then they put the good stuff in in Seal beach and it has to be infused within 3 days. I had it infused at my MOs office. Piece of cake. Zero side affects rounds 1 and 2. I got a low fever and felt like hell for 36 hours after round three but that’s a typical side affect. No clue if it worked. Hope so. I’m castrate sensitive so insurance won’t pay even tho all studies have shown it works better the earlier you use it. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Schwah

[EdBar]

Your doctors office should be the one setting all of that up for you. In my case the doctors office coordinated with Denredon - the Provenge folks who coordinated with the Red Cross for the pharesis portion then I had the infusion at my local hospital. Prior to the start of treatment I was contacted by a nurse from Denredon.

Ed

[GrizzlyMama in reply to EdBar]

That was our experience, too.

[sbyankee]

Dr set everything up, local blood and tissue center for draw and dr’s office for infusion, hasn’t felt any difficulty or side effects. End of June first 2 weeks July 2021. No scans scheduled till end of year. Has to have time to work.

[MechD]

Red Cross in Oakland for extraction, Kaiser in Santa Clara for infusion.

[keepinon in reply to MechD]

Just wondering how much Kaiser covered payment wise. Thanks

[MechD in reply to keepinon]

100%. No out of pocket expense for me for Kaiser or Red Cross!

[keepinon in reply to MechD]

Good to know. Thanks

[GrizzlyMama]

My husband went to Vitalant Blood Donation center for leukapheresis and to our local (San Luis Obispo) cancer infusion center for the infusion. My husband is a Stanford patient, but we opted to get treatment locally. There are places in the Bay Area where you can get both done. Ask your doctor’s office. They should be setting up everything. Good luck!😊