Vidaza

[DuaneD]

We live in South Africa and my Dad's specialist has recommended Vidaza for his treatment, only thing is the medical insurance companies don't approve payment of it here as it is yet to be approved here, therefore it is going to cost a lot of money.

Has this drug proven to be succesfull elsewhere?
I would hate for him to spend loads of money on something that is not going to work.

Currently he has to go into Hospital about once a week for a Blood transfusion and he is often in loads of pain.

Unfortunately I don't live in the same city as him, but my Mother and sister do provide him with lots of support.

[Marlene]

Duane,

There are some post in the "Drug Treatment" section on Vidaza. I would recommend you read those posts to get an idea of its efficacy.

Marlene

[Birgitta-A]

Hi Duane,
Vidaza is now supposed to be the best treatment for MDS patients that don´t have 5Q chromosome aberration - these patients have very good results with Revlimid. http://tinyurl.com/5r4fo3
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
69 yo, dx MDS Interm-1 May 2006, transfusion dependent, Desferal 4 days with transfusions for iron overload, Neupogen 2 injections/week for low white blood cells, asymptomatic

[ESeda]

Hi Duane

My wife just completed four cycles of Vidaza. This Friday she will have a second BMB to measure the progress from her treatment. I will post an update in our thread soon after the complete report is available. Maybe a week. So far we have seen progress in her BC's and hope they continue to improve.

Good luck to your dad and best wishes for you and your family. Stay strong and be positive. Vidaza made things worse before they became better.

Eli.

[Alison]

Hi Duane

We live in Nelspruit South Africa. Not sure where you are based. You are welcome to get in contact with me regarding any questions concerning Vidaza. My Dad went onto Vidaza for four cycles, unfortunately unsuccessful but his medical aid paid after we motivated it twice. Don't give up. You are welcome to send me a private message or post on this thread and I'll try help where I can. Vidaza is not an approved drug in South Africa so it took us about a month via my Dad's haematologist to get it approved by the Medicines Control Board. It costs around R50 000 per month for the drug.

I'm not sure whether your Dad is on medical aid but if he is you should keep insisting on treatment. Who is the doctor treating him?

Regards
Alison

[SuzC]

Hi Alison

We are battling with my Dads medical aid to pay for his Vidaza. Any advise will be appreciated!

Originally Posted by Alison

Hi Duane

We live in Nelspruit South Africa. Not sure where you are based. You are welcome to get in contact with me regarding any questions concerning Vidaza. My Dad went onto Vidaza for four cycles, unfortunately unsuccessful but his medical aid paid after we motivated it twice. Don't give up. You are welcome to send me a private message or post on this thread and I'll try help where I can. Vidaza is not an approved drug in South Africa so it took us about a month via my Dad's haematologist to get it approved by the Medicines Control Board. It costs around R50 000 per month for the drug.

I'm not sure whether your Dad is on medical aid but if he is you should keep insisting on treatment. Who is the doctor treating him?

Regards
Alison