Gardasil

osmotar
osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
A few months ago my rad doctor mentioned gardasil injection(s), he has discussed with my internist,and they agree that I should get the injection(s,) (even thougth I do don't fall within the age category the shots are intended for) since I had the 2nd spot of scc on the left side of my tounge back in June , that was not related to my orig dx of scc of the right tonsil. I saw my onco today for my 3 month check up , and discussed it with her, she said since I was never a smoker and because of the second site occurence she agrees that I should get the shots...she also said she never saw anything in the biopsy that would show I was HPV, but agrees with the rad doc that my cancer is more than likely something viral. Now my question is , has anyone here received the gardasil injections, I hear it's a series of 3 , and if so what was the price range, I already know my ins carrier will not pay for the shots if they are coded as preventative, if they are coded as a treatment then it may be viewed on a case by case basis.

Linda

Comments

  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341
    #2
    good for you
    interesting, never heard of gardasil recommended for someone past 26.
    there is growing effort to give them to young men as well. Australia now provides free gardasil vaccinations to both girls and boys...

    my son started injections, but I don't think he's finished yet.
    they're not particularly cheap (somewhere around $360 for the series).
    but apparently there is some sort of rebate program:
    http://www.gardasilrebate.com/

    my understanding is that women can get HPV DNA testing via Pap test, no need to guess about the virus.

    please let us know how it goes.
    never occurred to me to ask about injections for myself, since I'm a single 55-year-old with diagnosed HPV-16+. figured the horse had already left the barn...
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #3
    blackswampboy said:

    good for you
    interesting, never heard of gardasil recommended for someone past 26.
    there is growing effort to give them to young men as well. Australia now provides free gardasil vaccinations to both girls and boys...

    my son started injections, but I don't think he's finished yet.
    they're not particularly cheap (somewhere around $360 for the series).
    but apparently there is some sort of rebate program:
    http://www.gardasilrebate.com/

    my understanding is that women can get HPV DNA testing via Pap test, no need to guess about the virus.

    please let us know how it goes.
    never occurred to me to ask about injections for myself, since I'm a single 55-year-old with diagnosed HPV-16+. figured the horse had already left the barn...

    Thanks
    for the input...will keep ya'll posted as to what and when.
  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913
    #4
    Check with your County Health Dept...
    My sons were not covered under insurance for those injections. I went through our local County Health Dept for lower cost as we had to pay cash. I was told it was highly recommended for young teens/adults. That's interesting...
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    IrishGypsie - Charles
    He has gotten the injections post treatment, there was a big thread on it not long ago.

    Injections are somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 - 800/injection I believe.

    Anyways, the thread mentioned that his MD's suggested it for anyone, especially survivors if I'm not mistaken.

    True, those non-sexually active and younger stand to gain the most benifit, but any chances to help prevent it were favorable.

    Gardisil

    John
  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    IrishGypsie - Charles
    He has gotten the injections post treatment, there was a big thread on it not long ago.

    Injections are somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 - 800/injection I believe.

    Anyways, the thread mentioned that his MD's suggested it for anyone, especially survivors if I'm not mistaken.

    True, those non-sexually active and younger stand to gain the most benifit, but any chances to help prevent it were favorable.

    Gardisil

    John

    thanks for the link,
    thanks for the link, john...wow, controversy on CSN! ;-)

    prices seem to vary, but no reason to pay that much.
    from the CDC:
    "What is the cost of the HPV vaccine?
    As of July 2012, the retail price of either vaccine is about $130 per dose ($390 for full series)."

    http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-vaccine-young-women.htm
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #7
    Prices
    Like anything else in the relm of medicine, pricing varies from state to state, doctor to doctor, and then there are the insurance companies. Guess they would rather pay over $200K in my case to treat the disease versus agreing to an injection that may or may not help with it or at least prevent it in younger folks. bottom line it's all in how creative your doc gets with the coding when submitted to ins.
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #8
    Gardasil
    Hey there !
    I first heard of HPV 10 yrs ago. Know it's a virus that untreated will cause cancer. Until I joined this board I had never heard of it H/N. I am appalled that if this can prevent reoccurrance, or at least a chance of it working....why not try ! Darn red tape, makes me angry. The shot won't hurt you will it ? I pray that more study be done on this, and that it will help prevent HPV period ! Katie
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #9
    blackswampboy said:

    thanks for the link,
    thanks for the link, john...wow, controversy on CSN! ;-)

    prices seem to vary, but no reason to pay that much.
    from the CDC:
    "What is the cost of the HPV vaccine?
    As of July 2012, the retail price of either vaccine is about $130 per dose ($390 for full series)."

    http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-vaccine-young-women.htm

    Prices...
    I could be wrong...

    The more I think of it, they might be in the area of $600 - 800 for all three injections. Of course I'm sure all of the prices are subjective on where you get them.

    Best that I've heard is that most insurance plans won't cover them...go figure.

    ***Controversy***, not even close to some of the battles we use to have on the PEG, LOL...

    JG
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #10
    katenorwood said:

    Gardasil
    Hey there !
    I first heard of HPV 10 yrs ago. Know it's a virus that untreated will cause cancer. Until I joined this board I had never heard of it H/N. I am appalled that if this can prevent reoccurrance, or at least a chance of it working....why not try ! Darn red tape, makes me angry. The shot won't hurt you will it ? I pray that more study be done on this, and that it will help prevent HPV period ! Katie

    Not sure
    Katie , have to agree with your comments...as far as the shot hurting I'm guessing not, both onco and rad docs think its a good idea, I see my internist on Oct 2nd to discuss with her as she will be the one to provide injections...bottom line if it aides in not having another reoccurrence I'm game..time will tell.

    Linda
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #11
    Ya, I got the injections
    My GP (he's also my 0B/GYN) gave them to me after I asked for them. I have no clue what he coded them as, but he described them to me as "immune boosters." My Anthem/Blue Cross paid the full cost, and they mostly argue about paying for anything.

    I think the cost out here in CA was around $180 per shot.

    Deb
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #12
    D Lewis said:

    Ya, I got the injections
    My GP (he's also my 0B/GYN) gave them to me after I asked for them. I have no clue what he coded them as, but he described them to me as "immune boosters." My Anthem/Blue Cross paid the full cost, and they mostly argue about paying for anything.

    I think the cost out here in CA was around $180 per shot.

    Deb

    Thanks Deb
    I see my internist on Oct 2nd ..so will discuss with her, knowing that she is already in a greement with my rad doc when he called her. Guess it can't hurt, to ge tthe facts..funny more docs onco, rad, etc..don't mention the possibility of getting the injections as what you described "immune boosters".
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #13
    osmotar said:

    Thanks Deb
    I see my internist on Oct 2nd ..so will discuss with her, knowing that she is already in a greement with my rad doc when he called her. Guess it can't hurt, to ge tthe facts..funny more docs onco, rad, etc..don't mention the possibility of getting the injections as what you described "immune boosters".

    It's out there...
    My husband has HPV+ tonsil cancer and now has lung mets. Our daughter, well before his diagnosis, was given the series of shots. Our son, who is 22 and just finished college (read between the lines), has had two of the three shots. What a flippin' hassle! He ended up back at his pediatrician (I'm sure he was happy about THAT) and they made an exception to the rule when I explained my husband's situation. I also told whomever I spoke with (GP nurse, county health person, pediatrician receptionist) to MAKE SURE their boys were vaccinated as well as their girls. Anyway, good for you and your doctors going forth with this. Hopefully your insurance will cover it (ours did with a co-pay of $20 for each shot). Take care.
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #14
    KareGiver said:

    It's out there...
    My husband has HPV+ tonsil cancer and now has lung mets. Our daughter, well before his diagnosis, was given the series of shots. Our son, who is 22 and just finished college (read between the lines), has had two of the three shots. What a flippin' hassle! He ended up back at his pediatrician (I'm sure he was happy about THAT) and they made an exception to the rule when I explained my husband's situation. I also told whomever I spoke with (GP nurse, county health person, pediatrician receptionist) to MAKE SURE their boys were vaccinated as well as their girls. Anyway, good for you and your doctors going forth with this. Hopefully your insurance will cover it (ours did with a co-pay of $20 for each shot). Take care.

    Good News
    KG,

    Thanks for the info...every bit helps.

    Linda

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