It has been a while

EVERYDAY

I am happy to see some familiar posters and also a lot of new posters.  It has been 3.5 years since my first post on this board; then I took time off to allow myself to grief and to prioritize things we have to do to prepare us for the near future.  One of the big change was an across the country move I decided to bring us back to his childhood hometown where our families are.  We have downsized and are now living in our primary residence.  Unfortunately, he would not be qualified for Medicaid, we are not rich, but that is the way Medicaid is.

DH was in mild stage three years ago.  He is still in mild stage today beside needing more reminders on taking medicines now, he is still pretty much able to helping around the house, working in the gardens, commuting, texting, dressing, and feeding himself.  He is still hanging in there.

There is a new drug FDA approved lately I am sure everyone is aware of it.  What is your thoughts of the new drug?  It is a very expensive medicine we would not afford out of pocket, but it looks like something good is finally coming for a very long time.

sandwichone123

This very new Alzheimer's drug is very expensive (profitable) and was approved against the advisory panel's advice. Many people think the approval had more to do with profit and politics (and the relationship between the approver and the company) than it did with benefitting patients or families. There is no evidence that it helps patients, just that it alters the changes in cellular structures slightly.

My family will not be attempting to access this drug.

abc123

I will not give this new medicine to my mom.

M1

Everyday, the approval of Aduhelm is under review by the inspector General for HHS. No insurance company including Medicare is going to cover it until that review is settled. So don't hold your breath, it may not make it to the general marketplace.

EVERYDAY

Beside the high cost, this drug is not for the late stagers as it said online, it is for the patients in early stage of Alzheimer's.   

I am seeing it a beam of light for those in the early stage and for the next generations because this drug is supposed to get rid of the plague that causes all the misery.  It is a step forward compare with all the drugs on the market today.  I agree on the approval process is questionable.  From what I read online, there will be another round of test, and I will wait and see how it comes out.  

If it is approved again and insurance pays for it (even as low as 30% coverage), I will consider it for my DH's treatment.  I won't hold my breathe same as not holding my breathe on his current treatment.  Without a better drug, he will continue to decline and decline; in a short few years, he might be in late stages and I might regret missing this treatment window for him.  I will never say never on this drug until I have enough information to make a judgement.

That is just me.  From time to time, I have made good decisions on things and I am going to trust myself once again.  There is always a risk and the risk is not for everyone to take.  The bad of this new one is that it comes with a high price tag.