Kerri, you are correct. Boost has taken over the Carnation VHC. It used to run me about $48 a case which included s&h. If you use Amazon, please use the Amazon link which is the box on the right on the main forum pages. I would add water when putting that in my tube.

Didnt your doc give you prescription formula? I was given two-cal which had 540 calories per can so it was very close to the Carnation VHC. I still would order the VHC as it was alot cheaper than the prescription formula.

Insurance will never pay for over the counter formulas. Many times they will pay for the prescription stuff but not always. Sometimes you have to fight them with a couple appeals. Ridiculous when you are sick!

Kerri! Oh wow-- you are in the trenches. Well, just put one foot in front of the other and before you know it you will be on the up and up every day instead of the slow decline with the side effects. Its hard - just stay distracted with good books movies and good company when you are up to it and be sure to stay hyrdrated and keep your nutrition on target so you give this all the ammo you can.

Thinking of you and hoping this takes care of bizness!!!!!

xoxoox KATE

Thank you, dear friends! I am still able to eat and drink well enough. I am supposed to meet with nutrition next week. I've only dropped about 4 pounds thus far and I'm very overweight, sit that's to be expected. They are monitoring me closely.

Kevin was over weight too. He lost 56 pounds and looks great now. Not a diet plan he would recommend is what he tells everyone. Definetly look into the prescription formulas with the nutritionist next week. Save money where you can!
Thinking of you and knowing you will rock this!! You are an amzingly strong woman with a great attitude. Keep up the good work!

Boost VHC is now the old Carnation IB VHC. Same company and looks similar if not identical to CIB.

I heard you have to take the prescription for protein drinks to a medical supplier, so you can get it as durable medical goods, otherwise it will be denied if purchased at a regular pharmacy.

We were told we could not get the food for the PEG until my husband was not eating orally at all!! Then the insurance would kick in. When the RO saw he lost 10 pounds in less than a week she wrote out the prescription anyway. His last delivery was for a drink that could be taken orally as well and tasted good. We do have a lot left over that I need to pass on to someone else. We thought we would take them to the Hope Lodge but they were not needing them and worried about them expiring. If anyone needs anything, let me know. We have 3-4 types.

The hospital should have set you up with a medical supply company. they will bring everything you need to the house. Ask for a pump too so you can run the formula while you are sleeping. It helps to ensure you are getting enough in.


The Oley Foundation runs a website to help patients who need not just formulas but also the supplies that go along with it. here is a link to their website.

Oley Foundation Exchange Program

I wish I had known about the Oley Foundation. Ken had just received a full shipment when he passed away. They would not take it back for fear of tampering. The VNA gave my mother the name of someone who came and picked it up to send to the Ukraine or someplace like that. I would have much preferred to keep it local.

Kerri - the nutritionist should be very helpful and take care of it all for you. Setting you up with a company who will deliver it to you and make sure you are stocked up.