experiment - didn't take my cymbalta today

[Guest guest]

Due to DH's job change, and the cost of the Cobra insurance til we go

on his new insurance, I'm going to run out of all of my meds (about a

dozen!) before then. I just cannot pay 3 month's Cobra plus copays. I

have a bit of Fluoxetine left from before my PCP changed me to

Cymbalta, so I'm going to take a Fluoxetine one day a week or so to

try and stretch my Cymbalta. Well, today I took the Fluoxetine, as

well as the Ultram ER, and let me tell you, what a difference. Hubby

noticed I was hobbling and in terrible pain. He just doesn't get it,

how sick I am. My feet are killing me today. Anyhow, I will run out

of the Ultram ER also, before the insurance starts. I could go back

on my generic tramadol, which doesn't provide near the pain relief,

but that's the way of the working class, isn't it.

Many of the other meds I can get at Kmart for $5 a month, so that's

no biggie. But when I last discussed statins with my PCP, she

insisted I take either Lipitor or Lovastatin. Well, Lipitor is out of

the question price-wise. And the Lovastatin isn't much less. I

frankly don't know what I'm going to do. I expect I may be able to

get a little bit of Cymbalta samples from my PCP, but I don't think

she gets the statin samples. As far as the Tramadol, I'll just have

to go with the generic, though it doesn't work very well, as compared

with the extended release Ultram. Oh well, guess I should just go

hide when I run out of meds, lest I risk running off my DH and

friends. Argh.

So, anyhow, now I know how much relief I get from the Cymbalta. Shame

we have to pay so much for drugs in the US.

And yesterday I got the bill for my DH's heart work-up a year ago. I

owe $2005! OMG, how am I going to keep us afloat?! (I haven't even

gotten the bill yet on my Cardiac Cath from this month).

girlsaylor

[Guest guest]

One of the best parts of having friends, is they are already aware (or

most are) of the struggles that we endure with Fibromyalgia.

Running out of meds happens from time to time for different reasons,

and our physical dependicies become very apparent during those times

when there is an interruption in supplies or access to them.

Hopefully those closest to you will give you the support you need,

when you need it. Including allowing you to vent, or some personal

space, or whatever you need to get through the tough times.

Several times I've either ran out of a prescription stemming from the

incompetence of the pharmacy, or the lack of attention from my

primary care physician.

I'm a patient not a " junkie " , but when I'm cut off from my meds

sometimes I swear that I'd eat a plate of shirt buttons for just one

dose of pain killers.

Mr Hyde does appear from time to time in the house,...but never has

complete control over my life.

[Guest guest]

I would ask your doctor for samples. Also, ask for a higher does and

cut them in half. This will only work if they are not extended

release and such.

Also, call PPA. It is the low cost drug program Montel is

spokesperson for.

It could be dangerous to come off some of your anti-depressants cold

turkey.

[Guest guest]

Healthcare access in this country is a pitiful state of affairs. I just don't

get it. We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and yet working

class and low income people have to suffer because of lack of funds.

Healthcare???? Come on. That is just as necessary as food and water. And with

an illness like this, running out of medication is inhumane. Damn it!

Bless you honey,

hang in there,

hugs,

Debra V.

jeribelle2000 wrote:

Due to DH's job change, and the cost of the Cobra insurance til we go

on his new insurance, I'm going to run out of all of my meds (about a

dozen!) before then. I just cannot pay 3 month's Cobra plus copays. I

have a bit of Fluoxetine left from before my PCP changed me to

Cymbalta, so I'm going to take a Fluoxetine one day a week or so to

try and stretch my Cymbalta. Well, today I took the Fluoxetine, as

well as the Ultram ER, and let me tell you, what a difference. Hubby

noticed I was hobbling and in terrible pain. He just doesn't get it,

how sick I am. My feet are killing me today. Anyhow, I will run out

of the Ultram ER also, before the insurance starts. I could go back

on my generic tramadol, which doesn't provide near the pain relief,

but that's the way of the working class, isn't it.

Many of the other meds I can get at Kmart for $5 a month, so that's

no biggie. But when I last discussed statins with my PCP, she

insisted I take either Lipitor or Lovastatin. Well, Lipitor is out of

the question price-wise. And the Lovastatin isn't much less. I

frankly don't know what I'm going to do. I expect I may be able to

get a little bit of Cymbalta samples from my PCP, but I don't think

she gets the statin samples. As far as the Tramadol, I'll just have

to go with the generic, though it doesn't work very well, as compared

with the extended release Ultram. Oh well, guess I should just go

hide when I run out of meds, lest I risk running off my DH and

friends. Argh.

So, anyhow, now I know how much relief I get from the Cymbalta. Shame

we have to pay so much for drugs in the US.

And yesterday I got the bill for my DH's heart work-up a year ago. I

owe $2005! OMG, how am I going to keep us afloat?! (I haven't even

gotten the bill yet on my Cardiac Cath from this month).

girlsaylor

---------------------------------

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

I agree with you guys, I to am taking a handfull of

meds and my husband has epilepsy and just one of his

meds would be like 400 a month if not for both of our

insurances. and with me now on the 5month of leave

with out pay in attempts to retire from the federal

government (disabilty as I am 2 years shy of a full

retirement) i can understand completly.

plus it seems like all the doctors want to prescribe

the newest in medication.

One of these days I am just going to out and out ask

the doctors " you get a cut for prescribing the new

stuff? " as i fiqure out each time the drug reps come

and visit you must be getting something...

Diane

--- debra van ness wrote:

> Healthcare access in this country is a pitiful state

> of affairs. I just don't get it. We live in one of

> the wealthiest countries in the world and yet

> working class and low income people have to suffer

> because of lack of funds. Healthcare???? Come on.

> That is just as necessary as food and water. And

> with an illness like this, running out of medication

> is inhumane. Damn it!

> Bless you honey,

> hang in there,

> hugs,

> Debra V.

>

> jeribelle2000 wrote:

> Due to DH's job change, and the cost of

> the Cobra insurance til we go

> on his new insurance, I'm going to run out of all of

> my meds (about a

> dozen!) before then. I just cannot pay 3 month's

> Cobra plus copays. I

> have a bit of Fluoxetine left from before my PCP

> changed me to

> Cymbalta, so I'm going to take a Fluoxetine one day

> a week or so to

> try and stretch my Cymbalta. Well, today I took the

> Fluoxetine, as

> well as the Ultram ER, and let me tell you, what a

> difference. Hubby

> noticed I was hobbling and in terrible pain. He just

> doesn't get it,

> how sick I am. My feet are killing me today. Anyhow,

> I will run out

> of the Ultram ER also, before the insurance starts.

> I could go back

> on my generic tramadol, which doesn't provide near

> the pain relief,

> but that's the way of the working class, isn't it.

>

> Many of the other meds I can get at Kmart for $5 a

> month, so that's

> no biggie. But when I last discussed statins with my

> PCP, she

> insisted I take either Lipitor or Lovastatin. Well,

> Lipitor is out of

> the question price-wise. And the Lovastatin isn't

> much less. I

> frankly don't know what I'm going to do. I expect I

> may be able to

> get a little bit of Cymbalta samples from my PCP,

> but I don't think

> she gets the statin samples. As far as the Tramadol,

> I'll just have

> to go with the generic, though it doesn't work very

> well, as compared

> with the extended release Ultram. Oh well, guess I

> should just go

> hide when I run out of meds, lest I risk running off

> my DH and

> friends. Argh.

>

> So, anyhow, now I know how much relief I get from

> the Cymbalta. Shame

> we have to pay so much for drugs in the US.

>

> And yesterday I got the bill for my DH's heart

> work-up a year ago. I

> owe $2005! OMG, how am I going to keep us afloat?!

> (I haven't even

> gotten the bill yet on my Cardiac Cath from this

> month).

>

> girlsaylor

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with

> Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> 1. While it is wonderful to share our experiences

> with everyone on the list as to what treatments do

> and don't work for us, pls always check with your

> dr. Some treatments are dangerous when given along

> with other meds as well as to certain health

> conditions or just dangerous in general.

>

> 2. If you are in a difficult situation (doesn't

> matter what it is) pls don't be afraid to ask for

> help. It is the first step to trying to make that

> situation better.

>

> 3. To unsubscribe the e-mail is:

>

Fibromyalgia_Support_Group-unsubscribe

>

> 4. Also, it is not uncommon for more than one member

> to be feeling bad at the same time when it comes to

> flares and b/c of that potentially take something

> another member says the wrong way. And that

> includes the things that one member may find funny

> (even if it's laughing at fibro itself) even though

> we who deal with illness whether one such as fibro

> or multiple illnesses try to keep a sense of humor.

>

> 5. Pls let's be gentle with each other, and if you

> are having a bad day pls let us know so that we can

> do our best to offer our support.

>

> Have a nice day everyone.

>

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry you're going through this and I totally understand - I'm going

through a similar experience - lots of posts about it a few weeks ago. And

it's very, very frustrating.

My individual insurance policy cancelled me due to all the conditions I have

- you would have thought they would have never accepted me in the first

place but they did and now it seems they've changed their mind. Long story

short - I also am on numerous meds that I cannot afford to pay for on a

monthly basis but are necessary. Samples from the clinic only go so far. I

did apply to some other insurance companies only to be denied.

What state do you live in? Here in Wisconsin there is state run insurance

- not Medicaid or Medicare. It's called HIRSP - Health Insurance Risk

Sharing Plan. It's for people who are the " in-between " - can't afford or

qualify for super high premiums or make too much money (huh? - where is

that money?) to qualify for any type of low income assistance. I actually

qualify for HIRSP even though I have a zillion conditions and have to take

numerous medications. The premium varies depending on what deductible you

choose, what area you live in and your age. It also can be based solely on

having a medical condition or being denied by insurance companies or losing

employer coverage.

But it covers pretty much everything. There is a website that lets you

determine if you're eligible or not. Sometimes you can be eligible by losing

coverage through an employer or being denied by other insurance companies.

From what I understand a lot of states have similar insurance plans. My

premium runs me about $256 per month - but that is a lot cheaper than even

ONE of the many meds I have to pay for out of pocket without insurance.

Having been offered COBRA years ago, the 256 is a lot cheaper than the COBRA

premium. You should do a search and see if you have something similar in

your state.

Good luck - I know how stressful it is just to make sure you have even the

basic of insurance coverage - let me tell you - I was pulling my hair out

and crying like mad trying to figure out what to do. You'll find an answer

- just keep looking and asking.

I also know what you mean about medical bills - we took out a loan last year

to pay off a slew of medical bills because some providers will only accept

payments for a few months and then expect you to pay in full - kind of hard

to do when it's in the thousands of dollars. If you don't comply they send

you to collection. Now we're in the same boat again because of the

cancellation of my policy and new bills that need to be paid. It's a never

ending vicious cycle. The state of health care in this country is

deplorable. You would think for such a highly developed country we would

have better health care coverage than we do. It's we who suffer in more ways

than one.

Actually someone very wise on this list sent a post with very good

information and links when it comes to this very subject - I know I saved it

so I'll look for it and send it to you.

Teri (central Wisconsin)

jeribelle2000 <girlsaylor (AT) hotmail (DOT) <mailto:girlsaylor%40hotmail.com> com>

wrote:

Due to DH's job change, and the cost of the Cobra insurance til we go

on his new insurance, I'm going to run out of all of my meds (about a

dozen!) before then. I just cannot pay 3 month's Cobra plus copays. I

have a bit of Fluoxetine left from before my PCP changed me to

Cymbalta, so I'm going to take a Fluoxetine one day a week or so to

try and stretch my Cymbalta. Well, today I took the Fluoxetine, as

well as the Ultram ER, and let me tell you, what a difference. Hubby

noticed I was hobbling and in terrible pain. He just doesn't get it,

how sick I am. My feet are killing me today. Anyhow, I will run out

of the Ultram ER also, before the insurance starts. I could go back

on my generic tramadol, which doesn't provide near the pain relief,

but that's the way of the working class, isn't it.

Many of the other meds I can get at Kmart for $5 a month, so that's

no biggie. But when I last discussed statins with my PCP, she

insisted I take either Lipitor or Lovastatin. Well, Lipitor is out of

the question price-wise. And the Lovastatin isn't much less. I

frankly don't know what I'm going to do. I expect I may be able to

get a little bit of Cymbalta samples from my PCP, but I don't think

she gets the statin samples. As far as the Tramadol, I'll just have

to go with the generic, though it doesn't work very well, as compared

with the extended release Ultram. Oh well, guess I should just go

hide when I run out of meds, lest I risk running off my DH and

friends. Argh.

So, anyhow, now I know how much relief I get from the Cymbalta. Shame

we have to pay so much for drugs in the US.

And yesterday I got the bill for my DH's heart work-up a year ago. I

owe $2005! OMG, how am I going to keep us afloat?! (I haven't even

gotten the bill yet on my Cardiac Cath from this month).

girlsaylor

[Guest guest]

Girlsaylor,

You are so right about the cost of meds in the US...it is absolutely ridiculous.

A politician should run on that platform, to lower drug costs. Way down,,he

would have my vote.

/Mi

experiment - didn't take my cymbalta today

Due to DH's job change, and the cost of the Cobra insurance til we go

on his new insurance, I'm going to run out of all of my meds (about a

dozen!) before then. I just cannot pay 3 month's Cobra plus copays. I

have a bit of Fluoxetine left from before my PCP changed me to

Cymbalta, so I'm going to take a Fluoxetine one day a week or so to

try and stretch my Cymbalta. Well, today I took the Fluoxetine, as

well as the Ultram ER, and let me tell you, what a difference. Hubby

noticed I was hobbling and in terrible pain. He just doesn't get it,

how sick I am. My feet are killing me today. Anyhow, I will run out

of the Ultram ER also, before the insurance starts. I could go back

on my generic tramadol, which doesn't provide near the pain relief,

but that's the way of the working class, isn't it.

Many of the other meds I can get at Kmart for $5 a month, so that's

no biggie. But when I last discussed statins with my PCP, she

insisted I take either Lipitor or Lovastatin. Well, Lipitor is out of

the question price-wise. And the Lovastatin isn't much less. I

frankly don't know what I'm going to do. I expect I may be able to

get a little bit of Cymbalta samples from my PCP, but I don't think

she gets the statin samples. As far as the Tramadol, I'll just have

to go with the generic, though it doesn't work very well, as compared

with the extended release Ultram. Oh well, guess I should just go

hide when I run out of meds, lest I risk running off my DH and

friends. Argh.

So, anyhow, now I know how much relief I get from the Cymbalta. Shame

we have to pay so much for drugs in the US.

And yesterday I got the bill for my DH's heart work-up a year ago. I

owe $2005! OMG, how am I going to keep us afloat?! (I haven't even

gotten the bill yet on my Cardiac Cath from this month).

girlsaylor

[Guest guest]

Hi Girlsaylor - Please try to contact the manufacturer of Cymbalta and the

statin drug. See if you can get free meds from them to tide you over. You

shouldn't have to suffer. N. posted a whole bunch of drug assistance sites

a few weeks back.

I may have saved them. I'll repost if I did.

I understand about the Cobra payments. Our 19 yr. old daughter just got dropped

from our insurance because she isn't a full-time student at this time. Just for

her, at her young age, it will cost over $300 a month for continued insurance

coverage. I don't think she or we will be able to swing that. I'm sure your

payments are much higher. Well, hope the drug assistance thing can help you

out.

Jeanne in WI

Due to DH's job change, and the cost of the Cobra insurance til we go on his

new insurance, I'm going to run out of all of my meds (about a dozen!) before

then. I just cannot pay 3 month's Cobra plus copays. I

have a bit of Fluoxetine left from before my PCP changed me to Cymbalta, so

I'm going to take a Fluoxetine one day a week or so to try and stretch my

Cymbalta. Well, today I took the Fluoxetine, as

well as the Ultram ER, and let me tell you, what a difference. Hubby noticed I

was hobbling and in terrible pain. He just doesn't get it, how sick I am. My

feet are killing me today. Anyhow, I will run out of the Ultram ER also, before

the insurance starts. I could go back

on my generic tramadol, which doesn't provide near the pain relief, but that's

the way of the working class, isn't it.

Many of the other meds I can get at Kmart for $5 a month, so that's no biggie.

But when I last discussed statins with my PCP, she insisted I take either

Lipitor or Lovastatin. Well, Lipitor is out of the question price-wise. And the

Lovastatin isn't much less. I frankly don't know what I'm going to do. I expect

I may be able to

get a little bit of Cymbalta samples from my PCP, but I don't think she gets

the statin samples. As far as the Tramadol, I'll just have to go with the

generic, though it doesn't work very well, as compared with the extended release

Ultram. Oh well, guess I should just go hide when I run out of meds, lest I risk

running off my DH and friends. Argh.

[Guest guest]

Walmart $4 Anti-depressants:

Antidepressant

Amitriptyline 100MG TAB

Amitriptyline 10MG TAB

Amitriptyline 25MG TAB

Amitriptyline 50MG TAB

Amitriptyline 75MG TAB

Citalopram 20MG TAB

Citalopram 40MG TAB

Doxepin HCL 100MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 10MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 25MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 50MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 75MG CAP

Fluoxetine 10MG CAP

Fluoxetine 20MG CAP

Fluoxetine 40MG CAP

Nortriptyline 10MG CAP

Nortriptyline 25MG CAP

Paroxetine 10MG TAB

Paroxetine 20MG TAB

Trazodone 100MG TAB

Trazodone 150MG TAB

Trazodone 50MG TAB

Target's $4 list can be seen at:

http://sites.target.com/images/pharmacy/pharmacy_4dollar_program_list.

pdf

Walgreens also has a discount prescription program. You can read

about it here:

http://www.freedrugcard.us/walgreens.html

CVS Pharmacies also has a discount prescription program. You can read

about it here:

http://www.freedrugcard.us/cvs.html

So does riteaid:

http://www.freedrugcard.us/riteaid.html

And Eckard Drug:

http://www.eckerddiscountplan.com/home.aspx

You might also check the manufacturer's website and see if they have

a discount program.

Re: experiment - didn't take my cymbalta today

Hi Girlsaylor - Please try to contact the manufacturer of Cymbalta and the

statin drug. See if you can get free meds from them to tide you over. You

shouldn't have to suffer. N. posted a whole bunch of drug assistance sites

a few weeks back.

I may have saved them. I'll repost if I did.

I understand about the Cobra payments. Our 19 yr. old daughter just got

dropped from our insurance because she isn't a full-time student at this time.

Just for her, at her young age, it will cost over $300 a month for continued

insurance coverage. I don't think she or we will be able to swing that. I'm

sure your payments are much higher. Well, hope the drug assistance thing can

help you out.

Jeanne in WI

Due to DH's job change, and the cost of the Cobra insurance til we go on his

new insurance, I'm going to run out of all of my meds (about a dozen!) before

then. I just cannot pay 3 month's Cobra plus copays. I

have a bit of Fluoxetine left from before my PCP changed me to Cymbalta, so

I'm going to take a Fluoxetine one day a week or so to try and stretch my

Cymbalta. Well, today I took the Fluoxetine, as

well as the Ultram ER, and let me tell you, what a difference. Hubby noticed

I was hobbling and in terrible pain. He just doesn't get it, how sick I am. My

feet are killing me today. Anyhow, I will run out of the Ultram ER also, before

the insurance starts. I could go back

on my generic tramadol, which doesn't provide near the pain relief, but

that's the way of the working class, isn't it.

Many of the other meds I can get at Kmart for $5 a month, so that's no

biggie. But when I last discussed statins with my PCP, she insisted I take

either Lipitor or Lovastatin. Well, Lipitor is out of the question price-wise.

And the Lovastatin isn't much less. I frankly don't know what I'm going to do. I

expect I may be able to

get a little bit of Cymbalta samples from my PCP, but I don't think she gets

the statin samples. As far as the Tramadol, I'll just have to go with the

generic, though it doesn't work very well, as compared with the extended release

Ultram. Oh well, guess I should just go hide when I run out of meds, lest I risk

running off my DH and friends. Argh.