Re: Re: Dang it. I won't be able to get help - To

April 4, 2008

Thanks . I believe he will give it to me as long as he has samples. I just

hope they dont run out of them. I am taking it now and I have thought about

stopping it for fear of cost. But he gave me a months supply and I guess I will

keep taking it. He is aware of the fact I pay everything out of pocket.

I am not sure, but I THINK it is already helping me. It might be my

imagination. But if it helps me it is a miracle. Not that it will cure me, but

just HELPING me is a blessing in itself.

Love and hugs,

Debra V.

villaridge@...> wrote:

Debra, I am curious what the cost of Lyrica is? I thought maybe I

still had the info that the drug store always provides when I get my

psych meds, but because of our co-pays and income level, we can't

deduct medical expenses on taxes, so I shred those. And I don't need

to read all of the effects, contra indications, possible side

effects, etc. as I have taken those drugs for so many years!! And

that income requirement for receiving drugs at lower or no cost from

Pfzier, is that a part of the program that Montiel does the

ad/public service announcement for?

I read everyone's problem about paying for their meds or not getting

them because of the cost and I can empathize and know we are

fortunate that my husband does have the benefits that he does have.

We can get " sticker " shock on how much the co-pay on some drugs

maybe, but at least we are fortunate that WE can pay for them, same

with our doctor visits.

But I will say that there is one of my scripts that I take ONLY if I

have a high level of pain --- and while the directions on the label

is always the same --- one every 8 hours --- I never do that, I start

out cutting the percocet in half, if that doesn't work in several

hours, I may take the second half. But it's not the cost of that

drug that I take it the way I do, it's that it's a controlled drug

and I don't want to be flagged or have my doctor have problems with

the DEA. (And the Pennsylvania DEA can be very aggressive in some

areas of the state!)

But I do hope your doctor will understand your financial situation

and continue to give you the samples. And with a newer drug, he/she

should have a number of samples. If I were you, I might even explain

the situation. If he is " on your side " , it could be that you would

have a better opportunity.

-- In Fibromyalgia_Support_Group , debra van ness

wrote:

>

> What the heck. I thought I was barely below the income limit for

Pfizer's prescription help program. I am not. I am barely above the

limit. I don't know what to do yet. The doc just put me on Lyrica

and gave me samples. What if he does not give me samples next time

because he is out or something? Then what? I cannot afford that

horrible price for this medication.

> Well, there we go again. The middle class is stuck in a crunch.

They treat us all like we are the wealthy class and won't help us.

> Oh, well. I might just cut back on the Lyrica to once a day

until I see the doc next month so if I need to drop it, I can taper

off.

> I really thought I had found a medication to help me.

> love and hugs,

> Debra V.

>

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

> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of

Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

>

April 4, 2008

I see your point honey. There is always somebody out there wanting our money.

The IRS is the real ass pain. Of course, I have been ok with that the last few

years. But I don't own property or any of that kind of thing.

I just wish there were something to help people that need it on a individual

basis instead of just a random scale they go by. I have considered writing to

Pfizer. I thought if I knew of the right email address or the right person to

talk to, they MIGHT make an exeception just out of the good will for human kind.

(maybe). I would not count on it though.

Take care,

hope it all gets straightened out,

love ya,

Debra V.

villaridge@...> wrote:

>

> What the heck. I thought I was barely below the income limit for

Pfizer's prescription help program. I am not. I am barely above the

limit. I don't know what to do yet. The doc just put me on Lyrica

and gave me samples. What if he does not give me samples next time

because he is out or something? Then what? I cannot afford that

horrible price for this medication.

> Well, there we go again. The middle class is stuck in a crunch.

They treat us all like we are the wealthy class and won't help us.

> Oh, well. I might just cut back on the Lyrica to once a day

until I see the doc next month so if I need to drop it, I can taper

off.

> I really thought I had found a medication to help me.

> love and hugs,

> Debra V.

>

Seems there is always that big Catch 22! You think you can get

something and you don't!! Debra, were you able to read that article

about the myths of pain/opiods and addicts? Seems like something

that Tigger should see if she can find it and take it to her doc!!!

And I am pissed because the more I work on our taxes, the more we owe

uncle sam!!! I called my cousin -- the accountant who does his

taxes, sisters and maybe both brothers', I finally realized it was

the lump sum for Social Security disability, so the largest part of

it was for 2006, small amount for 2005; Mike said I should see if I

can file amended taxes forms for those two years which would decrease

the taxes for this year!! But there are times when it doesn't help

when you have even a moderate amount of investments -- I moved some

last year because I was loosing money, but I can't find any capital

losses!!! So in some ways, I think it was better to have just our

salaries and not that inheritance. Which doesn't mean that I am not

appreciative of what my parents were able to do with the farm.

But that's my hair pulling mess at the present time. I am tempted to

jump in my SUV, take all of the stuff out to Illinois, go to Mike's

and see what we can do to reduce what we owe.

And Debra, I have to say that, while we have benefits that are good

from the state of PA (my husband's actual employer) even when you

have more than you have ever had in the past, it can cause a major

headache. And in addition to this tax quandary, we are paying 2

mortgages until we can get this house ready to sell which means

finish packing stuff, having the carpenter come back and work in the

kitchen, cleaning the floors -- I think I can do that and I also

think I can do do what someone suggested to clean the walls. But DH

is retiring in less than 3 months! And the time is going to fast.

Sorry for my b@tching, but it is all so upsetting and never before

have I had this bad of a mess, we have sent the files to Philly

electronically at 11:30pm on one or two occasions. I may just have

to see if I can pay in instalments.

So I guess my point in all of this is that you can be damned if you

make too much to fall in the range a drug company will accept as a

basis for providing you with the meds you need (even if it is just a

small percentage) but having more isn't always good either!

Forgive my rant!!!

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

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

April 5, 2008

Debra,

If your dr. isn't sure he can provide you with all the Lyrica pills, what about

seeing if can at least provide you with a 1/2 months and you buy 30 at a

time.........then it will last for 2 months. See what I'm saying? I'm not sure

if you can afford that either, but wanted to mention it since it seems to be

working for you.

Jill