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New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Question regarding cost.....
(Message started by: Bethany1 on Oct 29th, 2004, 10:29am)

Title: Question regarding cost.....
Post by Bethany1 on Oct 29th, 2004, 10:29am
Hi guys,

I know there was a thread on here about how much people spend in a year for imitrex. I was curious about monthly, what you guys get prescribed from your doctors, and have you found anyway around it?

I was getting 4 boxes (8 shots) for 30 days for $20. My insurance just changed and said that they wont cover it anymore and now I get one box a week for $20. It went up $60. What do you guys pay with your insurance?

Thanks--

Bethany :)

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by vietvet2tours on Oct 29th, 2004, 11:05am
Thirty Zomig woulda been 504 bucks at Walmart.That was five days supply for me.Oxygen was 200 bucks for a lifetime lease for the tank,alread had regulator,the mask was 4 bucks,25 bucks for a refill of 154cu.ft.(big tank) oxygen for me.

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by aggiegran on Oct 29th, 2004, 11:19am
You are lucky, I too use Imitrex, paid 12.00 for 6 inj for two yrs, they have gone up to 579.00 for 6 inj.....Now who in their right mind can afford that....so then I went to Axert a pill that has helped  but it takes 45 minutes and you can only get  12 a month....so that leaves many days without anything..... when I am in episode I have them daily sometimes 2 to 3 a day.....mine start on the Kip scale at 9 to 10....full blast, and sometimes sucide looks better and better!!!!!...even my doctors are at wits end with the insurance and drug companys...Wish I had an answer for you, I am in the process of fighting with the insurance co, and drug company....Wishing you a pain free day....Ann

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by karma on Oct 29th, 2004, 11:30am
Aetna reported 1.29 billion in 3rd quarter profits.
Fuck em. Look for alternatives

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by Bethany1 on Oct 29th, 2004, 12:50pm
Ann-- I have tried Axert, my doc gave me samples but it put me right to bed, maybe because Im so used to the trex. It sounds like you are having a real tough time. Sometimes when I think things can't get any worse for me, I meet someone that is worse off. I am so sorry for all that you are going through. Wishing you a pfdan. If you ever need to talk, Im not far away.
Take care---

Beth

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by vig on Oct 29th, 2004, 2:01pm
Holy cow!

www.clusterbusters.com

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by don on Oct 29th, 2004, 4:15pm
I get as many as I need for a $20.00 co-pay.

Doc ussually writes for 10 boxes with a refill.

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by Bethany1 on Oct 29th, 2004, 4:19pm
Hi Don--

Will you be my best friend...


(jk)
[smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by don on Oct 29th, 2004, 4:42pm
I could be. I work one town over from you.

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by unsolved1 on Oct 29th, 2004, 5:21pm
(1) The Imitrex Patient Assistance Program may help out.
(2) Samples, samples, get more samples.


I keep in stock (thanks to my neuro) with samples. I bet your neuro has some too !!

Unsolved

PS.
Wanted to leave you with these links:
http://www.manicdepressionhelp.com/freemedsprogramsGlaxo.htm
http://www.freemedicineprogram.com/
http://bridgestoaccess.gsk.com/

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by Bob_Johnson on Oct 30th, 2004, 9:34am
Cost is a major reason I keep suggesting a trial of Zyprexa. On a per dose basis, it's much less. And that it takes 20-min. to abort an attrack vs. 10, or so, with Imitrex.... I can afford 10-min!
-------
1: Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6  


Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.



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

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by D on Oct 31st, 2004, 10:32pm
Jesus! I refuse to reinforce this insanity! Encouraging someone to use these drugs must stop. let alone find ways to get more, at any cost.

I know this is not going to win me friends & influence people here on this thread or board...but someone has to wave the red flag...

Peace & Positive Energy

D

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by unsolved1 on Nov 1st, 2004, 8:11am
Zyprexa did NOTHING for my CH attacks

Unsolved

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by aggiegran on Nov 1st, 2004, 10:50pm
What makes all this so bad is, I could go to the ER and it wouldn't cost me half of that, but I'll be darned if I can get  in a car and get there....I told the lady at the insurance co, to enjoy her life cause her decision just made mine Hell.... which I'm sure she could care less...I talked to the Doctor today and he said the samples were drying up for some reason....But he would keep trying.....

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by aggiegran on Nov 1st, 2004, 10:55pm
Beth Thank you so much for your kind words they made me smile, and sometimes thats hard to do during episodes.....I just may give you a yell, its a wonder you don't hear me about 3:00 every single nite, and then at 3:00 in the afternoon, sometimes in between, the longest they have lasted is 5 hrs.... :-/ But Thank you again, Wishing you PFD's ....Ann

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by Bethany1 on Nov 2nd, 2004, 8:31am
The problem with the er is that sometimes you have to wait. Last year I went to the er on a friday morning (a week before christmas) they actually took me right away. Shot me up with Delodid (sp) and I slept for 5 hours in  the er. Then when I woke up I was pretty screwed up, I ended up driving home from the er. As soon as I got in the house I went to walk downstairs and fell all the way down the stairs because I was still loopy. Hence, breaking my foot. Back to the er I went. What a mess I was. Its kind of funny when I look back on it. If the insurance company would have just filled the script..... it cost them more because I was back and forth to the er that day. sons a bitches.

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by aggiegran on Nov 9th, 2004, 2:52pm
Thats what I told my insurance co, she said well if you must, I told her maybe thats the only way you will see, that CH don't have a time table or a limit....just wish I had the courage to actually get in a car and go....but it hurts to bad lol

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by floridian on Nov 9th, 2004, 3:03pm

on 10/29/04 at 17:52:11, jminmilwaukee wrote:
I pay about $5.00 for a refillable cup of mushroom tea at Bomba shack.  8)

I do however feel for those who are tethered to the drug companies (seriously).  :(

jmin


Yeah, but whats a plane ticket from Milwaukee to the Caribbean cost??  And having to endure the beaches, nice weather, etc - those are costs not included in the price of a cup of tea.  ;)

Ask your travel agent about BVI.  Side effects may include jet lag, sunburn, and a feeling of lightness in the wallet.

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by JDH on Nov 9th, 2004, 3:50pm

on 11/09/04 at 15:20:05, jminmilwaukee wrote:
I was wondering if someone was gonna call me on the cost of actually getting to that cup of tea  :D

Still, a darned good excuse to go!

jmin


I'd say it's money well spent.

Although my method isn't nearly as expensive the results are the same  ;)

Jim

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by survivor13 on Nov 26th, 2004, 6:00am
i can get two a day, but have to pay the co-pay each time $44. did that for two weeks until i read about taking partial shots.

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by don on Nov 26th, 2004, 9:17am

Quote:
Jesus! I refuse to reinforce this insanity! Encouraging someone to use these drugs must stop.


Hows the weather on your planet?

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by Kevin_M on Nov 26th, 2004, 10:11am

on 10/31/04 at 22:32:40, D wrote:
Encouraging someone to use these drugs must stop.


I hate all the encouragement to need drugs that CH give me too.  Must stop?  That's why we have OUCH.


Kevin M

Title: Re: Question regarding cost.....
Post by don on Nov 26th, 2004, 10:15am
The key word there "D" is need.

To encourage people not to seek them out would be cruel wouldn't it?



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