Hi
I recently began having attacks again. I  have moved to a different city so I had to get hooked up with another doctor. Done. She fills a new prescription for 9 imitrex I go to the pharmacist and she tells me  I can only get five per 30 days because of my insurance >:(. I ask if I can buy the other four she says yes but the price she gave me almost made me have a heart attack. $750.00 for four boxes of the generic kind at that. Guess I,ll have to use the old use it three times trick. does anyone know if this stuff really costs this much or did she make a mistake???

Oh yeah....it really is that expensive. Another reason to pursue oxygen, cheaper by far and just as effective!

Joe

Are you talking pills? or injections?

  4 injections ARE  very definetly expensive...but I would say $750.00 for 4 is a tad over the top.


Check your PMs above.


Linda

$220.00 per 2 pack kit of Imitrex Shots and that is what they were the last time I had to pay for some, yes they were generic. 

You are a little luckier than I am my ins. will only cover 4 shots per 30 day period. 

Considering it only costs about 15.00 per shot to make them (my dad used to work for Schering-Plough  a pharmaceutical co., this does not include shipping of course) you are quite right the cost is through the roof!!! 

You can go to START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE and get help getting your needed Imitrex.

P.S. If your doc prescribed the newer single injectors they will be more expensive than the dual shot packs.  If that is what your doc did...you may want to have him/her change the prescription to the dual shot packs.

It is just crazy expensive, isn't it?

That's certainly one of the big reasons I've switched to O2 as my first line abortive, although occasionally (like once a night or so during my peak cycle) I find O2 to be not as effective as an imitrex 1/2 dose jab, so having some imitrex on hand for back up saved me last episode.

If the timing of that episode hadn't caught me completely by surprise/off guard, I would've been more prepared and able to try psilocybin in an attempt to shut down the cycle, as some folks report having done over at clusterbusters.com. Would've been nice to have gone entirely drugless!

GSK put a limit on it too, it's NOT for everyday use I was
told. I told them, guess you don't deal with CH's!
Well, anyone out of work or can't afford Imitrex should take
a look at:
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE
see if you qualify for assistance they can help even after
insurance stops, worth a look.  If you have questions feel
free to PM me.  I am in the program now. Not a cure all
but it helps when your short on money.

        Yes, it really is that expensive! If you haven't already, get a prescription for Oxygen - read the materials here (look on the left side menu) and that should help you out a lot. Just be sure you do it right - many docs have no idea how much is needed to abort attacks. And expect the O2 supplier to not believe you need that high a flow rate! They may have to special-order a regulator that can handle the high flow rate a CH sufferer needa. It is a very effective abortive for many people (c. 90% I'm told), and waaaaaay cheaper than  Imitrex. I am sure others will be happy to advise you on it.
       But one thing I started doing a few years ago has been helpful with the cost, in the long run. Whether I am in a cycle or not, I always get my monthly "allotment" of Imitrex injections and stockpile it for future use. I just wish I had started doing that a lot sooner than I did, it would've saved me thousands and thousands of dollars.
       I'm sorry you're having such a hard time of it. Hang in there, we're all on your side! We here truly do understand what you're going through, and are happy to do what we can for each other.

Oh, It's expensive because it might kill us and our families
may sue.  Part of the reason another part is how may of us are there!  Not that many...

Boski

imetrex is poison and the pharmaceutical companies that charge $750 for 4 shots are pure evil. they are killing you with this shit and making a goddamn fortune of you and your insurance companies at the same time >:(

DHE/45 injections from a Canadian pharmacy are available and cheaper. But O2 is the way to go! lance

I do agree with O2 but I believe in the condom approach too.

All this aborting is killing me!  I just don't what to see this old
friend!  He can hang alone, have no friends for all I care,
Not my problem!  Just want this Mother F$#%@@^ out of my
head now!  I am tired of pacifying him with Imitrex and
Oxygen he loves it.  Eats it up and just sits in the back room
waiting for his next serving!  He is just a mooch and sucks
up my money like it's going out of style and there is no
tomorrow!   So, I tell you there has to be a better way!
But for Now I am on Verap and Topomax with a few hits
of O2 and Imitrex!  Like it or not It's my life. 

In no way shape or for am I putting down an O2 solution!
But between 2am-5am it is more disruptive than a quick shot and roll over!  (if I catch it right)  Sometimes I'm lucky sometimes, not so!

Ok, that's my short story for the day!  Have a great day everyone!

Peace,

Boski

Imitrex isn't poison unless you wayyyyyy over-do it.  Just like with any other drug.  Taken very sparingly and using other abortives as well like 02...it is a Godsend and has prevented some from totally losing their sanity and doing the unthinkable, losing their jobs etc. 

Now, the comment that the Pharmaceutical Co's (GSK in particular) are evil.  THAT I couldn't agree more with.   >:(

I did over use in my 20's and maybe in my 30's a bit!  Doc.
got mad and said you can not use 6 - 8 full doses a day!
I said " Doc I have 1 of 2 choices! 1 is imitrex and 2 is my
.357 magnum.  With the Imitrex there is a chance I will
get up, .357 unless I happen to miss not a chance I will!".
That was when he introduced me to the newly released vials.
Oh, so much better than the nail in the auto injector!  I was
nervous that I wouldn't be able to stick myself! Ha, CH little
tiny needle, not a problem!  31 gauge goes in so ez!

Could stick 20 needles in leg, arm or almost anywhere.

Boski