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mike d

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back again....but w/o insurance.
Jun 16^th, 2009 at 8:36am

here we go again. my name is mike and i am 37. been suffering from ch for about 20yrs. my cluster seems to last about 6wks, with approx. 4-8 hits per day. my last cluster, and the last time i visited this site was in october of '06. yea, i know im kinda using you guys, but im sure all of you are used to that! i have really enjoyed the last 3yrs living pf, but the cluster started again about a week ago. This time is different, because i have no insurance. i recently changed jobs, and im going through the probation period. i am totally scared that this cluster will break me financially!

meds that work for me are trex, and o2. nothing else has ever worked. i have tried almost everything people on this site talk about.

Surprisingly i went to a am/pm clinic yesterday and told the dr. i wanted a script for o2, and trex inj. he said "ok, no prob." and i was out of there in 20 min. i was ready to battle for the o2, but he just gave the script. he must have seen the pain and anguish on my face. went to the local med. supply sales company and had two tanks of o2. total cost including the dr.s visit was $175. as you guys know, i would have paid anything for the o2! so i thought that was a pretty good deal.

My question is about the trex. How much is it w/o insurance, where is the cheapest place to get it? why dont they make generic? any other thoughts or comments about a guy w/o insurance would be appreciated.

enough rambling for now, thanks for reading. You guys frkn rock!!
miked.

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JustNotRight

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #1 - Jun 16^th, 2009 at 8:46am

Hi Mike D !

Welcome back, sorry the CH beast hit you again!

Imitrex shots without ins. cost Aprox. 208.00 and that is for the generic as well. They just came out with the generic not long ago so the price hasn't dropped yet (not sure if or when it will either). The reason I know this is because my ins. co. doesn't like to fill them as the Dr. prescribed "as needed" and limits me to only 4 shots per mo. (Ba$tards)

Stick with the O2 if you can for now, unless your new job pays through the nose Grin

PFDAN to you!

Ging...

PS
I suffered without ins for a few years. Best bet is get to a Neurologist and beg for free samples of Imitrex. My neurologist was very good about handing out the samples, when he had them.

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« Last Edit: Jun 16^th, 2009 at 8:50am by JustNotRight »

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Bob Johnson

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #2 - Jun 16^th, 2009 at 8:55am

Generic sumitriptan was announced a few weeks ago. It's in the store now.

You might check with a Canadian source re. price.

Canadian/Other Country/U.S. Pharmacy info
(Posted 9/1/05)

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

This info from CONSUMER REPORTS, 10/05:

Source of info about online pharmacies with a similar review process plus price information:

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========

Do not buy from Mexican or Asian sources. Too much counterfeit stuff being found.

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FrankF

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #3 - Jun 16^th, 2009 at 9:59am

Mike - Check around and see if the pharmacy will discount it since you have no insturance. Also go to Imitrex.com and fill out their form for freebies and discounts. They have been sending out the $10 off coupons for several years.

Ginger - If you do have insurance, check with your pharmacy to see if Imitrex injections can be covered under your medical coverage instead of pharmacy coverage.

I get 10 vials (generic) from CVS pharmacy with no co-pay. I have to pay about $3.50 for a pack of 10 syringes.

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« Last Edit: Jun 16^th, 2009 at 10:02am by FrankF »

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ClusterChuck

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #4 - Jun 16^th, 2009 at 10:37am

Sorry that you have to be back, dealing with the beast.

How do you use oxygen? We have improved the efficiency and speed of aborting with higher flow rates, and better masks. Read the info, behind the tab, on the left side of your screen: oxygen info

You might be surprised at what new info is in there for you. I know that many of us rarely have to resort to the imitrex shots, now that we have gotten the oxygen to work so well.

A WHOLE lot of oxygen can be bought before even coming close to the cost of one prescription of imitrex!

I would be glad to give you my phone number, if you want it, and maybe I can help you get those better results.

Chuck

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CAUTION: Do NOT smoke when using or around oxygen. Oxygen can permeate your clothing or bedding. Wait, before lighting cigarette or flame.

Keep fire extinguisher available, and charged.

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mike d CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 7	Re: back again....but w/o insurance. Reply #5 - Jun 16^th, 2009 at 4:59pm thanks a bunch. i have had positive results with the o2 during the last cluster ('06), and i am expecting and hoping for good results now. i am so glad this site is here!! i wish all of you happiness and relief.
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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #6 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 9:01am

FrankF wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 9:59am:

Ginger - If you do have insurance, check with your pharmacy to see if Imitrex injections can be covered under your medical coverage instead of pharmacy coverage.

I get 10 vials (generic) from CVS pharmacy with no co-pay. I have to pay about $3.50 for a pack of 10 syringes.

FrankF: I am using all the ins. coverage I have available to me both pharm. and medical are the same with my ins co.

Yes...They Suck!! But I can't afford better at this point.
Thanks for the advise tho Cool

Mike: We are glad if any advice we gave you helps.

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slhaas

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #7 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 2:36pm

Imitrex is expensive. The generic is out there, but it's also expensive. In fact, with my insurance, the generic is more expensive because it doesn't have the discounted rate with my carrier as the brand name does.

I was without insurance for some time too, and thankfully Verapamil helped out as it's a lot cheaper. I checked into Canadian pharmacies, and it didn't really warrant the hassle. Last year I was in Mexico and found Imitrex for sale, over the counter, for very, very cheap. I don't recall the prices, but I recall a bottle with a more pills than the pack I get and it costing under $20USD. If you have an opportunity to get meds from Mexico, check it out.

Otherwise check for assistance with the manufacturer. There are also programs out there to assist with prescription drug costs for people without insurance. I tried, used, and got help from PPARX (the one Montel Williams advertises) at Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

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My dooctor used to have imitrex samples, but she said they don't offer them anymore. In a pinch, once, I went to Walgreens, and because my RX was on file, they gave me an "emergency dose" for free because I couldn't get the refill.

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mike d

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #8 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 6:28pm

ok, thanks. btw, i went to my dr. today and he said the same thing about samples....no more, ugh!! gave me some zomig nasal samples. dont remember having good luck with those, but ill try em.

on another note, just tried my first energy drink (for shadows and such) it was a monster, bigger than a redbul and same price. wow! it was tough to get down!!

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Callico

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #9 - Jun 18^th, 2009 at 5:57pm

Welcome back Mike. Glad we can be here for you.

Try the 5 hr energy drinks. You can get a 6 pack at Wal Mart for about $11 (I think). they are smaller, and you don't hve to choke down all of that terrible tasting stuff, plus they are packed with B vitamins that help me keep on an even keel when getting hit hard. They may not work quite as quickly as one of the other types of energy drinks, but there is no let down when they wear off, they don't taste as bad, and they don't tear up your stomach the way the others do me. I use both, but the 5Hr Energy bottles are easier to carry with me as well.

Jerry

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cweb5750

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Re: back again....but w/o insurance.
Reply #10 - Jul 1^st, 2009 at 11:09am

Just a thought...I dont insurance either......a cheap way to get oxygen is whenever you feel an attack coming on go far a good jog to get your heart rate up and lungs working overtime.....this seems to help real well...I am past the point of caring what people think of the crazy guy holding his head while running......but i can tell you what...whenevr i make my way back home 90 percent of the time within 10 minutes i am in the tolerable zone......I also recomend ingesting at least 500 mgs of magnesium a day....althought his takes a while (2 weeks maybe) to begin to take effect. and i take caffeine durting the day if i have to work or whatever to push them off to function normally during the day......

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