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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/12/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I am just venting but...

The cost of all of these darned pills is going to put me in the poor house. I just picked up my prescription for the new Apriso and it cost me $92.28. for one one month's worth! The pharmacy where I am required by my insurance to get my scripts filled cannot use the coupon for the $50.00 savings each month. Thankfully I called Salix Pharmaceuticals loyalty program and they will mail me a check if I send them a photocopy of my card and the original receipt.

Does anyone know how much Azathioprine / Imuran costs? If my blood work comes back OK, I'm going to go on that, too.

Plus all of the supplements I'm taking? Plus I should be taking probiotics but haven't gotten around to.

Holy smokes!!!! I'm going to have to get another job! (and can't quit the one that I have because then I'll have a "pre-existing condition" and won't be insurable! ahhhhh)

Again just venting. I'm sure we are all in the same boat.

Jen
Posted 6/12/2009 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I feel your pain, I don't even have a diagnosis, but I have spent thousands out of pocket trying to get one. I just had to pay $400 up front for my GI Dr visit and colonoscopy fee plus 20% of the hospital charges which I have not yet been billed for.
Posted 6/12/2009 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on 6MP and it is CHEAP! It's a generic so with my insurance plan I pay $10 a month at Wal-Mart pharmacy. I don't know about Imuran but they are similar drugs.
Posted 6/12/2009 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Mommy I hope you are right! That would be a relief!
Posted 6/13/2009 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
immuran is really cheap too, i think when i was taking it my copay for 3 months was like 20 dollars or something.
Posted 6/13/2009 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Azathioprine / Imuran is expensive for me. I think I take azathioprine which is supposed to be the cheap one and I pay around $50 - I am with you being sick sucks and is expensive
Posted 6/13/2009 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
If you quit your job for another job, you will be covered under the new companies group insurance plan. Group plans don't deny people with pre-existing conditions. It's funny how I have no insurance and I manage to get everything for free. When I had insurance I was spending 300 a month on Canasa. Now it is free. I also get Asacol for free. I am so thankful this is possible, I would be very sick otherwise. Sometimes I find myself feeling bad for people who have to pay for their medications.
Posted 6/13/2009 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I hear ya!  I hate paying for my prescriptions.  6MP for me is $65 a month, Lialda is $100.  I've tried so many medications and forked over thousands of dollars from this disease. 

Posted 6/13/2009 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah for those of us who only have major medical because we lost our jobs, this disease is a killer financially. I feel your pain.
The cost of most drugs is insaine in the US, it's a sham. Greedy jerks getting wealthy from other peoples suffering.
Posted 6/13/2009 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
try needymeds.org if you need prescription help. I called the manufacturer for Lialda and they said they have special programs for people who have trouble paying for prescriptions. They referred me to that website as they have a number of medications that qualify for free or reduced meds. I just have to fill out a form and have my doctor sign off on it. Every 3 months I have to repeat the process but it will be worth it for the meds. I just started this process for the first time since hubby lost his job and with it insurance. I'll let you guys know how it works. I did see other UC meds on there besides Lialda. Check with each drug manufacturer ... you will be surprised by the number of option available.
Posted 6/23/2009 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Just an update guys:

While away on vacation I got the message from my GI's office. My blood work came back. He wants me to start on Azathioprine 100 mgs tomorrow. I picked it up today.

Thankfully this one was only $4.17 for a months worth! That is more like it price-wise!

Has anyone had to send their receipts for Apriso to Salix for the loyalty program? I can't for the life of me remember who suggested I try it. I sent my receipt about 10 days ago and no news yet. (I sent a letter with my phone, address, e-mail, etc).

Jen O
Posted 6/23/2009 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
     This brings back memories of when my parents were still alive.  They had to pay full price for their meds because they didn't qualify for the programs.  Middle class people were the onces who suffered.  But what really annoyed me was that they would pick up their prescriptions, pay in full, come home and open their trusty little "Worse Pills, Best Pills" book.  Read about the side effects and toss the meds downstairs.  After dad passed in 95, my husband and I went down their basement and it looked like a freakin pharmacy.  Must have been six hundred bottles of pills down there....maybe only a few pills missing in each container.  They refused to take the med after reading about it.  Wonder they lived as long as they did.  They told me they were taking the meds!!!  Mom came to live with us and I made sure she understood the medicine and side effects BEFORE getting the prescription filled.  She was on dialysis so she couldn't ditty around.  Ugh....HOPE I never put my kids through that.

     We have a decent plan.  I pay 10% of the cost of mine, sometimes not even.  The 6MP isn't too bad.  I think I pay the most for the Canasa, $36 for two week supply.

Posted 6/23/2009 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Don't forget to try mail order. For maintenance drugs, it can be the same price for three months worth, instead of 30 days.
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