I am seriously thinking about driving to Mexico! Mike and I are talking about moving out of the country........meds and labs are just too high!

I just got a bill from lab corp for $1000 for a single draw - a single draw.......that can't be right!

We just cannot leave right now. My hubby's on is only 16 and we can't be away from him.......but I really don't know what we'll do if these costs continue to rise.......truly.......

Erin

It was funny you mentioned that, b/c my BIL and I were talking about it TODAY......still cannot watch it......too hard......

Hate the ins companies.......they will take our $$$$, but don't want to pay for anything!!!!!


Erin

Erin, first a question for you...........why are you taking the prednisone three times a day?? That is not a super wonderful way of doing it. Your body makes most of it's own cortisone early in the day. When you take pred thru the day it really messes up that cycle and will for sure shut your body down on its production and make it VERY VERY difficult to get off the stuff.
anyways back to the meds. 90% of yours can be changed to a generic that fits on one of the "lists" like the one walmart has for generic $4 month refills. Have your doc make those minor changes to what's on the list and you can do much for saving wise.
What specialists are you seeing and why?? Many times the docs get so compartmentalized. Sometimes we need to say hey, lets consolidate these services and have one person run the "show" If you see a specialist for something, many times your internist can do all the follow up and monitoring after initial time period.
Do you all have insurance??
Hugs
Deb

Where have you been? I've been trying to im you.......I just want to make sure you're OK.....Are you feeling better?

Now, as for the meds: I take 40 mgs of pred @ 7:30 and the other 20 @ 12:30 - that way I don't feel as "jittery" and am not as shaky - I shake like a leaf all day long or until I take a xanax and am really scared about becoming a "pill popper".........I will take my meds (the 60 mgs of pred) @ 7:30 and just deal with it, cuz' I do not want to become totally dependant of these goofy meds.......

I see my pulm cuz of the "nodules" on my lungs - just to make sure they have gone away or @ least haven't multiplied, my onc cuz' my blood work is still "wonky" - unspecified anemia, my neuro, my internist (for who knows what reason, though HE found the whooping cough......too many darn docs!

I do have insurance (thank God) but the cost of everything are just eating us up. Did you know it costs around $100,000 for one WEEK in the ICU? I didn't until I was there! Even @ 80/20, that is a huge pill to swallow....

It just doesn't seem right that the insurance companies (and docs) get rich, while everyone else suffers by default.........

Hugs!
Erin

Erin...

What kind of actual cost does that run? Prednisone is really cheap, and iron pills off the shelf are like five bucks a bottle. I'm not familiar with the non-mg meds that you take.

Lydia

I don't have my receipt in front of me, but 5 meds cost me over 200 the other day.......where on earth do you get your iron pills? Mine are like 20 a bottle...........seriously.......

Erin

how are you feeling?:d

Hi everyone...

Something I've learned in the past is that 'prescriptions' are always more expensive...but if you have a health plan which covers it, are the way to go. Most plans won't cover stuff that can be bought off the shelf. But supplements like iron pills, calcium, etc...they are more economical to buy off the shelf.

I buy them from a health food store. Costco carries quite a selection, and they are more economical thru them. But make sure you CHECK THE LABEL. Not all vitamins are created equal. Usually those from the grocer with the 'store' label aren't usually as good. Yes, they have the same ingredients in them, but they don't cut it because the body doesn't absorb them as well.

I know people will start saying something about this comment, but a family member is very involved in the supplement/health field...so it's information I learned from his 20 plus years of experience. Certainly won't hurt to mention the fact his former significant other had over 30 years experience and works at an organic health food store. So my source of information comes from a solid position.

And yes, even people in the industry trying to sell their products to a retailer will claim that 'their' product is better than the competitor...I've been at a business brunch when that happened.

Lydia