Hey everybody, it's been one of those days. Ok, I now have 15, count'em folks, 15 prescriptions! I've had Texas Medicaid since I was about 6 years old. Used to they mainly had to pay for dr. visits and hospital stays, some meds. out of the hospital over the years. Now I have all these problems and guess what? Texas Medicais pays for exactly 3, no not a typo, 3 prescriptions a months. Been doing ok for a while, getting samples from my different drs. and paying for the cheapest. Now, I'm getting only some samples cause the drs. aren't getting them all anymore. So, I look up drug programs, what do I find? If you have any type of help getting drugs most of these people won't help you. Never mind that I only get 3 free a month and need 12 more. It's sure be a lot cheaper to just die, only problem there is, even though at times I hace zilch as a life, I'm not thru with it yet.
Yesterday I had to go to town because I've been using more ilieostomy supplies, for some reasson my appetite has been off and that messes them up. So, just in case I had to get them a day early. I also had a dr. appt. at which I forgot some of what I meant to ask about. Oh, he put me on 1 B-12 shot a month and said to start taking B vitamins every day for energy. Has this helped any of you? I also asked for a flu shot, ya know, supposed to be plenty this year. Ha Not in this town so I also have to call around to see who might have any.
While in town I figured I might as well eat lunch, after that I went to the bank and the drug store, on top of doing all that, it started to rain, hard. Couldn't find my umbrella, tried to get back in the car fast, was trying to throw my bag in in front of me and both get in gast. Did that happen, oh no, no. Not me. I hadn't zipped up the top of my bag all the way and my billfold flew out,open, thank goodness nothing came out, my phone flew off, came out of it's holder and opened up and slid across a very wet parking lot. I got soaked. I might as well have moved real slow and got just as soaked. My hips have already been hurting more, but after yesterday, man I hurt bad. Just wanted to stay in bed today but needed to look up help for meds.
Round and round we go.
Do any of you know of places/people that really help with meds. even though the person needing help gets medicaid?
I am so thankful that I have you guys to listen to all my gripes. It really does help to know I'm not the only one who has these problems and to have someone listen that understands and believes how bad I feel.
Thanks

April sounds like you had quite a day! Come here and let it all out anytime we are always here. I hope today is a better day for you. Sorry I can't help with the med problem but hang in there and don't give up.

Hi April.

What a day you had, I hope things turn around for you. I had to change Drs. about 5 years ago and the first thing she asked do you have script coverage? she wants to keep her samples for people who have no coverage, which I am in favor of.

Several drug co. give low income people their drugs free of charge, it is advertised on tv. often and i know several people that are in the program.

In Pa. people who have medical assisstance get everything and anything, but they are cutting back some.
Hugs, Linda

Yikes,

I know that kind of day, I've had one, too. VT Medicaid will be cutting, I don't know where, but it's gonna get worse, and probably will hit Rx's, too.
3 Allowed Rx's is just inhuman for you. Can you move? (Not kidding at all). I feel for you so much.
Does your local hospital have any assistance you can apply for?
In your shoes, I would write my governor, congressmen, representatives, the head of the Dept. of Health, both State and Federal, and anyone else I could think of. A newspaper article, ask for an interview.
I've had to tangle with Medicaid in the past, and have had to resort to this sort of political barrage to get people to act. Taking this sort of action when you're depleted and in pain is terribly hard, I know, but is there someone who could help you in this?
Social worker at hospital, or a therapist-type?

To trade days (might inject some humor into an otherwise unbearable situation:

I have chronic anorexia and agoraphobia and a host of other psychiatric and physical conditions. Because of stress and sinus infections and a flu, my weight is critical now, so have to see nutritionist and therapist besides GP and other doctors for fibro.
Having a flare, too. And found out my most beloved cat has heartworm, nothing much to be done about it.
Spilled a quart of spaghetti sauce inside the refrigerator, it ran all down the back and into the produce drawers. Rent increase, big one, because of fuel oil prices. Had to stop taking antid. b/c of side effects, so am going into a clinical depression, and having anxiety attacks all over the place.
I could go on, but I've reached the point of the absurd, and feel just overwhelmed by almost every little thing. I don't mean to dummp on you, just to share that feeling of desperation and helplessness and overwhelm.
I hope that some of the suggestions might work for you. I really think going political might do something. I had my political representatives assault the Dept of Health adn Medicaid with letters about my conditions and my needs, and it did work.
Sigh, I wish I had more to offer. But my heart's with you. If I knew you, I would write the letters for you (I'm an expert by now).

Just hoping things get better for you, wishing all of us peace and the help we need,

Seaturtle

Seaturtle, thanks so much. I think I will write some letters. Hope they do some kind of good. Several years ago I wrote to one of my state se. just asking a question. Medicais paid for me to have surgry in 83 to get an ilieostomy, all I wanted to know was why would they pay for that but not for the med. supplies that are required for one. I got back a thick pack of papers to fill out asking everything except how many x a day I go to the bathroom. Actually that could have been in there, I didn't read it all. I think I'll write 1 letter and make several copies to send out.
I hate it about your cat. My animals are my babies so I know how you feel.
The one thing you said you have, isn't that where it's hard or almost impossible to go outside? I almost don't blame you. I've gotten to where if I never had to leave our place I think I'd be a lot happier. I just don't have much patience for most people anymore.
I understand about your fridge. Sunday night I bumped a pan Billy Don had cooked brisker in, he cooks it in marinade, all over me and the floor, tonight, I stepped in kind of a whole in my kitchen floor(I love Billy Don but a carpenter he aint) and went straight down, well actually down to my right :) . I was in the midst of fixing his supper, a chef salad, it went all over the floor.
We just have it so great sometimes :)
I'll get a friend of mine who's coming down to visit to give me a hand with the letters, she has more patience than I do and usually uses more tact than I do.
You said your letters got you some help? Did they accomplish all that you needed or just close enough?
Thanks for your idea of writing all the political ...people.
April

Hi April. I'm so sorry you have been feeling down. I have never been on that many meds but I know when I was even on half of those I felt hopeless at times. I hate that you are having to go through this. Even with rx coverage it is still to expensive for me at times. I did start taking B12 shots last month and they have helped a TON. B12 deficiencies can cause muscle pain & weekness, depression, fatigue, constipation and/or diareaha, and a whole slew of problems. I would recommend taking the shots and a daily pill to see if it helps. Also have your iron levels checked.

If you don't mind would you mind listing the meds that you are on and for what problems? I stongly beleive that doctors over medicate because they don't know what to do for problems etc. Do you see a pain specialist? Ultimitely it is up to your doctors what meds you need but I'm wondering if some of us could offer advice on what we do for similar conditions.

Take care hun,
Amanda

Hi April,

I have been meaning to post you for a while concerning your problem with getting your meds paid for.

Just last night I was reading about a drug company, I beleieve it was Merck, that encourages people who are having problems paying for their meds to contact them and that they have a program to help people pay or get them free. I am sure there are other companies that do that, give it a try to contact them, it can't hurt and the help is there.

You might want to post on the Pain Mangement Board on this same site. (I hope I am allowed to say that, I figure since it is the same site it is ok). I read their posts all the time and there are some people there who are extremely knowledgeable about meds, companies, how to get help, all that. They even go out of their way to research for it. I would definitely ask for their help.

Also, ask the people in your doctors office if they know of any programs in helping pay for meds. These docs must know that if they give you all these meds that you have to pay for them, although I know some do not care. The average person doesn't have the money to pay the cash amount for them and even if you have insurance, paying the co-pay can be expensive. As Seaturtle pointed out 3 meds is just inhumane.

It seems we are both having flares at the same time or at least on the same day I started. April, I hope you don't mind but you had me laughing when you described yourself stepping through your kitchen floor and your beautiful cobb salad going everywhere. Just picturing it in my mind makes me laugh. I mean no disrespect and I am sure at the time it wasn't funny, but that part of your post made me chuckle. :D

Seasturtle, what a brave soul you are. It must be so difficult to deal with the world. It is hard enough going out just being sick. Having agoraphobia can be paralyzing. I had a friend who had it and life was difficult. Do you have someone who understands and can help? I do not know if you are married or not? Hope you are feeling better soon.

Take care.

Peace and love, Hangin

Yikes,

I know that kind of day, I've had one, too. VT Medicaid will be cutting, I don't know where, but it's gonna get worse, and probably will hit Rx's, too.
3 Allowed Rx's is just inhuman for you. Can you move? (Not kidding at all). I feel for you so much.
Does your local hospital have any assistance you can apply for?
In your shoes, I would write my governor, congressmen, representatives, the head of the Dept. of Health, both State and Federal, and anyone else I could think of. A newspaper article, ask for an interview.
I've had to tangle with Medicaid in the past, and have had to resort to this sort of political barrage to get people to act. Taking this sort of action when you're depleted and in pain is terribly hard, I know, but is there someone who could help you in this?
Social worker at hospital, or a therapist-type?

To trade days (might inject some humor into an otherwise unbearable situation:

I have chronic anorexia and agoraphobia and a host of other psychiatric and physical conditions. Because of stress and sinus infections and a flu, my weight is critical now, so have to see nutritionist and therapist besides GP and other doctors for fibro.
Having a flare, too. And found out my most beloved cat has heartworm, nothing much to be done about it.
Spilled a quart of spaghetti sauce inside the refrigerator, it ran all down the back and into the produce drawers. Rent increase, big one, because of fuel oil prices. Had to stop taking antid. b/c of side effects, so am going into a clinical depression, and having anxiety attacks all over the place.
I could go on, but I've reached the point of the absurd, and feel just overwhelmed by almost every little thing. I don't mean to dummp on you, just to share that feeling of desperation and helplessness and overwhelm.
I hope that some of the suggestions might work for you. I really think going political might do something. I had my political representatives assault the Dept of Health adn Medicaid with letters about my conditions and my needs, and it did work.
Sigh, I wish I had more to offer. But my heart's with you. If I knew you, I would write the letters for you (I'm an expert by now).

Just hoping things get better for you, wishing all of us peace and the help we need,

Seaturtle

Sea turtle: I feel sorry for you with all your health problems. Listen 20 years ago I was having serious panic attacks and I too had agoraphobia. No-one explained what was going on with my body. I felt sure I was having a heart attack, scared to go anywhere, afraid to go outside my apt door to put the garbage in the chute. I was talking to this nurse and she said get this book by Dr. Clare Weeks, Hope and Help for your Nerves. That was a life saver for me, please get it, I promise it will help. At that time when I was trying to cross a street I just froze in fear and I said to myself, I would rather be in the worst pain possible than have this agoraphobia. Well like they say be careful what you wish for. P.S. I have also made medical drs and shrinks aware of this book. Please get it, God Bless

Hi,

Thanks for thinking of me, gosh, that makes me feel good. I have read the Weeks book years ago, but can get it out of the library and read it again. The panic disorder lasted most of my life, I got it because specialists in NY back in the 70's were experimenting with putting anorexics on Cytomel,. supposedly to give them appetite.
Well, it made me more hyper, helped me lose more weight, and gave me thyroid disease and bone loss. But they kept on prescribing it. It was only after 26 years of this med that a decent doctor caught it (and I could finally get out of the apartment to see a doctor, too) and gradually got me over to Synthroid.
I spent years collapsing in shaking attacks on the streets, unable to walk or get home, couldn't work because I would freeze at my desk and not be able to get to the ladies' room or even out the door. Yes, it's a hell. And with both the a/n and the a/g, I stayed sick because I was undiagnosed and untreated.
Enough of my pity-pot. I am so much better now, worked myself up to the point where I can take a walk every day, on a "safe" route, and I have help now, too, meds and therapy.
I do get mightily discouraged sometimes, just like everyone here; seems as is one disorder gets a wee bit better and one of the others pops up to have its time. Struggling with the fibro adds to it all, of course....

But you know, I have wonderful kitties who keep me busy and happy, and a few friends, and enough to eat and clothes to wear and a pretty nice apartment.
Lots of folks don't have all that, so I try to be as grateful as I can as often as I can.

Thanks for caring,

Seaturtle