Just need to write and "talk"

[rosequartz]

Originally Posted by orchardlady

My test strips are through Medicare. Cost is a co-payment of $14.78.

This is the first time I have ever run out and not been able to afford them. Such a small cost too!

I expect to discover next week that I am in the Part D "donut hole"...same time last year. Then it will be time to begin seeking samples from my Internist who is very understanding. I take four meds that are not available in generic...ugh!

I know about the donut hole.....my mom just got thru it and she's on the other side. Her pharmacist told her that only one other customer got thru it before she did. She takes a lot of medicine.....
Hopefully you can get samples. I also heard you can write or call the manufacturer and ask for the patient assistance program if you can't afford the pills. I've never tried it, but it may be worth looking into.

[orchardlady]

rose, yes you can get assistance from the pharmaceutical companies, BUT...and a big BUT it is...your income must not be higher than the Federal Poverty Level. I am above that, gratefully. But sadly, because I am above the level, I don't qualify for the pharmaceutical assistance. I did my research into this long ago.

2007 HHS Poverty Guidelines
48 Contiguous States and D.C. = $10,210
Hawaii and Alaska are a bit higher

You can find the table by searching "federal poverty level" with a search engine. I would post the URL, but I understand it is against the board rules to share such information.

So when you see those wonderful smiling, happy faces on the PPARx commercials, keep the poverty level in mind.

[rosequartz]

orchardlady - that bites.....I'm sorry to hear that you're "in-between". That happens with a lot of things these days. It seems that the middle class is being phased out and people will either be rich or poor. It just seems like we're headed in that direction and it's not good. I'm glad to hear you've done your research but sorry to hear that your situation seems to have fallen thru the cracks. I hope you can continue to get samples from your doctor. I don't know if this will work for you or not, but my dad had Parkinsons and he and my mom would attend some support groups and some of the patients would trade medicines if their doctors had taken them off of them and they had leftovers. Only to people who were already taking that medicine of course. I don't want to make it sound like a bunch of sick old people were passing around and popping random pills.... But since you can't usually return them to the pharmacy for a refund they would pass them onto someone who could use them. Do you think you might find that opportunity in a support group? I wish you all the best. My mom is a diabetic and I worry about her all the time and I know how important it is to take care of yourself and stay on top of it.

[orchardlady]

Sharing pills happens more than most think.

One of my brand-only pills is Mirapex for PD. I have a friend in AZ who sent me what she had (she switched to Azilect when it came out) and they have lasted more than a year.

Now I have a PD friend in LA who is sending me what he no longer needs. So for that medication I am okay.

I am such a mess. My psychologist had given me all the Crisis Line number for my county of residence last Thursday and his personal after-hours number. I sat in the middle of the bed last night crying and crying with the list and the phone on my lap. But I just couldn't bring myself to call. I fear being forced into the hospital, and I don't think I can deal with the aftermath of that. Although I could you a two/three week break from life right now. I just can't deal with the family thing attached to hospitalization.

Life is so hard. Indescribably hard!!

[rosequartz]

orchardlady I'm sorry you're having a hard time. You will get through it. Are you saying you're not getting emotional support from your family?