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Denver, CO will be voting on legalizing "magic 'schrooms" soon. Given the incredible results being gotten with then in the treatment of depression and PTSD, I'm sure Big Pharma will be pouring MILLIONS into the campaign. Somehow, I doubt they will be in the "yay" team.
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Sometimes it is time consuming to figure out the pricing on medications, but we have to do it. Your pharmacist should be able to help you to find either a less expensive generic or discount coupons for it. When we had one insurance company, their prescription plan paid for Joe's asthma medicine 100%. When we changed to a different insurance company with a much less monthly premium, we had to pay for his asthma inhaler, which turns out to be about $260 for 3 months. We had to weigh the pros and cons of changing. Another case in point is that almost all insurance prescription plans will only pay for certain pain medications for 1 week's supply. Our pharmacist helped us to figure out that paying out of pocket, with a discount from the pharmacy for a month's supply costs us far less than the copay for a week times 4 weeks. So check with the pharmacist, and your doctor and your insurance to see what can be done. Medicare itself pays for very few things, so your other insurance should be able to advise you. Good luck. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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That all depends on what the medicine is and what it is for. After years on Nexium for GERD, I was able to get off of it by using a natural remedy that an ER doctor told me about. I discussed it with my GI doctor, after my newly acquired ulcer was healed, and she agreed for me to wean off of it. It took about 3 months because I started dropping just a pill a week for a couple weeks at a time, but I did it. Joe is off all diabetic medicines because of all the weight he lost when they got his CHF under control..... but I doubt that I will ever be free from those. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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Hank, it is addictive in that your stomach problems will rebound if you stop taking it suddenly. My doc tried other medicines, because our insurance insisted, but nothing stopped the reflux pain like the Nexium, so he just kept me on it. When it became available OTC, then a generic for it was released, so the cost went down and my insurance company quit complaining and asking for extra paperwork and I just continued to use it. Then, last year I developed an ulcer and ended up in the ER with the pain. The ER doc talked to me about the long term use problems with Nexium and advised me to get off of it ASAP. He told me that he had weaned off of it by using ginger tea and marshmallow root. I don't know if the ulcer was caused by the Nexium, but other long term problems involve weakening of our bones. I tried the tea and could not stand the taste, but thankfully, ginger also comes in a capsule, as does the marshmallow root. I continued the Nexium along with my ulcer medicine for a month along with the ginger and the marshmallow root capsules twice a day. When the ulcer was healed, I talked to the GI doc, and she said to wean off the Nexium very slowly to prevent a rebound effect, so I cut out two days a week for two weeks, then another day for a couple weeks, etc. until I was down to only taking it twice a week and stopped. Meanwhile, I was still taking the ginger and marshmallow root capsules twice a day..... then I cut them down to once a day, and now only take them when I feel like I need them and I hardly every have the GERD symptoms or heartburn. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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Lucy and I both have Humana, coupled with our Part A & B Medicare coverage. Fortunately, since I retired from the Army, I enrolled in Tricare for Life back in 1992 and we have full-coverage for all prescription expenses without co-pays. I am curious though. Was the medication change for your sleeping medication called Temazepam? Fossil Non ego te hic placere
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2/11/2019 6:44 am |
Wow. I also use Humana and while I'm mostly satisfied I did have one shock experience where a prescription was 160 bucks. I reluctantly paid it and unfortunately it didn't work. So the doctor I was working with came up with an alternative...an over the counter product I got at Walmart for 10 bucks. I was not happy but the 10 dollar product worked. FYI, I use a Sams Club for prescriptions and that's about the best I can do. There was another prescription I needed for awhile and the initial price was 146.00 for 90 days. After that it was 36.00. That I could live with. I'm glad I don't need it anymore but your experience is concerning. I think I'm going to check out the direct from Humana alternative however. I will say this...for what's it worth. My daughter tells me that Humana isn't the best and I acknowledge that. I chose it because it was relatively inexpensive and as long as I don't need much I'm fine with it. As I age and feel less secure I suppose I will shell out for something better. Nevertheless your story is certainly upsetting. It is so frustrating that citizens cannot get the political will they deserve to fight things like this. You probably won't want to hear it from me...but I wouldn't be shy telling you WHO IS RESPONSIBLE. Lastly...take care of yourself. I'm very sympathetic to your situation and wish you well.
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2/11/2019 7:02 am |
One more thing...I had a sleep problem as well a long time ago and what I was given did help with that. But after a few years and some research I grew concerned about long term effects. BE EXTREMELY careful in situations like this. Many of these meds cannot be suddenly stopped, especially after long term use. It has never been more important to study these meds before you take them and to fully grasp the risks. I'm sure you know that already, but this problem is pervasive out there. Many of these drugs interact with the brain and while you can get off the meds...it can take a few YEARS to get off some of them, and in some situations there is a greater risk even trying to get off of them. There are far too many doctors who do not adequately counsel patients. It's easier than ever to educate yourself on many issues of health. I've found that I often can sense BS from a doctor or nurse or sense whether they are sufficiently prepared to even answer my questions. The better you can communicate with them the safer you will be. For example...MANY medications should not be taken at the same time you eat grapefruit...it can be dangerous! Don't expect ANY doctor to even warn you about something like that.
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Actually, medical marijuana comes in other forms. I have a friend who uses it and she get gummies, which she cuts in half because half helps her and it makes it last longer. She started with all kinds of pain meds, and still got no relief from her pain and neuropathy and was in a wheelchair most of the day. First she tried the CBD oil and it gave her some relief, and when she talked to her doctor, he gave her the script for the medical marijuana. She is now up and about in her home without the wheelchair. I also know some others who have tried the CBD oil with fairly good results. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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Have you tried the antihistamine Benadryl? The side effect is drowsiness. Years ago, state laws would not allow our docs to prescribe Ambien nightly for our senior patients, just an occasional use and with lots of paperwork. So they started prescribing Benadryl at bed time. It worked well most of the time. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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Is the CBD oil available in TN? It's the non-high component of the hemp plants, but highly touted for several conditions. I've known a few folks who found it beneficial. One of them went on to the medical marijuana, but she gets it in a gummy form, not the smoking kind. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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