[purpledaisy]

Wow.

Here I was, thinking that my generic meds were going to be cheap once I lose my insurance. So many pharmacies sell generics for $4 now.

I was wrong.

My generic Wellbutrin is $10/month with my insurance. Without insurance, it will be $60 at Walmart or $50 at Sam's Club.

My generic omeprazole (for acid reflux) is $20/month with my insurance. Without insurance, it will be $160 for a 3-month supply at Walmart, or $139 at Sam's Club.

Yikes.

At least I'm no longer on the med that was $20/month with my insurance but would be $680/month without. It was either Abilify or Celexa. Can't remember which. Tried them both.

For those of you without insurance, how do you handle the cost of meds?

Do you just make it a priority to pay for it out of your own pocket each month and let other things go unpaid, if necessary?

Does someone help you pay for them?

Are there programs in your community that help you?

[~Christina]

I get 2 of my medications from the Drug company for free due to my income. The others I pay for myself. You can goggle the company and they usually have a " having trouble affording your meds" tab. click it and most offer an online form to fill out ( its simple).

You can ask your doctor (s) about lower cost medications or any programs available to help you. If your on "newer" medications it's possible to get samples. Some doctors will even cut you a break on office visits.. Always worth asking about.

Many times I have to stretch out medications from say 30 days to 45 or more days due to just not having the money, It sucks but it happens.

I have worked very hard to find medications that are cheaper and non brand name thankfully. I always say "the best medication in the world won't do you a damn bit of good if you can't afford it"

I hope you can find some help.
Pm if you need more help

Some physicians will actually offer you the medications at their office at a very much reduced price. (I think they may sell the pharmaceutical's free samples to patients in financial distress.) You could let your doctor know about this; his help is available in many instances.

It is all such a mess, isn't it? Try some helpful home methods, such as diet changes and:

1. You can reduce the symptoms of bipolar illness in some cases by removing alcohol and caffeine (in any form--coffee,tea,chocolate and any other source) from your diet.

2. You could use freshly squeezed lemon juice in cold water to relieve
high acidic residue in the tissues and fluids of your body. (That relaxes you and
calms the brain.) Usually, two are sufficient (with 4-hour intervals between each)
to calm you for 24 hours.

3. You need to get your rest at night and be on a regular schedule for sleep if you can arrange that. Aspirin may help with that at night. Cut off your tv and computer screen about 2 hours before bedtime so that you are getting full melatonin supply from the brain to induce sleep at night. Melatonin supply is dependent upon darkness for supply, so it's to your advantage to maintain diffused lighting around you as twilight approaches so that you get plenty of
good, brain-induced sleep signals coming your way.

Hope these thoughts help.

[Yoda]

You can get omeprazole way cheaper than that. I usually buy a six week supply for ~$35 at Kroger or CVS.

Yes, Yoda, and Rite Aid also has a lower price on Prilosec, too.

[purpledaisy]

Originally Posted by Yoda

You can get omeprazole way cheaper than that. I usually buy a six week supply for ~$35 at Kroger or CVS.

Are you talking about the non-prescription version? Or the prescription version available at their pharmacy?

I have Kroger and CVS where I live. I just assumed Walmart or Sam's Club would be cheaper.

I've used the non-prescription version of this in the past. Just took 2 instead of 1. I suppose I should figure out which way would be less expensive.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by purpledaisy

Are you talking about the non-prescription version? Or the prescription version available at their pharmacy?

I have Kroger and CVS where I live. I just assumed Walmart or Sam's Club would be cheaper.

I've used the non-prescription version of this in the past. Just took 2 instead of 1. I suppose I should figure out which way would be less expensive.

nonprescription omeprazole has the same active ingredients as prescription Prilosec but may contain different inert (filler) ingredients

I don't go to Walmart because I hate crowds so not sure what they offer

Prilosec is the prescribed form which was released from prescription-only purchase.