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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> How much $$$ for the top meds?
        
(Message started by: Superpain on Mar 17^th, 2004, 11:13pm)

Title: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Superpain on Mar 17^th, 2004, 11:13pm

I'm getting hammered with 20 per day right now. A majority are intense (K5- 8 ) but only last 3-15 mins, and at least 1-3 K8-10 at that last 1-2 hrs, each day.

I'm hoping to see a pain specialist here that was referred on OUCH, to try a preventative and at least get O2 as an abortive.

Here's the good part... I don't have insurance.

The appointment is going to be $400. :(

How much should I expect to pay for O2 and the most popular preventatives?

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by eyes_afire on Mar 17^th, 2004, 11:33pm

Hi there,

Before jumping to conclusions perhaps you should investigate the possibility that you may also be experiencing CPH (Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania). I'm bringing this up because the number (20 hits) and duration (3-15 min) are more indicative of CPH. I'm also bringing this up because CPH is very very responsive to indomethacin. And Indomethacin is dirt cheap. It may help cut down some of your misery. The 1-2 hours hits sound more like CH.

--- Steve

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Superpain on Mar 18^th, 2004, 12:01am

I've considered the possibility of cph... I was kind of wondering, but this is always how my cycles go. They build up till I'm having ha's about every 20-30 min for 3-6 weeks then *poof* it's gone till the next one. But I usually get a yr or 2 pf.

Can you point me to more info on cph? Or have info on the cost of O2 and meds?

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by FZfan on Mar 18^th, 2004, 12:10am

o2 without insurance can be expensive. Here's what I've spent so far this cycle:

o2 "E" tank - $100
high flow regulator $120
12 refills @ $24 per - $288
non-rebreather mask - $5

I'm sure I could have saved some money by trying e-bay or other outlets, but I was in hurry and I had the cash. I think I should be going the welder's oxygen route if I can't get my insurance to pick up at least some of this tab. Don't know what the costs of that option are, but I know it's much cheaper than the route I'm going. If you're low on bucks, I'd recommend the welder's o2.

I should mention you don't have to buy the tank and regulator, you can rent them, but I wanted to equip myself for the next cycle after this one. Last time I rented I think it was $30 a month but that was over a year ago.

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by t_h_b on Mar 18^th, 2004, 12:13am

You can try drugstore.com, costco.com, walmart pharmacies for cheap prices on meds. You can even use froogle.com to compare prices.

O2 is cheap, ask for self-pay discount, if $$$ are a real problem get the welding O2.

For that matter, ask your MD for a self-pay discount. No reason on earth for him to charge you more than he does a for-profit insurance company.

I agree with everyone else, though, doesn't sound like clusters. The frequency and duration just don't fit.

Good news is if you have CPH indomethacin is almost 100% effective and it's like 15 cents a capsule. Cheaper than brand-name sinus tabs. With your symptoms you should ask your MD to try the indomethacin and see if it works. If it works, you probably have CPH.

Honestly, I hope it does work and that you have CPH and not Clusters. We should all be so lucky.

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Superpain on Mar 18^th, 2004, 12:27am

I definitely have clusters!
But I may have both... :(

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by eyes_afire on Mar 18^th, 2004, 6:37pm

Quote:

I definitely have clusters!
But I may have both...

I agree, you may have both. Or you may have CH and EPH (the episodic form). Can't help much with the cost of meds, but here's CPH/EPH info:

http://www.headachepainfree.com/chronic_paroxysmal_hemicrania.htm

http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hpcphex.htm

http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic67.htm

http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hpcldx.htm

--- Steve, The Link Lobster

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Prense on Mar 18^th, 2004, 7:52pm

on 03/17/04 at 23:13:51, Superpain wrote:

A majority are intense (K5- 8 ) but only last 3-15 mins

I agree, this sounds like CPH. Unless you are talking about preventative meds, it would be futile to try to abort these.

Chris

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Superpain on Mar 18^th, 2004, 8:26pm

Thanks for the info eyes...
I guess it's possible I have both. But I don't get these short/frequent "cph'ish" ones till 3/4 through my cycle, and that's normally a sign that the end is nearing. But not before plenty of intensification of long and short ha's...

The main difference it seems besides frequency and duration is the "sitting still" factor. I'm rarely ever able to sit still. I just about come out of my skin. Curling up in bed is not an option!

Weird... Now I'm confused.

That's pretty rare to have both isn't it? I've seen a few of you mention it, but especially being male? What are the odds?

Whatever you call it, my head has hurt like a m*th*rf**k*r for a long time now. That's all I know...

Maybe I've mutated a new breed of super shapechanging, diagnosis defying, doctor fucking, brainsplitting, cry to your mommy, pray to Jesus, bust your ass and make you cuss headache! :o

I guess I'll call it ssdddfbscmpjbyamycha. ;;D

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Mar 18^th, 2004, 9:31pm

20 per day!!! Odd. If it is clusterheadaches than you are f'ed.

Insurance company pays for limited Imitrex injections. The actual cost out of pocket is like $75 per shot.

$10 co-pays for each medication refill, but I also take a plethora of pyschotropic medications for depression and anxiety.

I am a human pharmaceutical garbage can.

The co-pays are always $10. Not terrible.

-Freddy

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by UN_SOLVED on Mar 18^th, 2004, 11:07pm

There's NO F'Ning way I could handle 20 CLUSTERS per day. I'd go insanse for sure.

BTW...my new script of Cell Cept cost $745 for 30 days. That's cheap compared to the number of Imitrex injections I take and their cost! Thank god I have insurance !!!

Unsolved

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Superpain on Mar 19^th, 2004, 12:29am

on 03/18/04 at 23:07:40, UN_SOLVED wrote:

You wouldn't go insane. Probably very close. Just like me.
But I've been having these for all these years without the benefit of any of the meds you guys talk about...
It just sort of becomes a way of life.
Then again, maybe I am insane.
Do you know it when you go insane?
Maybe I'm just not self aware enough. [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by UN_SOLVED on Mar 19^th, 2004, 11:19pm

Don't take this the wrong way...but I agree with the others... 20 hits per day doesn't sound like the typical cluster pattern. Either way, I hope you find some relief soon !

Unsolved

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by MarkV on Mar 20^th, 2004, 9:31pm

When my meds don't work, I get 20 to 60 ice picks a day. They are technically CPH type traits. But if I don't get them under control with prednisone or something else, they eventually become less frequent and build in intensity. Then I start getting hit with 1 or 2 full blown kip9-10 clusters in the evening that are unbearable.

Abortives are useless for the CPH hits I get since there's another one right around the corner. I save Imitrex for the 1 or 2 big "true clusters" in the evening.

The bad thing about having this combination of CPH and clusters is that the CPH hits wear you down throughout the day. And then when you are at your wits end, the suicidal pain hits in all intensity.

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Karla on Mar 22^nd, 2004, 5:23pm

imitrix and most abortives such as axert, maxalt, zomig, frova, amege are all very expensive. 150-500 a pop. Plus the pharmacists will only let you have so much because it isn't approved for use more than 4x a month. So you would need a letter from your dr or a call to the pharmacist from the dr to let them know the amount is ok. The dr should be able to give you samples of all the different meds just don't mix them and take them within 24 hours of eachother.

Most seizure meds such as Topamax and neurontin etc cost around 350-400 month. Verapamil is not that expensive from what I remember and neither is indomethacin like under 100/month. The cheapest med I found was methadone at 14/month. Good luck with what ever you do. Just let your dr know that you don't have insurance and ask him about patient forms for drug companies. The drug comp. have finantial aid available so to speak and can give you your meds at a big discount if you prove the need.

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by painfulbrain on Mar 22^nd, 2004, 5:26pm

I have been having clusters for 15 yrs. I have tried
alot of different things from ibuprofen to morphine.
The thing is a can go from painfree to wishing my
head would go ahead and explode in 5 mins. My doctors do not
understand. They want me to lie down in adark quiet
room. Ain't gonna happen. I don't know what else to try!

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Mar 22^nd, 2004, 5:29pm

My generic Imitrex from India arrived about 10 minutes ago. I will detail it in my prior thread. Lots cheaper if you are paying out of pocket.

Rock

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by t_h_b on Mar 22^nd, 2004, 6:34pm

on 03/22/04 at 17:26:02, painfulbrain wrote:

My doctors do not understand. They want me to lie down in a dark quiet room.

Why don't you tell them to go lie down in a dark quiet room while you find new doctors? Obviously they know nothing about CH--

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by Superpain on Mar 22^nd, 2004, 6:37pm

I would agree! Get a new Dr or Dr's...
Check the ouch site for Dr referrals in Tn if nothing else.

Title: Re: How much $$$ for the top meds?
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Mar 22^nd, 2004, 7:30pm

For me....it is becoming a question if I can't get adequate Imitrex, than dope me up. Give me narcotics. I cant stand this. Narcotics are relatively cheap, and you have less trouble getting them, money wise, than Imitrex, my savior, my lord.

-Freddy