Will money dictate how you feel?
I shared last month that I started weaning off of one of my medications. I currently take 2 non-generic medications. One costs $954 for 90 days and the other is $406 for 90 days. My goal was to wean off of one of them because it’s just too expensive. So I started this process, doctor’s order of course. I suffered each day with various issues. Increased nerve pain, unable to concentrate and mild depression. Eventually I said enough is enough. I called my doctor and told him I don’t know what to do. He reminded me that it’s my body and I need to decide.
I learned two valuable lessons during this process.
First, if you run out of pills and call the pharmacy notifying them that you need your refill two days early, that will not happen for a controlled substance. Even if you explain that the only reason you ran out was because your doctor told you to take more pills. It’s the rules. Your worries or fears mean nothing.
I called my doctor the next day and he said he would call in and notify the pharmacy that it’s ok to refill early. Thank you Jesus. I go to the pharmacy to check on the status but they haven’t received a call yet. Not horrible until you realize how you are being treated by the tech. She types on her computer and said no, no one has called in. Eye roll and walks away. There is only one way to respond. For the millionth time, I am not drug-seeking. I only said it in my mind though because I don’t want to make a scene. I have to appear as calm as possible. Thankfully, 2 hours later my prescription had been filled.
Secondly, am I really torturing myself because I don’t want to pay the ridiculous prescription costs? YES! My wallet was dictating my quality of life. I found a combination of meds that work, but I’m willing to sacrifice that because of the cost. I know there are so many people who make this choice everyday. It is a challenge. I remember the whole story when the EpiPen price rose over 500% within 7 years. I know others who pays hundred of dollars a month just for an asthma inhaler. Breathing doesn’t even give you a choice. You will pay the cost for that because if you can’t breathe, you die.
So life or death? Which will you choose? Yes, we choose life, but where does that leave us. Alive and broke I suppose.
My Chronicle of Chronic Pain
#NoMoreBandages
Loving Me with No More Bandages
d I couldn’t take it anymore. I sign in, pay my co-pay, then wait in the room. All the while i’m hoping and praying that this person would be able to fix or cure me. Finally a knock and the doctor walks in and says “Yeah, I can’t help you.”
There were prominent deaths that occured this week. In particular, Michael Brown and Robin Williams. Michael Brown was an 18 year old boy who was gunned down by a police officer in Missouri and Robin Williams was an awesome actor and comedic genius who suffered from depression and killed himself. 
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