I have just been diagnosed with Colitis. They prescribed Budesonide...$400 a month!

[OneEyedDiva]

So sorry to read this Paco. I was going to suggest you check out GoodRx but others beat me to it. You might try Walmart pharmacy too. Also so see if the doctor has samples he can give you.

My mother was on the PAAD plan because she had an extremely low income. I don't know if that plan was something only for N.J. residents. But at one point she had to take one shot a week (forgot the name of the medication). The nurse showed me how to give it and told me that each box (not that many per box) would have cost $1,000. That was more than two decades ago.

Respondents have given what seems like good advice here. I hope something works for you Paco.
@Mitch86 "If you are over 65, Medicare pays for all drugs and all doctors!" That's not true! Did you mean to write Medicaid?

 

[Supernatural]

Something is seriously wrong with prescription pricing in the USA

I agree with you! I believed there was something in place a while back that had great potential for the American people, it just needed tweaking...

Once in the mid-60s, I remember an article, Papa read from the newspaper. It went along the lines of this...

"Man gets transported to hospital following a suspected heart attack. Three months later, he was out of coma and recovering. Family came to visit, showing him the hospital bill his heart attack costs them... Right there and then, the poor man had another heart attack and sadly died... First charge was $10,000+, the second one was $15,000... Besides the expenses of the new hospital bill, the family were now facing the latter cost plus now an overly expensive funeral..."

Seriously, that system needs to be fixed.

I don't know but something needs to be done, it's way too sad. How many people have died cause they can't afford the healthcare required or have died of overdoses... So, so sad...

That article really made us feel concerned for them...

 

[Paco Dennis]

I hope to get this straightened out today. The Clinic didn't send in the script yet. Maybe I will call them and see if they will send in an order for the 3mg tablets, and use my pharmacy for $68 this time. I will tell them I can't afford the 9mg ones, and my pharmacy doesn't carry them, and see what happens.

 

[Colleen]

If you are over 65, Medicare pays for all drugs and all doctors!

Drugs are divided into Tiers, so I'm guessing his drug might be a Tier 2 or 3.

 

[Colleen]

@Paco Dennis .......have you read the Mayo Clinic article that was linked on here about your condition? You might want to read it, if you haven't.

 

[Nathan]

Hoping this site helps!
Natural Remedies for Ulcerative Colitis

Yes, rather than rely on drugs for relief the first step in UC control would be looking at dietary changes, eliminating or at least decreasing gluten in the form of wheat products(bread, pasta,rice) and:
alcohol
dairy
meat
processed foods
high carbohydrate foods
sugar alcohols
Eating less fats and more protein, and getting more exercise are effective options.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Yes, rather than rely on drugs for relief the first step in UC control would be looking at dietary changes, eliminating or at least decreasing gluten in the form of wheat products(bread, pasta,rice) and:
alcohol
dairy
meat
processed foods
high carbohydrate foods
sugar alcohols
Eating less fats and more protein, and getting more exercise are effective options.

Yes. We eat very healthy
I also take supplements . I am getting the script for tough times. I am hoping this will pass, if not go with flow....ohh bad pun.



..

 

[Kaila]

I hope to get this straightened out today. The Clinic didn't send in the script yet. Maybe I will call them and see if they will send in an order for the 3mg tablets, and use my pharmacy for $68 this time. I will tell them I can't afford the 9mg ones, and my pharmacy doesn't carry them, and see what happens.

Sounds good, Dennis.
Also, time release ones might be way more expensive, than simply taking a smaller dose, more frequently.
The convenience factor is not worth added difficult expenses.
Personally, I don't prefer time release anyway, especially if I have not had the med before, and am therefore unfamiliar with its side effects, or how my body will react. Both of which might make me want to adjust how and when I take the doses, which cannot be done if I'd already taken a time release one.

 

[Kaila]

You've been in so much pain, for so long, Dennis, and you've already tried so many things for it, that I am hoping that this dx, as poor as it is,
will actually help you to get something that actually will make your life better.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Update: We got the Budesonide at our pharmacy for $60 a month at 9mg a day. It works. I was waiting for the results after a few days of feeling better and eating, to finally see if it works after I do my business. This morning I have the glorious announcement that I still feel ok. I think they got this one right.

 

[Widow of Vietnam Vet]

There is very good advice here and I am sorry for anyone dealing with a high priced medication.
I think Medicare Part "D" helps with prescriptions.
I only have Part A and B, but as a surviving spouse of a veteran, totally service connected, I get CHAMPVA too.
It has a $50 co- pay- or ,if I give my prescription to the local VA hospital, they will send my meds by mail, no co pay.

I would rather pay the $50 co pay every year. My dead husband was sent the wrong meds once by mail, from the VA.
And at the same time another local veteran did not receive his meds,( they came here) and I had to raise hell at the VA.

They blamed the Post Office. It was not a Post Office error.

I get my meds and any shots I need, at TOPS Food market pharmacy.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Not to take away any of your choices in conventional medicine but have you considered adding some ginger to your diet.
If you research it you’ll find it very healing for the digestive track. Perhaps you could talk to your doctor about it. I wish you the best either way. Sorry to hear.

 

[birdy]

I forgot about this source but Mark Cuban has cost-plus drugs. They don't have a huge inventory, but your medication might be listed.

 

[JBR]

Glad to learn things are improving for you, P.D.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Anybody take "Budesonide"? I have for about 10 days now. I am getting constipated and about ready to take a Dulcolax pill. I do not like using laxatives. I am taking Psyllium husk each day. The Doc said to use 2 doses of Miralax daily. This will be the third day of that. This Budesonide really stops things up?

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Update: We got the Budesonide at our pharmacy for $60 a month at 9mg a day. It works. I was waiting for the results after a few days of feeling better and eating, to finally see if it works after I do my business. This morning I have the glorious announcement that I still feel ok. I think they got this one right.

Glad to read this!