#95048 05-07-2009 05:05 PM | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 96 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 96 | After my husband's Erbitux today, stopped to get his 2 "new" prescriptions at Walgreen's. $310 for 10 Fentanyl 75 mcg. patches and $160 for Percocet tablets for breakthrough pain. He has no prescription insurance. How are we supposed to deal with this? Anyone have any ideas for medication help? Lori
Lori, cg to H Ron, age 56. Stage IV Oral SCC-T1N2. Tongue resected and right ND 8/05. Teeth removed, PORT, PEG, IMRT x33, Cisplatin x3. Tx ended 10/05. Recurrence 7/08 Stage IV. Surgery 8/30/08. 2nd recur. 11/08. 2nd surgery 2/2/09. 3rd recur. 4/9/09. Erbitux wkly. 5/09-? Ron died 6/6/09. Lori also passed away 8/20/11, colon cancer | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | We got some of the more expensive meds billed through the hospital when we went for the chemo. The nurses actually suggested this. You could also try contacting the drug companies and explain your situation. Most have websites now.
Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Lori, thats just insane!!!!
If you havent called the American Cancer Society yet, please call your local chapter. They helped me with my meds by sending a voucher to the pharmacy for $300 to help with my meds. I have good insurance but the more expensive meds had a $40 co-pay which added up quickly.
Another avenue is the drug manufacuterer. Look up the meds online, most companies have something to help people in your situation.
You could also try the hospital where he is treated. Ask for help. Where I went, they asked the patients if they were ok or in need of financial assistance. Even try asking the doctor who is prescribing the meds if they have samples or have any resources you can go thru.
Even try asking a church or local organization like Lyons clubs. It doesnt hurt to ask, the worst that can happen is they say no which is where you are right now. I dont know how medical assistance works with prescriptions, but maybe your local public assistance office is worth a try too.
Your husband needs these meds to get thru tx. Just remember, its ok to ask for help. Hope you find some assistance. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I have never heard of prices like that for Fentanyl patches costing so much. I just went and checked my receipt for that stuff and it shows the full price as $71.99 before my copay is deducted. Christine gave you some good advice. From our local cancer society I received 2 checks to help me. One was for $500 and the next was for $300. I had to be told to call them too by someone in the forums.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | You might also check alternative pharmacies -- Last I heard, Costco was the least expensive and you don't have to be a member to get in to use the pharmacy. Wal-Mart also has good prices.
Age 67 1/2 Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05 Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08 Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08 Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06 Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08) Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08) On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 | I can't believe the cost of care across the pond! For all of it's faults I must say they NHS here has been fantastic. We did not pay a penny for care or meds. Cancer patients here get free prescriptions, and every week we got boxes of Ensure and scandishake free of charge.
Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008. Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm). Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june. 30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October First comparative study scan came back clear
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | But you still talk funny.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 | David... what are you drinking?
Partial glossectomy (25%) anterior tongue. 4/6/07/. IMRT start @5/24/07 (3x) Erbitux start/end@ 5/24/07. IMRT wider field (30x) start 6/5/07. Weekly cisplatin (2x30mg/m2), then weekly carbo- (5x180mg/m2). End of Tx 19 July 07.
| | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | I have a friend and a couple of relatives that say UK, Canada, Japan and other countries' health care systems are in shambles because of socialized medical care. I disagree, but, since talking politics is not my thing I find it hard to get into the debate.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer 8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35 11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 | haha David, I talk even funnier than you might expect! My dad is a Texan, my mum is French, i grew up in France but have been living in England for the past 15 years. I have been told I sound foreign but no one can figure out where I come from. But my dad's mate whom I visited in hopsital said :"You sound like a limey"
Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008. Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm). Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june. 30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October First comparative study scan came back clear
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