Who affords this stuff?
@1creekgirl (44560)
United States
December 27, 2021 9:55pm CST
After a year of having headaches every day, several times a day I was diagnosed with chronic migraines.
I tried several medicines that not only didn't help, they caused some horrible side effects.
Then my Neurologist started giving me around thirty Botox injections in my head, neck, and shoulders every twelve weeks.
That was a year ago and worked well for a while. They are awfully expensive, but I'm so thankful my insurance covers the cost.
The headaches are gradually getting worse. My doctor gave me samples of a new migraine medicine called Nurtec.
I think possibly it helped some, but not enough doses to know for sure. But I called her for a prescription to try it.
A thirty day supply is between $700 and $1,044!
I can't afford that. And that's the co-pay after my insurance pays.
I sure am thankful that medicine isn't a matter of saving my life. I'll just have to rely on Tylenol Migraine med.
I know new drugs are expensive, but there's no excuse being that expensive.
Even with savings, it wouldn't last long at that price.
Maybe my doctor might can increase the Botox dosage if that's possible. She did give me 32 injections last time instead of 29.
Enough complaining. I'm thankful my insurance does pay for the Botox.
Sleep well, y'all. I'm headed that way myself.
17 people like this
17 responses
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
28 Dec 21
I'm sorry you're having migraines at all and that the meds cost that much out-of-pocket.
I have migraines a couple of times a month and nothing seemed to help until a friend suggested I take one of her nervous tension pills called Soma. I took the Soma and fell asleep about 20 minutes later. When I woke up the migraine was gone. I talked to my doctor and she agreed that taking a Soma causes your muscles to relax and that would ease the tension to the nerve cells, relieving the stress that caused the migraines. I've used a Soma every time I've gotten a migraine since then. My insurance pays the full cost of them, too.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
28 Dec 21
@1creekgirl Thanks... My son had grand mal seizures. They started when he was 15 and learning to drive. My step-daughter took him out for a lesson and my son started having a seizure. He went off the highway and down into a ten foot ditch, back out of the ditch and across both lanes of traffic then down into a twenty foot ditch on the other side. My step-daughter called an ambulance and then us. One of the other motorists called the police.
My son was in the hospital having tests done for almost three days.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
@DaddyEvil That was terrible! Did your son recover eventually?
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
I'm sure glad that helped you. I could try that if I just had migraines off and on each month, but although mine aren't as severe as the classic kind, I have them several times a day.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
28 Dec 21
@1creekgirl We are obliged to have health insurance coverage, but there are medications that are not covered, it is a shame.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
29 Dec 21
That is horrible...So happy I do not get migraines and rarely headaches for that matter.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
29 Dec 21
@snowy22315 I never had UTI's until about ten years ago, now I have them way too often.
But like I've said, "Better to be a late bloomer than never to have bloomed at all."
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
29 Dec 21
I had auras (the flashes that can proceed a headache), but I didn't start with these headaches until a couple of years ago. I've always been a late bloomer, lol.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (14782)
• Ireland
28 Dec 21
@1creekgirl In the UK we have no idea how much meds cost - we just get sick and it’s taken care of. Well it’s not always as simple as that, but pretty much.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
Do you still get the headaches? Are they from your back hurting or do they hurt the back of your head?
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
@TheHorse They could be migraine or sinus or who knows? Glad they're some better. I was so thankful when the Botox was helping, I don't know what to do now.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Dec 21
@1creekgirl Sorry about my typo. I suffer from severe lower back pain. But my headaches were behind my eyes. They have decreased in frequency over recent years. I do not know why.I still suffer from allergies and asthma.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Dec 21
I'm sorry you get those migraines and the medicine is that expensive. You can't use your insurance at all, but sometimes those prescription "saver" cards can save a person a great deal, so I've heard. I know "good RX" is one, I think there are others, too. In the meantime, I hope you get enough relief 
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
29 Dec 21
Thanks, Faye. I've used goodrx when it was less expensive than using my insurance. With this med, it's still way too expensive.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Dec 21
@1creekgirl It is very disappointing
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
28 Dec 21
Headaches can be debilitating, and the cures can impoverish us.I am so sorry this is happening. Hopefully someone here can have a useful suggestion.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56195)
• Canada
28 Dec 21
There is no justifying that cost at all.
Migraine medication has always been costly.
I remember in the early 90's when my hubby was given a prescription for pills to take at the onset of a migraine, they were $64 per pill, and we thought that terribly steep.
They did work and we had 100% coverage from our insurance company, and eventually a decade later, they did come down in price.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
Glad the price eventually came down.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
29 Dec 21
Thanks. It's a little discouraging to feel that the Botox injections aren't working as well now.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122067)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Dec 21
I am sorry to learn about your health problems.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
Thanks. I'm truly blessed to be as healthy as I am.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122067)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Dec 21
@1creekgirl You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (17029)
• United States
29 Dec 21
Medicine is outrageous anymore.
I don't know how you feel about natural remedies but Mike and I go to natural remedies first. Here is a link to some. Perhaps you already know this but I thought I'd pass it along in case there is something you might want to try.
Hope you have a good evening.
https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-ways-to-reduce-migraines#ginger
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
29 Dec 21
Dena, thank you very much! I've saved the link to read later. I'm willing to try most anything at this point. And I like natural remedies when possible.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
It really is terrible. I just don't believe they have to be so expensive. I found out the med can be almost free if you don't have insurance. So unfair.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (127116)
• United States
28 Dec 21
@1creekgirl I know we don't agree on politics but I have to say that I was sad to see Manchin torpedo the BBB bill. It would have capped insulin payments at $35/month. People now are paying up to $1000/month. I don't make a whole heck of a lot but I am thankful to have good health benefits.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
28 Dec 21
You probably have the classic or episodic kind. Mine aren't as severe at one time, but happen throughout the day.
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
28 Dec 21
That's nuts for sure! These pharmaceutical companies are so greedy.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
28 Dec 21
Unfortunately it is all about money for the pharmaceutical companies, like the COVID vaccines. I noticed this med has no generic. So that means they can charge whatever they want. It is so irresponsible how they take advantage of patients. I hope you can get by with the Botox. Glad it helps.
