Shocking

[JadedSweetheart]

So I just got a call from my doctor's office confirming my appt tomorrow.  They then proceeded to notify me (with less than 24 hours notice) that my doctor's appt is going from $150 a month to $175 and that the roxicodone 30 I am prescribed and have filled at thier office has gone up to $6 a pill.  To spare you the math, my prescription (as it is, although he is tapering me down) would be $720!
My husband immediately called them back to ask why the dramatic increase in price (it was previously around $200) and if another pharmacy can fill it for a decent price.  They confirmed what we already know, that it's nearly impossible to find at any pharmacy here, and they said they assumed that the other pharmacies in the area the do carry it probably use the same distributor (which is the reason for the increase in price).  I am just floored!
I have, although, been wanting to talk to the doctor about switching me to something more long acting.  I am going to ask if maybe oxycontin with percoset for BT would work, or if not, something else.  I'm pretty sure my insurance covers MSContin and I think it covers Fentanyl.  
I am just so shocked and dismayed and I'd like to know if anyone has some advice for me?
Thanks.

[mellie4]

I just don't know the difference with all these medications.  What exactly is Roxicodone?  I had thought it was another brand of Percocet.  Maybe I'm wrong.

It is so scary to think of running low or running out of your medication at any time, but when you're pregnant, it must be so much worse.

I don't have health insurance at the moment. Luckily all my medications are covered by worker's comp.  But I did, just out of curiosity (and because there may come a time when WC will stop paying), call all the pharmacy chains and some independent ones around me to see the various prices I checked on oxycodone 15 mg. 120 pills.  One pharmacy would charge $37.88 and another $90.00 and there were all kinds of prices in between.That is a huge difference.

It angers me that people have to make a decision between medicine and other necessities.  There really has to be a better way.

[JadedSweetheart]

Thanks for the sympathy everyone.  I don't know if they're open today, but I'm going to call them on Monday if they're not.  I'm trying to give it a try, and since he gave me about 8 extra, I took an extra one yesterday and that seemed to stop the withdrawlish feeling.  For instance, after I took the first one I started to get a rumbling in my stomach like diahrea (which I know is a withdrawl symptom) and my leg started to hurt like I remember GSW said happens to him when he hasn't taken his meds in a while.  So I took another shortly after that and it all went away.
I'm trying to give it a shot today.  My husband said that he felt the doctor truly believed what he was saying about them being almost as effective, but he also agreed he didn't understand the logic.  
I took one this morning and I'd say it works about half as well.  I'm not in killer pain right now, but then I just took the medicine half an hour ago.
I'm really hoping it works because it would, indeed, help with tapering down.  However I can't imagine if I had to do much of anything because that's what sets off my pain.  I told the doctor so and he said "Well you're pregnant, take it easy".  I was like "I basically sit around or lay down all day, I don't see how I could take it any easier!"  
I will try to call them today and see if they're open.  If not I'll have to do nothing until Monday and see if they will even do anything.  I've called before to tell them a medication wasn't working well and they wouldn't let me come in early, but I'm hoping they can give him a message reminding him of his offer of dilaudid and maybe, possibly, he'll help me.  I'm honestly thinking about looking for another doctor who sees pregnant women.  I feel like this doctor isn't treating me for pain, he's just prescribing people pills.

[jamlws]

I would be calling them asap cause it is not good for you to be withdrawling and that was your biggest fear!!! I hope the percs do help you with your pain and you stop feeling bad really soon. Try to relax just like mama Sherry said, you don't need anymore stress. I know your hubby said atleast you have something but if it is not working then it is like having NOTHING!!
(((HUGS)))
Jamie

[namnam46]

Oh BREE!!!! My heart is BREAKING for you!!!  

Honey, I wish there was something that we could do to help you find a pharmacy that has the Roxicodone at a reasonable price.  I'm so VERY sorry.  

Try soaking in a hot tub and relaxing as much as possible. Since it's the week-end is your Hubby home or does he work on the week-end.  Wait doesn't he work out of the house right now?  

HOW MUCH LONGER BEFORE YOU MOVE HERE??  I, so want to get you out here so that you will get some REALLY good Medical care.  I'm VERY concerned about you!!

Please PM me and let me know how you are doing.

Sending ((((HUGS!!)))) and Love to you.....Mama Sherry

[flower12345]

Wow. I'm so sorry that you are going through all of this. You don't need the added stress. I don't understand your doctor's logic at all. Even medically, it makes absolutely no sense. I'm not a doctor, but WOW. What is wrong with him? Maybe I'm wrong. Has anyone ever heard of a doctor saying that before? Is it possible that this is his way of having you taper down? If it is, then it's wrong, because he should be honest with you. Can you call him tomorrow and maybe pick up another script or even the dilaudid?

Hugs,

Flower

[JadedSweetheart]

Well, here's how it went down.  Let me start by saying I broke down in the doctor's office when I started telling him about all the stress I'm going through.  We had to get a loan against my Martin guitar and my husband's Tag watch just to get to the appt.  I went in and told the doctor "I can't afford this medication and I can't afford to drive all over town looking for it either."  His solution?  "Percoset 10s work about 80-90% as well as Roxycodone 30s and they last longer."  I was like "There's no way."  His logic "A valium 10mg is equal to a Xanax 2mg"  I pointed out the obvious, "That's comparing two different medications, we're talking about 30 mgs of oxycodone vs 10 mgs of oxycodone".  No, he insisted they worked almost as well and, hey, they're only $1 a pill.  At first he offfered to add some dilaudid in there to help out, too.  I told him my biggest problem is that I know that if this medication doesn't work, I can call, but I can't come in for another 28 days.  He acknowleged that.  Then towards the end of the appt, my husband asked about the dilaudid, as he was printing out my scripts and the doc said "You probably don't need the dilaudid as you'll have a few extra of the percoset".  because he wrote 120 for a 28 day cycle.  So basically he replaced the roxycodone 30 with percoset 10.  I gave it a few hours and it's NOT working.
I'm just so upset.  My husband is like "At least you have something.", but I even started feeling withdrawl-ish after taking the second dose of percoset.  
At least I have all of you who understand.   I'm sorry for rambling, but I'm writing this in tears.