Wellness

[Laura14]

Is it possible for you to use Metformin?  Pharmacies will offer that medication for free.

[carlycat]

My boyfriend has Type 2, takes Lantus, and Metformin. He can't take anything else. He has talked to his dr, his insurance company, and Medicare. His COPAY is $1,000. He's still in the donut hole. It's terrible. It's like they want people to die. 

[emmysmom]

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@Trinity11 wrote:

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@emmysmom wrote:

Been using insulin since 2012...received a letter today saying I would not be getting any assistance. I can't afford it on my own. I'm calling a company called SimpleFill...to see if I can enroll. Anyone else have problems affording insulin??

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If I remember correctly @emmysmom, you are a Type 2 diabetic. Have you investigated other meds other than Lantus for your diabetes? As a Type 2 diabetic, there are many far less expensive routes you could go other than the utilization of insulin. Have you discussed this with your physician? If you were denied coverage by your insurance company, you can always have your physician place a claim that no other medication but insulin will help you. Also metformin is an excellent drug for diabetes helping with insulin resistance thus making it that you may be able to use less at least.

I am a Type 1 diabetic with private insurance. I have heard some horror stories from people on Medicare Part D in regard to the cost of insulin. Even now my co-pays are very expensive as I need both a basal and short acting insulin.

Hopefully, this life saving drug will not continue to increase in price. It was always very affordable and suddenly the price has increased exponentially. More needs to be done to make it affordable for everyone and Soon!

Good luck to you and I hope that you find a solution in finding more affordable insulin if no other medication can be substituted.

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I spent this morning on the phone...had to talk to several different agencies ...after all that..found out it was a State issue and had NOTHING to do with my drug coverage! I found this wonderful man..(even gave me his personal number and told me what to do..) So...the beggining of next year, I have to ask for an exception from my doctor because my secondary insurance doesn't cover LANTUS!! What a nightmare. I went through all of this last year..!  Thanks for all your suggestions and letting me vent..! 

[Witchy Woman]

@emmysmom

I buy my Lantus insulin pens for my cat at Mark's Marine Pharmacy in Canada.  

Last time I ordered a month or so ago, the cost for 5 pens was $164.99.  

There will be a delivery charge (in the summer it is more because they ship in a cooler with ice.)  

Even with that cost, it is MUCH cheaper than buying in the US.

I have purchased here for several years and they are very nice AND reliable.  

[Trinity11]

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@emmysmom wrote:

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@Trinity11 wrote:

---

@emmysmom wrote:

Been using insulin since 2012...received a letter today saying I would not be getting any assistance. I can't afford it on my own. I'm calling a company called SimpleFill...to see if I can enroll. Anyone else have problems affording insulin??

---

If I remember correctly @emmysmom, you are a Type 2 diabetic. Have you investigated other meds other than Lantus for your diabetes? As a Type 2 diabetic, there are many far less expensive routes you could go other than the utilization of insulin. Have you discussed this with your physician? If you were denied coverage by your insurance company, you can always have your physician place a claim that no other medication but insulin will help you. Also metformin is an excellent drug for diabetes helping with insulin resistance thus making it that you may be able to use less at least.

I am a Type 1 diabetic with private insurance. I have heard some horror stories from people on Medicare Part D in regard to the cost of insulin. Even now my co-pays are very expensive as I need both a basal and short acting insulin.

Hopefully, this life saving drug will not continue to increase in price. It was always very affordable and suddenly the price has increased exponentially. More needs to be done to make it affordable for everyone and Soon!

Good luck to you and I hope that you find a solution in finding more affordable insulin if no other medication can be substituted.

---

I spent this morning on the phone...had to talk to several different agencies ...after all that..found out it was a State issue and had NOTHING to do with my drug coverage! I found this wonderful man..(even gave me his personal number and told me what to do..) So...the beggining of next year, I have to ask for an exception from my doctor because my secondary insurance doesn't cover LANTUS!! What a nightmare. I went through all of this last year..!  Thanks for all your suggestions and letting me vent..! 

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@emmysmom... do you have CVS Caremark? They have a substitute (Basaglar) that they offer which is as effective. Lantus has been dropped from a lot of insurance companies.

[PamfromCT]

Dear @emmysmom, I am most sorry that you are in this situation.  It makes me very angry.  We are the richest country in the world.  I also agree with the poster that all these drug ads on tv are ridiculous.  Like anyone is going to tell their doctor they want a certain drug because they saw an impressive ad on tv?  Can you imagine the costs for these ads?  I sincerely hope your problem can be resolved quickly.

[emmysmom]

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@Witchy Woman wrote:

@emmysmom

I buy my Lantus insulin pens for my cat at Mark's Marine Pharmacy in Canada.  

Last time I ordered a month or so ago, the cost for 5 pens was $164.99.  

There will be a deliver charge (in the summer it is more because they ship in a cooler with ice.)  

Even with that cost, it is MUCH cheaper than buying in the US.

I have purchased here for several years and they are very nice AND reliable.  

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You know you're an angel! I took care of a couple whose cat had diabetes! He was a doctor, she was a psychiatrist..he would call the kitty and she would run to him..he would lift her up on the table..and she would purr while he gave her the injection,.she knew he was helping her! He and his wife had physical problems..I loved them and their Golden retriever, Mimi! She would wait for me to come in the morning...I could see her peeking through the living room drapes! I was able to take her for long walks while I was there..I loved that girl..very happy memories! That began my career as a caregiver..! I had many more..! 

[emmysmom]

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@Trinity11 wrote:

---

@emmysmom wrote:

---

@Trinity11 wrote:

---

@emmysmom wrote:

Been using insulin since 2012...received a letter today saying I would not be getting any assistance. I can't afford it on my own. I'm calling a company called SimpleFill...to see if I can enroll. Anyone else have problems affording insulin??

---

If I remember correctly @emmysmom, you are a Type 2 diabetic. Have you investigated other meds other than Lantus for your diabetes? As a Type 2 diabetic, there are many far less expensive routes you could go other than the utilization of insulin. Have you discussed this with your physician? If you were denied coverage by your insurance company, you can always have your physician place a claim that no other medication but insulin will help you. Also metformin is an excellent drug for diabetes helping with insulin resistance thus making it that you may be able to use less at least.

I am a Type 1 diabetic with private insurance. I have heard some horror stories from people on Medicare Part D in regard to the cost of insulin. Even now my co-pays are very expensive as I need both a basal and short acting insulin.

Hopefully, this life saving drug will not continue to increase in price. It was always very affordable and suddenly the price has increased exponentially. More needs to be done to make it affordable for everyone and Soon!

Good luck to you and I hope that you find a solution in finding more affordable insulin if no other medication can be substituted.

---

I spent this morning on the phone...had to talk to several different agencies ...after all that..found out it was a State issue and had NOTHING to do with my drug coverage! I found this wonderful man..(even gave me his personal number and told me what to do..) So...the beggining of next year, I have to ask for an exception from my doctor because my secondary insurance doesn't cover LANTUS!! What a nightmare. I went through all of this last year..!  Thanks for all your suggestions and letting me vent..! 

---

@emmysmom... do you have CVS Caremark? They have a substitute (Basaglar) that they offer which is as effective. Lantus has been dropped from a lot of insurance companies.

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Yes..I have Caremark...I'm afraid to change drugs because Lantus works..never had any side effects..after talking to my doctor last year..she understood my worry, because I'm allergic too most antibiotics and pain relievers! She wanted to switch me to Toujeo..WHY are the companies dropping Lantus?? Its a proven drug..and been around for awhile..(I'll read about Basaglar).tia!

[tansy]

My insurance for 2019 has dropped Lantus but will cover Levemir.

I use the vials instead of pens.

[MoJoV]

@emmysmom Your post really makes me sad.  It's so disgusting what we've allowed to happen with life saving drugs in our country. We all sit and shake our heads, we have to get something done about this.  I pray you find some solution.  It's so wrong you should have to go through this.