Migraines and My Family's Budget

By jennyc Monday, January 21, 2008

- A
- A
- A

Migraine disease can be expensive. Extremely expensive. I suppose if you are a person who needs only abortive pills or only one preventative med, you are not dishing out humungous amounts of $$$...But I'm not so "lucky!" (As if any of us migraineurs can be called lucky!)

Right now, I take three expensive preventative medications and 5 supplements (two of which are prescription medications). When I have a migraine, I have a choice: injections, nose spray, or pills (if I can keep them down). For the nausea, I have injections, suppositories, and pills (again, if I can keep them down). If all else fails, I have two rescue meds--one pill (if I can keep it down) and one injection. I also have to travel each month (by plane) to see my HA specialist and I get nerve blocks and trigger point injections in his office.

All of these migraine interventions add up to BIG $$$. Factor into this picture the fact that I have HORRIBLE prescription coverage. We pay a large portion of the cost of every med (35%). There are many migraine meds I can't even afford right now (Imitrex injections, for one).

I was wondering why my family and I have been having such difficulty with sticking to our budget. I did the math and realized that my medical expenses plus my son's various medications added up to 2/3 of our monthly income!!!! That is an absolutely unbelievable amount of $$$ for medicine and doctor visits!!!

No wonder I'm falling short on my bills. No wonder I ate cereal for dinner tonight. No wonder my gas bill is late this month. No wonder I have no money to buy the 4 new tires my car needs IMMEDIATELY! (There only two lines of tread visible on the tires--I mean it!)

Today, I feel like giving up. I feel like leaving my migraine treatment behind and just stopping all of the meds. My famliy would be much better off financially! I'm trying to remind myself that I must keep at it, but it's very upsetting to see that my health is consuming such a HUGE chunk of my family's resources... Sad

Migraine family

Comments (10) | Add comment

MaxJerz

1/21/08 11:13pm

Jenny, I feel for you. Migraine disease is so frustrating on its own, and then when you start looking at all the ripple effects and it's enough to make you want to give up. I'm somewhat afraid to tally up my medical expenses from last year (which I need to do for my taxes).

Please don't give up on yourself. You absolutely deserve the best health care you can get. You are worth it.

Know that all of us are here for you. Heart

jennyc

1/22/08 12:17pm

Thanks, MJ! Your support means so much to me! I usually try to stay positive, but I struggle with guilt when I see that my illness is affecting the rest of my family...

But I'm not giving up!! I plan to be aroung for a LOOOONNNG time! Big Grin

Heart jenny

MaxJerz

1/22/08 12:31pm

Jenny, I hear you on the guilt. I feel guilty when DBF takes on more than his share of errands and chores. He reminds me that it's not my fault I'm sick, and given the choice, I would help him out. (And I do when I can.) I think guilt is something we all struggle with. Pinch

Katinthecorner

1/22/08 8:14am

Between prescription drugs, doctor's office visits, ER visits, diagnostic tests... This is EXPENSIVE! I'm sorry to hear you have to be on so many different things... Have you thought about contacting the companies that make your medications to see if they offer Rx assistance? It couldn't hurt. Good luck!

jennyc

1/22/08 12:21pm

Hi Kat!

I'm working with Glaxosmithkline to see if I can get assistance for the Imitrex injections and nasal spray. It's hard, because my DH is working and does have a fairly decent salary. Our insurance and prescription coverage are so lousy that we can't seem to get ahead, though.

Anyway, I think I'll look into the other drug companies, too! Like you said, it certainly couldn't hurt!!

Heart jenny

Pamela Burns

1/22/08 9:36am

Jenny - I totally understand. When I first started my current job, my plan didn't cover pre-existing conditions. I was seeing my HA doctor plus getting nerve blocks and trigger point injections once a week. By the time my husband and I got married, I had racked up an additional $12,000 in medical bills in just 5 months (not including the credit I was still paying off from being unemployed and student loans and a car payment). Fortunately for me, I am now on my plan and my husband's plan. My employer covers the cost of my plan which is great but I still manage to accumulate several thousands of dollars in prescriptions. Like you, I have preventatives (3 prescriptions at the moment), an anti-nausea, and 4 different abortives to choose from - including the Imitrex injections. Plus, I'm starting some supplements soon as well as I am just at the beginning stages of figuring out what works and what doesn't for me. Throw in a couple of IV treaments (at about $400+ each) and there's where my money goes. The insurance should take care of the IVs, but I have to get reimbursed, which takes a long time.

I don't know how you do it but I am so proud of you. I think we've all had moments where we all want to just quit all the meds and not have to deal with it anymore - I KNOW I have many times in my short life! The only help I can offer is for you to really take advantage of a Flex Spending account if one is available to you or your husband. At least then the medical costs will be tax free. You could probably also itemize your taxes, given your extraordinary expenses, and come out ahead.

I want you to know that I'm rooting for you. Please don't give up - we need you here Grin

jennyc

1/22/08 12:24pm

Hi Pamela!

I'm sorry to hear you're having the same $$ issues I'm having! I think there are lots of us in the same boat (unfortunately).

Thank you so much for your kind words! You made me smile!! Big Smile

Don't worry--I'm here to stay!! I plan to be posting here for a LONG time!

Heart jenny

netcorrupter

1/22/08 11:48pm

Wow! I feel really bad for you. I purchased 6 pills thru my prescription plan recently & it cost me $35. (They told me that 12 -i think-cost over $300!) Have you talked to your neurologist about the problem? Im in the medical field & I know for a fact there are many,many people getting everything they need for little or no money. Perhaps he/she can direct you as where to get assistance.Also, have you tried Midrin? Its hard to find but really cheap

geekygranny

1/25/08 1:05pm

Hi Cindy!

Do you have insurance? If not, then go to www.pparx.org and fill in all the medications you take from one doctor. Then you will be asked a serious of questions. Finally you get to a point where it will tell you what forms they have ready for you and will provide a Wizard to fill in the forms if needed.

Next step is to print it but what it does is create a pdf file you can download and print. Give it the name of your doctor so you know where you need to take the file to.

If you have another doctor giving you meds, then you will have to do this over again for that doctor as well.

Then you have your doctor fill out the remaining form, and you will need to provide proof of income based on what they want.

I've been able to get my four expensive meds free, and I took my other three generics to Costco and got a great member's discount.

Also, I will be getting Imitrex and Topamax free as well. I just need to get the prescriptions from my doctor and have him follow through on the Imitrex case.

So there are options for meds. It really is worth it. Good luck!

Nancy Meyer

1/25/08 5:08pm

Money is a huge factor in treating any longterm disease. I am in total agreement that healthcare is a major financial burden on my family as well. Keep your chin up as you are not alone.

Nancy

Migraines and My Family's Budget

Ask a Question