Missing doses

[Illuminess]

I've had to endure the whole Christmas weekend without my scripts, and today it's really starting to hit me. I feel agitated and could potentially snap at someone. I should be picking them up today, though. It's amazing how noticeable it is; not just after starting, but when you go days without it. Luckily, my ADD meds take the edge off a little. The reason I had to go without is because I can't drive right now. My inspection is way overdue, and other things take financial priority. I have to rely on someone to drive me to the clinic pharmacy to pick them up. I can't get them at my local Walgreens, because they aren't contracted to give me my discount. It's either I pay over $100 or $35 at the clinic. Has anyone else had to miss several days?

[ImagineKate]

I know the feeling, when I went off self med. Now back on with medical supervision and a plan I'm not stopping for anything. I feel the changes and they feel great.

About the scripts, can't you get them delivered by mail? And what are you taking that costs so much? Injectibles or pills? Pills are dirt cheap, try Walmart or Costco (no membership needed).

[Illuminess]

I know the feeling, when I went off self med. Now back on with medical supervision and a plan I'm not stopping for anything. I feel the changes and they feel great.

About the scripts, can't you get them delivered by mail? And what are you taking that costs so much? Injectibles or pills? Pills are dirt cheap, try Walmart or Costco (no membership needed).

I take Estradiol tablets and Spironolactone. Without my clinic discount they're around $100. I will ask the pharmacy today about mailing them to me.

[ImagineKate]

I take Estradiol tablets and Spironolactone. Without my clinic discount they're around $100. I will ask the pharmacy today about mailing them to me.

Try walmart pharmacy. My insurance wouldn't cover estradiol but they have generics for $4/30 pills and $10/90 pills. Spiro is also on the $4 list but I think only smaller doses. They also do mail order and you can refill online or via the app. Walgreens/Duane Reade wanted $43 for the same 90 pills!

[Illuminess]

Try walmart pharmacy. My insurance wouldn't cover estradiol but they have generics for $4/30 pills and $10/90 pills. Spiro is also on the $4 list but I think only smaller doses. They also do mail order and you can refill online or via the app. Walgreens/Duane Reade wanted $43 for the same 90 pills!

Well, I go to this clinic that has its own Walgreens, and they don't have contracts with Walmart. I have to use theirs for now. I don't have normal insurance. I get a discount from the clinic.

[jeni]

Well, I go to this clinic that has its own Walgreens, and they don't have contracts with Walmart. I have to use theirs for now. I don't have normal insurance. I get a discount from the clinic.

Can you not get the clinic to give you a prescription to take elsewhere? Might be worth asking if the Walmart prices are actually lower than your discounted prices.

Also, Target has the same deal for estradiol and spiro as Walmart. (I prefer Target to WM.)

[ImagineKate]

Well, I go to this clinic that has its own Walgreens, and they don't have contracts with Walmart. I have to use theirs for now. I don't have normal insurance. I get a discount from the clinic.

They don't have to have a contract. You can get your prescription filled anywhere. You can even transfer your prescription. Walmart (or Target, or Costco) will call up Walgreens and transfer the prescription.  You can even do it from the website or app... There is no need to pay those prices at all.

[Illuminess]

Can you not get the clinic to give you a prescription to take elsewhere? Might be worth asking if the Walmart prices are actually lower than your discounted prices.

Also, Target has the same deal for estradiol and spiro as Walmart. (I prefer Target to WM.)

Well, they only do electronic prescriptions. The best they can do is transfer it to another Walgreens that is on the same contract, and I'm not sure they do. It certainly wouldn't be one that's too far from the clinic. As far as mailing them to me that's probably a more viable option. I mean, I'll eventually end up moving out of Houston (potentially Texas entirely) and have my records transferred somewhere where paper prescriptions are given. Right now, though, I have to stick with Legacy. I don't mind paying $35 a month for my scripts. Plus, I'll get my car fixed up and inspected soon, too, so I don't have to worry about getting rides to my appointments.

[Ms Grace]

Quite a few folks have to go without their meds in the lead up to an operation. I believe crankiness is quite a common side effect!

[Dee Marshall]

Try walmart pharmacy. My insurance wouldn't cover estradiol but they have generics for $4/30 pills and $10/90 pills. Spiro is also on the $4 list but I think only smaller doses. They also do mail order and you can refill online or via the app. Walgreens/Duane Reade wanted $43 for the same 90 pills!

I don't recall spiro on Walmart's list. It costs me about $45 a month there. Of course dosage prices differ and we can't talk about doses, so we may both be right.

[ImagineKate]

Well, they only do electronic prescriptions. The best they can do is transfer it to another Walgreens that is on the same contract, and I'm not sure they do. It certainly wouldn't be one that's too far from the clinic. As far as mailing them to me that's probably a more viable option. I mean, I'll eventually end up moving out of Houston (potentially Texas entirely) and have my records transferred somewhere where paper prescriptions are given. Right now, though, I have to stick with Legacy. I don't mind paying $35 a month for my scripts. Plus, I'll get my car fixed up and inspected soon, too, so I don't have to worry about getting rides to my appointments.

Even if they do e-scripts you can have it transferred. I don't think I've handed in an actual paper prescription in a long while and I definitely shop around for non-covered stuff.

Really, look into it. You DO have a choice!

[ImagineKate]

I don't recall spiro on Walmart's list. It costs me about $45 a month there. Of course dosage prices differ and we can't talk about doses, so we may both be right.

The $4 spiro is small dose, about 1/4 to 1/8 of what MtFs would need.

The list is available publicly on the internet, do a search for it. However what they did with me was simply sell me a 90 day supply of Estradiol for 30 days usage. Spiro I had no problems with since it's blood pressure medicine.

[Illuminess]

The $4 spiro is small dose, about 1/4 to 1/8 of what MtFs would need.

The list is available publicly on the internet, do a search for it. However what they did with me was simply sell me a 90 day supply of Estradiol for 30 days usage. Spiro I had no problems with since it's blood pressure medicine.

Yeah, my dose is probably the biggest one (for the whole day, that is), at least for a first prescription. I have to see my endo in May for a review of things. I was actually considering switching to injections. I originally asked about the patches, but my endo suggested against it. The reason for this is because I take Adderall, and even though there's no contraindications between Adderall and Estradiol it still worries me about the vasoconstriction which could increase chances of DVT. I can't give either of them up if I'm going to be any kind of happy and productive human being.

[Dee Marshall]

My PCP dropped my other BP med in favor of the Spiro, and my current prescription has his name on it rather than the endo's, but I guess the dose is too unusual. Have to research it again, I guess. No problem with the E. I get that at the 90 day price.


Edit: My dose is many times the $4 price at Walmart, even the $10 amount does me no good, but if I move my script to RiteAid I can get it for about $16. Have to check their price on E and maybe move all of my meds.

[ImagineKate]

Yes, it pays to shop around. I did not realize this until I started HRT. And the generics are basically the same ones.

Costco also deeply discounts their generics for people without insurance. They basically give up the profit on them. It's a loss leader to drive store traffic. You also don't need a membership to use their pharmacy, per federal law.