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EPI meds expense
On Medicare, Medicare supplement and Cigna scrip insurance. My meds are NOT covered. I appealed and my appeal was denied. The “discount card” is not for Medicare patients. I cannot afford my medicine as it costs more than I even receive from SS. I don’t know what else to do. I was misdiagnosed for 30+ years and now that we have finally found a med that works I cannot afford it. I don’t know what else to do. Maintaining weight is not working, currently at 106. with osteoporosis and anemia due to the long term misdiagnosis. I am willing to try just about anything at this point.
I realize I’m not the only one but I live in a small town and just found this group. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. I’m embarrassed that I cannot afford my medicine and while I know that there are other people my age experiencing the same issues, I just never imagined that it would be me too.
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Thanks for the prayers. They have now decided that I have chronic pancreatitis, which I am skeptical about as the radiologists all said that my pancreas looked fine. I have no symptoms of this disease, but they tell me some people don’t. They say that they see scarring. Other than my gut issues I consider myself to be a very healthy 70 year old. I take care of my 93 year old mother and my husband who has multiple serious conditions. I eat healthy and have 1 drink per day in the evening. I do have IBS and a tortuous redundant colon, and now EPI. Wish I felt more comfortable with this diagnosis. But I will say that AbbVie finally came thru with helping me with my Creon!!
Wondering if my husband and I should go to Mayo Clinic for second opinion on our diagnosis.
Have you taken Otho Molecular Digestzyme-V?
Compare with Vidal or other meds?
I'd like to try them?
Marian
I have EPI and use a OTC pancreatic enzyme that is almost identical to Creon and Zenpep from Vital nutrients available on Amazon. Be sure to check the fine print on label to verify the lipase units (around 39,500) if I recall correctly. It is about $80 and works well for me. It is the lipase that’s most important for fat digestion.
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1 ReactionIt’s true that you can have chronic pancreatitis without any symptoms. It is often autoimmune. It can become symptomatic at any time and should be taken seriously. Alcohol should be avoided and any medication you take should be checked as some medications cause pancreatitis as a side effect. Blood tests (amylase and lipase) are usually elevated. I am wondering if you have had those checked, as that would confirm that you do have it. Is your doctor a gastroenterologist? That would be the appropriate specialist to consult about this diagnosis.
I was going to use that one but if you look at the measurement on it is in HUT, where Creon is USP units. One HUT = 6.5 USP.
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1 ReactionThanks for the reply. I sent this to my gastro for input. I don't know if Lipase is Lipase, is Lipase. I'm very curious why this would be $80 and Creon costs me $640, with insurance. Fingers crossed, all Lipase is equal and this will work for me. thank you, thank you.
I looked at those and the difference is that amounts of the three enzymes are expressed differently. The Vital nutrients is written in HUTS and the Creon is in USP Units. 1 HUT =6.5 USP Units. I am currently trying Micraziym also from Amazon. AbbVie is going to help me with the Creon. But it is going to be 10 days before I get them so, am trying these instead.
I have AnthemBCBS. My Creon costs $647 per refill. I have no enzymes ass my pancreas is non functioning. I filled an appeal but have yet to back. My deductible is also ass yours. I guess I’m stuck too. It took 5 doc and 3 years before EPI was identified. I had to insist on the blood draw that covers EPI. Sad
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2 ReactionsSeems EPI isn't a go-to diagnosis. I had an MRI, CT Scan, Blood work and doctor told me "there is one final test we can do by taking a tool sample", which is when my diagnosis happened. I had a vague discomfort under right ribs that wasn't constant, daily or even weekly, but I knew something was wrong and persisted.