Misfit Toy
Senior Member
- Messages
- 4,178
- Location
- USA
Hey all! So, I have fibromyalgia, as many of you know. I also have Intercostal Neuralgia, which is actually worse for me. That is when there is a nerve that is inflamed and wraps around the ribs and causes horrible restrictive pain to the point of having a hard time breathing.
So, here is my question; I have been on Lidoderm patches for 2 years and they have really helped with my pain a lot. Problem is; I don't have medicine coverage. Prescription coverage. I receive almost all of my meds for free with patient assistance programs, but this will not be possible as Lidoderm and now the generic, Lidocaine have discontinued any kind of free coverage for patient assistance as of December of 2013. I have searched high and low and there is no coverage for it by any company, etc.
The lidoderm patch is $378 in cost. The lidocaine generic patch is $240.00 at Walmart.
Has anyone tried these and have they worked for you and have you switched to something else? I am trying to figure out what to do because I don't or can't really take pain meds because I have reactions to most pain meds, but the patches I have no reactions to and they work. They do. The bring the pain around my ribs down a major notch.
I need a different alternative to help me get through this because I just don't think I can afford to spend that much money a month for the patches. I am already spending close to a $1,000 and some of that is for alternative methods that have helped like the peptide shot.
Anyway, any kind of insight would greatly help. I also found a coupon for these drugs, but it's not that significant that I have noticed. Meaning, it will still be about $200 a month.
Thanks, all for any info!
So, here is my question; I have been on Lidoderm patches for 2 years and they have really helped with my pain a lot. Problem is; I don't have medicine coverage. Prescription coverage. I receive almost all of my meds for free with patient assistance programs, but this will not be possible as Lidoderm and now the generic, Lidocaine have discontinued any kind of free coverage for patient assistance as of December of 2013. I have searched high and low and there is no coverage for it by any company, etc.
The lidoderm patch is $378 in cost. The lidocaine generic patch is $240.00 at Walmart.
Has anyone tried these and have they worked for you and have you switched to something else? I am trying to figure out what to do because I don't or can't really take pain meds because I have reactions to most pain meds, but the patches I have no reactions to and they work. They do. The bring the pain around my ribs down a major notch.
I need a different alternative to help me get through this because I just don't think I can afford to spend that much money a month for the patches. I am already spending close to a $1,000 and some of that is for alternative methods that have helped like the peptide shot.
Anyway, any kind of insight would greatly help. I also found a coupon for these drugs, but it's not that significant that I have noticed. Meaning, it will still be about $200 a month.
Thanks, all for any info!