Craig and I live together, work together, and eat the exact same stuff. So I go to the doctor last week, get a great report, and Craig goes yesterday, and his Cholesterol is way high.
So Craig is one of those people whose body makes too much Cholesterol. His whole family is on medication. But he tried a statin(Lipitor) and his liver enzymes went sky high. So now the doctor wants him to try Zetia. It's not suppose to bother the liver as much. But of course, there is no generic version available, so it's $100 a month! ouch! We pay a combined $784 a month for health insurance, and have no prescription coverage!
Checking on the Internet, I find we can get the generic version in Canada for $13 a month! What's wrong with this picture?
Of course, we won't get any one in congress to fix this health mess, they all get free health care for life after serving 5 years!
Again! What's wrong with this picture?
And we wonder why there are so many people with out health insurance. I wonder how much longer we'll be able to afford it the way the premiums go up every year!
Okay....I'm done ranting now...
And no...., I don't feel better.
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
ReplyDeleteOld age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light...." (Dylan Thomas)
Never stop ranting about such things! Yes, what is wrong with this picture!
This is the part where Bruce says that he just wants to enjoy each day.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Craig's cholesterol issues. Family genes sure can suck.
I think it is criminal that health insurance companies can get away with such premiums and don't include prescription coverage.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is thank goodness mine does... it's the one bright spot in my financial picture.
Give Craig a hug for me.
My heart goes out to you guys...and all of the others who are in your same shoes. I am one hell of a lucky man that we both have great insurance and whatever mine doesn't pay, his picks up. Plus, my Zocor (for cholesterol) is generic....and is free! I just had my bloodwork taken last week....all is perfect, including the liver enzymes. I'll send out special energy and prayers for the same for hubby.
ReplyDeleteI have high cholesterol too and pay about $100 a month for Vytorin. It's already time for a refill but I'm going to talk to my doctor about alternatives. The expense is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI'm with ou, Wayne. Although my health insurance includes prescriptions, the co-pays can be a killer, too. Plus they told me they were going to stop paying for my Nexium and, since there is no generic for it, I had to switch to something less effective that is generic. Same thing with my lipitor (which, fortunately, didn't have any adverse effects on me). I already feel like the guy in the cartoon :)
ReplyDeleteIt's ridiculous that we have the best medicine in the world but not everyone has access to it. Too bad politicians only talk about helping. And keep ranting, it's good for you.
ReplyDeleteI can only echo the sentiments that you and others have expressed. I wish that I could be optimistic that things will change with a new administration, but it is hard to be positive about health insurance...
ReplyDeleteA good friend of mine has leukemia, and Gleevec has saved his life. His prescription costs $6,000 per month...that's right: $72,000 per year. If he didn't have prescription coverage, he'd be dead, because he couldn't afford to keep living.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Something is very wrong with our health care system. Our health insurance is tied to our jobs. If my friend loses his job, he's toast.
oh that just sucks big time! sorry...
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
Hey Wayne,
ReplyDeleteHere's the generic for Zetia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezetimibe
Bruce
In case you want a more reliable source. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/tc/high-cholesterol-medications
Bruce
Hyperlipidemia runs in my family as well...Two of my Uncles died due to high LDL related illnesses, my Mother is on medication for life. I am yet to have mine levels checked, again, something I am always getting around too...
ReplyDelete