I was diagnosed in 1983. I have had a kidney transplant ('05), have lupus, COPD and am a severe diabetic. The state will not help me. I am down to one bottle of Lantus and three of Novolog and just found out it would cost me over $2,400 for my 90 day supply. I take 180 units of Lantus once daily and 75 units of Novolog 3-4 times per day. Between my anti-rejection medications and being a diabetic I cannot afford the expense. Can someone out there offer suggestions for help? I tried to contact the companies directly and it was a no-go. Didn’t meet the criteria. I will be dead without any help and am desperate. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Dennis,
I am VERY sorry to read what you are going through.
I recommend you try a couple of things:
-
Go through the resources on this article:
http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/84404/42866/assistance-2-0
They are a number of patient assistance programs, one or more of which could help you. -
Get in touch with Insulin For Life USA:
http://www.insulinforlife.org/contact.html
to see if they can be of assistance.
Unfortunately, we cannot legally allow exchange of prescription items through the community.
Hope this helps.
GOD BLESS!! I HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT. MY ADVICE ISN’T SHORT TERM SOLUTION, BUT MY MOM HAS LUPUS. SHE APPLIED FOR DISABILITY, AND MAYBE A YEAR LATER GOT IT.
Another GREAT resource I just learned about:
http://www.patientadvocate.org/
“Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases.”
Would it be possible for you to purchase some cheaper insulins, such as Humulin R/N, and use them to at least get by until you can get this sorted out another way? Humulin does not require a prescription and I believe single bottles cost around $30.
Manny - I am Dennis’s wife and checking back to tudiabetes and following up in possible help. I will certainly look into the patient advocate organization. Thank you and God Bless!
M
Manny - again I plan to follow up on your sites for possible help. For some reason the state / country seems to offer hand-outs for so many and totally ignores the disabled. When it comes to feeling welcomed with problems concerning my husband’s health I feel the door is slammed in our faces. How American is that?
Blessings - Melissa
Antonia - I am Dennis’s wife. He is legally blind, so I do the footwork to try to assist. Dennis was diagnosed many years ago with his lupus and currently is on many medications for the pain, etc. Right now, it’s just a matter of what will we be able to afford and it isn’t much. With multiple health issues it’s a toss up. Diabetes, lupus, COPD, legally blind, 20% lung capacity and a kidney transplant a few years back. It’s just a balancing game and if you can’t get the medications you die.
Thank you for your encouragement. Melissa
if only it were that simple. With the balancing act of so many health issues it’s a matter of what could or would affect another health issue. We have many specialists and have frequent blood panels done and changing one medication/insulin could prove fatal with all the issues. We simply must what insulin he is currently on - being able top afford them is impossible. I have contacted the insulin companies and he is a no-to for assistance. Hmmm - if only he were a car manufacturer. We would be on easy street! Melissa (Dennins’s wife)
This sounds so frustrating. I am sorry to hear that the state is of no help to you. I don’t understand how they can ignore someone who has all of the ailments. I had posted a place to get help with diabetic supplies. I will find them and post them here for you.
Hi there. I found the sites I hope that these help some. If I find more I will post them for you.
Liberty Medical - http://diabetes.libertymedical.com
http://is.gd/kg2z - American Diabetes Wholesale (said Free Diabetic supplies in google)
http://is.gd/kg2Y - American Diabetes Services - Totally Free Diabetic Supplies.
Hope this helps.
Also check out our group Free Stuff…I am hoping that this sort of thing will be there as well. God Bless you both and I will be praying for you.
I am Dennis’s wife and will check out your leads. Bless you for your work in our case. It’s so nice to have good people want to help.
Hi Dennis’s wife. I have created a Free Stuff Group, that has some links to discounted diabetic supplies and free stuff.
http://tudiabetes.com/group/freestuff
bless your heart. I will check these things out. So far, the test strips and supplies are good - it’s the insulin that is out of sight at 2 grand a whack. Heavy diabetic here! Keep up your spirit-filled site and searches.
Melissa
Another great resource that another member shared:
http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/assistance-with-insulin
Dennis and family,
This website might lead you to help with regard to taking care of the kidney issue.
http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/renalprogram/
If you are over 65 or disabled then the following program ( Illinois cares RX basic) may help with the other drugs needed.
http://www.illinoiscaresrx.com/
Is there a diabetic clinic in your area? They may have some samples of insulin that they can give you to tide you over.
Lantus is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis. They have patient assistance programs
http://www.sanofi-aventis.us/live/us/en/layout.jsp?cnt=34FFDF5A-E281-466F-BDCE-2658D8763A11
Partnership for prescription assistance may also help with drugs
https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php
Access to Care Program
Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Program
DuPage Physician’s Medical Assistance Program
FamilyCare
Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program
Illinois Cares RX
Illinois Rx Buying Club
KidCare
MedAssist
Novalog has a website for assistance.
http://www.novolog.com/reimbursement-default.asp?s=pn
This is the best I can do on short notice. I hope it helps.
thank you for your care and concern with Dennis and his medical needs. People like you help the world to be a finer place. I will look into all the websites you found.
Blessings - Melissa & Dennis
I’ve gotten a few more Patient Assistance Resources from a friend. I combined them with the ones that have been mentioned here and posted all of them on this page:
http://tudiabetes.com/notes/Diabetes_Patient_Assistance_Resources