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Life on aromasin

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Comments

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    Just joining this thread. I was wondering what folks are paying for the generic Exemestane? My insurance is cost prohibitive till I meet my deductible (at over $300). With GoodRX I can get it for $158.35 a month. Love the app too.

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited May 2014

    Can't help you much on this, lago.  I get a 90 day supply through my HMO for about $20.  

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    Well I just interviewed for 3 jobs so if one of them comes through maybe they will have better insurance than my DH. 2 of them went really well. Not so sure about the telephone interview today. Should have a better idea by the end of this week if any of these are moving forward. 

    So maybe this will only be for a couple of months till a new insurance kicks in.

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited May 2014

    Good luck with your job hunting Lago - will keep my fingers crossed for you that one of them comes up for you Smile

    I can't help with your question though - here in Australia the generic isn't available, and our health system means I only pay $38.00 per month for 30 days worth.


    Trish

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited May 2014

    lago,

    Good luck with the job prospects.  It's about time.....

  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 557
    edited May 2014

    Iago, I can get a 90-day supply of the generic from the cancer hospital pharmacy for $130. I'm on Medicare plus AARP's drug plan.  Good luck with the job search!!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    WaveWhisperer Medicare/AARP is not in my near future. I'm only 53 but $130 is still high considering Anastrozole for me is around $10 and Femara would be around $6, until I reach my deductible. It's all about who the insurance companies make deals with.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    Well it appears the $158.35 a month with GoodRX coupon is not correct for Walmart. Actually $340! Target might be around $200+. This is crazy. Thinking I need a face to face with my MO about what to do.

  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 453
    edited May 2014

    Pfizer has an assistance program.  Maybe you can find help here.   http://www.needymeds.org/generic_list.taf?_function=name&name=exemestane

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    Thanks corky but Exemestane doesn't qualify. I guess figure you can go on Anastrozole of Letrozole

  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 453
    edited May 2014

    lago, I am sorry to hear that they discontinued the Aromasin financial aid program as described here: http://www.aromasin.com/

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    Corky they have not discontinued that but it's for the brand name which is much much more than generic.

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited May 2014

    I have used a few company discount programs, one for BP meds and another for statin. But the purpose on both is to keep on the brand name med.  Now that I am on medicare, they do not work~~~


     

  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 557
    edited May 2014

    Has anyone noticed thinning hair w/ Aromasin? I was on Arimidex for a year, with no hair loss, and have been on Aromasin a year. All of a sudden my hairbrushes are full and when I shampoo, there's a clump in the drain. I've taken Biotin for 2 years daily. Suggestions?? I was so happy to have my hair back after chemo and now are scared the thinning will get worse,

  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 453
    edited May 2014

    So sorry, lago.

    Wave, how is your thyroid?  When I get hyperthyroid my hair thins.

  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 557
    edited May 2014

    Corky, good point but just had it checked as lart of complete physical in April.

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2014

    Jenni, Hot flashes were horrible, just like you described for me for quite a while, I started putting Bragg's apple cider vinegar in water and drank that a couple times a day, and the cut way b

    Back. Now I have them infrequently, don't drink the vinegar anymore....I think my body got used to it. Still have the drenches occasionally, but probably no more than once a month or so!

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2014

    lilky55 I'm on aromasin, and they do bone density scans, for osteoporosis ever other year!

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2014

    lago, mine is $132.20 for exemestane, my copay is $20, but because I'm on Medicare now because I'm on SSDI, i have a $300 deductible, and I hit the donut hole, then I have to pay the $132.20.   🙅

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2014

    lago, why are you switching? And mine is for 30 day supply, and this month my pharmacy couldn't get it, had to go out Of town!!!! 

    Has any one else had trouble getting their aromasin?

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited May 2014

    I'm in Chicago, so that wouldn't be a problem.  Still I've introduced this medicine to my drs and nurses.  Almost no one knows it. And I'm talking about the RO nurse who takes med histories!  My RO and BS did, but they've been working for 30+++ years.  Rather amazing so few know.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    Linda I'm switching due to SE like depression, really bad neck, shoulder back pain, sleep issues mainly. Since I went off it I feel fantastic. I see my MO the beginning of next month to discuss.

    Job stuff isn't going well. 1 decided not to hire anyone. Phone interview wasn't that great although wrong person was doing the interview. 3rd prospect as of yesterday morning hasn't made a decision but I can't connect with the decision maker. So it may still happen but who knows. I haven't received a rejection yet.

  • dventi
    dventi Member Posts: 100
    edited May 2014

    Lago,  what type of work do you do? Hey you never know... maybe someone on the forum has an opportunity for you.

    Just jumping into this thread and saw you have bad neck pain from the Aromasin?  Interesting... that is exactly what I have...not fun at all!!!!

    How long were you on Aromasin and did you just take yourself off? Guess you are switching to another AI?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    dventi I am not on Aromasin yet. I am still on my vacation from Anastrozole. My MO is suggesting I switch to Aromasin. Seems like I could have the same issues but it will cost 30x more. BTW I am a graphic designer.

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2014

    lago, you're switching to aromasin, correct? I still have lots of SEs on the aromasin, but less than on arimedex or femara. And I believe I read that aromasin is easier on osteoporosis too.

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited May 2014

    i try hard to remember to take it at bed time but have problems remembering any meds at bed time, let alone Aromasin.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2014

    Thanks Linda. I have an appointment to talk with my MO on the 4th. I mostly concerned with the depression. I can't function with that issue. 

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 1,748
    edited May 2014

    i find aromasin loads better than letrozole, still side effects but nowhere near as bad

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2014

    i still have depression issues, but the docs think that my pain and fatigue issues are a main cause. Also a pain psychologist has been recommended, but its hard to find one in my area that takes medicare.

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2014

    Maybe a big cry/grieving our old life get together would get rid of the depression? And help us move on with the new us!