I have been on prednisone since April of 2016. I started with 60mg a day and as of today I am down to 5mg. I have lost my medical insurance because its too expensive for me monthly. I have only 2 prescriptions left. Hopefully I can figure something out, because the pain is crippling.
I am sorry for what you have to go thru. I assume that you are in US, because no other developed country treats it's citizens that way. Having said that, if I were you I would go back to the same GP that you got the prescriptions from in the first place, explain the situation you are in and ask for long term prescription or one that lets you do refills as you need. If you are in pain now, then 5mg probably is not managing your symptoms and you would need to go back to the dose that did manage symptoms. That is the dose that your prescription should cover, not 5mg. People who have to work usually require higher dose then one that have ability to take rest brakes during the day.
I am just thinking loud here, if you are in US, depending on your income, you may be able to qualify for Medicaid, which would give you more options for doctor/medication. Luckily, pred is not one of the expensive drugs. Hang in there, I am sure that you will find solution.
Thank you nick67069. Yes i I am in the US. Unfortunately, I'm over income for medicaid and affordable care is to expensive for my budget right now. Hopefully when i run out of my prescription the Doctor that prescribed the medication would be able to suggest what i can do.
Because you had insurance, you may not know that prednisone is one of the least expensive phramaceuticals around. I live in the U S, where drug prices are outrageous, but even here prednisone costs very little.
I didn't realize you were in the US. I use 5mg prednisone as well. Why not GOOGLE, "prednisone 5mg price" and you can find out the exact cost in your locality.
I just took a quick look online. 5mg prednisone around 22c per tablet (Canada 14c). That is less than almost anything else one can buy - a coffee, a newspaper, candy... If your income is too high for Medicare, you can afford $6.60 a month.
Thank you 3party. I appreciate the information. Once my 2 refills run out, without a prescription I dont think a pharmacy would give the prednisone to me.
Hi Marde64
You will have to figure something out because if you stop pred abruptly at 5mg you will get very ill and may go into adrenal crisis..even though your adrenals may have started to start functioning somewhat again because as you probably already know preds have to be tapered slowly....i do hope you can sort something out because of the pain you will suffer and the consequences of stopping abruptly....I cannot believe your script will be stopped when medics know the effects of stopping preds abrupty!....my very best wishes to you Marde64....
Be sure you tell your story, if you feel comfortable doing so, to your federal representative, or with another public figure who may have influence if not now, in the future.
Thank you lilian05079 for your response. I believe that my doctor is willing to help me find a resolution to my dilemma.
Prednisone itself is pretty cheap - do you have no free clinics near you who could provide the scripts? You should not just stop taking pred suddenly even at 5mg because of adrenal function concerns. If it was PMR - why on earth were you started at 60mg? That is a dose for GCA with visual symptoms, not PMR.
The NHS, even with all its current problems, is a wonderful concept. And I know of nowhere in Europe where you are left totally alone because you have too little or too much money.
Thank you Anhaga. I hadn't thought of doing that. If it can help me and others I will do it.
Prednisone is very cheap. $10 or even less for 30 tablets unless you get the coated ones which I believe are more expensive.
Check with GoodRx. They have coupons that are great and they will tell you the approximate price for several pharmacies in your area.