Donna,

Sorry it took so long to reply... Anyhow, have you looked into the
patient assistance programs that the manufacturers of those
medications have available (if you'd like, I could try to find some
links for you)? $150/month is far too high for anyone to bear.
Another suggestion would be to check to see what is on the formulary
and if that would be a viable alternative -- I'm currently on Advair
and albuterol (it is on many formularies now since it has two agents
in it, and is probably far cheaper than each one would be
seperately)... BTW, I was on pulmicort and combivent for a while in
2003 (when I had pneumonia) since my doctor had samples of them.

Anyhow, happy new year!
Chris

--- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, "Donna" <dcayton@b...> wrote:
>
> Hey Chris...
>
> I have already discussed the Singulair with the doctor and he says
> nope. They have me on 3 different inhalers: Foradil @ 1 puff twice
> a day, Spiriva @ 1 puff a day and now Pulmicort @ 4 puffs twice a
> day. Yes the humidity really gets me down. But my prescription
> costs are even worse. $150 per month for this stuff and I have good
> insurance. They just aren't on the "formulary list". Ticks me off
> that I pay so much for medical insurance and then still have to pay
> what I do. Being divorced and on limited income, it makes it kinda
> hard. Guess we just have to hang in there and do our best. Take
> care,
> Donna
>
> --- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, Christopher Walters
> <cjw2004d@y...> wrote:
> > Hi Donna,
> >
> > Currently I am on the Advair Diskus (250/50) twice per day, and
> albuterol inhaler as needed... One thing I suggest that you ask
> your doctor about is Singulair - everyone I know that has had it
> says it helps alot. I can imagine that being outside in the humid
> air (Florida is almost always more humid that Michigan - where I'm
> from) - I've found that I can't function very well without the air
> conditioner, myself. If it gets really bad, I may consider moving
> somewhere with less humidity...
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > Donna <dcayton@b...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Chris...
> >
> > I was diagnosed with emphysema myself this past May. I'm 58 and
> > smoked for a long time, but not really a heavy smoker. They have
> me
> > on inhalers: Spiriva and Foradil. I have real problems with my
> > breathing though, especially when I try to do anything. I live in
> > Florida and the hot weather really bothers me when I am outside.
> > What meds are you on?
> >
> > Donna
> >
> > --- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Walters" <cjw2004d@y...>
> > wrote:
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I just got diagnosed with emphysema. I had pneumonia last year
> (May
> > > 2003), and this year, around Sep 10, I went to the ER with chest
> > > pains, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and nausea - I
> > thought it
> > > was a heart attack. The ER doctor diagnosed me as having
> pneumonia
> > > (again) and gave me antibiotics and albuterol. Yesterday I was
> > finally
> > > able to get a follow-up on this (I still felt that I had
> > pneumonia).
> > > They gave me a pulmonary function test, and got the x-rays from
> the
> > > hospital - then the doctor told me that I have emphysema. This
> > > floored me, as I am only 33, and all of my research into this
> > > condition led me to believe that this is very young to be
> diagnosed
> > > with emphysema (my mother has it). I have been a smoker since
> > about
> > > age 15, but I've not been a heavy smoker for most of my life...
> > Most
> > > of the people I know who have been diagnosed with it were in
> their
> > > 50's when diagnosed and had smoked more for many more years than
> > I. I
> > > feel that I must look into the possibility that there is
> something
> > > else going on here.
> > >
> > > Chris
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> > Message From: Chris Walters
> > Email: cjw2004d@y...
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