Life on aromasin

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2014

    I don't think I'm in the hole, yet. I think Humana screwed up. Retail at Walmart was $500.

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  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 2,112
    edited June 2014

    Good Grief! I feel sorry for you girls in the US having to pay so much for rx. I pay around $36 per month for any rx, it's all subsidised by our gvt, if there is a drug that isn't on our PBS (Prescription Benefits Scheme) then we do pay more, but our health funds pay the difference. Our health funds are not as expensive or convoluted as yours either. Ours aren't tied to employment, and I pay just over $200 per month for myself and my DH. I don't have the extras like dental, glasses etc, but all my hospital costs and specialist drs, and prosthetics are completely covered.

    Even if I didn't have private health insurance, our Medicare system will cover all our hospital costs and tx free (although we do pay 1.5% of our taxable income towards this). I really feel for you girls over there, having to navigate such a difficult system.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2014

    The upside to my Humana plan, my insulin is covered separately ($700) per refill and my insulin pump and supplies are covered 100%. So if diabetes doesn't get me, cancer might. 

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  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,577
    edited June 2014

    lilly55...How much curcumin and boswellia?

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2014

    After a few calls this morning, I found out:

    I'm in the hole

    Aromasin is Not on Humanas preferred list

    Pfizer does have patient assistance, would take about a month or more to process paperwork. I don't have that kind of time. 

    Back to the arimadex when it gets awful, tamoxifen I guess. 

    See you all around the boards

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited June 2014

    i take Exemestane which is generic Aromasin, would that be on Humanas list?

    Linda KR i take one Boswellia in the morning but you can take one twice a day. I take 5ml of LIPOSOMAL CURCUMIN twice a day, the liposomal part is vital for absorption  

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2014

    It's on their 2nd tier list, which is why it was $160.  

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  • kayezzy66
    kayezzy66 Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2014

    Was  on  arimidex since March,but was having so many joint pains that i ask my oncologist yesterday for something that would not be so bad.Went to get my meds,which is aromasin,and  couldnt believe the price difference.Arimidex was 5.00,and aromasin was 45.00...have medicare,and federal blue cross.Gonna try this for a couple of months,to see if this is better for my joints..But i sure dont like the cost. Thanks for being here .

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited June 2014

    Kayezzy66 so far I have to say the joint and muscle issues are either gone on greatly improved on generic Aromasin. If only I could pay $45.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited June 2014

    It's pretty sucky that Exemestane is listed as a generic on our UHC insurance but a Tier 2 so have to pay $40 for 30 day supply.  Instead, I order it through the mail order system and pay one month's worth less that way.  Saves me $40 at least overall.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2014

    I wish I could get it for $40! All my other meds are 0 co pays. 

    GalSal, don't you worry about the meds broiling in your mailbox? I'm in Pinellas it's frickin HOT now. That's why I won't do mail order. DH does, but it's coming from South county to North, but still........

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited June 2014

    Why would I worry about that?  I've never heard anything about that before.  It's in a container within a non-see through bag and in a mailbox on the shady side of the community box.  Fwiw, I get most meds and refills whenever possible sent to me.

    Yes, it is HOT over here in Hillsborough just as much.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2014

    Yes, his stuff comes in a grey plastic bag. Then sits in a black mail box in the sun till I get brave enough to get the mail. Seems like I heard meds should be stored at ------ degrees for safety. That can't mean outside!

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  • ohio4me
    ohio4me Member Posts: 491
    edited June 2014

    http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/diseases-and-m...

    healthwell is an organization that helps pay for medication. Breast cancer is one of the funds but is closed for this year. Mark you calendar and apply in Oct or Nov - or call them for info.

    I use them to help dad pay for his asthma meds. It's not hard to navigate and they reimburse timely. Go to HealthWell foundation and have a look.

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  • kayezzy66
    kayezzy66 Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2014

    Lago,im so sorry to have to pay so much...makes me so mad at drug companies..im gonna stay on it for a couple of months,and see if the pains are gone or not as severe ...i have to do something,feel like an old woman...lol..Dr. said i was an old woman..I also live in Fl.,but for some reason,its hotter in Tampa...my daughter also lives there.I live closer to Ocala..nearer the west coast.This has been some ride with the breast cancer...im clean they say with pet scans,mris,and mamagrams...with not without side effects from the chemo...

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited June 2014

    Kayezzy66 I read you're in the Tampa area?  Every few months a group of us that met here on BCO get together for a Luncheon.  For many, it's the one place they can talk about their BC journey. Feel free to join us!  I'll edit in the thread link for you.

    Yes, it's incredibly HOT right now.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/34/topic/791258?page=49#idx_1462

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited June 2014

    kayezzy66 tell your doctor you don't want to feel like a REALLY old woman  then. So far I'm better on generic Aromasin. I don't think I could have continued on anastrozole. 

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited June 2014

    Yes, if it's wrong for you then speak up kay!  I did about Femara and Arimidex.  Could NOT live with the effects it was having on me.  I'm much better now on Aromasin/Exemestane.  Not entirely effect free but so much better.

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  • kayezzy66
    kayezzy66 Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Galsal,but i live near Ocala...went to one here ,but just wasnt  what i was thinking.But i did do the Looking Good Feel Good ,class,and was totally amazed.I would encourage every one to try it.Its through the American Cancer Society...From the information that i read ... aromasin is ok,so im gonna stay on it for awhile...and it is generic..

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2014

    Kay, I just finished my 5 dang years on the dang PILL, my BP has gone down since ending but not sure if related...then again, I am 6 years clear....next mamo is Monday....yikes

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited June 2014

    I too did the ACS Look Good, Feel Better event.  It was a great time.  Aromasin (generic name is Exemestane) is an AI although it's main base is slightly different than the others.  That's likely one of the reasons it works so much better for me.

    Not a problem, kayezzy.  We're merely a group of women that get together usually at Cheesecake Factory in International Mall, not any official support group.  Most of us aren't involved with any support group and some of the places around here that offer them are specific to the medical center being used by the patient.  One of the few that doesn't discriminate is at St Joseph Hospital here in Tampa.  I've gone a few times but get more out of being able to talk about plastic surgeons, breast surgeons, oncologists, type of reconstruction the others have had, their recommendations for AI side effects, who they recommend for each of the specialties involved with BC, etc.

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  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited June 2014

    lago, glad you're doing better on Aromasin. My experience was the same--an awful first year on Anastrozole, with joint stiffness so bad I could hardly move, and relief when I switched the second year to generic Aromasin. A world of difference. Only now starting to see some hair-thinning. Dermatologist has me taking Viviscal (already was taking Biotin), and I've ordered Nioxin shampoo to try that. Have nightly hot flashes, but have had those ever since DX, when I stopped HRT. Life's a lot better on Aromasin!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited June 2014

    Yeah the night (actually early morning) flashes are a bit worse especially when it gets more humid (in spite of the AC) but it's also my own fault. If I don't eat hot/spicy foods I'm fine. But I continue to eat them. The more I eat the longer the flash. But I don't get all sweaty just very warm. They are not like they were on chemo though. Chemo put me into chemo-pause.

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  • lonnie713
    lonnie713 Member Posts: 236
    edited July 2014

    I start aramosin tmrw. I am 2wks post hysto/ooph. My MO left it up to me to decide. I will try it but if the SE's are unbearable, he will switch me back to the Tamoxifen immediately. I've read so many different things about it but still don't know what to expect. I did add calcium supplements to my daily vitamin regimen as they will help with bone strength. Fingers crossed.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited July 2014

    .Lonnie, best of luck and do not assume you will have SEs.  I just ended my 5 years.  During that time, I revised my exercises to include more strength training and lots of stretching.  I take calcium suppliments every day and a multi vitamin.  I guzzle greek yogurt for Bfast every day.  I know my calcium levels were good in the last blood workup and actually not too worried about my bone density although, just had the first test in 4 years so will see there.

    Stay strong, exercise and eat healthy and you will do fine.

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  • lonnie713
    lonnie713 Member Posts: 236
    edited July 2014

    proudtospin, 

    I love zumba and spinning.  I need to incorporate more strength training and stretching though. I've opted to take the aromasin before bed tonight hoping that I sleep (wishful thinking, I toss and turn all night) the SE's away.  Did you take them in the morning or evening?  

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  • B123
    B123 Member Posts: 730
    edited July 2014

    does aromasin cause bone loss like arimidex does?

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  • lonnie713
    lonnie713 Member Posts: 236
    edited July 2014

    B123, yes it does.

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited July 2014

    Lonnie, because of the steroidal nature of aromasin, most take it during the day as it is known to cause sleep disruption, at least it did for me. I had the same idea as you..;.take at night and sleeep through the side effects..LOL....did not work!

    Aromasin can cause bone loss the same as all AI's.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited July 2014

    Oddly I took my Anastrozole in the morning and had sleep issues. On Aromasin I have no sleep issues. I do take it in the morning.

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