Epi questions from newbie

Started by DysonsMom, January 13, 2014, 08:40:27 PM

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DysonsMom

Well, I did it. I begged and borrowed and came just short of stealing, but I got an epipen for my 4 year old. Between a coupon, calling around, and some sort of mysterious finagling by a sympathetic pharmacist, I got the price down to $234. So, my wallet is significantly lighter, but I will sleep easier tonight.  :)
Anyway, about the two pens in the prescription: Do I need to separate them and keep one at home or am I supposed to keep them together?
I picked up a little camouflage bag and put an action plan, benedryl, and the epipens in it.  I am assuming that I will need to get some sort of cooler to carry it in the summer? I live in Florida and we spend a lot of time outdoors. That could be a bit of an issue in the summer!
Thanks for all the help, guys. It has been such a relief to have you all to turn to! :grouphug:

yelloww

Hi!  :bye:

I'm glad you have the pens finally!

We always carry two in case one misfires.

They can travel for some time outside of the temp range on the label.hey may be just fine in you camp bag.

I put ours in a cooler bag when it's really hot out, like over 100 degrees and we are at the beach.... but not with ice or anything cold. Simply as a way to help them maintain their current temp. Just by themselves in the bag.

Otherwise they are just in my bag.

A decade ago I called Dey to find out what there definition was of "excursions" for the Epi's. They out me through to one of the scientists. I wish I recalled how long they could be out of their temp range, but I don't, sorry! You can call and ask. If they can't answer it with a specific duration, have them transfer you.

CMdeux

Good job, Mama!! 

I'll reiterate what yellow states above-- just remember that the pens have to be where YOU are.  If you're comfortable, so are they.  If YOU wouldn't like being left where the epipens are, then neither do they.   :thumbsup:
Resistance isn't futile.  It's voltage divided by current. 


Western U.S.

DysonsMom

Thanks! I have them in a bag with my keys, so I don't accidentally forget them! ;D

Macabre

It is utterly sinful that Mylan's pricing and you insurance are such that you have to pay that much.

I am so glad you were able to spring for them. But what about people who can't pull the money together?

I'm thinking insurance should be required to cover this. Having them--and frankly more than two--is a matter of life and death.

It shouldn't be this hard. :-/
DS: 🥜, 🍤

CMdeux

No, it should not.  There really ought to be some way that people who are caught in insurance coverage gaps can get emergency assistance with this particular expense.  It's like a heart medication or insulin, for heaven's sakes. 

(Of course, I realize that people have to struggle with those as well.  But it's wrong.)

Resistance isn't futile.  It's voltage divided by current. 


Western U.S.

twinturbo

More on the functional than political side I wonder how to get epinephrine through the ACA insurance exchange? I don't want to argue about ACA itself just get to the bottom of how to in case someone else is w/o insurance.

eragon

paying that much is horrific. but then I have never paid for any of my childrens medications, thank god for NHS!
once my son is 18 we will have to start paying for his prescriptions but thats only about £7 each.

i thought epi pens only cost about £60 each how do they justify this cost?
Its OK to have dreams:one day my kids will be legal adults & have the skills to pick up a bath towel.

maeve

Quote from: eragon on January 14, 2014, 05:06:20 AM
paying that much is horrific. but then I have never paid for any of my childrens medications, thank god for NHS!
once my son is 18 we will have to start paying for his prescriptions but thats only about £7 each.

i thought epi pens only cost about £60 each how do they justify this cost?

eragon,
Medications generally cost more in the U.S. than other countries for a number of reasons (including a longer length that patent protections remain in place, Medicare/Medicaid are forbidden by law from negotiating better prices from pharmaceutical companies, etc.).
"Oh, I'm such an unholy mess of a girl."

USA-Virginia
DD allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and egg; OAS to cantaloupe and cucumber

LinksEtc

Quote from: DysonsMom on January 13, 2014, 08:40:27 PM
Anyway, about the two pens in the prescription: Do I need to separate them and keep one at home or am I supposed to keep them together?
I picked up a little camouflage bag and put an action plan, benedryl, and the epipens in it.  I am assuming that I will need to get some sort of cooler to carry it in the summer? I live in Florida and we spend a lot of time outdoors. That could be a bit of an issue in the summer!
Thanks for all the help, guys. It has been such a relief to have you all to turn to! :grouphug:

A couple more points ...

Another reason to always carry 2 EpiPens is that sometimes more than one dose is needed for a severe allergic reaction.  For example, look at the action plan again -
http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=234
QuoteIf symptoms do not improve, or symptoms return, more doses of epinephrine can be given about 5 minutes or more after the last dose.

One of our allergists suggested always having 2 with dd & having 2 at home in a known place.  This way, there was less of a chance of forgetting them.  So when your insurance does kick in and you see the allergist for the first time, ask what the doc recommends.  Some of us here even switch things around so 2 EpiPens from different lots are kept together in case there is a problem with one lot.

As far as carrying epinephrine in the heat, you may find this thread helpful:
How do you carry your epi pens when out and about and it is 100*?


DysonsMom

Thank you! I will be so glad when insurance kicks in at the beginning of February! He has an appointment with an allergist Monday, February 3rd.

CMdeux

Resistance isn't futile.  It's voltage divided by current. 


Western U.S.

GoingNuts

Quote from: twinturbo on January 14, 2014, 12:35:04 AM
More on the functional than political side I wonder how to get epinephrine through the ACA insurance exchange? I don't want to argue about ACA itself just get to the bottom of how to in case someone else is w/o insurance.
It's just like with any plan, you have to check each plan's formulary to see which of your meds are covered.

The challenge is getting a current formulary from each plan.  But that's another post entirely.

Glad you got those epipens, and that your insurance will kick in soon!
"Speak out against the madness" - David Crosby
N.E. US

twinturbo

OP is in a situation without health insurance coverage of any sort. There is no plan, no formulary.

Former Member

Virtually every plan posts their formulary for their ACA compliant plans (also known as "Obamacare" plans) on their website.  It may take a bit of looking but it is virtually always there.  You can get free epipens at a certain website.  I tried to post the link, but got a message saying guests are not allowed to post external links.  The link I wanted to post provides three 2 packs (so six epipens) for free.  You do need an rx from your doctor and you don`t have to get three two packs.  You can get less than that if you don`t need that many.

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