the $$$ problem

the price of penicillamine has triple! i am currently taking 2 in the morning and 2 at night plus one 50mg VB6. the price of meds is putting big stress in my family. We don't have any health plans, we try applying for subsidy but because both my parents work full time we could get any. I have one sister and brother that needs $3000 to get their teeth fix right now, so today news that price of penicillamine is very bad. my dad has dietabeis and also takes med daily- his meds' price has also gone up. Each day me and my dad are spending $20 on just meds. Because of WD i didn't complete any of my grade 12 course , so i am having to pay about $300 for each of the course i need to take through online ( a total of 4 courses). I am currently working hard to complete the online courses before Aug 1 so i can get into collage in the fall which is going to cost $7000. I couldn't get any grants or scholorships because my average is not over 80% and i am not completing high school in the time frame i am suppose to. I try applying for a student loan for collage but again because both my parents are full time worker i couldn't get one. oh i feel so bad, seems like not good has happen much since i knew i had WD. oh why did i get that new laptop and new pair of glasses last month, if only i knew earlier that the price of my meds have triple.
I am starting to think maybe, i should work a year than go to collage.
P.S. i dislike how the government just look at one's income and med bills to consider if that person needs help. More things should be taken into consideration like # of children, eye care, dental care, inflation. Raising one child is different from raising 3 children, it cost 3 times the money.

By McVeggie
Posted June 19, 2008 at 10:02 am
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Mic,

Where are you at? if you are in USA, you should have to pay to finish your high school. There are free public school for you to finish your GED. I was diagnosed with Wilson when I was in High School. It took me like three extra years to finish it. I had to transfer school for the special accomadation to finish it. and as far as the medinice goes, well you are in high school now so mean you should be reaching 18 soon. what you can do is start working for like couple hours a week. File for your own tax, don't let your parents claim you. You can apply for medicaid, if you have medical bills and a health condition. medicaid will cover most of your med. I have not pay a single dime for my meds. Don't take off school to go work for a year. Just make sure what you want to do in life stick to it and finished it. I wasted so much time and money going to college. I never finished college. I am now 32 and I had just gone back college to take another totally completely different major. I work full time and I still have to pay for the student loans from the college i took piror. Like you my parents work full time and had money in the bank when I was diagnose with Wilson Disease and I was minor. My parents had to take the money out of the bank slowly. so they wouldnt have to spend them all on my medical bills.

anyway, i have to go now if you need more information and details on ways to get medicaid that is if you are in USA. you can email me at mcveggienuttie@gmail.com

By mic
Posted June 19, 2008 at 1:13 pm
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I live in canada. In canada to receive money from the government for meds they judge it by family income. I could receive subsidy if i move out, but moving out will cost just as much.

By mic
Posted June 19, 2008 at 1:17 pm
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if i get a health plan now, it's no use too because the health plan won't pay for current meds i am on. working part time is going to be hard too because i am taking 3 online summer couse in july (everything cram in one month)

By McVeggie
Posted June 19, 2008 at 1:30 pm
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Oh hm... sorry then I don't know about Canada. But supposely, Canada has a much better health care system then USA. wishes you best of luck. hugs~

By McVeggie
Posted June 20, 2008 at 2:15 pm
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did you call them to find out? you never know. I just started Galzin recently I want to get off Cuprimine totally and just be on Galzin. Galzin is prescription drug too even its a form of zinc. anyway best of luck! might want to consider to move to USA. haha

By mic
Posted June 20, 2008 at 2:18 pm
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no, i haven't ask about the price of zinc. but anyway i am not going to take meds just because it's cheaper, i will take whatever is best for me, so no worries

By McVeggie
Posted June 20, 2008 at 3:33 pm
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no i mean call the website or contact the website. I know it says american... wont hurt to call them and give it a try if they can cover you it will be a great relieve for you and your family.

By esther2k5
Posted July 1, 2008 at 7:35 pm
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I've been taking over the counter zinc gluconate from Swansonvitamins.com with excellent results for well over a year now and they have great prices.They have 50 mg capsules (item # SW206).

I'm not sure what their shipping cost to Canada is but it's $4.95 no matter how large the order to anywhere in the USA. Their phone # is 1-800-824-4491.

By Dvora
Posted July 5, 2008 at 11:56 am
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Have you been in touch with the Wilson's Disease Association? Mary Graper has current info and might be able to point you in a direction that may help.

Good luck with the zinc.

By coppa_keepa
Posted July 6, 2008 at 12:02 pm
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I've been on Zinc Gluconate here in Toronto for 18 years now and it has worked fine. I could not tolerate Penecillamine whatsoever, and yes zinc is MUCH much cheaper it costs me $20 a month not $20 a day. Definitely talk to your doctor on this if you have been de-coppered enough and are willing to follow a fairly low copper diet and not abuse alcohol, Zinc should be a perfectly viable option for your Liver for a very long time. But only your Doc knows your full medical history. Good Luck ;-)

Welcome to Inspire!

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