Walgreen's

Nice Day on the Porch

Every couple weeks I make the trek over to my local Walgreen's. I buy cards, groceries, seasonal goodies and of course, medications. Patrick has a number of prescriptions that help manage his ALS symptoms, everything from muscle cramps to combating the Pseudo Bulbar affect to mucus relief. Many are prescribed but some are over the counter. Walgreen's is convenient with a fairly inexpensive store brand and the option of going inside or through a drive thru (prescription only).

I like Walgreen's. There is generally a note of recognition from the staff when I come in. I've often wondered if I'm part of a group of "regulars" that frequent the store. Over the past few years there has been two main pharmacists, I've had positive experiences with both. I suspect, at least with the current pharmacist, that she knows Patrick has ALS. She always makes a point to pause and smile and say hello. It's nice and it reminds me of my childhood growing up in the small town of Susanville.

Elizabeth and the Chocolate Bunny

I'll bet I know the store as well as the staff. I wander around quite a bit, I especially like the seasonal stuff. I've bought additions to my Christmas decorations, huge chocolate Easter bunnies and valentine's goodies for the grand kids. I got a good deal on a new Christmas dog decoration during the after season sale, I'm excited to put up this year. They even have some of the best cookies I've ever eaten - seasonal wafers. I bought them on a whim. I consider myself a cookie connoisseur so take it from me they were good. I sent a couple bags to my sister, Denise and Caitlin at college. They didn't travel well. Christian when he was over specifically asked for the cookies in the "blue bag." I'm glad they are seasonal because I'd likely buy a bag each time I went in.

Of course, the primary reason I hang out at Walgreen's is for Patrick's medications, our annual out of pocket costs are exorbitant. His most expensive medication is Nuedexta (no generic, yet). When I pick it up, the clerk tells me the price and generally follows up with "do you still want it." My response is always the same, "do I have a choice?" I didn't really think much about this question but I've grown to understand it. The pharmacy staff see people opt out of expensive medications and simply go without on a fairly regular basis, so the question continues, "do you still want it?" I was standing in line one afternoon while the woman at the counter was looking at her various prescriptions and talking with the staff about the costs (she was in the "donut hole" portion of Medicare where the out of pocket portions are high). She opted for taking only two of the three prescriptions, I wondered which one she decided not to buy and my heart went out to her. 

We are not rich, but fortunate that we are able to manage the prescription costs of this disease. I know it bothers Patrick and he's tried at various times to go without a medication to save costs. It doesn't go well. He really does need the medications that are prescribed. We could save a little from mail order purchasing and recently, my sister, Denise referred me to a website that sells medications for a portion of the cost (they are located in Israel). I'm going to check it out, but honestly having a pharmacist we trust manage our medications has been a blessing over the past few years. The pharmacist at Walgreen's reviews our many medications, checks for drug interactions, explains and answers questions, and even one time intervened on a medication dosage that had been prescribed by an overzealous ER doctor. 

Last month Patrick had a bad episode of breathing anxiety. Difficulty in breathing can cause anxiety which has a horrible snowball affect. If you've ever felt anxious about something you know that it causes you to have shortness of breath. So, the reduced breathing function caused by ALS, along with the feeling of being anxious is a scary combination. The doctor prescribed an anti-anxiety medicine commonly used for breathing anxiety. It was late, close to 8:30pm and I ran over to Walgreen's to pick up the medication. When I got there the prescription hadn't been called in, so I waited. Our neurologist was at dinner and didn't call in the prescription until close to 9pm (closing time at Walgreen's). The pharmacist, witnessing my distress, waited until the prescription came in and filled it even though it was after closing time. 

I'll keep you posted on the cost of meds from Israel. For me, it would really have to be a remarkable deal since I doubt I'd get the same level of service. The cost of medications in the US is frankly a mess. The question, "do you still want it" shouldn't be part of the regular pharmacy dialogue, but it is. I'm not hopeful that there be any remarkable changes to the pharmacy costs for patients in the near future - based on your political affiliation I'll let you place blame where you may. 

In the meantime maybe I'll see you at Walgreen's  - if your looking for something I'm sure I can point you in the right direction.

YUMMY!!