Guest guest Posted August 15, 2006 Report Share Posted August 15, 2006 I have a question, rumination, whatever.... I have military insurance, so the pharmacy carries whatever the government can get for the cheapest price...now onward to my point... When I initially was diagnosed as hypo in 99, I was put on .10mg/100mcg of 'synthroid'. The first medication I received was the actual brand 'Synthroid'-a small round yellow sweet tasting pill. After a year or so, when I went to fill my script, the medication changed-I then got 'levoxyl' a barb shaped chalky yellow pill that so stuck in my throat!!!. Then just 3 months ago when my script was filled, it was switched back the the 'Synthroid'. I have to say I have felt much worse in these past few months (and that's saying something, since I already felt like crap!) I looked in my PDR and can only see miniscule differences in these two drugs but I understand that some people do better on one brand vs the other for some reason. Can anyone give me a reason my brain can wrap around for why I seem to do marginally better on the Levoxyl vs the 'Synthroid'? All this while I wait for my first endo appointment and hopefully an Armour script.... ____________________________ in *HHH* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2006 Report Share Posted August 15, 2006 Hi, Could be that the compound that they are made with is different and there could be something that does not agree with you in one which isn't in the other. Dawn > > I have a question, rumination, whatever.... > > I have military insurance, so the pharmacy carries whatever the government can get for the cheapest price...now onward to my point... > > When I initially was diagnosed as hypo in 99, I was put on .10mg/100mcg of 'synthroid'. The first medication I received was the actual brand 'Synthroid'-a small round yellow sweet tasting pill. After a year or so, when I went to fill my script, the medication changed-I then got 'levoxyl' a barb shaped chalky yellow pill that so stuck in my throat!!!. Then just 3 months ago when my script was filled, it was switched back the the 'Synthroid'. I have to say I have felt much worse in these past few months (and that's saying something, since I already felt like crap!) > > I looked in my PDR and can only see miniscule differences in these two drugs but I understand that some people do better on one brand vs the other for some reason. Can anyone give me a reason my brain can wrap around for why I seem to do marginally better on the Levoxyl vs the 'Synthroid'? > > All this while I wait for my first endo appointment and hopefully an Armour script.... > > ____________________________ > in *HHH* Jersey > open proximal rny 9/18/01 > 5'9 " -31yo > 297/168 > I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise. > ***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2006 Report Share Posted August 15, 2006 I am not sure but the first time I was put on Armour - Walgreens gave me the generic called " Thyroid Tabs " and I got worse --- then the whole hsp thing and they stuck me back on levoxyl. 2 months ago i went back to the dr that prescribed the original Armour and I told him I wanted to be on Armour not levothyroxine and he gave me armour and I made sure I got the brand Armour not the generic and I felt a world of difference, I still do. My muscles arent achy I dont get headaches like I used to and i dont have chronic fatigue anymore. best of luck God bless Hugs Deana Willyorca wrote: > *I have a question, rumination, whatever....* > ** > *I have military insurance, so the pharmacy carries whatever the > government can get for the cheapest price...now onward to my point...* > ** > *When I initially was diagnosed as hypo in 99, I was put on > .10mg/100mcg of 'synthroid'. The first medication I received was the > actual brand 'Synthroid'-a small round yellow sweet tasting pill. > After a year or so, when I went to fill my script, the medication > changed-I then got 'levoxyl' a barb shaped chalky yellow pill that so > stuck in my throat!!!. Then just 3 months ago when my script was > filled, it was switched back the the 'Synthroid'. I have to say I > have felt much worse in these past few months (and that's saying > something, since I already felt like crap!)* > ** > *I looked in my PDR and can only see miniscule differences in these > two drugs but I understand that some people do better on one brand vs > the other for some reason. Can anyone give me a reason my brain can > wrap around for why I seem to do marginally better on the Levoxyl vs > the 'Synthroid'?* > ** > *All this while I wait for my first endo appointment and hopefully an > Armour script....* > * > ____________________________ > in *HHH* Jersey > open proximal rny 9/18/01 > 5'9 " -31yo > 297/168 > I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise. > ***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!!* > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2006 Report Share Posted August 15, 2006 My Endo says that both generic and brand name Synthroid are good drugs, however, you should never switch back and forth. She stated that you may need a different dosage of generic versus brand name. She was very upset that my pharmacy recently substituted brand name after she got my thyroid levels where they should be with generic. She doesn't care which I'm on but that I stay on the same one. I did have a few possible symptoms that may be due to this switch, so now I have to wait 6 weeks after the switch before I can get new labs. Sheila > > I have a question, rumination, whatever.... > > I have military insurance, so the pharmacy carries whatever the government can get for the cheapest price...now onward to my point... > > When I initially was diagnosed as hypo in 99, I was put on ..10mg/100mcg of 'synthroid'. The first medication I received was the actual brand 'Synthroid'-a small round yellow sweet tasting pill. After a year or so, when I went to fill my script, the medication changed-I then got 'levoxyl' a barb shaped chalky yellow pill that so stuck in my throat!!!. Then just 3 months ago when my script was filled, it was switched back the the 'Synthroid'. I have to say I have felt much worse in these past few months (and that's saying something, since I already felt like crap!) > > I looked in my PDR and can only see miniscule differences in these two drugs but I understand that some people do better on one brand vs the other for some reason. Can anyone give me a reason my brain can wrap around for why I seem to do marginally better on the Levoxyl vs the 'Synthroid'? > > All this while I wait for my first endo appointment and hopefully an Armour script.... > > ____________________________ > in *HHH* Jersey > open proximal rny 9/18/01 > 5'9 " -31yo > 297/168 > I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise. > ***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 My Endo says that both generic and brand name Synthroid are gooddrugs, however, you should never switch back and forth. ////////////////// And that's the problem with a government/military pharmacy...they carry whatever company was the lowest bid...and they fight you tooth and nail about getting a script filled off base cause that gets charged to the insurance...I do think I can get my current primary to write a specific script for the Levoxyl until such time as I FINALLY get into see an endo. I can't believe that I live in the greater Philadelphia area and not one endo has an appointment earlier than the end of November... ____________________________ in *HHH* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Generic can be fine, but the problem is the "suppliers" within the pharmacy can change as they typically re-bid for generics over time. You, as the pill taker..don't know if you have generic A or B or C...depending on who the pharmacy uses. If one uses a generic...THEY should remain vigilant to ensure that the pill you are taking remains constant. If they change generics...you should be ready to go to another pharmacy that CARRIES the exact same generic.(you might have to switch pharmacies) mid- script cycle and that can be a real pain. Just a heads up. ~E:)Sheila wrote: My Endo says that both generic and brand name Synthroid are gooddrugs, however, you should never switch back and forth. She statedthat you may need a different dosage of generic versus brand name. Shewas very upset that my pharmacy recently substituted brand name aftershe got my thyroid levels where they should be with generic. Shedoesn't care which I'm on but that I stay on the same one. I did havea few possible symptoms that may be due to this switch, so now I haveto wait 6 weeks after the switch before I can get new labs. Sheila>> I have a question, rumination, whatever....> > I have military insurance, so the pharmacy carries whatever thegovernment can get for the cheapest price...now onward to my point...> > When I initially was diagnosed as hypo in 99, I was put on.10mg/100mcg of 'synthroid'. The first medication I received was theactual brand 'Synthroid'-a small round yellow sweet tasting pill. After a year or so, when I went to fill my script, the medicationchanged-I then got 'levoxyl' a barb shaped chalky yellow pill that sostuck in my throat!!!. Then just 3 months ago when my script wasfilled, it was switched back the the 'Synthroid'. I have to say Ihave felt much worse in these past few months (and that's sayingsomething, since I already felt like crap!)> > I looked in my PDR and can only see miniscule differences in thesetwo drugs but I understand that some people do better on one brand vsthe other for some reason. Can anyone give me a reason my brain canwrap around for why I seem to do marginally better on the Levoxyl vsthe 'Synthroid'?> > All this while I wait for my first endo appointment and hopefully anArmour script....> > ____________________________> in *HHH* Jersey> open proximal rny 9/18/01> 5'9"-31yo> 297/168> I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.> ***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!!> TOTAL-Thyroidectomy 26 months post-op. Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi Sheila. I think that the main difference between the brands is the fillers and of course the stability of potency. Synthroid has had a history of potency problems with a class action suit lodged against it a few years ago. I personally don't do well on Synthroid but I have not had problems with other ones. I got stuck on it once and had to wait about 3 months before making the switch back. Switching back and forth is only an issue if potency is not consistent and it's really a crime that you can't rely on your label to tell you how much drug you're getting. 100mcg should be 100mcg. The short time that I was on Synthroid, my hair started falling out, I gained weight and I just really did not feel well at all. If you're feeling hyper at all, call your doctor. It's more likely that if anything you would go in the other direction. Just out of curiosity, what did she write on the prescription? My last doctor just wrote Levothyroxine so that I could pick my own brand (back and forth Canada and US). Personally, I would just go back to the drug store and get them to change it. Their insert will say right on it that you shouldn't switch, so tell them that you have been on the generic and that your numbers have been adjusted to it and that next time you'll be sure to mention it beforehand... Judy My Endo says that both generic and brand name Synthroid are gooddrugs, however, you should never switch back and forth. She statedthat you may need a different dosage of generic versus brand name. Shewas very upset that my pharmacy recently substituted brand name aftershe got my thyroid levels where they should be with generic. Shedoesn't care which I'm on but that I stay on the same one. I did havea few possible symptoms that may be due to this switch, so now I haveto wait 6 weeks after the switch before I can get new labs. Sheila How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 I did not know that, thanks. I guess I never really thought about it since I've always had a name brand. Wouldn't it be better for Sheila then to just have her doc order a specific brand like Levoxyl or Unithroid? When my Eltroxin runs out, I'm going to try Unithroid simply because it was the first one to get FDA approval for potency and stability following the new drug applications a couple of years ago and I refuse to take Synthroid. You have to tell the pharmacy in advance if they don't carry it, but they can get it for you... Judy Generic can be fine, but the problem is the "suppliers" within the pharmacy can change as they typically re-bid for generics over time. You, as the pill taker..don't know if you have generic A or B or C...depending on who the pharmacy uses. Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 I never put my thyroid meds through insurance for a couple of reasons. First of all it must be about the cheapest drug on the planet, so much so that it usually costs me more in a co-pay than the drugs are worth. I actually had that happen once when I was in Georgia. Secondly, my insurance only allows 31 at a time and I get them from 100-200 at a time depending on the expiry date and what country I'm in. If you get them only 30ish at a time, all your money goes into the dispensing fee. I go back and forth between the US and Canada and so before I leave either one, I get enough for a year... Judy ___________________________________ And that's the problem with a government/military pharmacy...they carry whatever company was the lowest bid...and they fight you tooth and nail about getting a script filled off base cause that gets charged to the insurance... //////////////////// I would agree with you, but I don't pay for my prescriptions when they are from the base pharmacy...and they're $3 off base. My insurance sucks for the most part, but the script portion is pretty good... ____________________________ in *HHH* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi Judy, I put mine thru our insurance cuz I can get 90 levoxyl (T4) for $20 bucks --- How do you get 100 to 200 at a time? NO docs here will write an RX like that... Or will they? Sue I never put my thyroid meds through insurance for a couple of reasons. First of all it must be about the cheapest drug on the planet, so much so that it usually costs me more in a co-pay than the drugs are worth. I actually had that happen once when I was in Georgia. Secondly, my insurance only allows 31 at a time and I get them from 100-200 at a time depending on the expiry date and what country I'm in. If you get them only 30ish at a time, all your money goes into the dispensing fee. I go back and forth between the US and Canada and so before I leave either one, I get enough for a year... Judy ___________________________________ And that's the problem with a government/military pharmacy...they carry whatever company was the lowest bid...and they fight you tooth and nail about getting a script filled off base cause that gets charged to the insurance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Sue: You can get full bottles RXed to you...but you can't use the insurance if you do. ~E:)jytdtp wrote: Hi Judy,I put mine thru our insurance cuz I can get 90 levoxyl (T4) for $20 bucks --- How do you get 100 to 200 at a time? NO docs here will write an RX like that... Or will they?SueOn 8/16/06 11:07 AM, "Judy P" <akaperkyj (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: I never put my thyroid meds through insurance for a couple of reasons. First of all it must be about the cheapest drug on the planet, so much so that it usually costs me more in a co-pay than the drugs are worth. I actually had that happen once when I was in Georgia.Secondly, my insurance only allows 31 at a time and I get them from 100-200 at a time depending on the expiry date and what country I'm in. If you get them only 30ish at a time, all your money goes into the dispensing fee. I go back and forth between the US and Canada and so before I leave either one, I get enough for a year... Judy___________________________________And that's the problem with a government/military pharmacy...they carry whatever company was the lowest bid...and they fight you tooth and nail about getting a script filled off base cause that gets charged to the insurance... TOTAL-Thyroidectomy 26 months post-op. How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi ya, well I never knew that or even THOUGHT about it LOL! I think I will go “comparison shop” online Any good places to get drugs? ;-) Sue Sue: You can get full bottles RXed to you...but you can't use the insurance if you do. ~E:) jytdtp wrote: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi Sue... I haven't tried in a while, but I've had a few of them write me big prescriptions. My last one was 200 with 3 refills, so I was good for 2 years and I still get a fresh batch every 6 months. Keep in mind that I've been on it 35 years and my dosage is not as likely to change. In the beginning they write shorter ones until while they make adjustments. I asked one doctor for 200 and he said that he couldn't write it for more than 30. I had to tell him that if I'm paying for it myself, he can write it for as many as he wants. Also, I am sure to check the expiry date and keep them in a cool, dry, dark place. I've had at least 4 bottles of 400 to bring with me to the US or back to Canada over time. That way I don't have to worry about finding a doctor too quickly. It's really the insurance companies who limit to 30 or 90, not the pharmacies. Think of all the people going south for the winter. There may be some other more deadly drugs that they limit, I'm not sure, but I've got 100 Ativan sitting around somewhere. Anyway, what's your dosage? Just for comparison, Costco has 100 count of 100mcg Levoxyl for 30.39. In that sense you're better with your insurance company. If you're getting your own name brand each time and you can get 90, then that's the way to go. My insurance company only allows 30 at a time and so my co-pay would be more expensive. Plus I have better things to do then go there once a month LOL... Judy ___________________________________________________________ Hi Judy,I put mine thru our insurance cuz I can get 90 levoxyl (T4) for $20 bucks --- How do you get 100 to 200 at a time? NO docs here will write an RX like that... Or will they?Sue Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 jytdtp wrote: Hi ya, well I never knew that or even THOUGHT about it LOL! I think I will go “comparison shop” online :)Any good places to get drugs? ;-)Sue _________________________________________________ Wal-mart is pretty good with the prices, and so is Costco if you have membership there. ~E:)On 8/16/06 1:18 PM, "E Gillespie" <lyongillespie (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Sue: You can get full bottles RXed to you...but you can't use the insurance if you do. ~E:)jytdtp <justyourtypedtp (AT) earthlink (DOT) net> wrote: TOTAL-Thyroidectomy 26 months post-op. Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you need a membership to get prescriptions at Costco and you can check all their prices online at www.costco.com. Just click 'Prescriptions' at the top and then pick a letter or type in the name... Judy Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi Judy, Gotcha and it all makes sense. I went and got the 90 day supplies on the different doses I was on: .88, .100 and .112 so--- I use the .88 and the .100 and figured that HALF of 88 plus Half of .112 is same as a .100 so I can do that when needed~! Lolol~! Our insurance company allows 90 at a time, mail order with free shipping for $20 on the T4 and $100 for 90 of the T3---- I can’t find prescriptions on Costco.com — what is the cost for 90 Cytomel? Thanks! Sue Hi Sue... I haven't tried in a while, but I've had a few of them write me big prescriptions. My last one was 200 with 3 refills, so I was good for 2 years and I still get a fresh batch every 6 months. Keep in mind that I've been on it 35 years and my dosage is not as likely to change. In the beginning they write shorter ones until while they make adjustments. I asked one doctor for 200 and he said that he couldn't write it for more than 30. I had to tell him that if I'm paying for it myself, he can write it for as many as he wants. Also, I am sure to check the expiry date and keep them in a cool, dry, dark place. I've had at least 4 bottles of 400 to bring with me to the US or back to Canada over time. That way I don't have to worry about finding a doctor too quickly. It's really the insurance companies who limit to 30 or 90, not the pharmacies. Think of all the people going south for the winter. There may be some other more deadly drugs that they limit, I'm not sure, but I've got 100 Ativan sitting around somewhere. Anyway, what's your dosage? Just for comparison, Costco has 100 count of 100mcg Levoxyl for 30.39. In that sense you're better with your insurance company. If you're getting your own name brand each time and you can get 90, then that's the way to go. My insurance company only allows 30 at a time and so my co-pay would be more expensive. Plus I have better things to do then go there once a month LOL... Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Try this Costco link... Thanks, I found the prescription drug section — gonna comparison shop Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Yes, the Cytomel is VERY pricy — I have it prescribed in both 25 mcg which I split up and the 5 mcg and then go thru insurance which will pay for up to 90 days worth for 100 bucks on the cytomel. Thanks! Sue Oops, I said click 'prescriptions' didn't I? You have to click 'Pharmacy' and then 'Pricing Information' I need to know the dosage, but 100 Cytomel 25mcg is $83.79. Wow that's pricier than Armour! I used to take 75mcg one day and 100mcg the next for a while because Eltroxin doesn't come in a .88 and I wouldn't switch to Synthroid. I think mine allows 90 by mail order too, but I couldn't find it any cheaper than Costco and so I just buy it there. If I had a precription like Cytomel that's more money than my co-pay then I would definitely order it online... Judy .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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