Taking Femara after stage 3

[Nancy15]

I had stage 3+ breast cancer 6 years ago and had a lumpectomy (twice) and after chemo and radiation was put on Femara since my cancer was hormone sensitive.  I've been on it the required 5 years and now the pharmaceutical company says another 5 years.  My insurance won't pay for it after January, so does anyone have any ideas or experienced something similar?  Femara is many hundreds of  $ a month, so paying for it without help is not an option.  Anyone had a similar experience?

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Nancy,
I'm SO happy to be of help. Coincidently, my sister,Nancy, died from breast cancer before her 51st birthday partly because she was without insurance and skipped her mammo for a few years. She never told us or I would have given her the same advice I gave you or paid for her mammo myself! I'm here trying to help other women in honor of her memory, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. It's my way to "pay it forward" and also
to thank the other wonderful women here who have helped me so much.
I wish you all the best and many, many more years with no recurrance!
Hugs,
nc

[Nancy15]

I can't thank you enough for offering the advice you did.  I went to the site above and now have the name/email/etc to contact to see about getting reduced rates for my prescription of Femara after January 1st when our insurance ceases.  It's people like you who offer sound suggestions to those of us who are so deeply in the forest that we cannot see the trees that make life so precious.  Again, thank you - and with the uncanny luck I have had to have no recurrances in 6 years with 3+ cancer....it appears having you read my request and respond is another one of those right-moment-right-time things that makes us all appreciate each other.  Nancy

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Nancy,
I just noticed there's an ad running for Femara at the top of this very page! It says it's available for $10 a month through a program called "Femara Cares". Many pharmaceutical companies have programs that help cover the cost of prescriptions if
the patient can't afford them. You might also check with cancer charities in your area, as they also have funds available to help patent's with cancer treatment expenses. When my father-in-law had leukemia 4 years ago, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offered to help with medication and transportation costs if he needed them. Fortunately, he had the funds to take care of himself but if he hadn't, we would definitely have turned to them. You could also try a written appeal to your insurance company. They stilll may say "no" but it's worth a try. Sometimes all it takes is a letter of medical necessity from your doctor, depending on the company. It sounds like Femara has worked very well for you so I hope SOMETHING works out for you to continue on it.
Wishing you all the best,
nc

[Nancy15]

I'm sorry I didn't make it clear that my oncologist told me that he highly recommends another 5 years of femara due to the fact the pharmaceutical company has new data on it now.  So I know that it's the recommended course of treatment by both of them, and I've done so well for 5+ years now that I hate to stop if I should continue.  I just thought someone might have a good idea as to how to obtain the medication when my insurance ceases covering it.  It runs about $500. a month in our area.  That, plus all the other meds would bankrupt our family in a very short time.  Thank you for taking the time to respond and you have a very good point.  Nancy

[japdip]

Rather than relying on the advice of the Pharmaceutical Co., what does your Oncologist say about continuing for 5 more years? In the past a 5 year recommendation for these drugs was the norm but lately they have been prescribed for 10 years. I have no particular opnion one way or the other but I would certainly rely upon the advice of my Physician rather than any Co. that manufactures a particular drug.   Regards ....