Off Synthroid

[BuffaloGal63]

I been on Synthroid or a generic for more than 20 years, I no longer have health insurance and can not afford to see a doctor. I went off my meds. My eyes are swollen and getting worse. I won't be eligible for Medicare for another year. I know that my health will get worse, but I'm not eligible for Medicaid and can't afford a doctor and all the tests. Is there anything I can do?

[danie17075rm]

BTW-  I was thinking more about your situation.  Everything does have requirements, but they do have clinics that will base your payment by your income.  I assume you don't make a massive amount of money or you would be able to afford treatment.  The other thing I mentioned (as I grew up without insurance my whole life) is to find a doctor that has cheap prices or even lets you make payments.  We have done this through most of my childhood.  You will need to cover the office visit and the blood tests.  Hopefully they can give you the bare minimum since you have been treated for so long.  I know my own endo was seeing me once a year when I first started seeing him and I was stable.  If you can get the prescription for a whole year, you will only have to pay the initial visit and blood tests.  Maybe you could save up to do this or make payments.  These places do not care what your income is and they do exist.  You just have to do a little phone work and tell your situation to clinics and doctors.  You could even call the health department or your local DHS and ask for recommendations.  I know it's frustrating, but there are always options!

[danie17075rm]

I don't believe we are naive, I think we are only trying to help you.  God Bless.  I wish you well, and I hope you find something that works for you.

[BuffaloGal63]

You're so naive. As naive as I was when this began. When you become one of the "have nots" you find out that the system has limitations. I don't know how to work the system. I fell through the cracks. County health only treats under poverty, hospital has requirements, even the free clinics have requirements.

[jmamie1]

they have free health centers for people with no health insurance thats what i use..just go to ehow.com and type in..:people with no health insurance: and they will give you info on the free health centers..hope this helps..

[Barb135]

Nearly every county in the country has a County Health Dept; many of these charge on a sliding scale, according to income.  Check it out.  

As everyone else has said; being off med is not an option.

[danie17075rm]

Maybe you can find a cheaper doctor, or those that go by income.  Tell them your situation.  They should only have to run basic blood tests which shouldn't be that much if you could save up for that visit.  Some docs will then give you enough for the whole year if you've been steady in your labs for the last 20 years. I know if you let your tsh get bad enough, you could end up in a coma =(.  I really hope there is something you can do, as it is so necessary.  Maybe you could even go to an income based clinic that would allow you to make payments, and just have a general doctor write you a prescription.  That would be MUCH cheaper than an endo.

[BuffaloGal63]

I'm not eligible for a free clinics ($630 over annual income for poverty level, another adds food stamps to income, another does not take those that are listed by county as "medically needy" under Medicaid). My own doctor won't see me because I can't afford the tests she wants. I slip through the cracks under all assistance programs. The meds are cheap enough, but I can't get a presciption. I'm hoping there is something I can do to alleviate the eye swelling. I'm also looking for cheap alternatives to meds. I know there are a lot of health consequences, but I don't have the money. If you not homeless, at poverty level, or fit all their other guidelines there is no help. "Medically needy" means I have to spend $755 a month before Mediciad will pick up the remaining bills that month. If I had the money I would go to the doctor.

[danie17075rm]

Could you try the generic?  The levothyroixine is really cheap and would help better than nothing.  Good luck.

[goolarra]

I agree...find a free clinic...being off meds is not an option.  You will end up compromising your general health.  Thyroid meds are relatively inexpensive as far as meds go.  Also, if you contact the drug company that manufactures your brand, you might be able to get them to send it to you for free (prescription required).  There are no OTC meds that will replace prescription meds, and I agree with Auntlello1...they will probably be more expensive than prescriptions.  

Best of luck...  

[Auntlello1]

Is there any type of free clinic around you? There has got to be some way to get to the doctor, because I see you realize what will happen if you don't.

There are some medications out there that are suppose to help the thyroid, but I don't think they are strong enough to be a substitute for thyroid replacement. AND, they are going to cost money as well. Either way, it will cost money so if there is any chance you can get to a clinic, that would be your best bet.