1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Prescriptions

Posted , 4 users are following.

katy2296
katy2296

I'm currently going under diagnosis for inflammatory arthritis and was wondering how many prescriptions a month I might be getting when I go for treatment? Is it worth paying for them yearly?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Gail363
    Gail363 katy2296

    Posted

    There are so many treatment options. It may take some trial and error to find which works best for you. In the past 3 months I have started and stopped 5 different rx's and will begin a new one tomorrow.
    • katy2296
      katy2296 Gail363

      Posted

      How do you know if treatment isn't working
    • Gail363
      Gail363 katy2296

      Posted

      I got a toxic liver from Methotrexate and on Arava it didn't help at all with the flare and I now have peripheral neuropathy(possibly a side effect of Arava). I will be starting my second Biologic and hoping for relief. I've also been prescribed ibuprofen for pain and have gotten no relief. Tramadol is helping somewhat. Prednisone was prescribed as a bridge to help with this flare while waiting for a DMARD or Biologic to kick in and hopefully get me to remission.
  • EileenH
    EileenH katy2296

    Posted

    I've just copied and pasted this from the NHS site: 

    "A 3 or 12 month PPC covers all your prescriptions for that period, no matter how many you need.

    A prescription costs £8.20 per item, but a PPC costs:

    £29.10 for 3 months

    £104 for 12 months

    This means if you’re going to buy 4 or more prescriptions in 3 months, or 14 or more prescriptions in 12 months, it may be cheaper to buy a PPC.

    You can pay in 10 monthly instalments if you buy a 12 month PPC." 

    I used to get a 3 month one, stock up just before it ran out and then got a new one when I needed the next batch and that was cheaper for me than the annual one - but it is very convenient, you don't have to pay each time. 

    A good pharmacy will tell you about it - but you can phone the helpline and get one very easily if you have a debit or credit card. I once filled in the form at Boots pharmacy and they promptly lost it so I never went to them again! Independent chemists are the most helpful in my experience - but they are a dying breed of course aren't they!

  • julielou01
    julielou01 katy2296

    Posted

    Well worth getting a PPC if you are prescribed 3 items or more..If not pay as you go..It depends on how they are prescribed....I have 2 drugs that I get a 60 day prescription, and one which is 30, so its actually cheaper for me to pay as I go. But pay by monthly Direct debit, you have more control of your spending, especially as you may well get changes to your prescriptions over time.

     

  • katy2296
    katy2296

    Posted

    What I forgot to mention is that I am a full time student and don't have a steady income but will get nearly £3000 in one go for my student loan, is it worth just getting a year one then I'm covered?
    • katy2296
      katy2296

      Posted

      Oh and I am on other medication that I get a prescription for monthly too...
    • EileenH
      EileenH katy2296

      Posted

      If you need something regularly, whatever it is, then you will at the very least break even with the annual one - the medication you're already on will be 12 of the 14 you need if your doctor will only give you monthly repeats.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.