February 23, 2006
Barrett's Esophagus, Nexium and Prescription Drug Prices
In what might be considered the true irony of life my doctor diagnosed me yesterday with a condition called Barrett's Esophagus (for those who might not get the irony, my last name is Barrett). Considering that I have had chronic indigestion for about 10 years now, the diagnosis is not a surprise. Changing my diet and eating better seems to help, as does taking some medications -- but I am truly astounded that the prescription drug (Nexium) he has me on costs almost $300/month. Further research shows that Nexium is simply a chemically re-engineered version of Prilosec (omeprazole), a drug whose patent has expired and can now be found for a fraction of the cost of Nexium.
Several years ago I was taking prescription Prilosec and it worked very well. I also experimented with taking Tagamet (cimetidine) and Zantac (ranitidine) but both of those caused my stomach to feel weird, so I reverted back to popping Tums Extra Strength tablets several times a day. The Tums worked pretty well except for when the indigestion was very bad and often taking too many Tums resulted in constipation. I'm considering taking only one dose of Nexium before dinner and using Tums for the rest of the day.
I'm fortunate that my health insurance will cover the cost of the Nexium, so I will take it for a while and see if it works as well as the Prilosec did some years ago. As long as I can sleep better and not wake up with painful indigestion I will be a much happier man.
In other health-related news, I finally have health insurance again -- thanks to my new wife whose plan has excellent coverage for spouses. I was able to see my hematologist/oncologist again (the same guy who diagnosed me in 2001 with Castleman's Disease) and he agreed with my self-diagnosis that the Castleman's is either completely gone or in long-term remission. This was all thanks to the wonder-drug prednisone and iron supplements (to cure the associated anemia).
It's also worth reading this debate between Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Gopnik about health care reform. Gladwell is th author of the New Yorker article I linked to above.
Posted by Cameron Barrett at February 23, 2006 01:11 PMHey Cameron, stop spending all that money on those worthless drugs that bring all those unpleasent side-effects. Go to a health food store and pickup a bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar. Take a spoon full and watch your regain its acid balance. You can throw away your tums forever. I wish you good health my friend. I enjoyed your Price is Right story ... boy you really have to have no life at all to want to stand around for 6-8 hours in the hope that you'll impress some seen-it-all, mid-western born producer whose sole mission is to cut down the chaft. Over the years I've sometimes thought about trying to get in the studio but your story convinced me that standing around and/or sitting on those hard benches would put my back into spasmville. I was just reading about blogs and trying to learn what they are when I ran across yours ... very interesting but I would imagine highly labor intensive and totally consuming. ... enough already ... good health my friend ... Al
Posted by: Al at February 28, 2006 12:26 AM
It's worth noting that Gladwell has reversed his opinion since that debate.
Posted by: Rebecca Blood at February 28, 2006 12:38 PM
I'm real sorry to hear this Cam. I dealt with that problem for a good 4 years or so. Fortunately, I started reducing stress in my life, reduced the amount of times I overate, started exercising regularly, and took DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) instead of Tums when my stomach hurt. Seriously, look into the DGL, it really helps and doesn't contain all the petroleum by-product fake colorings.
Posted by: Willie at March 3, 2006 10:48 PM
You've probably seen this, but since you mentioned the debate: As interesting as the Gladwell/Gopnik debate is Gladwell's responses to the recent blog attention it received, in which he admits that in the several years since that debate, he has completely changed his mind:
http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/2006/02/gladwell_v_gopn.html
http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/2006/02/gladwell_v_gopn_1.html
http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/2006/03/canadian_health.html
Posted by: Dan S. at March 16, 2006 04:24 PM
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Posted by: Manuel at April 18, 2006 07:33 PM
When I needed help with the cost of my prescriptions, I got a discount card called RxDrugCard. It's found at www.rxdrugcard.com. It's cheap and they post drug prices right on the website. It might help you too.
Posted by: Lily at April 20, 2006 04:41 PM
I can relate about the Nexium. Only my insurance company won't cover it. I just paid 70.00 yesterday for 12 lousy pills. I don't know what barretts esophagus is, but I am currently scheduled to have an upper GI. Who know's what they will find.
I used to take prescription Prilosec/Prevacid/Protonix, you name it I've taken it, and Nexium seems to be the only one that knocks out the reflux completely. (Probably why they want me to have the upper GI, because I am at the end of my rope when it comes to the drugs).
In anycase, it sounds to me as tho maybe what you have isn't as bad as what I have (whatever that may be). I'd say take the Prilosec, but if your insurance company covers the Nexium, consider yourself lucky. It is a great drug. Wish I had your insurance company!
Maybe I'll try the Apple Cider Vinegar LOL
Posted by: mary at June 14, 2006 01:10 PM
hi cameron, i was just wondering how old you are? i am only 28 and was diagnosed with barrett's esophagus 3 years ago. i also encourage a lifestyle change and alternative route to meds. it sucks, but i am posotive it will be better in the long run. i take wobenzym and dgl tablets and drink several small cups of organic green or white tea through out the day and never eat past 6pm or 7 at the latest, but i usually don't go to bed until 11pm or midnight...oh! and chew gum after you eat to keep releasing the digestive enzymes in your saliva. prayer is also a big helper. peace and good living.
shane
Posted by: shane at July 25, 2006 06:59 PM
