B-12 Shots: The Target Saga

I have been taking B-12 sublinguals since before surgery. My doctor prescribes them to all his patients, now and for the rest of eternity. I don't mind them...they are kinda fun (small and purple), and kinda tasty as well. But, alas, I forget to take them.

So one time, my coworker who had bypass, gave me one of her B-12 shots. She administered it (she's a nurse) and off I went on my merry way. Well, I don't know if it was a placebo effect or WHAT, but a couple hours later I got home and was HYPED up! I found Heather in the back yard, where I danced around like a wild tree nymph and then dry humped her leg, danced a little more, more spontaneous dry humping.

So I asked Dr. Friedman if there really was an energy boost with the shot vs the sublingual. He said maybe the day of the shot. And he wrote me a prescription.

So today I went to Target to have it filled.

Here is where you need to start paying attention.

My coworker pays $5 for a 30 dose vial of B-12. So, that is the price I had in mind.
When I went to pick up my prescription, it was $31....for 10 doses!
I stared at them blankly and then poor girl tears almost started falling. I had $33 dollars in my bank account to make it for another 2 weeks.

I said "Why so much".
They said" insurance doesnt cover it because it's a vitamin".

So I paid my money and left, dejected.
I called the doctors office on the way back to work and talked to the nurse, Jennifer. Remember I work for the hospital system where I had my surgery, and she said at the hospital pharmacy it is much cheaper.

I called the hospital pharmacy. Sho' nuf. $12 for a 30 dose prescription! So, I can't do math, but if you take in the dosage, I think Target charged me about 4x as much as the hospital.

I called Target and said..."Can I return these meds and syringes? I can get them over here for $12, and get 3x as much".

Well, you can't return meds. BUT, after they put me on hold, they came back and said "Next time you come, it will be free. And from then on, just tell us what your pharmacy over there charges, and we will charge you the same".

OH. IS IT THAT EASY? Can I just name you a price since you just apparently make yours up as you go? Huh, well in that case...the pharmacy in FRAGGLEROCK only charges a penny.

So, what can we learn children? That not all pharmacy's charge you the same and you should shop around.

Bastards.

Moving on.

I get back to the office and Deanna (coworker) is going to teach me how to give myself a shot. I am not particularly squeamish...I donate blood all the time. But once we got to the part where I actually had to poke myself...I couldnt do.

There is some sort of mind block that prevents one from sticking oneself with a needle. So she had to do it for me.

Bless her.

And it didnt hurt at all.