Life with COPD

[Cheb7]

I have had COPD /Emphesema for 3 years now. I am 58 years of age and have been medically retired. It can be a very lonely place sometimes living with this chronic illness especially when my partner is at work. I wanted to ask why my prescription medication is not free and when will it be recognised by the powers that be that it should.

[2greys]

Does this help explain:

nhs.uk/nhsengland/healthcos...

[Cheb7 in reply to 2greys]

Thank you

[Carnival567]

The best plan is to get a pre- payment certificate which helps if you have lots of prescriptions, but this is a battle which many charities have fought for a long time with no success. As to loneliness, once you feel better find something to do. A friend took me to U3A and it was a lifesaver. It is the University of the 3rd Age, where you can take part in a vast range of activities. Despite the name there are no exams and activities range from the intellectual to the active. My U3A has activities ranging from learning Norwegian to cycling and walking at all levels. Worth a try and not expensive! All the best xx

[Cheb7 in reply to Carnival567]

Thank you

[hypercat54]

It's free when you are 60 in England. In the home counties no one pays for prescriptions. If you are on income based benefit it is also free. If you have more than 1 item per month then a 6 monthly or yearly prescription is much cheaper. x

[Hidden]

hi cheb7b am same as you copd and /Emphesema also on oxygen when out and about i found out the other day as i was having my eyes test if your on esa cos you cant work you get everthing free i got my eyes teast and free glassers as well also now get all my prescription as it say so on the back of them

[Seams13]

Hi Cheb7, I was medically retired 8 years ago with copd/emphysema aged 56. Unfortunately I was in the same boat as you are now. With only being able to claim sickness benefit and with more than 2 repeat prescriptions each month, (I also suffer from heart probs./depression) I bought a 6 monthly pre-payment prescription. I set up a dd so that the money would come out each month and that is how I managed.

Sadly, when sickness benefit finished I was still not entitled to any benefits as I had a working partner, but I was eligible for dla. It is a struggle to pay for things such as medication I agree. I was glad when I became 60 because my prescription items became available to me without a pre-payment certificate. Sad to say but true.