Pulmicort (Budesonide)

what exactly is a medical necessity?!

I have had asthma for over 10 years. At the onset of this horrible disease, I was spending every weekend in the hospital ER receiving steroids via a needle in my butt. This went on for several months. The doctors didn't actively try to find a preventative medication for me until after an occasion when the EMTs showed up after I had stopped breathing and turned blue.

It was decided I would get rid of my cats (Charlie, Annie and Frankie) although not necessary because scratch tests concluded my asthma was not allergy induced. But with my family starting (my oldest son was about one week old) I figured it would be a good idea. I also removed all of my stuffed animals and books from my bedroom. That is really suggested to everyone as breathing in that stuff night after night can eventually lead to breathing problems. Although by this time it had been decided I had chronic asthma and there wasn't anything I could do to reverse it. Great.

I eventually found a doctor who was actually concerned for his patients. He was disgusted at the amount of steroids I had received in the ER and wanted to steer clear of traditional mist/aerosol inhalers and prescribed for me a dry powder inhaler PULMICORT TURBUHALER.

Pulmicort Turbuhaler has been a lifesaver since. After just 4 days on this preventative medication I was able to breathe easy. No more nebulizer! No more rescue inhaler! Thank you Dr. Miller.

10 years and 3 doctors later and Pulmicort is still the drug for me. Only problem is this: AstraZeneca has discontinued this drug as of MAY 2007. I did not receive notice. My doctor apparently did not either. Two weeks ago I was written a new prescription for 3 months supply of both Pulmicort Turbuhaler and an Albuterol inhaler (generic). I faxed it into our local CVS pharmacy and they called two days later letting me know I could come pick them up.

It turned out that I was only able to pick up the Albuterol and the Pulmicort would...

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