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Topic: imitrex, addictive? (Read 1388 times) |
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dawnofmarch
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does anyone know if imitrex is addictive? my ins. company says that it is and will only pay for one box of spray (6 doses) a month. as you all may well know...this stuff ain't cheap. anyway around this?
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eyes_afire
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #1 on: Sep 29th, 2002, 10:02pm » |
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Hi Dawnofmarch. Neat name you have there. Imitrex is not addictive. The insurance company simply doesn't want to pay for more than 6 doses. This is a common battle for clusterheads. You may need your doc to write a 'letter of medical necessity' for your imitrex prescription in order to receive more than 6 doses.
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BobG
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #2 on: Sep 29th, 2002, 10:03pm » |
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Your insurance company is saying that because Imitrex ain't cheap like you say. They just don't want to pay.
And they are idiots that think cluster and migraines are the same thing. Imitrex was developed for migraines
And No, it is not addictive.
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Not4Hire
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #3 on: Sep 29th, 2002, 10:15pm » |
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right, tight, and sooo right.....Bob...Imitrex=not addictive
relief of this pain (by whatever means possible)=HIGHLY addictive
....can I have some more, please? I'll sell ya my first born......?
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Mantra: This will NOT kill me...This will not KILL me... This will not kill ME...
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Ueli
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Oh yeah, but I know a nice lady who was sent for a month of knitting and crocheting, and nothing else for the pain, for a withdrawal from "Imitrex addiction". Needless to say, she changed the doctor afterwards. The insurance company too thought she was using too much Imitrex, but had no problem to cough up the equivalent of about 600 Imitrex shots for this crap. 
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NancyMcFree
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Ok, here is what I was told by my doctor and the insurance company on the 6 injections/nasal sprays per month deal on Imitrex.
Imitrex was initially tested with migraine suffers. The tests were done using a standard of 6 migraines per month. Therefore, the manufacturer "recommends" a maximum of 6 doses per month. They have never gone back and done studies on what more than that will do in a months time.
Because this med is now used to treat cluster headaches, we all know 6 doses per month is a joke. The inurance company allows the the doctor to over-ride the limit with a letter to the insurance company.
But it is really the manufacturer's recommended dosage per month that stops the insurance from automatically approving it. Not the cost.
Just sharing what I was told. I'm not saying the money don't get in the way. I just don't think it is what starts the problem. It's the initial testing that was done, and what the manufacturer recommends.
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kim
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #6 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 6:39pm » |
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Nothing against anyone here except perhaps the powers that "be" that turn a deaf ear to the word (and ramifications thereof) of the term (and meaning thereof) "Cluster Headache"..... Old story. Still really annoying.
Holding her breath.......... 
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NancyMcFree
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Kim, if that was directed at me I am not sure what you are pissed about.
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kim
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #8 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 7:30pm » |
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that was not directed at you or anyone else Nancy. I was only making a comment regarding the insurance do-ce-do with clusters.
Hope that clears things up for ya. ???
PS: sometimes I really wish I could jump through this puter so ya'll could see me for the deranged muppet I am. ;D
PFDAN.
Kimmy the weird MOFO ???
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Ted
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #9 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 7:45pm » |
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I posted an article from Medscape a month or so ago about why insurance companies won't pay for more Imitrex than they do (if any of you want to hunt it out). It's not from any suggested maximum by the manufacturer but it's cheaper to put a cap on how many per month they pay for.
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kim
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #10 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 7:49pm » |
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Yep. That be it.
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eyes_afire
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #11 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 7:58pm » |
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In my humble opinion, the limit of 6 per month has nothing to do with manufacturer recommendations and everything to do with cost (if anything, the manufacturers want to sell more imitrex). If my current treatment fails and I need to resort to imitrex, I will be fighting my employer, not my insurance company for imitrex. Somebody's got to pay up, and apparently in my insurance contract, the imitrex injections are totally prohibited from coverage (not even 6 injections)... Unless my employer approves of them. Apparently my employer and insurance company have struck a deal. The insurance will cover, but probably at the cost of my employer (and my employer doesn't want to pay up). I haven't challenged this yet because my current treatment without imitrex has been effective.
Verapamil is not tested and approved for treatment of cluster headaches, neither is lithium, neither is prednisone, and yet most insurances will cover prescriptions for them. The reason? They are no where near as costly as imitrex. It's money.
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kim
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #12 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 8:05pm » |
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Yup. Money. BUT----it's old news -- insurance won't take the leap and recognize the scope involved in treating CLUSTERS - ALONE-- NOT MIGRAINES. It's really a different animal with differences in the intensity of treatments. This costs money in and of itself. Like I said b4. It's really ANNOYING.....
If a consistent and easily INSURED and OBTAINABLE form of treatement was made EXCLUSIVE for the prevention and treatment of clusters, well now, let the carpet ROLL. I've said it b4- WE ARE MORE THAN WE THINK.
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Not4Hire
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #13 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 8:10pm » |
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Quote:| Ok, here is what I was told by my doctor and the insurance company |
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Quote:| Just sharing what I was told. I'm not saying the money don't get in the way. I just don't think it is what starts the problem. It's the initial testing that was done, and what the manufacturer recommends |
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Quote:| Kim, if that was directed at me I am not sure what you are pissed about. |
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...I love ya Nance...but put on yer KEVLAR shorts after makin' that kinda comment......
and:
Quote: PS: sometimes I really wish I could jump through this puter so ya'll could see me for the deranged muppet I am.
PFDAN.
Kimmy the weird MOFO |
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(I just LOVE when ya talk my langwidge, Kimmie....LOL)
Quote:| It's not from any suggested maximum by the manufacturer but it's cheaper to put a cap on how many per month they pay for. |
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....well........DOH
with all due respect.....and like ol' charlie sez: SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!
and Quote:| does anyone know if imitrex is addictive? my ins. company says that it is |
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....they sure as HELL hope it *IS* ADDICTIVE...repeat customer an' all that.....(shit!)
.....i really bin wantin' ta RANT lately.......MOFO'ers........ratdammed insurance-HMO-suckin'- ignerunt ER flamestabbin- dumbastidges......
 ....ok i feel *better* now....go on with yer *whine and conversation*.........
see ya at 2 dark o'thirty...wrestlin/dancin with the MOFO.... ;D
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Mantra: This will NOT kill me...This will not KILL me... This will not kill ME...
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eyes_afire
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #14 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 8:10pm » |
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 Hey Kim, it's good to see you posting again.
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Ueli
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on Oct 3rd, 2002, 6:19pm, NancyMcFree wrote:
Therefore, the manufacturer "recommends" a maximum of 6 doses per month.
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Nancy, that's an euphemism disseminated for the same old reason: money.
Fact is: In order to gain FDA approval the manufacturer showed that 6 shots per month are safe (for most).
This implies: No statement at all has been made about a more frequent use. And in particular, it does not imply that more frequent use is harmful in any way.
There are many examples of people who take 50 or 100 shots a month, and are still kicking.
PFNADs
Ueli
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kim
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #16 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 8:32pm » |
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Banalties asied (LOL Not4ire ;D)
This is a discussion that's passed many an hour b4 us 
Eyes, i'm neva fa away...............  just get breakes in leakin at the lips (thanfully for ya'll I'm sure...
Imitrex is a real poo poo issue in my pig pen..... It's just plain ugly when ya look at it through a clear pic...
THAT SAID: I'm a gonna dance a MOFO jiggity jig and thwak (i mean tank = man THANK) good LAWD general cluster is outal town..................
PFDAN you guys - ALWAYS.
Grins and Sins and whatnot.
Kim
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NancyMcFree
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Each insurance provider is no doubt differernt. Mine have no caps on my drugs other than what is the "recommended dosage" or what my doc perscribes. I get 30 Imitrex injections per month paid for IN FULL (with a two dollar co pay) from my insurance company.
Just repeating what I heard ... and I for one believed them when my doc sent my letter for more; I got it.
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Ted
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #18 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 8:43pm » |
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on Oct 3rd, 2002, 8:10pm, Not4Hire wrote:....well........DOH
with all due respect.....and like ol' charlie sez: SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!
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I did:
on Oct 3rd, 2002, 10:03am, Ted wrote:| ....I posted an article from Medscape a month or so ago about why insurance companies won't pay for more Imitrex than they do (if any of you want to hunt it out). |
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NancyMcFree
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Dah ... I think I showed you the money. 30 Imitrex shots a month for 2.00 paid for by insurance.
Your Medscape article obviously did not include my insurance company.
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Ted
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #20 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 9:04pm » |
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Uh, Nancy? What are you talking about? You showed me the money because you got an override from your insurance company? We're not exactly in the same conversation now, are we. Maybe you should read that article before you try and dispute it? There was nowhere in it mentioning that it's the law and the insurance companies have to stick to it. Really. Read the article and then come back and discuss its contents. By the way, if you had to get an override with your doctor's note that means your insurance company does have a cap and therefore the article WAS talking about your company too.
on Oct 3rd, 2002, 8:55pm, NancyMcFree wrote:Dah ... I think I showed you the money. 30 Imitrex shots a month for 2.00 paid for by insurance.
Your Medscape article obviously did not include my insurance company.
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NancyMcFree
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Ted, are you here to help people get what they need to help with their headaches? If you are quit playing word games with me here. I don't really care who worded their post correctly and accurately. The bottom line is -
I GOT 30 SHOTS OF IMITREX PAID FOR BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY (I was responsible for 1 copay, which in my case was 2.00)
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ALSO .....
Read the "Insurance" thread on the other board that was posted about 2 months ago (it refers to the manufacturer supplying you with an arbitrator if necessary for your insurance company to get what you need; it also it refers to a doctor over-ride for the "standard dosage per month of imitrex), then read this thread and try. You may be able to get what you want and need.
Enough said.
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kim
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #22 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 9:26pm » |
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Ted- Want me to light that headress up for ya? Fuck it. Let's just dance in the flames of your crown - LOL Good GAWD, already.
Hey Ted Need imitrex? Just ask Nance Meantime, gimme a match! 
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NancyMcFree
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LOL. Ted, my intent there was not to flame you; merely get my point across that while some people may think that they are limited on the Imitrex they may not be. You need to fight for it for sure ... but it might be available via your insurance.
Kim, Ted doesn't use Imitrex ... perhaps an advil would help. Sorry if I gave you a headache Ted.
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Ted
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Re: imitrex, addictive?
« Reply #24 on: Oct 3rd, 2002, 9:45pm » |
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Nancy, you're getting a little upset because I asked you to read an article before you dispute the facts in it. I don't understand that. I also don't understand why your questioning my helping people here. I'd LOVE for you to tell me why you claim I don't. Is it the articles I post here, the support I give people or the work I do for OUCH that has you questioning that? I'm also not sure why you think we're discussing a difference in just words here when we're discussing a difference in ideas.
Thanks for the other suggestion though. Why do you get the override though, if Advil helps your headaches?
Kim, I'd give you a match but you might just catch on fire from the booze fumes (i.e. what did you just say?)
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| « Last Edit: Oct 3rd, 2002, 9:50pm by Ted » |
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