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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Thought I was gonna cry
        
(Message started by: Mack on May 6^th, 2003, 11:35am)

Title: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by Mack on May 6^th, 2003, 11:35am

Went to pharmacy yesterday to refill my Rx for imitrex pills. They said they can't fill for 2 wks due to insurance. Seems the insurance co. will only supply 9 pills in a 30 day period. Nine? >:( NINE PILLS FOR 30 DAYS ??? >:( >:( wtf
geezus, I nearly broke down. got scared. What if the monster hasn't really hit me yet :'(
Last Friday was the worst. 5 ha's, boss sent me home early (thank god he's understanding).
I'm doing better now. The monster didn't kick my a$$ out of bed this morning (first time in a week) so I am hoping I'm nearing the end of this cycle.

Thanx, Just needed to vent. ;D ;D

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by cathy on May 6^th, 2003, 11:57am

Hey Mack....sorry to hear this, I hope the beast really has gone!!! :'(

Cathy

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by suzy617 on May 6^th, 2003, 12:00pm

Yes those insurance companies really suck. What you should think of doing is to cut your tablets in half, they seemed to work the same for me and next cycle start stocking up on them a couple months ahead of time. Also have you tried 02? Many have great results with it and its very cheap compared to imitrex.
Good luck to you, hope your nearing the end of the cycle.

Suzy

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by Frank on May 6^th, 2003, 12:02pm

Call your doctor, explain the insurance problem, and ask for samples. :)

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by stevek on May 6^th, 2003, 12:04pm

I agree with Suzy, half a pill works when you catch the CH early. At my cycle peak even a whole pill doesn’t work well. I also stock up all year.

Take care, SteveK

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by runningwildjoe on May 6^th, 2003, 12:05pm

I felt that panic the other day when I used my last Maxalt & had instructed my pharmacy to mail (dumb!) my refill.
I'm new to Maxalt (triptans?) - 2nd week using them.
I wasn't aware of the insurance restriction! They did only give me 9. My doc said he'd call & have my script up'd to 15 but then he may not be aware of qty restrictions. I've been getting about 2 CH's a day so I could be needing approx 10 PER WEEK. Are you will an HMO? I am with Kaiser Permanente.
Best of luck with your insurance company!

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by KingOfPain on May 6^th, 2003, 12:18pm

Mack,

I ran into the same amount limit with my HMO.
What a joke eh? Nine a month. ::)

Try the O2 (if you haven't already) & go with Frank's suggestion. Dr.'s usually have samples lying around.

suzy617's suggestion works too (O2 & 1/2 tab dosage). Try 1/2 a tab but do it ASAP when attack starts.

What stevek is saying is what I do. Even if not under attack, I still re-fill all my scripts as much as possible.

Good luck Sir.

KingOfPain

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by runningwildjoe on May 6^th, 2003, 12:33pm

Is 02 available through "non-medical" channels?
I could really use it as my HMO allow 9 Maxalts per month.
I just read I can get a mask (regulator too?) online but where does one get a tank & O2?
God bless anyone with info. . .
"Stuck-in-the-middle-of-a-cycle" Joe

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by stevegeebe on May 6^th, 2003, 1:00pm

Same here Mack. It was specific to Imitrex. Nine pills. I do not know yet if the thirty day window will apply. I will let you know. When I asked the pharmacist she said "They (HMO) get you comming and going". You may want to ask your Dr. and see if they have any samples on hand for your use during the interim.

Good luck.

Stevie Geebie

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by Frank on May 6^th, 2003, 1:56pm

on 05/06/03 at 12:33:38, runningwildjoe wrote:

My HMO (HealthNet) pays for O2, not sure about Kaiser. Your doctor has to be sure to impress upon the insurance people that it is for cluster headaches. Many people get turned down because their blood oxy test result is over 89%... wrong reason, but they still do it.

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by Mack on May 6^th, 2003, 2:08pm

Thanks for all of your advice. I'm looking into the o2 solution. The nurse's office here at work might be able to help with that.
I'm curious about portablilty. Does anyone carry their o2 contraption around with them?

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by Not4Hire on May 6^th, 2003, 2:27pm

Ok, I'm sure y'all read every word of this:

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

...and so what I'm saying is a moot point....but, to answer Mack's question: Portability is relative..... i strapped 1 "E" tank and one "C" tank on the luggage rack of my motorcycle and took a 2,000 mile trip once... got some funny looks and lot's of questions...(are you a SCUBA diver....or a terrorist?) ;D ......scroo'em !.... i wasn't lettin' a cycle keep me off my 'cycle.... hope this helps.......
Steve(N4H)

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by KingOfPain on May 6^th, 2003, 2:30pm

Mack,

In answer to your portability question:

Yes, I have mine on a "wheelie cart" , a two wheeled cart that goes everywhere I do for the most part. The O2 supplier will have them (they should).

O2 = My "American Express card, don't leave home without it".

I had a hassle at work for awhile trying to have it there, they are idiots. Finally got to have it at work after my Dr. read the riot act to my Manager & lots of red tape.
Not a normal thing to go through just to have O2 at work.

Good luck to ya Sir.

KingOfPain

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by Frank on May 6^th, 2003, 2:35pm

Quote:

-snip- Portability is relative..... i strapped 1 "E" tank and one "C" tank on the luggage rack of my motorcycle and took a 2,000 mile trip once... got some funny looks and lot's of questions...(are you a SCUBA diver....or a terrorist?) ;D ......scroo'em !.... i wasn't lettin' a cycle keep me off my 'cycle.... hope this helps.......
Steve(N4H)

I have a "E" tank sitting on my desk at work. Yesterday somebody said he never knew I had emphysema or, heart disease. I didn't tell the moron what it's really for.

Title: Re: Thought I was gonna cry
Post by cbolony on May 6^th, 2003, 2:42pm

mack when out of cycle keep on getting them and stockpile them. And do what frank said and ask for samples.My insurance co. only gives me 2 vials of imitrex injections 9 imitrex pills and 6 imitrex nasal spray a month.I go around and beg doctors for samples which they give me.