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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Advice from those who have done it please!
        
(Message started by: nancyc on Jan 15^th, 2006, 6:00pm)

Title: Advice from those who have done it please!
Post by nancyc on Jan 15^th, 2006, 6:00pm

IF you have had your Insurance company increase the amount of triptans you get per month, please let me know "exactly" what route you took....I am not getting anywhere but a dead end and I am freaking out here. I can't afford to go out on disability again. It pisses me off that the damn insurance companies had rather you take anything else than what works so you can work and be productive. Please give me some advise here to get them off their butts. I have tried talking to them. I have asked my Neuro to call them but to no avail. He is so busy, I am just a drop in the bucket I guess. I have even had a rep from Imitrex call my Doctor and his lazy nurses did not send the paperwork into the insurance company.... What can I do? Praying for a cure in 2006. Thanks and a smile, nancyc

Title: Re: Advice from those who have done it please!
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 15^th, 2006, 7:59pm

Nancy,

My heart goes out to you. I've never had a complaint from insurance, so can't help with that one.

However, if I were you and I knew my doc's office was at fault, I'd have the insurance company give ME the paperwork and I'd personally walk it to the doc's office. In fact, I'd probably do nothing short of having a temper tantrum in the waiting room until the paperwork was filled out and signed properly. Be an advocate for yourself. If that doesn't work, be a bitch!

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Advice from those who have done it please!
Post by Karla on Jan 15^th, 2006, 11:30pm

My dr simply wrote a script that said unlimited imitrix for the year and signed it. The pharmacy and insurance company complied. Then I switched HMO's and I was limited to 6 a month. My dr wrote a letter to the board of directors explaining 8 ha /day - 6 ns gone in 1-2 days. They also explained for ch not migraines because the dumb neuro had originally diagnosed me as cluster migraines. Once the word migraine was removed from the diagnosis I got my meds. My dr did lots of letter writting to the board to get me meds that were not on the formulary policy after explaining what did and didn't work and for how long it worked. 2 hours relief provided by medicine by 16 hours of pain in and out throught the day. So they were willing to let me try the amerge and frova. Unfortunatly they only lasted 2 hours as well. Then they paid to send me to another HMO's pain clinic. I think I would get my dr talking to the HMO's baord or people in charge and detail explain your cituation is different than most. Contact family services in OUCH maybe they have some ideas. Good luck.

Title: Re: Advice from those who have done it please!
Post by chewy on Jan 16^th, 2006, 8:36am

Quote:

I have asked my Neuro to call them but to no avail. He is so busy,

Theres your problem right there. Your neuro. To busy to treat his patient appropriately?

Title: Re: Advice from those who have done it please!
Post by Lizzie2 on Jan 16^th, 2006, 8:53am

Nancy,

Here's the best advice I can offer:

http://headaches.about.com/cs/advocacy/a/trip_limits.htm

Best of luck!
Carrie :)

Title: Re: Advice from those who have done it please!
Post by nancyc on Jan 17^th, 2006, 1:16am

Thanks everyone...I had to have a damn filling replaced today that came out and the stupid dentist must have leaned on my jaw....my TMJ is going crazy on the cluster side.....but like all good clusterheads we keep going on....left the dentist and went to work for 14 hours...us nurses are dedicated.....I have an appointment with my neuro thursday and pray i can get him to do something but not holding my breath as he is not good at giving up time. ...Will keep ya'll posted and again thanks! smiles,nancyc

Title: Re: Advice from those who have done it please!
Post by cynthy on Jan 17^th, 2006, 10:49am

Hi Nancy,
From a chronic suffer, I've been there so many times now my nero now says he won't authorized any more imitrex, he wants me on meds,, I have tried them all to no avail, and refuse to take anymore,
Most of the time I control the beast with alternatives, those that I can aquire.
The expense was beginning to add up so decided to go out of the country for generic, So glad I did,,
I noticed I was not getting rebounds and the intensity and frequency did not increase. This works for me! Give these websites a try.
Supersavermeds.com I can order 30 100mg suminate(generic imitrex tabs) for 157.00, 10.00 shipping,
also, inhousepharmacy.com although I have noticed there prices have gone up alot since i first started with them and they are frequently sold out.
hope this helps if you have to go this route
Cindy