Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive"
        
(Message started by: BobG on Jul 28^th, 2004, 5:54pm)

Title: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive"
Post by BobG on Jul 28^th, 2004, 5:54pm

I don't know how old this is but it is interesting about insurance and refusing to pay for triptans.

http://www.migraines.org/about_media/bluecros.htm

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&q
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jul 28^th, 2004, 7:37pm

I'm addicted to PAIN RELIEF !!

Unsolved

Those bastages just want to save $$ !!

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&q
Post by Samantha_Smith on Jul 28^th, 2004, 10:39pm

I would have like to have seen how they define the word "addictive." Oftentimes over use of triptans can lead to "rebound" headaches especially in patients with migraines which makes them want to use the triptans more than prescribed in order to achieve pain relief. It's sort of like Unsolved said, "I'm "addicted" to pain relief." But that's not true "addiction." Was that what the article meant by "addictive"? I've given up on trying to make sense of the FDA, insurance companies, the DEA, and other entities.

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&a
Post by bluesunshine on Jul 29^th, 2004, 3:07am

Well i have and still have 9 syringes of trex in my closet(whatever) since a year and didn't touch them! Try that with a heroin junkie, just for a day...

Can you say also that CHeads are the toughest girls and guys of the world for enduring that pain?- we don't care about the trex when not in cycle (i am episodic) When in cycle, some of us just won' t inject trex just in case that the next could be more unbearable.... and save it for the next worst....

there is no logic in the "triptans are addictive" statement.

fo*ck you. if i could, i would give them (edit:them, not you) a glimpse of what i endure

blue >:( really bad

bla bla, insurance co. ...

edit: see the*

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&q
Post by dave_in_nj on Jul 29^th, 2004, 5:11am

I just had to pay $188 for 6 Imitrex Nasal tonight. My insurance requires 22 days between refils for 6 Imitex nasal sprays.

What really sucks is sitting here at 5am with a kip 6 and not being able to take a spray....

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&q
Post by Jimmy_B on Jul 29^th, 2004, 8:52am

When I was taking Imitrex...& went to have a script filled, the RPH said she had to call the Doc & verify the script. I asked what do you mean verify the script...& she goes on to tell me that Imitrex is considered Habit Forming & she has people coming in with Fake Scripts for Trex.
[smiley=huh.gif] ::) Unbelievable...

This is the society we live in...blame the med for people's bad decisions, blame the car for the drunk driver, blame the gun for the murderer's actions...uh oh...going off on a rant here...must stop myself... ;;D

Jimmy

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&a
Post by floridian on Jul 29^th, 2004, 11:58am

on 07/29/04 at 08:52:03, Jimmy_B wrote:

What was the show that Joe was on? He played a guy who was faking pain to get trex - the character didn't need it, but I think was covered under his insurance, and he sold it black market to get the money.

At $20 or more per pop, I think economics are the driving force. The insurance company wants to ration its use, and the high price is an incentive to divert it to the street and sell it to uninsured people for a mere $10 per pop.

Addictive? I don't believe it - rebound headaches from quitting trex can happen, and it may lengthen a cycle (still a matter of debate). But triptan users do not use it indiscriminately or abuse it for a high - close to 100% of trex use is in response to pain from a medical condition.

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&q
Post by Samantha_Smith on Jul 29^th, 2004, 1:47pm

"Fake scripts for Trex.."

OMG I've heard it all now. What is wrong with the world?!! Arghhh....

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&q
Post by IndianaJohn on Jul 29^th, 2004, 2:53pm

Hi all,

Been in the same bost with the insurance company not want to pay for trex. Found out there was an appeal process within the policy and pursued it until I finally got it approved. But the company only allowed for 6 month's worth (doc's script was for a year). My wife is going to pick up the first script now, and then we'll see how the rest goes. I know first hand how much it sucks to hold onto a dose hoping to make it through the HA just to hold onto it for the next bad one. And if you use it and have none left, you feel really screwed untill you can get some more, because you know you're vulnerable.

As for addictive? Give me a break. If I can get this scrpit thing worked out, I'm stockpiling as much as I can.

Good luck to everyone here! God knows we need it!

John

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&a
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jul 29^th, 2004, 4:07pm

on 07/29/04 at 14:53:05, IndianaJohn wrote:

If I can get this scrpit thing worked out, I'm stockpiling as much as I can.

That's exactly what I did when I was epesodic. It is a GREAT idea. I had a HUGE box full of Imitrex injections. I sure was glad when I turned chronic that I had this amount stashed away. Of course, that's all long gone by now.
Stock up when you can. Never throw away (even expired) Imitrex. You may be glad you have it later !!

Unsolved

About the 'addiction' to Imitrex : I pray that I NEVER needed another shot ... ever again !! It sucks to take one. Makes me feel worse before relief sets in.
I guess diabetics are 'addicted' to their insulin too ! [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Blue Cross says "triptans are addictive&q
Post by Crying on Jul 29^th, 2004, 11:30pm

I have Blue Cross insurance. They bought out my original insurance company. Blue Cross only wanted to give me 6 zomig sprays a month. When I was finally diagnosed with CH(instead of migraines) my dodtor had to write a note and fill out forms and then I had a medical review. About two weeks later I was given ok for O2. A month later for an ok for 6 zomig nasal sprays a week. I have to go in every week they won't ok doctors script for 24 a month. Strange isn't that the same as 6 a week? I don't understand insurance companies. They were willing to pay for me to go to ER for O2 and shots but I had to fight and argue to get O2 at home and enough med. I say again I don't understand insurace companies? It's cheaper for them to let us have our meds and O2 than forcing us into the ER.