Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


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

        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Insurance
        
(Message started by: MeRay on Jul 15^th, 2003, 8:21pm)

Title: Insurance
Post by MeRay on Jul 15^th, 2003, 8:21pm

Does anybody else have the problem of only being able to get so much Imitrex in one month? I can only get 9 per mo. What do you do to get through the rest of the mo.?

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by Charlie on Jul 15^th, 2003, 8:35pm

Welcome aboard. While I've not used many drugs, Others will tell you that your Imitrex problems are common to eveyone. My CH has been gone for 12 years so I'm not up on drug therapy. You will find some good ideas here on stretching Imitrex by halving the dose I think. I guess it still works.

Sorry you have this horror but if you read on, you'll find lots of help and support as well as some silliness. Here is a technique that worked very well for me:

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique

This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been helpful to many.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.

This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. Often, I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to try to keep blood away from the head. He thought it easiest to concentrate on the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. Don’t let up until you are sure the attack has ended.

This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.

When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.

I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by don on Jul 15^th, 2003, 9:39pm

You click here

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/medications.htm

scroll down and look to the left

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by cootie on Jul 15^th, 2003, 10:08pm

Yeah MeRay.......we also had that same problem but these guys here sure set me in the rite direction........had my doc call my insurence co's physicians hotline and explain why Brad needed more then 9 tabs of imitrex a month and it worked.....what they agree on may not be enuff but at least it was better then the original 9 prescribed. Good luck to ya......Pam that thinks insurence co's are rip offs

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by fubar on Jul 15^th, 2003, 10:13pm

9? 9? Damn!!!!

I pay extra for PPO and a better plan but I can only get 3/month

-Fu

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by Patrick_A on Jul 16^th, 2003, 1:18am

I called my insurance hotline. First the operator tried to send me on my way but i refused to break till i talked to the Administrator herself. After explaining my side and listened to her side, we both agreed on a compromise. I now am able to get 24 tabs every 30 days and also get 12 Nasal sprays during this same time. I agreed to paying more on the Co-pay also, but we are only talking about going from 15 per prescription to 30. No problem i said, considering the Nasal sprays themselves cost about $21.00 apiece.
Be persistent.
Good luck, Patrick

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by ozzman on Jul 16^th, 2003, 8:33am

First of all, welcome home. Tell us more about yourself.
As far as the insurance, I had a little run in earlier this year with the pharmacist. My Dr. had prescribed 6 NS for every 4 days. The first two refills. No prob. Then they ran out of their supply (happens every time, I should let CVS know when my cycle begins so that they can stock up), where was I? Oh, yeah, they ran out. So I had to wait till monday (another BTW, for those in between times ask your Dr for free samples, mine gave me 6 shots and 9 sprays. I'm lucky I guess) Damn! I got lost in my ramblings again. Anyway when I went back to the pharmacy, the pharmacist said she couldn't refill it again for another month, that I had used too much of it already and that the insurance wouldn't cover it. I told her that I was under supervision of my Neuro. and as the prescription clearly stated the 6 NS supply was good enough for 3-4 days only. I asked her to run it anyway through the computer and see what happens. Sure enough it worked.
So before you call your insurance, make sure that it's not the pharmacist who is refusing to fill your prescription. Another intereisting loophole, is that most insurance companies put a limit on something like Imitrex shots, NS or tablets, but you can have a combination of them filled even at the same time!!! Even better have different triptans prescribed by your Neuro.

Of course as Don said, there is always the hotline.

Good luck
PFDAN to you.

Ozzy

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by vig on Jul 16^th, 2003, 9:19am

I went into Walgreens with a prescription for 27 Imitrex and I walked out with 6 actual doses...?

Why can't they follow the doctor's orders? simple

http://www.gsk.com/about/boardofdirectors.htm

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by Big_Dan on Jul 16^th, 2003, 9:25am

I get as much as I want....

... I just have to get it 4 doses at a time....

... I can walk in at 10:00am Monday, get 4... and come back 24hrs later and get another 4....

-Big Dan

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by Karla on Jul 16^th, 2003, 9:49am

Try other medicines like zomig, maxalt, amerge, frova, axert, etc. Then get scripts for all the ones that work. Imitrix on days 1-3, zomig days 5-7, maxalt days 9-12, etc. It helps extend the covereage.

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by Mark C on Jul 16^th, 2003, 11:40am

Welcome....look here (http://www.healthcarerights.org/letters/appealmednec.html) for help in obtaining more meds. It worked for me.
;D

Title: Re: Insurance
Post by Giovanni on Jul 16^th, 2003, 7:52pm

I can get 9 boxes of injections per month or 18 shots. I store them up for future use if not in a cycle. Last cycle I used over 120 shots. The doctor is generous in that she will give me some sample if I request them.