Posted by Todd (216.199.5.244) on May 20, 2000 at 21:36:03:
In Reply to: Thank you posted by Tinker on May 20, 2000 at 20:05:40:
double check your insurance. It's very likely that they DO allow more than 9 tabs/month, but only with "pre-certification". Get your hubby's doc to fill out the paperwork and apply for pre-cert for a suitable amount. You must apply for a set amount per month for a specific number of months....they won't go for anything open-ended. Have the doc say something like "patient suffers 2-3 acute cluster attacks per day, totalling approximately 75 per month" then ask for 36 tabs/month. Ignore their BS about only restricting drugs which are likely to be abused...it's completely a monetary thing.
If he can't get the restriction lifted, try a few trips to the ER for O2 therapy and/or demorol. The 02 works for many. The demorol won't touch the pain, but it might knock him out so he sleeps through the attack. Besides, ER costs more than a few tabs. :-)
Remember, you are your husbands best defense right now. Read through this site, learn what you can and then fight for him...with his doc, the insurance company, whoever. Check out some of the preventatives, like verapamil and lithium. They are relatively cheap and much easier to get a script for.
KTSSU,
T