Posted by Carol C. (209.99.90.26) on December 05, 2000 at 22:02:59:
In Reply to: Insurance and Imitrex posted by Jeff on October 24, 2000 at 19:51:42:
I have had migraines with and without aura almost since birth, diagnosed at age 7. Have been so bad I have begged to die. The only relief I could get at all until recently was with 100 mg demerol sometimes several injections before one headache would be relieved only to have it recur within a few days.
A couple of years ago (give or take) I was introduced to Imitrex. God send. Sometimes in fact frequently they wake me in the night. I could take in the beginning and imitrex injection and in 7 to 10 minutes be on my way no hangover, no headache and able to continue ADLS. This had never been possible. Sometimes "rarely" the headache will not respond to the imitrex especially if I have to wait too long to medicate. This requires a trip to the emergency room.
Until the last few weeks never had any trouble getting refills no matter how often. I may take 18 plus tablets a month. I no longer wait to see if the head is going to be a migraine at onset I would take an imitrex. Not so anymore. My insurance company United Healthcare, parmacy section Merck Medco are refusing me more than 9 tablets a month.
I, while not wishing these on my worst enemy, would love for these insurance policy makers to suffer the headaches the rest of us do (as many if not more) and have nothing but the imitrex give them relief and them not be able to acquire the imitrex. I hope God will forgive me for wishing this.
I am not oblivious to the dangers of the imitrex nor am I oblivious to the dangers of demerol/morphine. Nor am I oblivious to the psychological effects the pain of these headaches can have on a person, as well as the family suffering that goes on.