Guest guest Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 I have had two pulmonary function tests--an hour long--You cannot take any meds the morning of the test. At least that is the way mine was set up. When they did the test on my lungs, it showed my lung function was way below normal. I am surprised that the insurance company would require it since I don't recall that was a requirement by the company for getting xolair. But then I cannot always figure out the reasoning of insurance companies anyway! Maybe someone else has a better answer.... From: sheilabiss@... <sheilabiss@...> Subject: [ ] Spirometry -insurance Date: Friday, November 5, 2010, 6:12 PM Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone -----Original Message----- From: sheilabiss@... Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 21:20:09 < > Reply-sheilabiss@... Subject: Re: [ ] hookworms / helminthic therapy Hi everyone. I am getting my insurance to cover xolair. I have had asthma for a long time but in the recent months it has become severe. I am waiting for a lung function test which the company requires for approval, I have never had one done before. I am currently on singular , advair, zyrtec, and oral prednisone. I am not able to discontinue meds and concerned that lung test will not show me symptomatic since oral steroids have practically cleared all symptoms. Has anyone else been in this situation. Can insurance co ask me to discontinue meds? Thanks everyone. Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 When I was on Xolair I was required to have pulmonary function tests every 3 months. The pulmonologist at a medical school (who was treating me) required it. I don't know if there was any insurance influence involved in the requirement. Probably part of it was for research purposes. My understanding was that because Xolair is a rather unknown treatment with potential side effects that they wanted to keep a close eye on me. I assume they also wanted to prove it's benefit. My tests were lengthy and in a plexiglass booth. I was not allowed to use any asthma medication the day of the test although I could use it immediately after the test. I assume it was performed in part to show how much I improved; and I did improve although I could NEVER get off Advair at all and still had to use Albuterol occasionally as well as Spiriva. (Off Xolair I am using Albuterol several times. It is not very effective - something also demonstrated by pulmonary function tests when on Xolair.) The pulmonary function tests were extremely difficult and hard on me physically. Besides extreme exhaution I was absolutely looped and literally couldn't walk straight. One time I drove myself home careening and unsafe. Because I wanted the treatment I went along with it until near the end. I will not put myself in so much danger again. (from the test it's self) I was told by the staff after I loudly complained that some people simply state they can go no further or that they need an ambulance or a treatment. Otherwise they push you until you drop or survive. > > > From: sheilabiss@... <sheilabiss@...> > Subject: [ ] Spirometry -insurance > > Date: Friday, November 5, 2010, 6:12 PM > > > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone > > -----Original Message----- > From: sheilabiss@... > Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 21:20:09 > < > > Reply-sheilabiss@... > Subject: Re: [ ] hookworms / helminthic therapy > > Hi everyone. I am getting my insurance to cover xolair. I have had asthma for a long time but in the recent months it has become severe. I am waiting for a lung function test which the company requires for approval, I have never had one done before. I am currently on singular , advair, zyrtec, and oral prednisone. I am not able to discontinue meds and concerned that lung test will not show me symptomatic since oral steroids have practically cleared all symptoms. Has anyone else been in this situation. Can insurance co ask me to discontinue meds? > Thanks everyone. > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 Wow, I've only had two of those and I was told from the very beginning to tell them if I had any symptoms or began to be very uncomfortable. And they were in a room...the second machine that was used was smaller than the first but not any easier to " blow " into than the first. I do have the " office " function test each month when I go in for my shot.  From: instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@...> Subject: [ ] Re: Spirometry -insurance Date: Sunday, November 7, 2010, 2:49 PM  When I was on Xolair I was required to have pulmonary function tests every 3 months. The pulmonologist at a medical school (who was treating me) required it. I don't know if there was any insurance influence involved in the requirement. Probably part of it was for research purposes. My understanding was that because Xolair is a rather unknown treatment with potential side effects that they wanted to keep a close eye on me. I assume they also wanted to prove it's benefit. My tests were lengthy and in a plexiglass booth. I was not allowed to use any asthma medication the day of the test although I could use it immediately after the test. I assume it was performed in part to show how much I improved; and I did improve although I could NEVER get off Advair at all and still had to use Albuterol occasionally as well as Spiriva. (Off Xolair I am using Albuterol several times. It is not very effective - something also demonstrated by pulmonary function tests when on Xolair.) The pulmonary function tests were extremely difficult and hard on me physically. Besides extreme exhaution I was absolutely looped and literally couldn't walk straight. One time I drove myself home careening and unsafe. Because I wanted the treatment I went along with it until near the end. I will not put myself in so much danger again. (from the test it's self) I was told by the staff after I loudly complained that some people simply state they can go no further or that they need an ambulance or a treatment. Otherwise they push you until you drop or survive. > > > From: sheilabiss@... <sheilabiss@...> > Subject: [ ] Spirometry -insurance > > Date: Friday, November 5, 2010, 6:12 PM > > > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone > > -----Original Message----- > From: sheilabiss@... > Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 21:20:09 > < > > Reply-sheilabiss@... > Subject: Re: [ ] hookworms / helminthic therapy > > Hi everyone. I am getting my insurance to cover xolair. I have had asthma for a long time but in the recent months it has become severe. I am waiting for a lung function test which the company requires for approval, I have never had one done before. I am currently on singular , advair, zyrtec, and oral prednisone. I am not able to discontinue meds and concerned that lung test will not show me symptomatic since oral steroids have practically cleared all symptoms. Has anyone else been in this situation. Can insurance co ask me to discontinue meds? > Thanks everyone. > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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