Re: GRRRRRRR.....I-N-S-U-R-A-N-C-E

April 20, 2002

Croaking is not an option, Debs, LOL!

So glad to hear that you had a good evening and that you are taking time

to pamper yourself, too.

You are very tough. Keep up the good work. When is that surgery?

[ ] GRRRRRRR.....I-N-S-U-R-A-N-C-E

> Thank you all for your kind words and support with my insurance

complaint.

>

> A short update, as of 5:00 PM today, insurance still has not been

updated.

> Now they have the credit balance plus the new premiums and the $3.46

shortage

> and I have.................................NOTHING!!!!!!!! I was

reminded of

> this again, when the ortho's office called with a surgery date and I

was told

> " Do you know that your insurance canceled on 2-28-02 "

Duh...................

> " Yes, I know and they are working on it " Geez, good thing this is not

> something that is life threatening. If it was and I croaked, they

would

> certainly regret not giving me the coverage for $3.46 and Ron and the

girls

> sued the pants off this nasty HMO. Juries are NEVER sympathetic to a

HMO. I

> guess he could really clean up!!!!!! Oh well, Monday is another day

to keep

> on fighting. Good thing I am not able to work right now as this has

become a

> full time job with the insurance company canceling me every month.

>

> Well, I had my hair cut today and this evening we went out for dinner

with

> our very dear friends so things are already looking better. Nothing

like a

> new haircut to pick up your spirits!!!!

>

> Have a wonderful pain free weekend everyone and take time to smell all

the

> beautiful spring flowers.

>

> As ever,

>

> Gentle, tender, springtime angel hugs,

>

> Debs in FL

April 20, 2002

Hi Debs

I really get disgusted with insurance companies when I hear stories like

yours. It seems like when you really need them, they're not that big of a

help without a fight. So keep on fighting. We're all behind you. I got my

hair cut today also. I wasn't going to say anything, but it really depresses

me. The methotrexate has taken a large toll on my once long, thick and

beautiful hair. It is now thin, fine, dull and falling out. I must keep it

short because when it gets longer, it falls out more. Add this to the fact

that the pred has given me moonface and a lump between my shoulders and a

short haircut really isn't that flattering. I really don't like to look in

the mirror a lot right now. It bothers me how much the meds have affected my

appearance. Oh well, just moaning again.

Good luck with your ins troubles. Hope it all works out for you. Give 'em

hell!!!!!!

Stacey in PA

April 20, 2002

Hey Stacey,

Yeah I know all about the physical problems of this disease. Yes, the

moonface, the triple chin that appears out of nowhere and the falling hair.

I want to glue every piece that falls out, but then I wouldn't be able to do

anything else! With my face in it's present state, I have had my stylist cut

my hair longer in the front and then he like shaves it in the back, cause I

can't reach it for too long to brush or blow dry. I get a ton of

compliments. The longer in front kinda hides the prednisone problems while

the back is low maintenance. I also have blond bangs and blond framing my

face with kinda reddish hair (thank you Miss Clairol!). Before this disease

and all the medications, I was a part time plus size model, so this has been

quite an adjustment for me also. Oh, and don't forget, the prednisone, makes

you lose hair where you don't want to and GROW hair where it should not be!

I have become the not so happy owner of a beard! So now when I have my

eyebrows waxed, they also do the upper lip and my beard. When I was little,

I would tell my Mom about the various " strange " symptoms that I was having

and she would tell me (not knowing any better), " Oh, you are just like your

Daddy " , I guess no truer words were spoken!

Well, Stacey, I have now told ALL my secrets.....so there you have it!!!! I

am afraid that if my SSI claim doesn't go thru, my daughters just may donate

me to the local circus!!!! You gotta have a sense of humor to fight this

disease!

Hang in there sweetie. This is disease is like a ride at the

carnival.....but ALL must stay seated until the ride comes to a COMPLETE

stop!!!!!

Have a pain free weekend.

Love,

Debs in FL

April 20, 2002

Hi Carol

My hair started falling out right from the get go. I am taking 25mg

injection per week. I keep hoping to get off of it but it doesn't look good

right now. When I wash it, my hands are just covered with hair that has come

out. It looks and feels like spiderwebs. The drains are full of it as is

the lint trap in the dryer. It is all over the floor and my clothes. A

constant reminder.

Stacey in PA

April 20, 2002

sorry stacey, i haven't lost any hair, but i do know the moon face, and while

i've always been heavy. i look pregnant since the prednisone. my shape

changed. i don't like the way i look either. then i was watching tv last

night and something finally made me laugh, and i had muscle spasms from it.

kathy in il

April 20, 2002

Thanks Deb....and I thought my chin hair was a personal problem.......since

being on MTX for six yrs...my hair has thinned so much on top ......and I

have fine limp straight hair too......I feel like I should start doing a

combover.........and yes, 3 chins......I have always had a round face

.......now just rounder and more chin...... I have always been luckier than my

sisters as they all seemed to get darker hair from my parents..I was blond

when younger and dishwater blonde naturally now....my body hair has never

been a problem , always blonde and fine........but now tween medrol, MTX and

HRT I have fine blondie hairs growing on sides of face and chin........I

never have had a moustache ...lucky there....I just recently bought my first

bottle of facial hair remover and I was nervous about using it( as you know

once you start removing hair , it tends to grow back in coarser...the old

shaving legs theory or so I thought).I will say I started plucking these

hairs at first when I noticed a couple on chin......but I am so near sighted

I would pluck more than one too many times.........and so now I am into the

facial depilatory cream......My 21yo dtr was embarassed by me asking a girl

in the beauty supply store about creams, etc.......like her little blonde

body will never have this problem....

As for hair cuts...I too get it cut longer in front.and layered up and under

in back.with longer over it all.....seems it is thicker in the back .....I

have found tween Medrol and HRT I tend to sweat from my scalp .....no more

than wash hair, dry and style it and I start dripping ...I bet I dry my hair

3-4 times some days before I leave the house....even in winter......I have

been trying to think about getting a trim ..it's been a few months...just to

get it back in line and cut off some of the dead ends....

Oh well, such is life......I am very lucky to be as healthy as I am

...........I know things could be worse ..........Always...........Judy in Az

April 20, 2002

Hi Judy,

Yes, I guess things could be worse. But sometimes, even we need a break!

I forgot, the HRT along with the MTX and the prednisone. I love the part

when you put on make up and it starts to drip into your chest before you even

get out of the car. I too blow dry my hair from the shower and then do it

all over again after I dress and work up a sweat. If I am not gluing my hair

in my head, I am blow drying it all over the house! I kinda look like my

Siberian Husky when he sheds, which is like ALL THE TIME!

Well, I can see that you too have had an exciting Saturday night too, huh? I

think all the weeks events just pooped me out too much, so a night of

watching TV and the Internet. I think I am just getting too old!!! Oh, I

did help my youngest daughter with a T-shirt project for her confirmation.

My hands may not be able to do too much, but at least I can convey my ideas

to them to do the work. It turned out really great and she is proud of her

work.

I guess when I am on eBay the next time, I will look for a new set of knees

for both of us kiddo. I foolishly thought that after I had my knee

replacements, end of knee problems........WRONG!!!!!!! Ah, by the time they

get our knees tweaked just right, something will go wrong with our hips! A

never ending battle.....gotta love this disease!

Well, time to medicate. Any big plans for the rest of the weekend??? Not

me, grocery shopping for Ron and the kids and then back to work trying to

resolve the insurance problem. Take care of yourself and stay out of

trouble!

Love,

Debs

April 21, 2002

<< The methotrexate has taken a large toll on my once long, thick and

beautiful hair. It is now thin, fine, dull and falling out. I must keep it

short because when it gets longer, it falls out more.>>

My hair just feels like straw since I've been on the Methotrexate. My

hairstylist is watching for hair loss, and so far he says he can't see any,

and I haven't noticed any either. I'm on 10 mg right now. How much were

you on when you first noticed hair loss?

Hugs,

Carol in FL

Re: [ ] GRRRRRRR.....I-N-S-U-R-A-N-C-E

Hi Debs

I really get disgusted with insurance companies when I hear stories like

yours. It seems like when you really need them, they're not that big of a

help without a fight. So keep on fighting. We're all behind you. I got my

hair cut today also. I wasn't going to say anything, but it really

depresses

me. The methotrexate has taken a large toll on my once long, thick and

beautiful hair. It is now thin, fine, dull and falling out. I must keep it

short because when it gets longer, it falls out more. Add this to the fact

that the pred has given me moonface and a lump between my shoulders and a

short haircut really isn't that flattering. I really don't like to look in

the mirror a lot right now. It bothers me how much the meds have affected

my

appearance. Oh well, just moaning again.

Good luck with your ins troubles. Hope it all works out for you. Give 'em

hell!!!!!!

Stacey in PA

April 24, 2002

Debs,

It is really pretty despicable what your ex-employer is doing to you. As much

money as

these corporations pay their execs, it's a lot of nerve to cut off the insurance

of someone

in your situation. It's bad enough that they got rid of you while out having

knee replacement

surgery. It's pretty sad the way employees are treated by some companies. I

really hope

you get everything straightened out without a lot of stress.

Your sense of humor is still there, which says a lot about you. Somehow I doubt

that your

daughters will donate you to the circus. Although it may be a hardship for you

not being able

to work, your daughters probably enjoy your being home.

Your hair sounds really cute and easy to take care of. I've started letting my

hair grow for the

first time in a very long time, but I have to say it is harder to take care of.

It's rough taking care

of it when the joints don't co-operate. I just may have to wack it off. Such

a shame, but not worth

the extra pain.

Hoping you hear something today.

hugs,

a