Re: Re: Insurance and drugs

[Guest guest]

Hi, Janet. I can understand your disgust at the first rheumatologist. The second one sounds quite a bit like mine but mine has softened a little in the year and a half I have been working on him. You say you have tried Plaquenil, Prednisone, and Methotrexate (among others) in the past but you don't say why you left them. Reading between the lines it sounds like you aren't curently seeing a doctor who would prescribe any of these. For near-term relief I think you need Prednisone and you should try to find a local doctor who will prescribe it for you. Also you need to be on a DMARD to slow down or stop permanent joint damage. Please try to find a local doctor you can work with even if it means going back to the rheumatologist you don't like. You need help.

I was thinking some more about the insurance problem, Washington state has a program to help people with limited resources and Alaska might well have something like that. In fact, with Alaska's budget surplus every year they may be more helpful than most other states. I have also run across a couple of web sites that seem to offer help. I know nothing about them but you may want to look them up.

Financial assistancehttp://www.helpingpatients.org "In 2002, PhRMA members provided free prescription medicines to more than 5.5 million patients in the United States."http://www.needymeds.com"There is help available for the many millions of people who have no insurance and can't afford to purchase their medicines. NeedyMeds is the place to learn about patient assistance programs and other programs designed to help those who can't afford their medicines. NeedyMeds is not a program. It's an information source"

Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: janetlou59

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 3:04 PM

Subject: Re: Insurance and drugs

HI,I've been on plaquenil, sulfa drugs, gold injections, massive amounts of ibuprofen, oral antibiotics, cortizone injections, prednisone and methotrexate. One radiologist fired me because I wanted to get pregnant and he very rudely told me to hurry up about it and come see him when I couldn't walk any more. The other had no patience for anyone wanting to manage their health. I felt like he was very threatened by my questions. I worked in radiology as a technologist for 20 years and have dealt with all sorts of bedside manners but I know what works for me and neither of these physicians do. I have tried to get with the docs here in town and I think that RA is just too complicated for them to take and interest in. I am going to try again though since I will need at home support even if I do go to Seattle for a Rheumy. Thanks for the reply. Janet> For many people the drugs don't need to be terribly expensive. Plaquenil or Methotrexate work for many people and these are not terribly expensive. What drugs have you tried and why did you quit them? While it is much better to be treated by a rheumatologist any doctor can prescribe these medications. Also you might review your reasons for falling out with the two rheumatologists in Alaska. One of them might be OK if supplemented by a sympathetic Primary Care Physician. I can't help with the lack of insurance. Good luck and God Bless.> ----- Original Message ----- > From: janetlou59 > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2003 4:36 PM> Subject: Insurance and drugs> > > Hi all,> I am new to the group. Diagnosed 15 years ago. After having a falling > out with the only 2 Rheumatologists in the state (Alaska), I tried > alternative health care for the past 8 years. Long story. But Now I > am horribly flared up and needing to find a rheumatologist. I have > decided to fly down to Seattle. In addition to location being a > problem, my COBRA insurance runs out in 8 months. Have any of you > been on the expensive drugs without insurance. I am an at home Mom of > 2 wonderful girls and my husband is self employed. I couldn't work > now if I wanted to. I thought I was managing okay with the > alternative approaches but this past year has been bad. Any advice > would be appreciated. Thanks Janet. Ready to come out of denial but > afraid of going to the poor house.> > > >