You Guys Aren't Going To Believe This...

May 3, 2012

After begging, pleading, and mildly harassing my Oncologist, he agreed to

prescribe a fifteen day supply of OTFC on May 1st. This is a one time only

prescription, but it still helps. Unfortunately, when I got to the

pharmacy, I learned that he was not enrolled in the new REMS program, so I

couldn't fill the prescription until he enrolled. It took another day, but

he enrolled and I got my Rx!!!

He wants me to see a pain management doctor and I explained that no one

would take me. He couldn't believe it. He asked me if I was willing to see

a pain management doctor, I agreed, but warned him that no one wanted to be

my pain doctor. He

told me he was referring me to the doctor he uses for complex/difficult

cases (I dared to get my hopes up). Later that afternoon, I got a call

stating that she (prospective pain management doctor) doesn't accept

Medicaid, so I'm SOL.

They're trying to get another office to accept me, but I'm pretty sure that

this is nothing more than an exercise in futility since my PCP, old PM,

Neurosurgeon, Radiation Oncologist, wife, and myself were unable. I miss my

Medicaid HMO, it kicked traditional Medicaid's butt (lower copays, better

network, ability to authorize care outside of network, if necessary).

I'm experiencing mixed emotions, I'm happy to have two weeks of partial

relief, but I know it is only temporary (plus, our mortgage company is

trying to screw us over, and they're going to win if we can't come up with

$38,000; we have $20,000 from life insurance company from mother-in-law's

death, but they're trying to stiff us on the other half). On top of all of

that, Social Security stopped our SSI and wants almost $6,000 in alleged

overpayment. They're claiming our bank balance was too high (it was over

the $3,000 limit because of a backpay payment, which doesn't count as a

resource unless you don't spend it within nine months). Social Security

will eventually start paying us again, but it will take a while and I get

to fight with them.

Sorry for complaining, I just really needed to vent. I really am focusing

on the positive as much as possible, for the first time in over three

months, I have OTFC (generic Actiq) and can actually treat breakthrough

pain attacks.

Steve M in PA

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