Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

[Guest guest]

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

--- In , " " <gilpnh@y...>

wrote:

> or maybe you will.

>

> Ok, I call my biological father yesterday, we talk several

times

> a year, but didnt see him alot growing up. I knew he had an

> autoimmune kidney disease and I called to quiz him about it before

I

> go to the doc, know what he tells me? He was diagnosed with RA 2

> months ago (as well as thyroid and diabetes after having Valley

Fevr

> in the spring) anyhow, that just blew my mind.

> I am off to my health insurance website to see what drugs they

> will cover, the new rheumy sent a list of drugs wanting to know

what

> I have been on in the past, I am going to research all of them to

see

> what insurance pays and dosnt so I don't waste his and my time on

> something that insurance won't cover up front. I have tried

Ultram,

> Bextra, Naprosyn, Vioxx, Celebrex, Ansaid, Disclid, Daypro and

> Voltaren with little or no relief over the last 4 years.

> Thanx a ton guys. in MO

[Guest guest]

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

> or maybe you will.

>

> Ok, I call my biological father yesterday, we talk several

times

> a year, but didnt see him alot growing up. I knew he had an

> autoimmune kidney disease and I called to quiz him about it before

I

> go to the doc, know what he tells me? He was diagnosed with RA 2

> months ago (as well as thyroid and diabetes after having Valley

Fevr

> in the spring) anyhow, that just blew my mind.

> I am off to my health insurance website to see what drugs they

> will cover, the new rheumy sent a list of drugs wanting to know

what

> I have been on in the past, I am going to research all of them to

see

> what insurance pays and dosnt so I don't waste his and my time on

> something that insurance won't cover up front. I have tried

Ultram,

> Bextra, Naprosyn, Vioxx, Celebrex, Ansaid, Disclid, Daypro and

> Voltaren with little or no relief over the last 4 years.

> Thanx a ton guys. in MO

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I had problems

with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex first. The

only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could not take

either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the issue. Even my

doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate insurance

companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc what was

medically

best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I took the

drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my family her to hunt

down and sue!

Toni

In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I had problems

with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex first. The

only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could not take

either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the issue. Even my

doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate insurance

companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc what was

medically

best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I took the

drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my family her to hunt

down and sue!

Toni

In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I had problems

with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex first. The

only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could not take

either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the issue. Even my

doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate insurance

companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc what was

medically

best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I took the

drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my family her to hunt

down and sue!

Toni

In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I had problems

with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex first. The

only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could not take

either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the issue. Even my

doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate insurance

companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc what was

medically

best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I took the

drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my family her to hunt

down and sue!

Toni

In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA but

she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I was

32.

It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will be

familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I was

on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that I

was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

health care in the US.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

You're not the only one who finds the insurance issues annoying.

I get so tired of having to jump through THEIR hoops because they

think they know best, not that they went to college and got a

medical degree then went through their internship and residencey.

Oh, wait, they DIDN'T do all that!! Well now, to them it is nothing

more that the bottom dollar. They have little interest in taking

the patients best interest in mind! My Rhuemy had to fight with

them to get the Remicaide approved because they wanted me to go on

one of the other injectable DMARDS. Problem with them is they

containe latex, which I am highly allergic to. But, hey, what does

my doctor know. It's not just what he knows but how he cares. That

is the one thing insurance companies don't do, care about US!!! The

stories I could tell you all, working in a hospital, I've seen it

all!! Take care and prayers to all.......Marina in Ohio

>

>

> Jennie,

>

> I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I

had problems

> with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex

first. The

> only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could

not take

> either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the

issue. Even my

> doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate

insurance

> companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc

what was medically

> best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I

took the

> drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my

family her to hunt

> down and sue!

>

> Toni

>

>

> In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

> writes:

>

>

> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

> From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

>

> Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA

but

> she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I

was

> 32.

>

> It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

> cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will

be

> familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

> or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

> and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

> approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

> lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I

was

> on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

> Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

> it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that

I

> was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

> health care in the US.

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

You're not the only one who finds the insurance issues annoying.

I get so tired of having to jump through THEIR hoops because they

think they know best, not that they went to college and got a

medical degree then went through their internship and residencey.

Oh, wait, they DIDN'T do all that!! Well now, to them it is nothing

more that the bottom dollar. They have little interest in taking

the patients best interest in mind! My Rhuemy had to fight with

them to get the Remicaide approved because they wanted me to go on

one of the other injectable DMARDS. Problem with them is they

containe latex, which I am highly allergic to. But, hey, what does

my doctor know. It's not just what he knows but how he cares. That

is the one thing insurance companies don't do, care about US!!! The

stories I could tell you all, working in a hospital, I've seen it

all!! Take care and prayers to all.......Marina in Ohio

>

>

> Jennie,

>

> I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I

had problems

> with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex

first. The

> only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could

not take

> either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the

issue. Even my

> doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate

insurance

> companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc

what was medically

> best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I

took the

> drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my

family her to hunt

> down and sue!

>

> Toni

>

>

> In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

> writes:

>

>

> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

> From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

>

> Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA

but

> she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I

was

> 32.

>

> It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

> cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will

be

> familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

> or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

> and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

> approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

> lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I

was

> on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

> Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

> it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that

I

> was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

> health care in the US.

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

That is good. My doctor also gets very frustrated with the insurance

companies. I am sure they waste a lot of time jumping through the hoops too.

Sometimes I think they make use do this to see how " bad " we want the medication

or

treatment. Because if we didn't bother to fight for it then in the end the

insurance company has saved money. Or at least so they think in the short

run....

I will probably be switching insurance companies at the end of the year so I

can switch rheummy's. I am pretty burnt out and tired of the one I have. If

I switch I can change to another one closer to me. I can also get an internal

medicine do closer as well.

Toni

In a message dated 8/23/2004 7:34:44 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:41:51 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Toni,

I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office staff

is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a few

tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always successful

but they do persevere, I really admire them.

They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in the

past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so lucky

I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again (switch

insurance).

I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

accomplished the way the system is set up.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

That is good. My doctor also gets very frustrated with the insurance

companies. I am sure they waste a lot of time jumping through the hoops too.

Sometimes I think they make use do this to see how " bad " we want the medication

or

treatment. Because if we didn't bother to fight for it then in the end the

insurance company has saved money. Or at least so they think in the short

run....

I will probably be switching insurance companies at the end of the year so I

can switch rheummy's. I am pretty burnt out and tired of the one I have. If

I switch I can change to another one closer to me. I can also get an internal

medicine do closer as well.

Toni

In a message dated 8/23/2004 7:34:44 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:41:51 -0000

From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@...>

Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

Toni,

I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office staff

is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a few

tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always successful

but they do persevere, I really admire them.

They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in the

past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so lucky

I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again (switch

insurance).

I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

accomplished the way the system is set up.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office staff

is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a few

tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always successful

but they do persevere, I really admire them.

They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in the

past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so lucky

I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again (switch

insurance).

I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

accomplished the way the system is set up.

Jennie

>

> Jennie,

>

> I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I

had problems

> with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex

first. The

> only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could

not take

> either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the

issue. Even my

> doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate

insurance

> companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc

what was medically

> best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I

took the

> drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my

family her to hunt

> down and sue!

>

> Toni

>

> In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

> writes:

>

>

> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

> From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

>

> Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA

but

> she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I

was

> 32.

>

> It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

> cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will

be

> familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

> or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

> and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

> approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

> lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I

was

> on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

> Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

> it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that

I

> was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

> health care in the US.

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office staff

is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a few

tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always successful

but they do persevere, I really admire them.

They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in the

past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so lucky

I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again (switch

insurance).

I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

accomplished the way the system is set up.

Jennie

>

> Jennie,

>

> I find the insurance issue really annoying to say the least. I

had problems

> with hubby's insurance. They wanted me to take Vioxx or Celebrex

first. The

> only problem is I am allergic to all sulfa and sulfites to I could

not take

> either drug. I had to fight with them and never did win on the

issue. Even my

> doctor called and got no where!!!! I was so pissed off. I hate

insurance

> companies. I even reminded them who where they to tell my doc

what was medically

> best for me. And was a doctor making this decision because if I

took the

> drugs the demanded and died I wanted to leave a letter to my

family her to hunt

> down and sue!

>

> Toni

>

> In a message dated 8/22/2004 7:00:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

> writes:

>

>

> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:49:43 -0000

> From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

>

> Wow , that is amazing about your dad. My mom also has RA

but

> she and I were about the same age when we got it. She was 35, I

was

> 32.

>

> It's good to do the research on medication. Most insurance will

> cover RA drugs, but many require pre-approval. Your rheumy will

be

> familiar with this. You often also cannot get approved for newere

> or more expensive RA drugs until you try the least expensive one's

> and they do not work well enough. For example, I could not get

> approved for Bextra until I tried Vioxx and failed. Of course, I

> lived off Bextra samples while we tried to get it approved so I

was

> on Bextra (samples), then had to switch to Vioxx, then back to

> Bextra (once the Vioxx didn't work well enough insurance approved

> it). By the time they approved Bextra the RA advanced enough that

I

> was put on prednisone. Welcome to the wild and crazy world of

> health care in the US.

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I think finding a good rheumy has to be one of the hardest things.

My mom has found that after a time they get frustrated that nothing

they do is enough, and give up on her. When that happens she has to

switch because otherwise she is getting substandard care. When she

get's a new one he's usually excited to try some new things and work

with her.

I love my rheumy. I just moved and will keep driving to where he is

(although it really isn't too bad to get there from where I work).

He say's he's on the Enbrel training video but I haven't seen it.

He's really on top of things and so incredibly personable. I feel

very lucky about about finding him. I'm normally not trusting of

doctors, they have to do something to earn it.

I hope switching insurances and rheumy's works for you. What do you

see the internist for?

Jennie

>

> Jennie,

> That is good. My doctor also gets very frustrated with the

insurance

> companies. I am sure they waste a lot of time jumping through the

hoops too.

> Sometimes I think they make use do this to see how " bad " we want

the medication or

> treatment. Because if we didn't bother to fight for it then in the

end the

> insurance company has saved money. Or at least so they think in the

short run....

>

> I will probably be switching insurance companies at the end of the

year so I

> can switch rheummy's. I am pretty burnt out and tired of the one I

have. If

> I switch I can change to another one closer to me. I can also get

an internal

> medicine do closer as well.

>

> Toni

>

>

> In a message dated 8/23/2004 7:34:44 AM Central Daylight Time,

> writes:

>

> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:41:51 -0000

> From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

>

> Toni,

>

> I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

> approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

> insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office staff

> is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a few

> tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always successful

> but they do persevere, I really admire them.

>

> They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in

the

> past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so

lucky

> I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

> tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again (switch

> insurance).

>

> I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

> too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

> accomplished the way the system is set up.

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I think finding a good rheumy has to be one of the hardest things.

My mom has found that after a time they get frustrated that nothing

they do is enough, and give up on her. When that happens she has to

switch because otherwise she is getting substandard care. When she

get's a new one he's usually excited to try some new things and work

with her.

I love my rheumy. I just moved and will keep driving to where he is

(although it really isn't too bad to get there from where I work).

He say's he's on the Enbrel training video but I haven't seen it.

He's really on top of things and so incredibly personable. I feel

very lucky about about finding him. I'm normally not trusting of

doctors, they have to do something to earn it.

I hope switching insurances and rheumy's works for you. What do you

see the internist for?

Jennie

>

> Jennie,

> That is good. My doctor also gets very frustrated with the

insurance

> companies. I am sure they waste a lot of time jumping through the

hoops too.

> Sometimes I think they make use do this to see how " bad " we want

the medication or

> treatment. Because if we didn't bother to fight for it then in the

end the

> insurance company has saved money. Or at least so they think in the

short run....

>

> I will probably be switching insurance companies at the end of the

year so I

> can switch rheummy's. I am pretty burnt out and tired of the one I

have. If

> I switch I can change to another one closer to me. I can also get

an internal

> medicine do closer as well.

>

> Toni

>

>

> In a message dated 8/23/2004 7:34:44 AM Central Daylight Time,

> writes:

>

> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:41:51 -0000

> From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

>

> Toni,

>

> I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

> approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

> insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office staff

> is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a few

> tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always successful

> but they do persevere, I really admire them.

>

> They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in

the

> past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so

lucky

> I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

> tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again (switch

> insurance).

>

> I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

> too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

> accomplished the way the system is set up.

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

I have learned from others here that good rheummy's are VERY hard to

find, especially when there are so few. I know about the substandard

care because that is what I got the first year or more after I was

diagnosised. When I got to my current rheummy everything was totally

out of control.

I use to see a family practice doctor. He was the one that ignorred

my symtoms and complaints and labelled me problem, whinny patient.

He gave me 2-3 more prescriptions every visit hoping I would go

away. So after being treated so poorly by him and I couldn't

transfer my care to his partner I decided to try internal medicine.

I found the best doc!! I was in love with my doc, he took such good

care of me. Well, he moved away in July. So now I am doc shopping

again. I was told the clinic hired another young doc so I will try

him out and see how it goes.

My rheummy does nothing that is not rheummy related. So if I have a

fever or sore throat he refers me to my Internal med doc. Which in

turn if he feels is related to my RA meds refers me back to rheummy.

AAArrrrggghhhh. Someone let me off the merry-go-round before I hurl!

LOL

Its not a system I like, but its what I have to work with. If it was

left to me I would see only my internist and hardly ever see the

Rheummy.

I am currently trying to convience my rheummy that I do not want to

go back on MTX due to side effects from the past. I want to try

something different. So far its not working.

I had weight loss surgery about 3 months ago and one of the things

the surgeon does not want is nausea or vomiting. It is a bad thing.

Since I have a lapband it could cause the band to slip. My rheummy

was not a supportor of my choice for surgical weight loss option. So

he really is not listening when I say I will not take any drug that

is going to make me nauseated or vomit.

I was on MTX injections for about six months and I had all the

terrible side effects, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness,

headache, mouth sores, throat sores. I was on 5 mg of folic acid a

day plus leukovorin weekly and nothing was helping. I got tired of

suffering taking this medication that was suppose to help my joints

but left me too sick in other ways to really care. I started on

pills and the side effects were even worst to include the drug

induced pneumonitis. My rheummy immediately stopped the drug so my

lungs could heal. Then 8 weeks later he started the injections. I

also got real anemic after about 3 months of MTX. Even though the

rheummy said the changes in labwork were normal.

Since I have been off MTX I have felt much better. No side effects

and I can only assume my labwork has returned to normal. I had

surgery so my blood counts had to have bounced back.

So for now I am just on Bextra and Enbrel....when I remember to take

them. (shhhh!!!! don't tell my doc! LOL)

Toni

> >

> > Jennie,

> > That is good. My doctor also gets very frustrated with the

> insurance

> > companies. I am sure they waste a lot of time jumping through

the

> hoops too.

> > Sometimes I think they make use do this to see how " bad " we want

> the medication or

> > treatment. Because if we didn't bother to fight for it then in

the

> end the

> > insurance company has saved money. Or at least so they think in

the

> short run....

> >

> > I will probably be switching insurance companies at the end of

the

> year so I

> > can switch rheummy's. I am pretty burnt out and tired of the one

I

> have. If

> > I switch I can change to another one closer to me. I can also

get

> an internal

> > medicine do closer as well.

> >

> > Toni

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 8/23/2004 7:34:44 AM Central Daylight Time,

> > writes:

> >

> > Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:41:51 -0000

> > From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> > Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

> >

> > Toni,

> >

> > I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

> > approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

> > insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office

staff

> > is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a

few

> > tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always

successful

> > but they do persevere, I really admire them.

> >

> > They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in

> the

> > past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so

> lucky

> > I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

> > tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again

(switch

> > insurance).

> >

> > I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

> > too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

> > accomplished the way the system is set up.

> >

> > Jennie

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

I have learned from others here that good rheummy's are VERY hard to

find, especially when there are so few. I know about the substandard

care because that is what I got the first year or more after I was

diagnosised. When I got to my current rheummy everything was totally

out of control.

I use to see a family practice doctor. He was the one that ignorred

my symtoms and complaints and labelled me problem, whinny patient.

He gave me 2-3 more prescriptions every visit hoping I would go

away. So after being treated so poorly by him and I couldn't

transfer my care to his partner I decided to try internal medicine.

I found the best doc!! I was in love with my doc, he took such good

care of me. Well, he moved away in July. So now I am doc shopping

again. I was told the clinic hired another young doc so I will try

him out and see how it goes.

My rheummy does nothing that is not rheummy related. So if I have a

fever or sore throat he refers me to my Internal med doc. Which in

turn if he feels is related to my RA meds refers me back to rheummy.

AAArrrrggghhhh. Someone let me off the merry-go-round before I hurl!

LOL

Its not a system I like, but its what I have to work with. If it was

left to me I would see only my internist and hardly ever see the

Rheummy.

I am currently trying to convience my rheummy that I do not want to

go back on MTX due to side effects from the past. I want to try

something different. So far its not working.

I had weight loss surgery about 3 months ago and one of the things

the surgeon does not want is nausea or vomiting. It is a bad thing.

Since I have a lapband it could cause the band to slip. My rheummy

was not a supportor of my choice for surgical weight loss option. So

he really is not listening when I say I will not take any drug that

is going to make me nauseated or vomit.

I was on MTX injections for about six months and I had all the

terrible side effects, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness,

headache, mouth sores, throat sores. I was on 5 mg of folic acid a

day plus leukovorin weekly and nothing was helping. I got tired of

suffering taking this medication that was suppose to help my joints

but left me too sick in other ways to really care. I started on

pills and the side effects were even worst to include the drug

induced pneumonitis. My rheummy immediately stopped the drug so my

lungs could heal. Then 8 weeks later he started the injections. I

also got real anemic after about 3 months of MTX. Even though the

rheummy said the changes in labwork were normal.

Since I have been off MTX I have felt much better. No side effects

and I can only assume my labwork has returned to normal. I had

surgery so my blood counts had to have bounced back.

So for now I am just on Bextra and Enbrel....when I remember to take

them. (shhhh!!!! don't tell my doc! LOL)

Toni

> >

> > Jennie,

> > That is good. My doctor also gets very frustrated with the

> insurance

> > companies. I am sure they waste a lot of time jumping through

the

> hoops too.

> > Sometimes I think they make use do this to see how " bad " we want

> the medication or

> > treatment. Because if we didn't bother to fight for it then in

the

> end the

> > insurance company has saved money. Or at least so they think in

the

> short run....

> >

> > I will probably be switching insurance companies at the end of

the

> year so I

> > can switch rheummy's. I am pretty burnt out and tired of the one

I

> have. If

> > I switch I can change to another one closer to me. I can also

get

> an internal

> > medicine do closer as well.

> >

> > Toni

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 8/23/2004 7:34:44 AM Central Daylight Time,

> > writes:

> >

> > Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:41:51 -0000

> > From: " Jennie G " <xponder70@y...>

> > Subject: Re: Your Not Gonna Believe This

> >

> > Toni,

> >

> > I just accepted as the norm. But when the insurance wouldn't

> > approve the Bextra, my rheumy went on a rant about how he hates

> > insurance. It has to be so frustrating for them. His office

staff

> > is great. They will try and if it doesn't work they'll have a

few

> > tricks up their sleeve to try next. They aren't always

successful

> > but they do persevere, I really admire them.

> >

> > They were also wonderful when I had to switch insurance twice in

> the

> > past year, and certain things have to be re-approved. I am so

> lucky

> > I never had to deal with the insurance directly. Of course they

> > tease me and tell me I'm not allowed to do that ever again

(switch

> > insurance).

> >

> > I can't imagine being told I had to take something I was alergic

> > too. That is insane. I wonder sometimes how anythng gets

> > accomplished the way the system is set up.

> >

> > Jennie

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Toni,

Yes - it's inefficient and aggrevating, but it's the only system we

have at the moment. At least we have a place to come and complain to

each other about it. I hope you find a good doc to replace the one

that left. If my rheumy ever moves, I'll consider moving with him.

Or maybe my visits could be via video conference.

You just reminded me that I forgot to take my calcium at lunch. I

just posted to that I am pretty good at taking the RA meds,

but the calcium is 500 mgs three times a day! It is so hard to

remember it that often. And you're supposed to take it with food. I

always remember between meals!

I'm going to the vending machine and getting some peanut m & ms and

taking that darned green pill right now.

Jennie

> Jennie,

>

> I have learned from others here that good rheummy's are VERY hard

to

> find, especially when there are so few. I know about the

substandard

> care because that is what I got the first year or more after I was

> diagnosised. When I got to my current rheummy everything was

totally

> out of control.

>

> I use to see a family practice doctor. He was the one that

ignorred

> my symtoms and complaints and labelled me problem, whinny patient.

> He gave me 2-3 more prescriptions every visit hoping I would go

> away. So after being treated so poorly by him and I couldn't

> transfer my care to his partner I decided to try internal

medicine.

> I found the best doc!! I was in love with my doc, he took such

good

> care of me. Well, he moved away in July. So now I am doc shopping

> again. I was told the clinic hired another young doc so I will try

> him out and see how it goes.

>

> My rheummy does nothing that is not rheummy related. So if I have

a

> fever or sore throat he refers me to my Internal med doc. Which in

> turn if he feels is related to my RA meds refers me back to

rheummy.

> AAArrrrggghhhh. Someone let me off the merry-go-round before I

hurl!

> LOL

>

> Its not a system I like, but its what I have to work with. If it

was

> left to me I would see only my internist and hardly ever see the

> Rheummy.

>

> I am currently trying to convience my rheummy that I do not want to

> go back on MTX due to side effects from the past. I want to try

> something different. So far its not working.

>

> I had weight loss surgery about 3 months ago and one of the things

> the surgeon does not want is nausea or vomiting. It is a bad

thing.

> Since I have a lapband it could cause the band to slip. My rheummy

> was not a supportor of my choice for surgical weight loss option.

So

> he really is not listening when I say I will not take any drug that

> is going to make me nauseated or vomit.

>

> I was on MTX injections for about six months and I had all the

> terrible side effects, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness,

> headache, mouth sores, throat sores. I was on 5 mg of folic acid a

> day plus leukovorin weekly and nothing was helping. I got tired of

> suffering taking this medication that was suppose to help my joints

> but left me too sick in other ways to really care. I started on

> pills and the side effects were even worst to include the drug

> induced pneumonitis. My rheummy immediately stopped the drug so my

> lungs could heal. Then 8 weeks later he started the injections. I

> also got real anemic after about 3 months of MTX. Even though the

> rheummy said the changes in labwork were normal.

>

> Since I have been off MTX I have felt much better. No side effects

> and I can only assume my labwork has returned to normal. I had

> surgery so my blood counts had to have bounced back.

>

> So for now I am just on Bextra and Enbrel....when I remember to

take

> them. (shhhh!!!! don't tell my doc! LOL)

>

> Toni

>

[Guest guest]

Toni,

Yes - it's inefficient and aggrevating, but it's the only system we

have at the moment. At least we have a place to come and complain to

each other about it. I hope you find a good doc to replace the one

that left. If my rheumy ever moves, I'll consider moving with him.

Or maybe my visits could be via video conference.

You just reminded me that I forgot to take my calcium at lunch. I

just posted to that I am pretty good at taking the RA meds,

but the calcium is 500 mgs three times a day! It is so hard to

remember it that often. And you're supposed to take it with food. I

always remember between meals!

I'm going to the vending machine and getting some peanut m & ms and

taking that darned green pill right now.

Jennie

> Jennie,

>

> I have learned from others here that good rheummy's are VERY hard

to

> find, especially when there are so few. I know about the

substandard

> care because that is what I got the first year or more after I was

> diagnosised. When I got to my current rheummy everything was

totally

> out of control.

>

> I use to see a family practice doctor. He was the one that

ignorred

> my symtoms and complaints and labelled me problem, whinny patient.

> He gave me 2-3 more prescriptions every visit hoping I would go

> away. So after being treated so poorly by him and I couldn't

> transfer my care to his partner I decided to try internal

medicine.

> I found the best doc!! I was in love with my doc, he took such

good

> care of me. Well, he moved away in July. So now I am doc shopping

> again. I was told the clinic hired another young doc so I will try

> him out and see how it goes.

>

> My rheummy does nothing that is not rheummy related. So if I have

a

> fever or sore throat he refers me to my Internal med doc. Which in

> turn if he feels is related to my RA meds refers me back to

rheummy.

> AAArrrrggghhhh. Someone let me off the merry-go-round before I

hurl!

> LOL

>

> Its not a system I like, but its what I have to work with. If it

was

> left to me I would see only my internist and hardly ever see the

> Rheummy.

>

> I am currently trying to convience my rheummy that I do not want to

> go back on MTX due to side effects from the past. I want to try

> something different. So far its not working.

>

> I had weight loss surgery about 3 months ago and one of the things

> the surgeon does not want is nausea or vomiting. It is a bad

thing.

> Since I have a lapband it could cause the band to slip. My rheummy

> was not a supportor of my choice for surgical weight loss option.

So

> he really is not listening when I say I will not take any drug that

> is going to make me nauseated or vomit.

>

> I was on MTX injections for about six months and I had all the

> terrible side effects, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness,

> headache, mouth sores, throat sores. I was on 5 mg of folic acid a

> day plus leukovorin weekly and nothing was helping. I got tired of

> suffering taking this medication that was suppose to help my joints

> but left me too sick in other ways to really care. I started on

> pills and the side effects were even worst to include the drug

> induced pneumonitis. My rheummy immediately stopped the drug so my

> lungs could heal. Then 8 weeks later he started the injections. I

> also got real anemic after about 3 months of MTX. Even though the

> rheummy said the changes in labwork were normal.

>

> Since I have been off MTX I have felt much better. No side effects

> and I can only assume my labwork has returned to normal. I had

> surgery so my blood counts had to have bounced back.

>

> So for now I am just on Bextra and Enbrel....when I remember to

take

> them. (shhhh!!!! don't tell my doc! LOL)

>

> Toni

>