To Cammie: insurance

[Guest guest]

Hi Cammie,

No, it's not because of the heart stuff. It's more of a cost issue.

Even before the studies came out about potential heart problems,

insurance companies were reluctant to pay for 2 inhibitors

because they are much more expensive than NSAID's (such as ibuprofen

or naproxen). A one months supply of Celebrex costs $168 at my

pharmacy (about average). They would prefer that I buy over the

counter NSAIDs instead which, of course, they would not have to pay

for at all.

The problem is that I've already tried that. I used to take 800 mg

of Motrin 3-4 times a day which didn't control my arthritis pain

nearly as well. It works great for an occasional headache or muscle

ache but not for my TMJ's. Also doses like that would damage my

kidneys for sure and possibly cause gastrointestinal bleeding. The

chances of my someone like me with absolutely no cardiac risks

developing heart disease at my age is very unlikely so I'm not

worried about the potential cardiac effects as much as kidney damage

or ulcers.

Today I ran out of my Celebrex so we'll see how it goes. Recently I

missed two days and took ibuprofen instead and was miserable. Poor

Beau, I took it all out on him. I hope he's ready for the next few

days ;-)

Bextra and Vioxx (which I think is back on the market now but in

today's medicolegal climate I don't dare prescribe) are even more

expensive so I know I couldn't get approval for those. I'm not

giving up though. I'll fight to get what I need.

It just make me worry about how much of a battle it will be to get

them to approve my surgery. They can't deny it because it's been an

ongoing process but I'm sure they'll try.

>

> How stinky of the insurance company, ... Is that because of

the

> recent studies showing the heart stuff? None of my docs are

concerned

> about it, at least for me, from what they've said.

>

> Do any of the alternate 2 inhibitors work for you? My husband

> recently started on Bextra. I'm not sure how well it's working,

but

> he's not complaining of pain, so I guess it's helping. Vioxx is

out,

> of course...

>

> That just stinks!

>

> Cammie