Insurance and MRI

My MRI results apparently show some thickening of tissue in my "Cavernous Sinuses", under and behind the brain I think. I'll find out exactly what that means Nov. 17, my next Oncologist's appt..
Since my Drug coverage is being cancelled, per CIGNA, we had to talk to my agent about new ins.. Well, wonderfully, I've found that, to be covered, we not only have to pay the standard charge for Medicare coverage, which does basically nothing, we now have to pay $154 for supplemental health and another $34 for drug coverage. Both monthly.
With our outgo and this new extra cost, I just don't get how we're supposed to get by. I'm looking for some work I can do on my meds. But, that's difficult w/ the side effects considered, and I cost a good deal of bucks and worry for my bride.
I'm beginning to have thoughts that she'd, in time, be better off w/out me. She could find someone w/out this stupid disease, who worked, added an income to the home and didn't cost a fortune in meds and dr.'s appt.'s to "maintain".
No. I'm not going to do anything stupid. My poor gal has been thru hell due to my presence in her life. Just seems like my absence would become a relief. Then again, there's nothing like loving her or being loved. Think I'll stick around. :-)

My taxes paid for me to Pay THIS

We found out from Cigna today that my Interferon is ready to be shipped out. Our Co-Pay for having a disease I didn't exactly beg for? $1076.13!!! FOR ONE STINKIN' MONTH!!!!!!
How do the insurance exec's live with themselves? And, how is this legal? Oh! The right lobbyist, the right politician, the right price. I forgot.

Judgement on Cladribine

Well, I'll hear the verdict on Cladribine Thursday. Got an appt. w/ my Oncologist. Provided the possibilities are good, I just hope the insurance co. >:-( doesn't get in the way.
AND, since we don't need healthcare reform (ya know, it bein' Socialist and all), I wonder what a life is worth to a lobbyist and how much that would change if it were their life. It blows my mind how a persons conscience can allow them to choose such an occupation!

Wellbutrin, Dosage, Insurance, Formulary

My Medicare Replacement carrier has decided my already generic anti-depressant is too pricey. My Family Physician had to barter with them to decide what they would cover. So, now, after 9 years of using a time released med. that never once gave me a problem, they have changed to a twice a day formula. It has to be taken 8 hours apart and not in the evening, because it will keep me awake.
Well, I start the med, and, on the second day of it, I begin waking up at 3-5 AM and can't get back to sleep (I stay up 'til 1:30 or 2:00 AM to be with my wife, as she works the 3-11 PM shift). After several days of this, I'm exhausted. So, I've taken matters into my own hands and cut back to one pill in the AM only.
I immediately began sleeping through the night, except for the dog waking me up for his nighttime grass watering missions. But, I go right back to sleep. So far, the reduction has not affected my mood, except for an improvement due to sleeping well.
It is ridiculous to change a med after 9 yrs of successful useage because of cost, especially when it was already the generic form!! Profit over health, I guess!.
By the way, the xanthum (ECD growth) in my head begins at my pituitary gland, affecting testosterone production, mood and thirst, in my case. The thirst is under control. But, I need hormone therapy for the others. Wellbutrin is, of course, for mood/depression, and I apply a testosterone replacement gel every other day. I'm an expensive item :-).