Finally An Answer

Hi Friends,

Happy St. Patrick's Day!   I've always loved this holiday even tho there is not even a tiny drop of Irish in my blood.   I think it's because I've always loved this song, and it usually means Spring is around the corner.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure 'tis like a morn in spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing.

When Irish hearts are happy, all the world seems bright and gay,

And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure, they steal your heart away.

I'm so please that I went to my regular doctor this past week. I suggested he check my Thyriod levels again because of tearing up so easily, body hurting all over, feeling tired, and on and on. I've been on Thyroid meds for 25+ years, so I know the symptoms pretty well. It was not the generic Synthroid making me feel that way, although it may have played a tiny part in having the symptoms. The doctor prescribed Synthroid at 0.112 MG - I was taking 0.138 in a generic. He also put me on Cymbalta to help with the pain and mood. So all in all, it was a good visit.

There isn't much that can be done about my back. He said the same thing a couple of other doctors have told me - You never want to have surgery on your back unless it's absolutely necessary because you sometimes create more problems than before.

Spring is slowly coming to our state.  We did have one day this past week where the temperature actually hit 50!.  Woohoo - It was fun to see people walking or jogging on the street once again.    We still have about 8 inches of snow on the ground, but it is slowly melting.   

Hope Spring has arrived where you live.   Enjoy the  "wearing of the green."

Until next time,

Mary

Here We Go Again

Disclaimer:  This is written from my perspective only and based on my experience.  I am not a doctor nor a pharmacist, nor do I have a medical background.   I'm just the normal person who experiences problems with SOME generic drugs.  I just want to raise awareness  to the fact that generics are NOT exactly the same as Brand Name drugs.


Dear Friends,

Those of you who have been reading my blog since the beginning might remember I've touched on the subject of Brand Name drugs versus Generic.   That blog post was primarily talking about Parkinson's Drugs.  Here's the post if you wish to read it, click here.    Well, now I'm having problems with a generic Synthroid for my Thyroid.   

I've been on Thyroid medication for something like 20+ years.   On January 1st, we switched insurance companies for both insurance coverage and prescription drug coverage.     When I saw my doctor in January for new prescriptions, he requested a generic version of Synthroid (I think I remember telling him - let's try them again because it's so very much cheaper.)   Well, bad decision.   

I held off cracking open the new bottle because I still had older ones to use up. I decided to try the new generic last Monday.   By the second day my system felt hyper - felt like it was rushing rushing rushing!   People who have anxiety attacks tell me that is how they feel when they are having an attack.   I kept taking the drug for 2 more days by thinking I'll get used to it.  WRONG!   Over the weekend, I went back to taking my left over Synthroid drug - symptoms went totally away.   Yesterday I decided to take another of the generic - back to anxious feeling again.  So, on Thursday I'll be visiting my doctor to get a new prescription for Synthroid.  Guess I'll just have to pay the outrageous price.   I don't know for sure that it's the generic drug, but I'm suspecting that it is.   Generics only have a fraction of the original ingredients found in the brand name.  That is a percentage approved by the FDA.

I don't have a total dislike for generics, but I use them cautiously because I've had several bad experiences.   It's a shame that drugs have to be so very pricy that we have to resort to a lesser quality.    if generics work for you - that's great.  I wish more of them worked for me.  But it is "buyer beware."   The consumer also has no knowledge of the "fillers" used in the generic.

Dr. Oz has a great article that I ran across yesterday when I was researching generics again.   It was written by a physician and is  easy to understand.  You might find this interesting and helpful.    http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/what-you-need-know-about-generic-drugs

Until next time,

Mary

Goodbye RFA - - Now What?

Hi,

It's been awhile again since I've posted or visited any blogs.   Sorry about that.  

Got some bad news the other day.  It's been 6 months since I had the last Radio Frequency Ablation Procedure done at the hospital for the Sacroiliac joint.  The nerves have since rejuvenated and are back to their angry selves - causing pain.  Medicare has decided they will no longer pay for that procedure because they feel it's experimental.  Never mind that I had 2 last year, which they paid for, and which got rid of the pain in the sacro joint.   Now I'm up a creek without a paddle!

The doctor told me they have done appeal after appeal with Medicare, and they deny all of the preauthorizations.  Other insurances are doing the same.  

I did have a Cortisone shot in the Sacro joint last week, which only took the edge off the sharp pain.  But sitting in a car continues to be a problem and getting into some cars is impossible.  The ice pack and/or heating pad are my dear friends.

I have to meet with the doctor's Nurse Practitioner in 2 weeks, and meanwhile I have to start Physical Therapy again next week - never mind that I'm still doing PT on my own for my back.    Sorry if I'm sounding negative - I guess I'm just mad!   I did ask the doctor about paying for the RFA myself, but she said no!   I suspect maybe it's a liability issue if I were to sue or something like that.

I shouldn't complain because there are many people in worse shape.  But I don't deal with chronic pain very well.  As my dentist says - may pain nerves are all close to the surface on my body.

The good news here is that the temperatures are warming up.  We'll be in the 30's most of this coming week.  Woohoo - good bye frigid nights - I hope.

I just had to share the picture at the top of the page.  It was taken about 4 years ago when we took a cruise to Alaska.   This was the scene as we left Vancouver, BC and traveled up the Intercoastal waterway to Alaska.   Beautiful country.   I will feature pictures from that trip in weeks to come.

Thanks for reading my blog.   

Mary