The good & bad

[Sailorsong]

I'll start with the bad first.

I started seeing a new PC at the new Community Based Outpatient Clinic that is only 1 hour from my home the end of Feb. I had real high hopes for this change since the PC seemed to be listening to me, said she was going to put in for a cardiologist consult, and did up some of my meds after having blood work done. But in actuality it seems the care is even worse than at  Nashville hospital.  

I had run out of my GERD medication and was getting bad heart burn. So I email her to get some meds for it. In a reply message she told me she would order me the GERD medication. This was on the 7th of March. On the 20th after still not getting the med I again emailed her. The next day (Yes I get really quick responses) the message I got was the she had order the med that day. As of today when I checked on-line there is no indication that the med has been ordered yet from the pharmacy. Also the is no indication that she actually put in for the cardiology consult on-line either. I suspect she never put in the consult request at all now.

This Wed I have an appointment with a shrink up in Nashville and I sure am going to bring this issue up then.

Now for the good news.

Just before I got the good news about my PTSD disability award I had gotten another letter from the VA denying many of my claims. I had written up my rebuttal and given it to the DAV rep in Nashville on the 20th. When I checked the status today it indicated the the Judge in DC has already gotten it on the 21st in order to make a decision on my claim. Last round with a judge took over 2 years before the judge got any information about my case.  

Dennis

[Sailorsong]

Sarah,

  Just got another email from my PC this afternoon. 4:31PM

"We have ordered this medication for you but it has not been filled yet. If you feel like you cannot wait until it arrives you can purchase this medication over the counter but the VA will not be responsible to reimburse you. Please feel free to email me back or call me if you have any other concerns."

TRANSLATION: We don't really want to give you this medication for free so buy it with your own money.

So far it was suppose to have been ordered on. 3/7/13,  & 3/21/13 with the last one stating it would ship within 72 hours.

Dennis

[essdipity]

Actually, my health isn't going downhill, my stomach has the right amount of acid, and I'm still able to absorb needed nutrients.

ess

[SarahL2491]

not sure if available in US, Red Star, does it have any other name?

[Red_Star]

My mother suffered GERD and LPR severely. Acid was pouring out of mouth it while she was standing up it was that severe! Of course lowering stomach acid = your physical and mental health going slowing down the toilet as stomach acid is essential for nutrient absorbtion notably vitamin B12 (essential for mental and physical health just on its own) and my mother was very, very ill (had been on this drug for many, many years). Today she is free of GERD and LPR taking betaine HCI with pepsin (to increase stomach acid - she had severely low acid) and digestive enzyme supplements. Plenty of alternative treatments for heartburn and GERD that won't worsen your health over time. Cheers.

[Sailorsong]

Ess,

  I also was taking omeprazole but at 20mg. This like everything else is a low dosage. That is one thing I have never been able to figure out. Why is it that I am so sensitive to medication?

  No it doesn't mean that I won't be moving but just gives me more choices of where. So I will need to do some research on where I will be able to get the best health care and also where I can stand the weather and of course not put me in great debt.

Sarah,

   Before I got this new disability rating I had an $8 per month co-pay on all of my medications. Now since I am above 50% disabled for service caused problems I have no co-pay for doctors or medications. I also get travel pay when I go in for an appointment. But even with the travel pay the VA rips off the vets. The shortest driving distance between my home and the VA is 85 miles but they only pay us for 65. I think they use "as the crow flies" for determining the distance even though the rule is door to door for mileage.

Dennis

[SarahL2491]

I also take 40mg of time release omeprazole but have a co-pay, which is less than buying it OTC.  Crazy...........

You could write a book about your VA experiences, Dennis, but wonder where she did send the prescription?  I'd be asking for a face to face meeting with her!  Wonder if VA turned it down or has it in their "to be considered" stash

You are doing great, despite the
stumbling blocks

[essdipity]

Hi Dennis. It seems there is always good with bad, and the opposite. But congrats on getting the disability award, as I know that's a huge relief for you.

I am prescribed 40 mg of omeprazole a day for GERD. I'll never understand my insurance coverage, but for some crazy but nice reason I have NO copay for this. You can buy the exact thing over the counter, which at that level costs about $30 for a month's supply. Highway robbery, but still very effective for GERD. I'm suggesting this just as a stop-gap till you get the other situation straightened out. If I skip the med for a day or two, I really feel it. Not good.

You must have another choice for non-military care, so do your best to find it. Does this all mean you will not be moving to the Pacific Northwest? Surely you'd have better choices there.

ess