Halfway to goal of no more meds

[Jaybay]

Some of you may remember that we lost our COBRA insurance policy.  It was a great policy, but pricey - $750 a month for both of us.  As it turns out, both me and my husband are uninsurable.  Me, because of pain management including the sin of psychotherapy with a pain shrink.  My husband's sin is psychotherapy for PTSD and a condition called Barrett's Esophogus.  No underwriter will touch us for any amount of money.  That's the breaks.

I've been wanting to taper off my meds anyway just to see where my real pain levels are at after all these years.  The insurance issue finally forced me to get off my duff and get moving.  I'm officially at half the dose of the fentanyl patch I've been on for a good 3 years.  Started out at 75 mcg and dropped to 50 mcg 3 years ago or so.  Now I'm down to 25 mcg.  It's not been a bad experience really.  I get a bit anxious and jittery on the 3rd day, but that's about it.  Of course, my pain has been worse but that's also to be expected for a while with every drop.  

I intend to stick with the 25 mcg patches for the next month and then start working my way down again.  Ultimately, I only want a few norco for the seriously bad flares that crop up two or three times a month.  That scrip alone is $75.00 for the generic.  I can hardly wait to see the bill for the patches and the non-insurance fee for the doctor visit each month.

Unfortunately, I'll probably have to stop seeing my pain shrink.  She's been the most beneficial part of my entire therapy over the years, and I see her as both my doctor and my friend.  Oh well.  Someday when DH has a job again things will look up.  Right now I'm just amazed we even still have a roof over our heads.  Guess it'll feel better when it quits hurtin.  :-/

Oh yeah, I quit smoking 8 days ago.  Don't ask me why.  With all the ongoing stress, I should be using the old pacifiers nonstop.  For whatever reason, I just said, "Enough."  Got thoroughly POd at DH this afternoon and bought a pack.  Smoked a few puffs of two cigs and thought, "WTH are you DOING?!" and pitched them.  Guess it's been long enough that the entire experience just isn't what it used to be - lucky for me.  I'm not jonesing or anything now, so I'm not worried about starting up again.  It appears that anger is a bigger trigger for me than coffee, alcohol or after eating - just something to be aware of and deal with.  (sigh)

[Tuckamore]

Hey Jaybay,

I am so sorry that you are going through so much right now. I had thought that the insurance companies could no longer consider pre-existing conditions anymore.

My goodness they took a friend our mine with a HX of an MI who is still being treated for heart disease and her husband also with hypertension who is a recovering alcoholic. You may want to keep searching....or talk to the insurance commission.

You are a very strong woman and I admire your strength. You will make it through what ever you set your mind to do.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. You know I wish you the very best!!

Blessings,
~Tuck

[namnam46]

My Dear Jaybay,

I have come to the realization that there is NOTHING that YOU can't do!!!  Once you set you mind to it there is NO STOPPING You.  

I was VERY impressed with the way you were able to stop the smoking "cold turkey" BUT you ALSO have managed to lower your me intake by 50% at the SAME time!!!  When you have finished lowering you meds completely then you need to WRITE A BOOK about "How you Managed It"!!!

I know something will come along for your Hubby soon and HOPEFULLY that will take care of your Challenges that you are currently facing!!  

I, too, thought that the Cobra had been extended for everyone.  Have you checked into that OR have you already used that extension up?

You know I'm thinking of you and keeping you in my Prayers.

As always, I'm sending you MEGA HUGS and much love......Mama Sherry

[mellie4]

I think a lot about coming off my meds.  I have to admit I'm scared about it.  I'm on 75 mcg Fentanyl every 48 hours, though I go 72 hours.  Also on 30 to 45 mg. oxycodone every 4 hours for BT pain, along with some other non-narcotic meds.  I would hate to be forced to go off due to insurance or the lack of it.  Mine at the moment is covered by WC.  I'll be praying for you over the next months as you transition down.

[NiteByrd357]

Congratulations. I truly admire your strength to make these changes in your life. I like the goals that you have set and you can achieve anything that you put your mind to. It's truly amazing how you just quit smoking cold turkey and that will give you much more money every month. I will be starting a new Pain Management Program and my goal is to get off some off my medication's also. It's very scary when you look at all of FDA drugs, recalls, etc. A lot of patient's have been getting very sick from the new Oxycontin OP pills manufactured by Purdue. PLATIC coated pills! Human bodies are not meant to absorb PLASTIC! They have been calling Purdue and the FDA to report it.
I truly feel bad for you and your husband how you lost your COBRA. I thought that they recently just passed a new law nationwide that can not deny any patient's who have pre-existing medical conditions. I will look for the article that I read early this month about it.
Have you tried to call your Social Services Agency? because due to our bad economy they have raised the income level for many benefits. Does your State have State Insurance? I live in CT and they have a program called Husky. My brother recently lost his Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage. He applied for the Husky Program for himself and his family. They were accepted and they are waiting for their Insurance cards to come in the mail but they were still able to be seen by their Doctor's.
A lot of State's have a local 211 number that you can call to inquire about different Program's. I wish you the best luck!  Check out this inspirational website and article:
http://www.thebridgemaker,com/you-are-free/
There is suppose to be an article on how someone changed their life in 45 days and got off all of their meds.

[JadedSweetheart]

You are such a strong lady!  Half the pain meds AND quitting smoking!  I really admire your strength.  I think the plan you have sounds great and I hope and will pray for you that you will achieve it.
You have also really helped to inspire me during my taper.  Just knowing someone else is going through it helps me through the pain.  
I'm sorry about the situation with the insurance, though.  When my DH lost his cushy job in Sept 08, I actually sort of enjoyed having him at home for a while as I expected him to have a new cushy job within a few months.  As the years have dragged on and he's excelled as a contractor, things have been very different from what we both expected.  I truly believe it makes us all stronger, though, and eventually something in this crazy economy will get better.