Important Information About Prescription Costs

I came across this disturbing story a few days ago and thought all of you who get prescription drugs might find it interesting as well. I wasn't able to find it on YouTube so this link will have to do.

Basically, it exposes a common practice where sometimes the co-pay we pay for a prescription is actually more expensive than the drug would be at full price, without insurance. Worst of all, the pharmacy isn't allowed to warn up that when it is happening - but they are allowed to tell us the truth if we ask.

Check out the link below for the full story about this shady practice:
Co-Pay or You Pay? Prescription Drug Clawbacks Draw Fire.

While on the subject I thought I would also include another interesting story about waste that happens with injectable medications. This story is specific to cancer medications but it's easy to see how this could be happening with any medication that gets injected at the doctor's office. Are we over paying for Botox, Depo Provera, Tordol or others?

http://www.kmov.com/story/31930389/news-4-investigates-wasteful-practices-lead-to-the-disposal-of-expensive-cancer-drugs

Whimsy Wednesday - Updated Lyrics to the song Ironic

I love this updated version of the classic Alanis Morissette song Ironic.

Have a great day!!

3 Ways Texting Can Help Migraineurs

When I finally started texting about 3 years ago (yep, it actually took me that long to get on the bandwagon) I didn't expect that it would make my life easier but that's exactly what has happened. Once I got into it, I realized that it allowed me to communicate with people in a migraine friendly fashion, which has increased my socialization and helped me to communicate with people better. 

Over the years I've come to rely heavily on texting. In fact, I now believe that this the most migraine friendly form of communication. Here are the top 3 ways texting is helpful to this migraineur.

1. Texting allows me to respond in my own time. If I'm in a lot of pain and just don't feel well enough to talk, I can wait to respond to a text when I feel up to it. This also allows me the opportunity to communicate that I'm not feeling well but will get back to you. 

2. Texting allows my brain time to think and compose my thoughts. Sometimes I don't feel well enough to talk because of my brain fog but I do feel well enough to take my time and respond to a text. This way I still get to enjoy an interaction and stay in touch with friends and family.

3. Texting is a pressure free environment. Communicating in real time is wonderful - no doubt about it - but it can also be challenging for me. Sometimes my brain gets stuck or the environment becomes overwhelming (too many people, too much noise, etc) and that can make responding in real time difficult for me. Texting saves me from the frustration and embarrassment of my migraine/fibromyalgia ravaged brain. All of this by simply removing the pressure of an immediate verbal response required in a normal conversation.

Living with chronic pain is quite hard, which is why I'm always thrilled when I discover a way to make life a little easier. I'm so thankful for a unlimited texting! Wouldn't want to go without.

Whimsy Wednesday

Sometimes I just need a fun song to help lift my spirits. This one always does the trick.

Have a great day!!!

I Just Don't Feel Well Enough to Deal With How I'm Disppointing Others on Top of How I'm Disappointing Myself

I just don't feel well enough.

That's what it usually comes down to. I don't feel anywhere close to well enough to hold a real job. I don't feel well enough to travel. I don't feel well enough to go to concerts. I don't feel well enough to do all the outdoor projects I want to. I don't feel well enough to do more than one or two things per day. I just don't feel well enough to live life the way healthy people do. 

Trying to cope with this harsh reality is a daily struggle. Trying to get others to understand what it's like is just impossible. Even if there was some way to accurately communicate what it's like , people don't tend to truly believe and understand unless they experience something themselves. Still, when it comes down to it, I don't even feel well enough to try to really explain to everyone in my life what it's like. It's complicated enough trying to live with and manage my chronic migraines, fibromyalgia and endometriosis.

I find myself putting a great deal of energy and effort into being understanding of the judgment and insensitivity that result from people not understanding. I get so frustrated and upset sometimes. Yes, yes, I know this is tough for everyone and I understand why. But I can't necessarily do things the way others want me to do things. I can't be the person others wish I was. I can't even be who I wish I was. I just don't feel well enough to deal with how I'm disappointing others on top of how I'm disappointing myself. 

While at times I feel responsible for educating those around me, I know there is only so much I can do. And most of what I can do is work on coping with all the realities, including judgment and insensitivity. Damn. 

Silly Reason Why This Migrainista Loves a Commercial

There is an allergy commercial that keeps popping up. I can't remember the product - they all run together with their promises of relief. Anyway, what keeps grabbing my attention is this woman whose sneeze sends her forehead into her husband's ice cream cone. When she lifts her head up again the ice cream and cone are stuck to her. Have you seen it?

Somehow, seeing this gets me imaging the sensation of the soft serve ice cream on my own forehead. After 10 years of living with chronic migraines, my forehead, much like my scalp, is constantly tender and frequently feels warm. Plus it overlaps with the pressure and pain surrounding my eyes. 

Anyway, I see this woman with that ice cream on her forehead and I can't help but think that looks like it would feel amazing - especially on days when my head in bad shape. It's soft and cold - perfect. 

It's silly. I know. I guess it isn't often that something on TV looks soothing or comforting in any way. Yet, I probably won't try it because I bet it makes a pretty big mess. 

3 Simple Sentences That Describe Life With Chronic Pain

Samuel Beckett has, in his usual succinct way, described the battle I face every day:

"I can't go on. I must go on. I'll go on."

I could write a lengthy post all about the struggle within, the strong desire to do the best I can and the constant effort required to overcome the relentless onslaught of chronic pain. But it really just boils down these 3 simple sentences from Beckett.