Supposed to go off the pain meds Jan 1, but I dont think I can now

[IC SARAH-CPP]

Hi everyone,

Well I have been kinda laying low and not posting a lot of what is going on with me lately but i have been going through a really hard time still. I sold my house, so that means i have to move out by the end of this year. Plus, most of you know I am losing my job at the end of the year. PLUS, I just found out that because the company I work for wont have an insurance plan anymore, I am not eligible for cobra. I basically freaked out and shut down when I hear that. If I lose my coverage, I most likely wont ever get it again. Because of the IC and it being a "pre-exsisting" condition, I wouldnt be eligible.
I found out I can get a conversion plan through Kaiser but it is 700 dollars a month-per person and it is a much higher co-pay plan than what I have now. Brand name drugs are 250 dollars!! I pay 25 right now and 10 for generics. But at least I will have coverage and when I get a new job, I can get on their group plan. I really, really dont want to leave Kaiser, I love them so much. I hope my new place has Kaiser.
Anyway, my pain doc and I have been considering having me go off the narcotics at the 1st of the year. i have really been unhappy being on the pain pills and have wanted to try to get off them and see what happens. I might not stay off, but I wanted to at least try to come off and see how it goes.
But now I am reconsidering. I have SOOO much going on right now. Losing my job, moving from my childhood home, possibly seperating from my husband, etc. I am actually doing really well, pain wise, right now and actually mentally I am doing well too. I saw my pain therapist and she said she was shocked I was coping so well and thought I was crazy for trying to get off the meds right now too. She said I should be really thankful I am doing so well and try to evaluate this later.
Now i am scared that my pain doc will just say, oh too late you already said you were going off at the 1st of the year!! He seemed really happy that I was going off the meds and had ideas about what to do to make it easier on me. I soooo hope he is okay about it when I try to talk to him about it.
I have an appt on Friday. I will let you all know what happens.
Love Sarah
Wish me luck!!

[SandyRN]

I sent you a pm asking you about these things...I'm glad to hear that you are rethinking stopping your meds. I know how you feel about having to take meds, but with all the stress you've got, it is probably about the worst possible time to stop.

I really hope things get straightened out for you soon...we miss you around here!!!

HUgs, Sandy

[Babs RN]

Sarah,
I'm thinking waiting might be a good idea too. You know I am walking this walk too, and if you need to talk please call ok?

Hugs,
Barb:smile tee

[waterflow]

Sarah, the doctor might understand you not wanting to get off the pain pill since it is helping you out. You should have the right to change your mind if you want to. I know I would change my mind 15 minutes after saying no to something. I'm hoping he will go along with what ever you decide to do come that time. Wishing you luck. :kissing:

[ICNDonna]

With all that's going on in your life right now, I agree that it's not the time to try to make huge changes in your pain control regimen.

Donna

[kjd]

Sarah
I think you are making the right decision. Coming off the pain meds whilst you are going through so much stress would not be a good idea. I think its amazing how you are coping but coming off the meds might just be too much for you!
I would stay on them for now and wait until your life settles down a bit them you can concentrate on yourself and how you really think!
I am sure your doctor will understand how you feel as he is only human and at the end of the day it is your decision so you have a right to change your mind!!!
I really hope everything works our ok for you and take care

Kate

[ChrissySunshine]

Hi Sarah,

I agree with the others that now is probably not a good time to make any changes at all in your treatment regimen, most especially since you are doing well right now!

That being said.....I just had to write and let you know that I'm experienceing many of the same things you are....I'm only a little further along on this "walk" that we walk together (....LOVE that analogy Barb!). I lost my job 2 years ago, sold my house 1 1/2 years ago, moved to Florida, and got diagnosed w/IC after only a few months here. My Cobra ran out in June 2006, and my b/f and I have had some serious troubles, not living together much at all, tho we currently are. All my savings are gone as I've been unable to work and paying for all IC treatments, Cobra, deductibles, and copays on my own. (Did I mention I CAN'T WORK...AS I HAD HOPED!!!!!) I HAD a GP who I would periodically get pain meds from since losing my insurance. He dropped me, so now I have NO CHOICE (even though I'm making the conscious decision myself) but to go off the pain meds.

I don't mean to whine to you, or take over you post....my point is that at some point you may not have the choice AT ALL, and if you're doing well, and have at least some coverage now, then I wouldn't "rock the boat" as they say! Good Luck in whatever you decide...keep us posted! :)

[Elle]

I just wanted to chime in on the insurance part...
There is a federal law that protects people who loose their insurance and have a chronic condition. You have a certain amount of time to re-apply for insuance during which you can not be turned down b/c of a pre-existing condiditon. Your insurance company will send you a letter stating your dates of coverage. You need to keep that so you can send it on to your new insurer. THere are lots of plans that are available now with lower premiums. One in particular that's new is an HSA plan. There's a lot of ins and outs (like anything else) and some of the HSA's are great and some aren't. I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but I think you could really benefit from sitting down with someone and talking about this. Look up your state's insuance commission website and go from there.
One other thing - I know it's a hard decision to make, but have you considered applying for medicaid since you're loosing your job? If you qualify, I really think you should. That's what it's there for and it would at least help get one thing off your mind.
Hang in there! I know you're having it tough right now, but just know that we're all here for you! :grouphug:

[IC SARAH-CPP]

Hi my ic friends,

Sorry it took me so long to post back on here, I got hit with a serious flu on Thursday and Friday and was down for the count. Puking and the all the other yucky stuff :(

My appt with my pain doc went really well though. My pain therapist had already called him( I have Kaiser so it is all in-house) and talked about my case. He said I could do what I wanted, as far as getting off the meds but agreed that right now seemed like the wrong time to do it. I was so relieved. I know they hate this, but I started crying in there cause i was so nervous. My doc doesn't seem to care though, he is very compassionate.

I figured out a way around the ins thing. I am going on a family group plan with my parents and brothers. It will only cost me 250 a month, which is totally doable. I am soo happy about this.

Crissysunshine- Dont ever feel bad about posting to me about how you feel! I need support from everyone, especially people who are going through similar things, or have in the past. And you need the support too! This whole thing sucks. I have to say though that I am starting to realize how lucky I have been, basically my whole life. I whine about money and all that, which now makes me feel ashamed b/c so many others are so much worse off than I was/am. I hope you can find a way to cope with this too, especially going off the pain meds. It is so hard. I am going to PM you today, k?

I love ya all and cant tell you how much it means to me for you all to be here for me.

Love Sarah

[Kimchi]

Gosh, Sarah, I am really sorry to just now be reading this. I have not been in the boards for a while. I am doing reasonably well. I am SOOOO glad you have worked this out. How awful for you. I am sorry you are going thru so much. I too have a heavy load right now and I am torn about which way to turn for help. God Bless you and PM me anytime:kissing: