PALady

I just wanted to check on you.  I haven't been posting very much for a while.  I've just not felt up to it and my hands are giving me fits.  I've had you on my mind though and wanted to check in to see how you are.  You've always been such a positive support person for me and an inspiration to me on this board.

I hope things are going better now.  I know you've been having a hard time for a while now.

Hi, Retiredmom,
I'm really touched that you started this. Thank you so much for caring - and Flower thank you for asking, too.

I don't know if things have improved much for me. I'm kind of in a treading water place, waiting...especially waiting for things to improve financially, although they'll never be what they were. The finances are the biggest strain, and the challenges with needed repairs at my house which keep eating away the little $$ I have. It's amazing how much financial stress adds to health problems. I know SSD is a long process, filled with mostly denials, and having read many stories on this forum I try to keep that in mind. It is what it is.

Pain wise things are always a little better during the summer, and it has been a relief to find a PM doctor who will help me, although I still have no Rx insurance. Thankfully that pparx site that's in the CP101 thread does help, and a lot of my meds I'm able to get at no cost from the pharmaceuticals. But if it's a generic medication then I have to use discount cards. My PM wants to slowly make some changes to my medication and although he's understanding, when we changed from percocet to Oxy IR the cost went up by $50, so I may ask him if I can go back to percocet until I'm eligible for Medicaid.

Thank you both for asking - and for caring!

PaLady

You're very welcome about the posting and I'm glad to hear that pain wise things are better.  I also understand about the financial stress, but I thank God I have medical/prescription coverage through my husband's employer.  I would be desolate without it.  As it is things are really tight and we're having to make some tough choices where we used to be able to do pretty much whatever we felt like.  I'm so happy that my daughter still gets to do special things with her grandparents that she would never be able to without them.  It is a relief to feel that she still gets to have some fun....and she's growing up to be a very special young lady who helps me so much.

Thank you Flower for your comments!  I appreciate the thought and also the well wishes about the hands.  I'm sorry I left you guys for a while and I'll try to do better but no promises because the bad days sometimes make me no fun for posting and not much of a support person.  I just lurk a little on those days and hope for better ones.

I have to admit that I haven't read everything in the CP 101, but I know my (now deceased) father-in-law had his medications at little or no cost from the Lilly program and others like it.  Everything had to be completed at the Dr's office and they NEVER mentioned to him that they could do it.  If you ask, however, they will probably know what I am referring to. It may already be covered in the 101 area.  Anyway, he survived on samples and on medications from clinical trials he participated in and those from companies providing meds to "indigent" persons because his income was so low.  He was severely injured in an on-the-job accident and lost a limb years before I met him.  He had medical care for that particular injury through the settlement (it was a HORRIBLE and avoidable incident) but it left him with serious PTSD and other medical issues followed that were not covered.  When we found the programs, he was given a whole new chance to live a better life...sort of meds or bills before that. 

I also understand the SSD thing and I'm waiting for my second denial myself.  I say denial because that's almost always what happens :( 

I hope we all have better luck than most!

 

Congratulatiosn Tony McGuire! It's nice to see the program work when it can. I guess I just feel a little put down because of the first denial. I actually do know two people who got theirs on the first try. One was never able to work (MH/MR) and the other was still employed (but seeking medical retirement) when his was granted. It was strange because the state only agreed to retire him after they found out SSD had granted him the disability. I have the retirement, but not the disability......

Perhaps the next decision will be better for those of us still waiting.