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Birding and other pleasures and aggravations, in Berkeley and beyond, by Ron Sullivan.

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July 17, 2010

Take a Deep Breath

Monday morning I’m off to the allergist for a trial of Xolair. This one of those Different allergy meds, works on (the?) other allergy “pathway” from the one Singulair (which I’ve been taking for a few years) does. I think. I also think it’s one of those psychological flags that I’ve learned how both work, more than once, and the knowledge is not reliably available to the rest of my brain. Slides right out.

I have to get a fresh EpiPen first, and hang out in the office for an hour and a half afterwards; apparently there’s a somewhat higher risk of anaphylactic shock with this than with Singulair (which is a pill) and regular immunotherapy.  It also doesn;t work for everyone.

If it works, it’ll be a great help, maybe a break from all the damned inhaled steroids, maybe a leg up to actually getting functional again. OTOH, if it works, I’ll need financial help from a Genentech program to pay for it and that’s IF Blue Screw OKs paying the insurance part. Whatever that may be. Genentech sent a starter pack to my doc. First hit’s free, kid.

Want ambivalence? I’ve got extra.

Posted by: Ron Sullivan

Responses

1 | By: jael on July 17, 2010 at 11:04 PM

jael's Gravatar

crossing my fingers for you
and mah toes
and so on.

2 | By: Ron Sullivan on July 18, 2010 at 08:10 AM

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Thanks!

Myself: eyes.

3 | By: kathy a on July 19, 2010 at 09:53 AM

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i hope this helps!  when my son was in need with ze asthma, singulair really helped him—but i remember the trying everything, the steroids, yadda.  and his allergies were, i think, more straightforward. we had to fight for coverage of the singulair, but after he ended up in the freaking hospital one time, they suddenly decided it was cheaper to give him a med that worked.

hear ya on the information slip….

let me know if you need help blasting the blue of doom.  we did that once on a different issue, and they backed the hell down from that unjustified denial of benefits.  if i recall correctly, the blast was, more or less:  just how much proof do you need that this is medically justified?  followed by a persuasive summary of incidents, doctor letters, and a threat to take this to the insurance commission.

4 | By: Ron Sullivan on July 19, 2010 at 11:27 AM

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Thanks! Feeling fine after the first pair of shots—took a nap on a spare exam table! Next in two weeks; expected noticeable effects in a few months.

Kathy, strategy noted, with thanks. Rolling up sleeves in anticipation.

Onward!

5 | By: VS on July 20, 2010 at 09:44 AM

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Might be an article in it you could sell to the Chron or AARP - they’re very interested in medicine and health care.

Did I tell you ‘bout the time some paper-pusher at Blue Shaft wanted me to try a different med?  I gave it an honest try and it nauseated me to the point of dry heaves.  When I stopped taking it, reported the results, and asked for my regular med, they said I should have *doubled the dose*!!!!

My doc ripped them a new one, told them he wasn’t in the business of torturing people and they shouldn’t be, either.

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