My GP visit today

[eyeamdry]

I went to my GP today to see about my continuing the med Lyrica.  The insurance company sent me a letter awhile back that the drug was approved for me until Dec. 30, 2008.  Well, I had to fight for four months to get the med paid for and then they limit me to 90 days.  I make the appt with GP and have another next week with rheumy to get all in agreement and in order to get the med approved longer.  I may not want to take it forever, but let's get approved just in case.  I called the ins co today at the 800 # and talked to a rep.  She told me there was no time limit on how long I could take Lyrica.  Well, geez, I had the letter right in front of me saying just that.

In reality, I didn't need to make that appt, but that was ok because I got to talk to GP about the Lyrica and also he is checking my thyroid and cortisol.  I'll be taking 3xday 100 mg Lyrica.  It has helped me mostly with face pain (in one eye and my mouth/lips).  The eye pain is severe and has kept me from enjoying life for much of the past 9 years.  This med is the first thing that's helped and I don't want to say it too loud. 

I told him I was cold all the time and had max fatigue.  He talked about cortisol and thought maybe it was low or "off."  I have to do a 24 hour pee test.  Apparently they didn't give me all the equipment, according to my daughter.  Another trip...
So I'll have to do the test and see what shows up and also how the thyroid checks out.  I've been on a small dose of thyroid for a year.  My doctor did suggest I take a supplement (that he sells) and I can't find the slip now.  What is this cortisol stuff all about?  That may not be my problem, but I've seen it written about on here quite a bit and the doc thought it was worth checking out without me asking him.  Lucy

[peacefulstorm]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR stupid insurance...at least you didnt go to the doctor for now reason! Good Luck!
Cortnee'

[kim31072]

Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by your adrenals.I do know for a fact that if you are on Pred or have been lately that this test will come back as your adrenals being sluggish and mess up the results.My rheumy told me he would not do this test on me now(I am a long term steroid patient)as it would be useless because he already knows they are down and out so to speak due to the steroid use.He said if any other of my drs wanted to do it to refuse it and call him and he would talk to them because it would be a waste of my money.

The Cortisol test can be done by blood or urine.If you show deficient then they do  Dex suppression where they dose you with hormones and see how your pituitary responds by the amounts of ACTH levels you have Dex suppresses cortisol production if the excess is coming from your pituitary.The ACTH test is usually ordered if you show deficient in urine/blood on the initial test they will dose you with ACTH and see how your levels are ofter the dose if the adrenals are working right the ACTH level will rise if they are sluggish in response it shows they are not working right.

These are usually done if Cushing syndrome or Addisons is being investigated.If you are now or have been on pred I would find out how that will affect the test or if it should be done.Depending on your dose your adrenals may be in shut down mode and not producing period...most doses above 7.5mg per day long term will shut them down and lower ones will make them appear sluggish because they are not used to having to produce any cortisol as you are allready supplying it to your body so if they are shut down when they dose you your body wont be able to respond and your test will come back bad.The way they treat this is more steroids.So please speak with the dr and make sure the steroids you allready take wont skew the results and make it appear as if they arent working right or you might be on more steroids and truly not need them.

Good luck and here is a link to the test.  http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cortisol/test.html

[Pooh]

Hi Lucy,
Just thought I would mention, my daughter has been on the Lyrica for fibro now for about 8 months and is doing great.  She had a rough time with her insurance company approving it.  In fact, she is in the middle of fighting them now for another medication her doctor's have prescribed for her back pain.  They sure don't part with their money easily.  But they sure want it when the premiums are due.

Take care and I hope the doctor gets your body straightened out and you feel good again.

Hugs, Pooh

[peacefulstorm]

ALL I can say is I HATE insurance companies! I hope she gets it approved Pooh!  Any word from the insurance Lucy?
Cortnee'

[eyeamdry]

RE: being on prednisone.  I have not been on prednisone daily for a long time.......many months.  I did within the past few weeks do a 10 mg "boost" which did not affect me at all.  I did 10 mg and then went down one mg daily.  Hopefully, this small dose would not do anything to interfere with the reading.  I'll just do the test and see what comes up.  I've been feeling like this (max fatigue) for months so it's not just a new thing.  Lucy

[Sjenny]

Lucy:

Sometimes the adrenals wear down if they have to compensate for the thyroid, which they have to do if you are not being adequately treated for low thyroid.

I'm so glad you found something to help with the eye pain.

Sue

[Patze]

Hi Lucy,

Wahoo, go get them!!!   Don't let the pressure off of the insurance company, you know the squeaky wheel and all!

I'm glad that your GP is testing you for Cortisol and the thyroid, at least your doctor is not leaving a stone unturned...lucky you!  I sure hope that your test shows something and you can be diagnosed properly (keeping my fingers crossed)!

Please take care -

Patze