This is a quick video montage of 2019 year in review. I am honored to be part of it. I worked with my town to declare September Pain Awareness Month and I told my own, very personal pain story.
I enjoy being an Ambassador and I intend to do a lot more in 2020.
The US Pain Foundation is always looking for volunteers to spread the word that we are here and we can make a difference!!!
There are a lot of things in this world that upset me.
This ranks by far number one!
I have yet to come across a note on my car, but I have been confronted by a person who felt I didn’t deserve a handicap tag. This has to stop!!
SKIATOOK, Okla. (KTUL) — We all want to be treated with respect and a little human decency, But that wasn’t the case for one woman, who says she got a hateful note because a stranger jumped to conclusions. Now, she’s sharing her message that what’s on the outside, isn’t the full story. Ashley Sartin works at a dispensary in Skiatook. It’s her first job in three years. “I have CRPS, complex regional pain syndrome,” she said.
— Read on ktul.com/news/local/woman-with-chronic-pain-gets-hateful-note-for-parking-in-handicap-spot
Something Important, I mean really important happened in Rhode Island. That important step is called “Claudia’s Bill”. Claudia Merandi co-wrote a bill to exempt chronic pain patients from federal opioid limits!!
This is huge! Recognizing that each chronic pain patient should be treated as individuals. Hopefully, this is something we can build on and use as an example for other states. The bill is currently in the RI Senate waiting on a vote, at least as of the article date. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and make our voices heard!!
Below is a link to the article…….
So, a few weeks ago, I received a letter from my prescription insurance carrier. I opened the envelope and began to read. Well, I couldn’t even see straight by the end of this letter. As a matter of fact, I had to re-read the letter several times to let those words sink in. Here are the highlights…..
The very first brief paragraph basically says this….
My pain meds and muscles relaxers will only be covered at one pharmacy, and they went on to name the pharmacy. So think about this first line, sure you can get them filled at this particular pharmacy, but if you went anywhere else, we are not going to cover it!! So thats outrage number one.
Here is number two. According to the letter…Here is why this is happening….
They say I had filled a pain med or muscle relaxer at a different pharmacy by a different doctor. So they feel I am doctor shopping. (My interpretation). They have this so wrong. So incredibly wrong.
What i believe they are referring to is a muscle relaxer I had filled by my MS doctor at the pharmacy in the building he is located. I did this out of convenience. My local pharmacy is a mom and pop establishment (I don’t trust chains), so their hours are shortened. The day I got my script filled it was late cause I just had my Tysabri infusion and I was tired. This is the so called violation.
So look what this letter is saying, we are watching you and stigmatizing you, an oh yes, lets penalize and shame while we are at it! I haven’t called them yet but I intend to and i plan to post this everywhere to embarrass Express Scripts and all the rules and regulations out there that one again make us feel like addicts. They no nothing more about me other than my medicine and where I get them filled and by whom. Not even one question as to why I filled this script or any other I may have filled in the past. I flipped out and continue to do so.
This is just another example of the shaming we as chronic pain patients have to endure, and now they add financial shaming. If you notice , they hide this by being concerned with drug interactions. Get to know your subscribers, talk to them in order to understand their situation. However they wont because this is yet another example of CYA due to the opioid hysteria. These knee jerk reactions hurt people, not help them.
Being chronically ill is expensive, any patient will tell you that. We often skip care and appointments because we don’t have the money. Now, lets add the threat of another financial responsibility if we step out of line. This is appalling. I never thought in a million years having chronic conditions would be this difficult to manage. its a fight everyday and companies like this make the fight that much harder.
Just your "normal" 29 year old woman dealing with life with her not so normal brain.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Managing Chronic Pain
Multiple sclerosis and me
My personal survival guide to dealing with life on life's terms.
BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
Living life with a chronic illness is definitely not easy. But I do my best to push through all the barriers this illness puts in front of me! In my heart and mind, I believe maintaining a positive outlook on all situations in life will carry us through to much better times! I hope you find the information that I provide both helpful and inspirational!
Res ipsa loquitur - The thing itself speaks
Reviewing beauty and DIY products..... :)
personal anecdotes on keeping faith, hope, and love during life’s most challenging times
Opioid Hysteria is killing thousands of Chronic Pain Patients
'think and wonder, wonder and think'
finding acceptance in our lives
Fibromyalgia, Psoriatic Arthritis, Endometriosis, and a Botched Hysterectomy. Helpful chronic illness life info, tips, product reviews, & journal prompts.
Chronically Me 