January 28, 2022 • 38 mins
So it's been a while and I have missed You. We are going to catch up and talk about Insurance and Meds and the troubles I just experienced.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
We are neither nutritionis or medical providers. The topics discussed
on this show are from our own research and experiences. Please,
we saw your medical provider before I have seen anything
discussed on this show. Welcome to another episode of show.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
And this is Dupay and this is your podcast discussing how.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
An actue What happened you forgot?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Has it been that long where you are where you
at a given healthy lifestyle, despite the diagnosis of showdrens, Yes.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
It actually has been that long. I think we recorded
the last episode in well, the last one that aired
in October. Sometimes that's a long time ago.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, it's been a minute.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
What's really going on?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
So she's preoccupied taking selfies of herself?
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Well, you know, I haven't been in the studio in
a while, and I just want to have some posting material.
What's wrong with that?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Some postables?
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I'm not preoccupied. I'm just you know, I can still talk,
I can multitask, you know what I mean? I got
it like that?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
You got it like that?
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Anyways, we wanted to say, since it's the new year,
twenty twenty two, we wanted to say, happy New year, guys,
how's everybody doing? Did you miss us. Actually, I already
know the answer to that, because I have received a
lot of messages, text messages, emails, and everybody's wondering if
(01:50):
I'm okay, how we doing, And you know, I'm doing okay.
I've just been really really busy, but I do truly
miss you guys, And uh, here I am wanted to
do an episode. I just walked in the studio and said, Brian,
just do this. I'm ready an episode.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Please print this and we're talking.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah, I kinda, I kind of have a so sorry.
I kind of am going through something right now that
I wanted to share you guys with you guys because
do as I say, not as I do. You know,
I was trying to try to give good advice and
then she.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Didn't listen to her own good advice.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I did. I did listen to it, but you know,
there's some stuff that's been happening, some sequence of events
that were out of my control. So it kind of
messed me up a little bit. But uh yeah, everybody again,
thanks for everything, Thanks for reaching out, But we're here
and we want to do an episode. In this episode,
(02:57):
we want to talk about insurance in meds because that
is what I've been living for the last several weeks
and it's been a battle. Kind of.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Yeah, to give a backstory, she how did it start?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
The new job the company that I'm working for right, Oh,
they got new insurance. They kind of, I don't know
what happened. They got new insurance kind of towards the
end of the year, I want to say, like September
October new insurance. And then it was really funny because
we got acquired around the same time that the insurance
(03:42):
kicked in, and then we have new insurance, right, and
then the new year happened and we got acquired, right,
so then we have new insurance with a new company.
Oh my goodness, I have a headache. I can't even
keep it straight.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Within a matter of six months, you've had three insurance.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
It was. Yeah, it's been really ridiculous, and so you know,
every insurance you have to jump through hoops. Right. I'm
just lucky right now that I have PPO with the
new insurance, but to insurance prior, I had HMO, and
it was really difficult. If if you guys can afford it,
(04:25):
I always go Ppo because the hoops that I had
to jump through, it's just ridiculous. It's just wait till
I tell you guys. So let's see where do we
want to start off? Okay, so a couple of weeks
ago I have nots, but everything is convoluted in my mind.
(04:46):
So a couple of months ago, I'm sorry, I think
I said weeks. But a couple of months ago, like
I said, we had new insurance and I had a
standing appointment with the rheumatologist, and I made the appointment
and it was two months out right, And so when
it came time to go to the doctor, I ain't
(05:07):
even lying. One day before, one day before the insurance,
the clinic called and said, hey, they didn't even talk
to me. They just left the message, Hey, we are
calling to let you know that you no longer have insurance.
And I'm like, what, right exactly? But I didn't. I
(05:32):
knew that they were calling because they always call, Hey,
you have an appointment tomorrow or whatever, right, So I
kind of didn't even really bother to listen to the
voicemail until the following day, and so I called back
and I'm like, what do you mean I don't have insurance?
Because they called because you know, they were calling the
old insurance and now had new insurance and blah blah
(05:52):
blah blah. It was a total cluster. And they said,
we can't let you come into see the roomatologist because
you need a referral. And I was like, what are
you talking about. I've been coming to this clinic for
twenty something years and I've seen the roomatologists. I've had
(06:15):
the referral. Actually before that, I think I had PPO,
so I never really, I know, I had a referral. Anyways, Like,
what are you talking about? You have a referral. And
then she's like, well, the assurance that the referral has
to go through the new insurance and I'm like, what
what right? So so I called the insurance right and
(06:42):
I said, look, I explained the situation. I have an
appointment the next day or whatever it was. I have
an appointment, and they called and they told me that
I needed a referral to go through you guys, the
new insurance. Even though I've been going to the same clinic,
I already have a referral. I've already seen a rheumatologist.
(07:03):
I don't understand. And she says, well, she was really nice. Well, unfortunately,
ma'am and I'm like, first of all, I don't call
me ma'am. No, I didn't say that. But she's like,
you know, unfortunately the insurance has to go through us.
And I'm like, I don't understand. I've seen doctors there,
you know the same story. I said, I'll tell you what,
(07:24):
what if I can pay the doctor visit out of pocket? Right,
and will you cover the labs and the meds? And
she says, you know, I can't guarantee that. Maybe we will.
They may say yes, they may say no, So why
don't we just hold off? And you know, I got
(07:44):
a really nice lady and she really pushed everything through
and I was actually able My appointment was canceled and
then I was able to reschedule it again. And oh,
this is another funny story. But I called to schedule
the appointment and he's like, I need a referral from
(08:04):
the doctor. And that was late in the day and
then I called back and before they could see before
they can let me come into seer roomatologists And I
don't know, it just depends on who you get. Because
then I called the following morning and the lady's like, oh, yeah, sure,
I can get you in. But I mean, I don't know.
(08:25):
To make a long story short, I did need to
go in, and they made me go in just to
see a regular GP. And I walked in. Oh, you're
here to get a referral. I go yep, I am.
I needed a referral for a roomatologist and an ophthalmologist.
And I was in and out in like five minutes.
(08:45):
I mean, it was the biggest waste of time, you know,
because I had to leave work wait in the waiting room.
I was only in with the doctor for five minutes.
I don't get it, guys, I was really frustrated.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
You know, it can be frustrating, but we also need
to be thankful and grateful. We're helpthy enough to schedule
our and appointments. We have insurance. It is COVID. They
were able to get you in quickly. There's some positives here.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
I don't know how it happened, but yes, so okay,
So I go in. I saw the rheumatologists. He was
actually a really cool dude. I expected a different experience,
but I actually really liked this rheumatologist. And so anyways,
I'm going to continue going to him. And most importantly,
(09:36):
he gave me the meds that I wanted that I
had been taking because a lot of I you know,
you know, I'm on Plaquee nail and Dolo bid and
a lot of doctors that don't want to give dolo
bid and adolo bid is a NSID. What is that? U?
Speaker 2 (09:54):
And said, I'm not sure whatever that is.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Anyways, it really helped with inflammation and pain. If I
go like three days with without that, I'm I'm dead
in the water because it's I start hurting. But anyways,
he gave me what I wanted and he sent me.
This is funny because he sent me to get labs
and I mean, look, I don't want this to be
an episode where I complained about everything, but oh my god,
(10:21):
I mean it has pros and cons, right, So anyway,
she sends me to the lab and uh, I'm with
the girl that's gonna draw my blood. And she's like, oh,
so you know what arm? What arm? And I'm like, oh,
usually you guys take it from the right, and so
she's like, no, I think I like your left better.
So she poked my left at nothing. Yeah. Nothing. She's like, uh, okay,
(10:45):
so I can't poke you there again? So can I
poke you and you're right, and I said, go for it, right.
So she poked me and can you believe she missed again? Right?
And I was like, okay, well I'm already here. I said,
you know, you go, I have a really good vein
right here on my hand and h mm. So she
(11:07):
poked me there and she took I'm gonna say she
took two vials. Maybe three, I don't remember, but I
know it was two or three. And I said, is
that all you're taking? And she says, yeah, yeah, that's
all I'm taking. That's all that the doctor said. I go, well,
you usually you guys take about ten or twelve vials
and she's like nope, that's it. Okay, I'm away. I
(11:32):
you know. I don't know if it was the end
of the day, but anyways, I left and the following
morning they called me from the same doctor and they're like, oh,
we didn't take enough blood. You have to come back.
And I was like, what are you talking about? Right?
So I went back and it was the same girl.
(11:52):
She was really nice though, right, and I was like, oh, no,
it's you. I was just cracking jokes, but you know,
but I actually went prepared, you know, I drank they
were able to get me in the same day that
they called. So I drink a lot of water, I
dressed warm, I pumped my Actually it was the following
(12:13):
day because I drink a lot of water. I dressed
warm with the jacket, and while I was waiting, I
was pumping my hands, you know, to get my blood circulating.
And she took about ten miles this time and it
went by fast. So so oh, when you guys go
to the lab, always be prepared. Dress warm. I don't
(12:36):
know what happens, but why does that help you? Brian?
To stay warm?
Speaker 2 (12:40):
When you're warm, your blood just flows a little easier.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
And if you're not warm, what your veins hide or
what happens.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Everything kind of like tenses up. You actually start pushing
more blood. Your blood pressure will increase to help keep
your extremities warm. You think it would be easier to
find it at that point. But yeah, a reason warm
is good.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
And pumping your hands. So I do this, okay with
my hands. I put my hands and my my my
hands like.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Kiss your hands in your arms.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Yeah, so and that helps me every time. But I
think especially keeping warm.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
So anyways, and another lesson learned here is if they
take two vials, you normally get ten. Ask them to
check the printer and make sure it's not jammed.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Yeah, so she said that it just didn't print. I
don't know if it got jammed or it ran out
of paper, but probably when they fixed it, all this paper,
all these scripts started coming out right, And I was like,
you know what though, but I'm I'm definitely not a Karen,
you know, And I'm like, well, I guess here I am,
you know, but was it an inconvenience, yes, but you know,
(13:48):
it is what it is. We all make mistakes. It happened,
and the second time that I went, she got me
the first time, so and she was able to draw
blood and my veins didn't collapse, so I was happy
about that. So that's a positive. So I guess I
always see the positive because you're right, you know, I
was able to drive myself, make my own appointments, so
(14:10):
I'm thankful for that. And I have insurance, so that's
another good thing.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Well. In the second piece of this puzzle.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Was scripts, Yes, scripts.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Trying to get scripts, insurance changes, trying to get scripts
insurance changes.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
So Brian asked me, well, why are you trying to
get in, you know, before the end of the year
or even before next year, because you know that the
insurance is going to change again. And I'm like, because
I don't know. I just I started feeling a little
bit panicky because I knew that the insurance was going
to run out. You know, I'm kind of running low
(14:50):
on meds. And Brian made a joke. You're running low
on meds is like to having two or three months worth, right,
But I mean, but I'm thankful I got the process
started because look, so I have about six meds that
I need to fill. I got the plaque nail, which
(15:10):
is the hydroxychloroquin right, that's how you say it. I
got my dole bid for the inflammation and pain restasis
EVO zach for to help produce alima sala saliva the synthroid,
and uh, jeez, I want to say one more. I
can't remember right now, but I want to get him
(15:38):
through the mail because it's cheaper and you get more, right,
because sometimes when you just go to your local pharmacy,
they just want to give you a month. And who
wants to go every thirty days to pick up a script? Right?
So the plaque nail. I don't know if you guys
have the same issue, but the tablets sometimes they're oval
(16:00):
or along, you know, and then some are round. I've
been given both the round ones. I just can't swallow them.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
And if you don't remember, she has issues swallowing pills
no matter what shape they are, so they're usually crushed
and mixed with some liquid.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Well, I think we all do. If you don't produce aliva,
it's hard. I mean it's hard eating. Lately, I feel
like I'm having a harder time swallowing. That's why I
that's why I asked for evo Zac. But so anyways,
the plot can know that they gave me, you know,
because I want to. I'm gonna fill it with the
express scripts I called them. The girl was very helpful,
(16:45):
and she actually patched me through to the pharmacist while
she was on the phone, and I actually asked her, look, okay,
So I asked for printed scripts because at the time
I didn't even know who I was gonna mail the
prescriptions to write via the mail because it was New Assurance,
so I hadn't figured all that out. So I made
(17:10):
copies of my scripts. I even went as far as
I went out, I did a word document and I
downloaded some pictures of Placo Nail from the internet, the
round ones and the oblong ones. I know, I was ridiculous,
and a little note please you know I have trouble swallowing,
you know, I explained it. I have trouble swallowing. Can
(17:30):
you please knock give me round? Can you please give
me the oblong ones? And I even yes, no, and
I crossed it out and read and green. It was
really it was actually really comic. Go actually, anyways, it
was really comical. I was laughing at myself because I'm like,
oh my god, when these people get this, they're gonna
be like, what the heck, what are we like in
fifth grade? Anyways, Uh, about a week I hadn't heard
(17:54):
back from them, so I actually checked my account and
they had my mailing address correct because Brian I shipping
it here to the studio. And so finally I get
a call from them and they're like, I'm sorry I
called them. I gave them a call and I said, hey,
you know, did you get my scripts? Oh no, we
haven't seen anything, blah blah blah. But I'm like, I
know you got it because you have the new shipping address. Anyway,
(18:15):
it's not here nor there. But I was talking to
the girl and I said, hey, can you put a
note on my chart that says to give me to
give me the oblong ones? And you know, the same
situation troubles swallowing, and she's like, oh, you know, we
need to talk to a pharmacy pharmacist. So she patched
me through. And so I was having a conversation with
the pharmacists and I explained everything and he was very
(18:36):
nice and understanding, and he asked me, do you know
who the manufacturer was? And I said no, but I
do know that they were oblong, I said, and they're
kind of coated. And there's another one that I've taken
that's an oblong but it has like a our glass shape.
(18:57):
And he's like, oh, I see that one is the
manufacture so and so. And I'm like, well, I don't remember.
Was it generic? I go, I don't care if it's
generic or not. I just wanted to be oblong. And anyways,
he put a note in my chart. I went home
and I checked the manufacturer and it was what he
had said. But anyways, I know I'm making it really long,
sorry guys, but so he put it in my chart.
(19:20):
I get a call a couple of weeks, a couple
of days later, and they're like, you know, we're having
trouble filling your script. Well they can't there they're low
on plaquel. And then I'm thinking, well, are they low
on plaquail or was it that I was very specific
with what I wanted? Right? So I'm going to say
(19:43):
that I was probably very specific, and so maybe they
didn't have it at the time, right, most likely.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Or they don't commonly carry that one, so this would
be a special order situation.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Well, my thing is, I'm good if you don't harry
that manufacturer. As long as it's oplong, that's all I
care about. So so they told me they didn't know
when they were gonna have it, and so oh so
I got my prescription, and you know what, actually, this
is what I did. I took to social media and
(20:17):
I put out a post on Facebook and Instagram, and
I didn't get much love on on Facebook, but on
Instagram a lot of people commented. And you know is
because I asked, is anybody having issues? I'm having issues
getting my placo nail and a lot of people different
states they're having issues because of COVID, you know, this
(20:37):
and that and the other. But then people started like, oh,
go to CVS or check your local Walgreens. That's where
I go. Or somebody said Costco. And I'm like, dang, dang,
dang Costco. I when I think of meds, I feel
in my meds, I never think of Costco. What's up
with that?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Well, probably because you think you have to get a
fifty five gallon drama.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Right on black butano they're gonna give me a big
I'm gonna need like a like a big old truck.
Oh my god, that's so funny. But anyways, I'm like Costco.
So I work really close to a Costco. So during
my lunch, during my hour and a half lunch, I
went to Costco. And so of course I had a copy, right,
(21:23):
I had a copy of the script. And the lady
she's like, this is a copy. I'm like, I know,
and explain. I explained the situation to her, right and
I said I know, And she's like, well, we can't
take a copy. And I'm like, you can call a
doctor and it's legit. Right anyways, So where are we
(21:47):
with that, I'm waiting for the doctor to call them
to validate my script. Is where I'm at with that.
But but I did get I checked. I checked my account,
and there they shipped the synthroid, and they shipped they
(22:08):
shipped the double bid and the restasis. And when I
just want to share this, when I checked about the restasis,
I don't think I've ever paid attention to how much
it actually cost. Guess how much it costs guys for restasis.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
I saw the post today.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
It for three months. Okay, for three months, mind you,
for three months. The cost is over seventeen hundred dollars.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Now for anybody out there that's paying that out of pocket, wow,
we had no idea.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Holy guacamole. I'm like, who can afford that GUACAMOI because
I'm craving guacamole? I wacottags no. But it's like Bryan's
laughing at me. No, But seriously, guys, who can afford
seventeen hundred dollars in eye drops? I mean what? And anyways,
(23:13):
my cost, because I have insurance, my cost is one
hundred dollars for three months. One hundred dollars is one
hundred dollars a lot.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Yeah, it is better than seven's better.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
It's better. But you know what, I also put out
a post and some people are paying a lot of
money for that, and some people are going without because
you know, nobody wants to pay even one hundred dollars,
you know, but a lot of people said told me
to go to the to the manufacturer's website and they
(23:47):
give coupons. I don't know, I've never checked it out.
I have to check that out. But some people get
it for ten dollars. Some people get what's that other
thing called the coupon?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Oh that good? Is it good Man or.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Good Good RX or something like that. I mean, I've
never I guess because I've always had insurance, and I
think this is the first time I pay one hundred
because I remember paying twenty and fifty dollars, So you know,
I guess I had better insurance in the past several
years ago, you know, not recently. But I mean, you know,
one hundred dollars is kind of a lot, but it's
for three months, and you know, I'm thankful for that.
(24:26):
And another thing that I wanted to share that I've
shared many times for those of you who actually use
for stasis or xydra or anything. If it comes in
an individual file. And when you go to the optimologists
or whoever, and you know the the instructions are only
(24:47):
to use it once and chuck it, you know, throw
it away. But doctor Rieba and I think my first roomantologist,
my first optomologist before here tired and doctor Rieba passed.
They both told me to use every single drop, keep
it in the fridge. And I've told you guys before,
(25:10):
keep it in the fridge, use every single drop, don't
chuck it after the first one. And when you keep
it in the fridge and you wake up first thing
in the morning, it's so refreshing because if you're like me,
my eyes really hurt. Sometimes I think I sleep longer
because I can't focus. My eyes hurt. I feel like
(25:32):
I'm sleepy, but I'm not really, it's just my eyes
are in pain. I get up and I put a
couple of drops in. It's refreshing, It's magical. I don't
even know what word to use. It's my crack. Yeah, actually,
you know what. And sometimes I'm just so tired to
(25:52):
get up. I actually asked Brian for my birthday last year,
I asked him if he could buy me a mini
fridge so I could keep it next to my spot
in the living room, and I have. That's actually where
I keep my meds, I mean, and the regular fridge
I keep one too, because who wants to keep going
to the mini fridge, But that's where I keep my meds.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
And Hidget, what what are you talking about? It's right
next to your reginer.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
I don't know anyways. So that's my my advice, you know,
for those of you maybe this is the first time
listening to to this podcast, but keep your eye drops,
Restasis whatever, even if you buy them over the counter,
keep them in the fridge. Buy the individual fials because
(26:45):
they are preservative free. And the way I imagine it,
if you use life you buy like the little bottle,
you'll get like a ring around your eye, like calcium
build up. So I don't know if that's true, but
that's the way that I imagine it, right, So so it's,
(27:06):
you know, preservative free. That's what the doctors say. Anyways,
So boo, that's my rant. But my lab work they came,
it's perfect. My lab work is good.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Your last ie appointment was spot on.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Oh my last eye appointment. Yeah, it was good. It
was I made a post about that because I like
posting about the stuff because, you know, for newbies or
you know, just people, you want to know that you're
going to do the same thing or what your experience was.
So you know what I like about COVID. I hate COVID,
(27:50):
but what I like about COVID is when you go
to the doctor, they kind of see you right away.
There's not a million people waiting in the waiting room.
And then your appointment is at ten. They don't see
you till twelve, you know, so.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Yeah, you're scheduling fewer appointments per hour.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
You go in at the time that they say maybe
five minutes later. But yeah, it's been awesome. So anyways,
you go in and they they take you into your
little room and they check your vision and then they
dilate you, like go every six months, they dilate you, right,
(28:25):
and then I'm always a little bit nervous when they're
gonna put that fluid in my eye because it really stings.
I don't know if like you, Brian, when you go
I don't know if you've ever been dilated, but because
my eyes are so dry, Oh my god, it's it burns.
It's it's bad. Do you have the same experience.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
You know how what I feel about stuff in my eyes?
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Oh my god, Oh my god, that would be funny.
This guy I have to put his eye drops in
his eyes and he's like, oh my god, I get
away from me. You're killing me. Like it's eye drops,
what are you talking about?
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I woke up and my eye was puffy and I
had a little sty on my eyelid, and we got
this cream. It's kind of like the consistency of asoline.
And she had to like put that on my eyelid.
And I don't like things near in my eye. I
can't even put eyedrops in my own eye.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
I had to fight him. He almost he almost punched.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
It wasn't a fight, but yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
So anyways, they dilate you and then they take you
into this other dark room and it's the machine is
like shape like I'm gonna I said, it was shaped
like an eye because it's round and you have to
put your chin on this little thing.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
You know what I think is funny. But probably everybody
listening has been to the eye doctor.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
Why not? But I just want to tell him anyways, okay, right,
and then you have to count the lights. You see
a red light click click, click, and so you.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Get to play video games at your eye.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Doctor, I asked the lady, I said, so just random,
how many? How many lights flash? And it's like, oh,
it's eighty lights. I said, oh, it said so eighty,
per ie, because I always feel like I don't see
the first ten, like am I missing? But I mean
my results, I always get every single one, and I
(30:15):
don't think I do. But that's what they said, and whatever,
I'm doing good. And they take you into another little
room and they take a picture of your eye. I
would like to see that in color. I would like
to see a regular eye and dry eyes, to see
the difference. Then you're done with that. They take you
back to the other room and you're waiting for the
(30:36):
doctor there, and the doctor he puffs in your eye.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
I don't know, pressure does.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
That's why you're here because you have to fill in
my words when I'm you know, doing gestures. So yeah,
he that's it, that's it, that's it. Oh and then
she's checking the eye pressure. He said, everything was good.
I don't know what the heck that means, but okay,
And so then he shines this bright light. I mean
(31:11):
it pierces the back of my skull and it hurts.
It hurts. I don't know if people that don't have
dry eyes have the same experience, but this light is
so bright it gives me a headache. It's I feel
it back here, back of my skull. It's terrible. But
he said, wow, your eyes are dry. I go, yes,
(31:37):
yes they are. But he said everything looks great. He said,
you know when people are on PLAQ andoo, they need
to come in every six months because whatever it could
affect your vision. I don't know the medical terms, you know,
but but yeah, he said it was good. I asked
him for a script for a month for stasis, because
(32:00):
you know, for a year, but he only gave it
to me for six months. But I'm sure I could
just call yeah. And so that's been my experience. And uh,
I think in two weeks I go in for a physical.
So I'm gonna ask the the doctor. I'm gonna ask
(32:21):
her for I want to go see uh ear nose
and mouth what do you call those?
Speaker 2 (32:31):
And throat?
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Yeah, I want to I want to go see one
of those doctors because lately, I feel like I'm having
trouble swallowing. I mean it's really bad. One time, I
mean I was literally choking Brian. He got up and
he was, wow, what do I do? He had the
pony in his hand. I'm about to call nine one one.
And I feel like I'm afraid to eat lately, and
(32:56):
I'm not hungry, and I don't I don't know if
it's like subconscious I'm afraid to eat. That's why I'm
not hungry. I don't know, what do you think.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
I think part of it subconscious. I think you need
to get in the habit of taking food in your mouth,
chewing it and putting water in your mouth with it
to lubricate it and help the swallow until you get
this figured out.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
I chew my food a lot, and I know the
food is in my mouth and I swallow it just
in little bits and pieces. I'm just really terrified. I'm
sure everybody, I mean, show these people with dry mouth.
It's really scary because you don't want it to get
(33:44):
caught in your throat. You know, the food, but you
know anyways, So I mean this was kind of a
little rant, but you know, I always want you guys
to know what's going on in my life with me,
and you know what you should, but you should, you know,
be looking out for and make sure the positive here
(34:06):
that I want you to take or I you know,
have enough meds pre prepared. We've had episodes where we say,
be prepared with your meds. Be sure you have three
months in advance, and uh, you know, I I kind
of let it slip because of the transition with the insurances.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
I mean, but it's easy to do. I slipped on
one of my meds and realized my follow up appointment
was the same day the last med should have been taken,
and you know, so I started having the pill just
to keep some in my system. It's unfortunate, you know.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
I learned absolutely. Yeah, and especially if you know you're
gonna I mean, you don't expect change insurance in the
middle of the year or whatever. You know. Yeah, but
it did happen, and I mean that was out of
my control. But always try to have meds. And you
know another thing that I forgot to mention, they they
(35:15):
wouldn't give me the appointment with the roomatologists. They said,
you have to go and see a regilar doctor and
for a physical because you haven't been here in a while.
And I'm like, oh my god. Anyways, that month, that
appointment they gave me four months ahead, you know what
I mean. It was Anyways, it was a weird experience.
But guys, be prepared, have your meds. Fill them early,
(35:37):
you know, even if you have extra, fell them early
so you don't go without. But anyways, just want to
share that, you know, a little bit.
Speaker 2 (35:45):
And I've been talking about this show and kind of
when we started, we were bringing on a lot of guests,
kind of using this as a platform to let other
people share their story because we all learn from shared experience,
and we'd kind of like to start doing that again.
If you would like to talk with us and or
(36:07):
come on the show. It doesn't have to be video.
This show is audio only. If there's you know, any
issues there, audio is fine. But the best way to
get a hold of her is DM her and Instagram. Yeah,
because she's she sleeps with her phone. She's got this
cool glove and it's got one of those phone things
(36:28):
like your car, So phone's just in her hand. Twenty
four to seven.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
Okay he's lying, but okay, I mean it is in
my hand a lot. Okay, you sleep with my phone, Yes.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Hit her up on Instagram and or drop us an
email Loupe at shogrinstrong dot com and you know we
can chat and talk you through the process and go
from there.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
And I mean you could reach out on Facebook too,
but Facebook is really weird because.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
It the rhythms in the new meta.
Speaker 1 (37:01):
Well, I get this notification that I have a message,
but then I can't find the red dot and I
can't find the message, and then I can't find it
for months. And maybe it's just me. I don't know
Facebook or they changed it so much. You know, it
used to be really easy, but now definitely Instagram is easier.
I have received messages from like, you know people, and
(37:26):
they are interested in sharing the story, their story, not
only their story, but you know, maybe they have a business.
You know, your story. If you want to share it,
we're here, you know. And uh so, yeah, I'm calling
out calling out people, volunteers, share your story. We're here.
If you have any show suggestions. I have a few
(37:49):
in mind. I have a few guests in mind and
definitely going to be reaching out to them. And I
know that we've been away for a while, but we
want to funny come back.
Speaker 2 (38:01):
So definitely.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
So thanks for listening to my rant. I hope that
you take something from it, you know, and don't do
as I did. Okay, and I think that's it. That's
all I got And so until next time, sip constantly
and stay hydrated, guys,
We are neither nutritionis or medical providers. The topics discussed
on this show are from our own research and experiences. Please,
we saw your medical provider before I have seen anything
discussed on this show. Welcome to another episode of show.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
And this is Dupay and this is your podcast discussing how.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
An actue What happened you forgot?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Has it been that long where you are where you
at a given healthy lifestyle, despite the diagnosis of showdrens, Yes.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
It actually has been that long. I think we recorded
the last episode in well, the last one that aired
in October. Sometimes that's a long time ago.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, it's been a minute.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
What's really going on?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
So she's preoccupied taking selfies of herself?
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Well, you know, I haven't been in the studio in
a while, and I just want to have some posting material.
What's wrong with that?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Some postables?
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I'm not preoccupied. I'm just you know, I can still talk,
I can multitask, you know what I mean? I got
it like that?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
You got it like that?
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Anyways, we wanted to say, since it's the new year,
twenty twenty two, we wanted to say, happy New year, guys,
how's everybody doing? Did you miss us. Actually, I already
know the answer to that, because I have received a
lot of messages, text messages, emails, and everybody's wondering if
(01:50):
I'm okay, how we doing, And you know, I'm doing okay.
I've just been really really busy, but I do truly
miss you guys, And uh, here I am wanted to
do an episode. I just walked in the studio and said, Brian,
just do this. I'm ready an episode.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Please print this and we're talking.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah, I kinda, I kind of have a so sorry.
I kind of am going through something right now that
I wanted to share you guys with you guys because
do as I say, not as I do. You know,
I was trying to try to give good advice and
then she.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Didn't listen to her own good advice.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I did. I did listen to it, but you know,
there's some stuff that's been happening, some sequence of events
that were out of my control. So it kind of
messed me up a little bit. But uh yeah, everybody again,
thanks for everything, Thanks for reaching out, But we're here
and we want to do an episode. In this episode,
(02:57):
we want to talk about insurance in meds because that
is what I've been living for the last several weeks
and it's been a battle. Kind of.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Yeah, to give a backstory, she how did it start?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
The new job the company that I'm working for right, Oh,
they got new insurance. They kind of, I don't know
what happened. They got new insurance kind of towards the
end of the year, I want to say, like September
October new insurance. And then it was really funny because
we got acquired around the same time that the insurance
(03:42):
kicked in, and then we have new insurance, right, and
then the new year happened and we got acquired, right,
so then we have new insurance with a new company.
Oh my goodness, I have a headache. I can't even
keep it straight.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Within a matter of six months, you've had three insurance.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
It was. Yeah, it's been really ridiculous, and so you know,
every insurance you have to jump through hoops. Right. I'm
just lucky right now that I have PPO with the
new insurance, but to insurance prior, I had HMO, and
it was really difficult. If if you guys can afford it,
(04:25):
I always go Ppo because the hoops that I had
to jump through, it's just ridiculous. It's just wait till
I tell you guys. So let's see where do we
want to start off? Okay, so a couple of weeks
ago I have nots, but everything is convoluted in my mind.
(04:46):
So a couple of months ago, I'm sorry, I think
I said weeks. But a couple of months ago, like
I said, we had new insurance and I had a
standing appointment with the rheumatologist, and I made the appointment
and it was two months out right, And so when
it came time to go to the doctor, I ain't
(05:07):
even lying. One day before, one day before the insurance,
the clinic called and said, hey, they didn't even talk
to me. They just left the message, Hey, we are
calling to let you know that you no longer have insurance.
And I'm like, what, right exactly? But I didn't. I
(05:32):
knew that they were calling because they always call, Hey,
you have an appointment tomorrow or whatever, right, So I
kind of didn't even really bother to listen to the
voicemail until the following day, and so I called back
and I'm like, what do you mean I don't have insurance?
Because they called because you know, they were calling the
old insurance and now had new insurance and blah blah
(05:52):
blah blah. It was a total cluster. And they said,
we can't let you come into see the roomatologist because
you need a referral. And I was like, what are
you talking about. I've been coming to this clinic for
twenty something years and I've seen the roomatologists. I've had
(06:15):
the referral. Actually before that, I think I had PPO,
so I never really, I know, I had a referral. Anyways, Like,
what are you talking about? You have a referral. And
then she's like, well, the assurance that the referral has
to go through the new insurance and I'm like, what
what right? So so I called the insurance right and
(06:42):
I said, look, I explained the situation. I have an
appointment the next day or whatever it was. I have
an appointment, and they called and they told me that
I needed a referral to go through you guys, the
new insurance. Even though I've been going to the same clinic,
I already have a referral. I've already seen a rheumatologist.
(07:03):
I don't understand. And she says, well, she was really nice. Well, unfortunately,
ma'am and I'm like, first of all, I don't call
me ma'am. No, I didn't say that. But she's like,
you know, unfortunately the insurance has to go through us.
And I'm like, I don't understand. I've seen doctors there,
you know the same story. I said, I'll tell you what,
(07:24):
what if I can pay the doctor visit out of pocket? Right,
and will you cover the labs and the meds? And
she says, you know, I can't guarantee that. Maybe we will.
They may say yes, they may say no, So why
don't we just hold off? And you know, I got
(07:44):
a really nice lady and she really pushed everything through
and I was actually able My appointment was canceled and
then I was able to reschedule it again. And oh,
this is another funny story. But I called to schedule
the appointment and he's like, I need a referral from
(08:04):
the doctor. And that was late in the day and
then I called back and before they could see before
they can let me come into seer roomatologists And I
don't know, it just depends on who you get. Because
then I called the following morning and the lady's like, oh, yeah, sure,
I can get you in. But I mean, I don't know.
(08:25):
To make a long story short, I did need to
go in, and they made me go in just to
see a regular GP. And I walked in. Oh, you're
here to get a referral. I go yep, I am.
I needed a referral for a roomatologist and an ophthalmologist.
And I was in and out in like five minutes.
(08:45):
I mean, it was the biggest waste of time, you know,
because I had to leave work wait in the waiting room.
I was only in with the doctor for five minutes.
I don't get it, guys, I was really frustrated.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
You know, it can be frustrating, but we also need
to be thankful and grateful. We're helpthy enough to schedule
our and appointments. We have insurance. It is COVID. They
were able to get you in quickly. There's some positives here.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
I don't know how it happened, but yes, so okay,
So I go in. I saw the rheumatologists. He was
actually a really cool dude. I expected a different experience,
but I actually really liked this rheumatologist. And so anyways,
I'm going to continue going to him. And most importantly,
(09:36):
he gave me the meds that I wanted that I
had been taking because a lot of I you know,
you know, I'm on Plaquee nail and Dolo bid and
a lot of doctors that don't want to give dolo
bid and adolo bid is a NSID. What is that? U?
Speaker 2 (09:54):
And said, I'm not sure whatever that is.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Anyways, it really helped with inflammation and pain. If I
go like three days with without that, I'm I'm dead
in the water because it's I start hurting. But anyways,
he gave me what I wanted and he sent me.
This is funny because he sent me to get labs
and I mean, look, I don't want this to be
an episode where I complained about everything, but oh my god,
(10:21):
I mean it has pros and cons, right, So anyway,
she sends me to the lab and uh, I'm with
the girl that's gonna draw my blood. And she's like, oh,
so you know what arm? What arm? And I'm like, oh,
usually you guys take it from the right, and so
she's like, no, I think I like your left better.
So she poked my left at nothing. Yeah. Nothing. She's like, uh, okay,
(10:45):
so I can't poke you there again? So can I
poke you and you're right, and I said, go for it, right.
So she poked me and can you believe she missed again? Right?
And I was like, okay, well I'm already here. I said,
you know, you go, I have a really good vein
right here on my hand and h mm. So she
(11:07):
poked me there and she took I'm gonna say she
took two vials. Maybe three, I don't remember, but I
know it was two or three. And I said, is
that all you're taking? And she says, yeah, yeah, that's
all I'm taking. That's all that the doctor said. I go, well,
you usually you guys take about ten or twelve vials
and she's like nope, that's it. Okay, I'm away. I
(11:32):
you know. I don't know if it was the end
of the day, but anyways, I left and the following
morning they called me from the same doctor and they're like, oh,
we didn't take enough blood. You have to come back.
And I was like, what are you talking about? Right?
So I went back and it was the same girl.
(11:52):
She was really nice though, right, and I was like, oh, no,
it's you. I was just cracking jokes, but you know,
but I actually went prepared, you know, I drank they
were able to get me in the same day that
they called. So I drink a lot of water, I
dressed warm, I pumped my Actually it was the following
(12:13):
day because I drink a lot of water. I dressed
warm with the jacket, and while I was waiting, I
was pumping my hands, you know, to get my blood circulating.
And she took about ten miles this time and it
went by fast. So so oh, when you guys go
to the lab, always be prepared. Dress warm. I don't
(12:36):
know what happens, but why does that help you? Brian?
To stay warm?
Speaker 2 (12:40):
When you're warm, your blood just flows a little easier.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
And if you're not warm, what your veins hide or
what happens.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Everything kind of like tenses up. You actually start pushing
more blood. Your blood pressure will increase to help keep
your extremities warm. You think it would be easier to
find it at that point. But yeah, a reason warm
is good.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
And pumping your hands. So I do this, okay with
my hands. I put my hands and my my my
hands like.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Kiss your hands in your arms.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Yeah, so and that helps me every time. But I
think especially keeping warm.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
So anyways, and another lesson learned here is if they
take two vials, you normally get ten. Ask them to
check the printer and make sure it's not jammed.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Yeah, so she said that it just didn't print. I
don't know if it got jammed or it ran out
of paper, but probably when they fixed it, all this paper,
all these scripts started coming out right, And I was like,
you know what though, but I'm I'm definitely not a Karen,
you know, And I'm like, well, I guess here I am,
you know, but was it an inconvenience, yes, but you know,
(13:48):
it is what it is. We all make mistakes. It happened,
and the second time that I went, she got me
the first time, so and she was able to draw
blood and my veins didn't collapse, so I was happy
about that. So that's a positive. So I guess I
always see the positive because you're right, you know, I
was able to drive myself, make my own appointments, so
(14:10):
I'm thankful for that. And I have insurance, so that's
another good thing.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Well. In the second piece of this puzzle.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Was scripts, Yes, scripts.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Trying to get scripts, insurance changes, trying to get scripts
insurance changes.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
So Brian asked me, well, why are you trying to
get in, you know, before the end of the year
or even before next year, because you know that the
insurance is going to change again. And I'm like, because
I don't know. I just I started feeling a little
bit panicky because I knew that the insurance was going
to run out. You know, I'm kind of running low
(14:50):
on meds. And Brian made a joke. You're running low
on meds is like to having two or three months worth, right,
But I mean, but I'm thankful I got the process
started because look, so I have about six meds that
I need to fill. I got the plaque nail, which
(15:10):
is the hydroxychloroquin right, that's how you say it. I
got my dole bid for the inflammation and pain restasis
EVO zach for to help produce alima sala saliva the synthroid,
and uh, jeez, I want to say one more. I
can't remember right now, but I want to get him
(15:38):
through the mail because it's cheaper and you get more, right,
because sometimes when you just go to your local pharmacy,
they just want to give you a month. And who
wants to go every thirty days to pick up a script? Right?
So the plaque nail. I don't know if you guys
have the same issue, but the tablets sometimes they're oval
(16:00):
or along, you know, and then some are round. I've
been given both the round ones. I just can't swallow them.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
And if you don't remember, she has issues swallowing pills
no matter what shape they are, so they're usually crushed
and mixed with some liquid.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Well, I think we all do. If you don't produce aliva,
it's hard. I mean it's hard eating. Lately, I feel
like I'm having a harder time swallowing. That's why I
that's why I asked for evo Zac. But so anyways,
the plot can know that they gave me, you know,
because I want to. I'm gonna fill it with the
express scripts I called them. The girl was very helpful,
(16:45):
and she actually patched me through to the pharmacist while
she was on the phone, and I actually asked her, look, okay,
So I asked for printed scripts because at the time
I didn't even know who I was gonna mail the
prescriptions to write via the mail because it was New Assurance,
so I hadn't figured all that out. So I made
(17:10):
copies of my scripts. I even went as far as
I went out, I did a word document and I
downloaded some pictures of Placo Nail from the internet, the
round ones and the oblong ones. I know, I was ridiculous,
and a little note please you know I have trouble swallowing,
you know, I explained it. I have trouble swallowing. Can
(17:30):
you please knock give me round? Can you please give
me the oblong ones? And I even yes, no, and
I crossed it out and read and green. It was
really it was actually really comic. Go actually, anyways, it
was really comical. I was laughing at myself because I'm like,
oh my god, when these people get this, they're gonna
be like, what the heck, what are we like in
fifth grade? Anyways, Uh, about a week I hadn't heard
(17:54):
back from them, so I actually checked my account and
they had my mailing address correct because Brian I shipping
it here to the studio. And so finally I get
a call from them and they're like, I'm sorry I
called them. I gave them a call and I said, hey,
you know, did you get my scripts? Oh no, we
haven't seen anything, blah blah blah. But I'm like, I
know you got it because you have the new shipping address. Anyway,
(18:15):
it's not here nor there. But I was talking to
the girl and I said, hey, can you put a
note on my chart that says to give me to
give me the oblong ones? And you know, the same
situation troubles swallowing, and she's like, oh, you know, we
need to talk to a pharmacy pharmacist. So she patched
me through. And so I was having a conversation with
the pharmacists and I explained everything and he was very
(18:36):
nice and understanding, and he asked me, do you know
who the manufacturer was? And I said no, but I
do know that they were oblong, I said, and they're
kind of coated. And there's another one that I've taken
that's an oblong but it has like a our glass shape.
(18:57):
And he's like, oh, I see that one is the
manufacture so and so. And I'm like, well, I don't remember.
Was it generic? I go, I don't care if it's
generic or not. I just wanted to be oblong. And anyways,
he put a note in my chart. I went home
and I checked the manufacturer and it was what he
had said. But anyways, I know I'm making it really long,
sorry guys, but so he put it in my chart.
(19:20):
I get a call a couple of weeks, a couple
of days later, and they're like, you know, we're having
trouble filling your script. Well they can't there they're low
on plaquel. And then I'm thinking, well, are they low
on plaquail or was it that I was very specific
with what I wanted? Right? So I'm going to say
(19:43):
that I was probably very specific, and so maybe they
didn't have it at the time, right, most likely.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Or they don't commonly carry that one, so this would
be a special order situation.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Well, my thing is, I'm good if you don't harry
that manufacturer. As long as it's oplong, that's all I
care about. So so they told me they didn't know
when they were gonna have it, and so oh so
I got my prescription, and you know what, actually, this
is what I did. I took to social media and
(20:17):
I put out a post on Facebook and Instagram, and
I didn't get much love on on Facebook, but on
Instagram a lot of people commented. And you know is
because I asked, is anybody having issues? I'm having issues
getting my placo nail and a lot of people different
states they're having issues because of COVID, you know, this
(20:37):
and that and the other. But then people started like, oh,
go to CVS or check your local Walgreens. That's where
I go. Or somebody said Costco. And I'm like, dang, dang,
dang Costco. I when I think of meds, I feel
in my meds, I never think of Costco. What's up
with that?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Well, probably because you think you have to get a
fifty five gallon drama.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Right on black butano they're gonna give me a big
I'm gonna need like a like a big old truck.
Oh my god, that's so funny. But anyways, I'm like Costco.
So I work really close to a Costco. So during
my lunch, during my hour and a half lunch, I
went to Costco. And so of course I had a copy, right,
(21:23):
I had a copy of the script. And the lady
she's like, this is a copy. I'm like, I know,
and explain. I explained the situation to her, right and
I said I know, And she's like, well, we can't
take a copy. And I'm like, you can call a
doctor and it's legit. Right anyways, So where are we
(21:47):
with that, I'm waiting for the doctor to call them
to validate my script. Is where I'm at with that.
But but I did get I checked. I checked my account,
and there they shipped the synthroid, and they shipped they
(22:08):
shipped the double bid and the restasis. And when I
just want to share this, when I checked about the restasis,
I don't think I've ever paid attention to how much
it actually cost. Guess how much it costs guys for restasis.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
I saw the post today.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
It for three months. Okay, for three months, mind you,
for three months. The cost is over seventeen hundred dollars.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Now for anybody out there that's paying that out of pocket, wow,
we had no idea.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Holy guacamole. I'm like, who can afford that GUACAMOI because
I'm craving guacamole? I wacottags no. But it's like Bryan's
laughing at me. No, But seriously, guys, who can afford
seventeen hundred dollars in eye drops? I mean what? And anyways,
(23:13):
my cost, because I have insurance, my cost is one
hundred dollars for three months. One hundred dollars is one
hundred dollars a lot.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Yeah, it is better than seven's better.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
It's better. But you know what, I also put out
a post and some people are paying a lot of
money for that, and some people are going without because
you know, nobody wants to pay even one hundred dollars,
you know, but a lot of people said told me
to go to the to the manufacturer's website and they
(23:47):
give coupons. I don't know, I've never checked it out.
I have to check that out. But some people get
it for ten dollars. Some people get what's that other
thing called the coupon?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Oh that good? Is it good Man or.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Good Good RX or something like that. I mean, I've
never I guess because I've always had insurance, and I
think this is the first time I pay one hundred
because I remember paying twenty and fifty dollars, So you know,
I guess I had better insurance in the past several
years ago, you know, not recently. But I mean, you know,
one hundred dollars is kind of a lot, but it's
for three months, and you know, I'm thankful for that.
(24:26):
And another thing that I wanted to share that I've
shared many times for those of you who actually use
for stasis or xydra or anything. If it comes in
an individual file. And when you go to the optimologists
or whoever, and you know the the instructions are only
(24:47):
to use it once and chuck it, you know, throw
it away. But doctor Rieba and I think my first roomantologist,
my first optomologist before here tired and doctor Rieba passed.
They both told me to use every single drop, keep
it in the fridge. And I've told you guys before,
(25:10):
keep it in the fridge, use every single drop, don't
chuck it after the first one. And when you keep
it in the fridge and you wake up first thing
in the morning, it's so refreshing because if you're like me,
my eyes really hurt. Sometimes I think I sleep longer
because I can't focus. My eyes hurt. I feel like
(25:32):
I'm sleepy, but I'm not really, it's just my eyes
are in pain. I get up and I put a
couple of drops in. It's refreshing, It's magical. I don't
even know what word to use. It's my crack. Yeah, actually,
you know what. And sometimes I'm just so tired to
(25:52):
get up. I actually asked Brian for my birthday last year,
I asked him if he could buy me a mini
fridge so I could keep it next to my spot
in the living room, and I have. That's actually where
I keep my meds, I mean, and the regular fridge
I keep one too, because who wants to keep going
to the mini fridge, But that's where I keep my meds.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
And Hidget, what what are you talking about? It's right
next to your reginer.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
I don't know anyways. So that's my my advice, you know,
for those of you maybe this is the first time
listening to to this podcast, but keep your eye drops,
Restasis whatever, even if you buy them over the counter,
keep them in the fridge. Buy the individual fials because
(26:45):
they are preservative free. And the way I imagine it,
if you use life you buy like the little bottle,
you'll get like a ring around your eye, like calcium
build up. So I don't know if that's true, but
that's the way that I imagine it, right, So so it's,
(27:06):
you know, preservative free. That's what the doctors say. Anyways,
So boo, that's my rant. But my lab work they came,
it's perfect. My lab work is good.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Your last ie appointment was spot on.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Oh my last eye appointment. Yeah, it was good. It
was I made a post about that because I like
posting about the stuff because, you know, for newbies or
you know, just people, you want to know that you're
going to do the same thing or what your experience was.
So you know what I like about COVID. I hate COVID,
(27:50):
but what I like about COVID is when you go
to the doctor, they kind of see you right away.
There's not a million people waiting in the waiting room.
And then your appointment is at ten. They don't see
you till twelve, you know, so.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Yeah, you're scheduling fewer appointments per hour.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
You go in at the time that they say maybe
five minutes later. But yeah, it's been awesome. So anyways,
you go in and they they take you into your
little room and they check your vision and then they
dilate you, like go every six months, they dilate you, right,
(28:25):
and then I'm always a little bit nervous when they're
gonna put that fluid in my eye because it really stings.
I don't know if like you, Brian, when you go
I don't know if you've ever been dilated, but because
my eyes are so dry, Oh my god, it's it burns.
It's it's bad. Do you have the same experience.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
You know how what I feel about stuff in my eyes?
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Oh my god, Oh my god, that would be funny.
This guy I have to put his eye drops in
his eyes and he's like, oh my god, I get
away from me. You're killing me. Like it's eye drops,
what are you talking about?
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I woke up and my eye was puffy and I
had a little sty on my eyelid, and we got
this cream. It's kind of like the consistency of asoline.
And she had to like put that on my eyelid.
And I don't like things near in my eye. I
can't even put eyedrops in my own eye.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
I had to fight him. He almost he almost punched.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
It wasn't a fight, but yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
So anyways, they dilate you and then they take you
into this other dark room and it's the machine is
like shape like I'm gonna I said, it was shaped
like an eye because it's round and you have to
put your chin on this little thing.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
You know what I think is funny. But probably everybody
listening has been to the eye doctor.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
Why not? But I just want to tell him anyways, okay, right,
and then you have to count the lights. You see
a red light click click, click, and so you.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Get to play video games at your eye.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Doctor, I asked the lady, I said, so just random,
how many? How many lights flash? And it's like, oh,
it's eighty lights. I said, oh, it said so eighty,
per ie, because I always feel like I don't see
the first ten, like am I missing? But I mean
my results, I always get every single one, and I
(30:15):
don't think I do. But that's what they said, and whatever,
I'm doing good. And they take you into another little
room and they take a picture of your eye. I
would like to see that in color. I would like
to see a regular eye and dry eyes, to see
the difference. Then you're done with that. They take you
back to the other room and you're waiting for the
(30:36):
doctor there, and the doctor he puffs in your eye.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
I don't know, pressure does.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
That's why you're here because you have to fill in
my words when I'm you know, doing gestures. So yeah,
he that's it, that's it, that's it. Oh and then
she's checking the eye pressure. He said, everything was good.
I don't know what the heck that means, but okay,
And so then he shines this bright light. I mean
(31:11):
it pierces the back of my skull and it hurts.
It hurts. I don't know if people that don't have
dry eyes have the same experience, but this light is
so bright it gives me a headache. It's I feel
it back here, back of my skull. It's terrible. But
he said, wow, your eyes are dry. I go, yes,
(31:37):
yes they are. But he said everything looks great. He said,
you know when people are on PLAQ andoo, they need
to come in every six months because whatever it could
affect your vision. I don't know the medical terms, you know,
but but yeah, he said it was good. I asked
him for a script for a month for stasis, because
(32:00):
you know, for a year, but he only gave it
to me for six months. But I'm sure I could
just call yeah. And so that's been my experience. And uh,
I think in two weeks I go in for a physical.
So I'm gonna ask the the doctor. I'm gonna ask
(32:21):
her for I want to go see uh ear nose
and mouth what do you call those?
Speaker 2 (32:31):
And throat?
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Yeah, I want to I want to go see one
of those doctors because lately, I feel like I'm having
trouble swallowing. I mean it's really bad. One time, I
mean I was literally choking Brian. He got up and
he was, wow, what do I do? He had the
pony in his hand. I'm about to call nine one one.
And I feel like I'm afraid to eat lately, and
(32:56):
I'm not hungry, and I don't I don't know if
it's like subconscious I'm afraid to eat. That's why I'm
not hungry. I don't know, what do you think.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
I think part of it subconscious. I think you need
to get in the habit of taking food in your mouth,
chewing it and putting water in your mouth with it
to lubricate it and help the swallow until you get
this figured out.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
I chew my food a lot, and I know the
food is in my mouth and I swallow it just
in little bits and pieces. I'm just really terrified. I'm
sure everybody, I mean, show these people with dry mouth.
It's really scary because you don't want it to get
(33:44):
caught in your throat. You know, the food, but you
know anyways, So I mean this was kind of a
little rant, but you know, I always want you guys
to know what's going on in my life with me,
and you know what you should, but you should, you know,
be looking out for and make sure the positive here
(34:06):
that I want you to take or I you know,
have enough meds pre prepared. We've had episodes where we say,
be prepared with your meds. Be sure you have three
months in advance, and uh, you know, I I kind
of let it slip because of the transition with the insurances.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
I mean, but it's easy to do. I slipped on
one of my meds and realized my follow up appointment
was the same day the last med should have been taken,
and you know, so I started having the pill just
to keep some in my system. It's unfortunate, you know.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
I learned absolutely. Yeah, and especially if you know you're
gonna I mean, you don't expect change insurance in the
middle of the year or whatever. You know. Yeah, but
it did happen, and I mean that was out of
my control. But always try to have meds. And you
know another thing that I forgot to mention, they they
(35:15):
wouldn't give me the appointment with the roomatologists. They said,
you have to go and see a regilar doctor and
for a physical because you haven't been here in a while.
And I'm like, oh my god. Anyways, that month, that
appointment they gave me four months ahead, you know what
I mean. It was Anyways, it was a weird experience.
But guys, be prepared, have your meds. Fill them early,
(35:37):
you know, even if you have extra, fell them early
so you don't go without. But anyways, just want to
share that, you know, a little bit.
Speaker 2 (35:45):
And I've been talking about this show and kind of
when we started, we were bringing on a lot of guests,
kind of using this as a platform to let other
people share their story because we all learn from shared experience,
and we'd kind of like to start doing that again.
If you would like to talk with us and or
(36:07):
come on the show. It doesn't have to be video.
This show is audio only. If there's you know, any
issues there, audio is fine. But the best way to
get a hold of her is DM her and Instagram. Yeah,
because she's she sleeps with her phone. She's got this
cool glove and it's got one of those phone things
(36:28):
like your car, So phone's just in her hand. Twenty
four to seven.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
Okay he's lying, but okay, I mean it is in
my hand a lot. Okay, you sleep with my phone, Yes.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Hit her up on Instagram and or drop us an
email Loupe at shogrinstrong dot com and you know we
can chat and talk you through the process and go
from there.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
And I mean you could reach out on Facebook too,
but Facebook is really weird because.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
It the rhythms in the new meta.
Speaker 1 (37:01):
Well, I get this notification that I have a message,
but then I can't find the red dot and I
can't find the message, and then I can't find it
for months. And maybe it's just me. I don't know
Facebook or they changed it so much. You know, it
used to be really easy, but now definitely Instagram is easier.
I have received messages from like, you know people, and
(37:26):
they are interested in sharing the story, their story, not
only their story, but you know, maybe they have a business.
You know, your story. If you want to share it,
we're here, you know. And uh so, yeah, I'm calling
out calling out people, volunteers, share your story. We're here.
If you have any show suggestions. I have a few
(37:49):
in mind. I have a few guests in mind and
definitely going to be reaching out to them. And I
know that we've been away for a while, but we
want to funny come back.
Speaker 2 (38:01):
So definitely.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
So thanks for listening to my rant. I hope that
you take something from it, you know, and don't do
as I did. Okay, and I think that's it. That's
all I got And so until next time, sip constantly
and stay hydrated, guys,
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