hopes are up...

i called AETNA. the skin biopsy at Johns Hopkins is covered, so is the doctor who does it. i just need a referral from my PCP, in addition to the 'script written by my neurologist.

the carpal tunnel splints will be covered, as well.

and my foot orthotics are covered on a case-by-case basis. the ortho surgeon just has to call and say, "YES, these are a medical necessity." and POOF! they'll be covered.

:D

now, i hope this all works out. i was really dreading scrimping for the foot plates.

(no subject)

after calling AETNA three times and waiting (nice hold music, btw, folk/renaissance rounds and such, all instrumental), i finally got someone who didn't give me YET another number for a clinic who would say "oh, no, we don't do CTS wrist splinnts."

the third AETNA customer service rep was a nice lady who asked if i'd wait on hold while *she* tried to contact various places. she finally came back, asking if she could call me back within the hour. turns out she kept calling places on AETNA's list, only to be told that "we don't do splints" or even "we don't take AETNA."

i told her that, while baltimore is too far to drive (that involves TWO large traffic horrors) for wrist therapy, northern virginia was fine. she was SOOOO grateful, said that would make her job a lot easier. ;) so i'm staying off the line...

i'm still waiting for a callback from the ortho surgeon's nurse about calling AETNA to verify the medical necessity of my pedorthics (foot orthotics). and the secretary for the doc up at Johns Hopkins is also supposed to call me back.

meanwhile, i called the pain clinic. i talked to the nurse about the reaction i'm having to clonazepam (Klonopin). i told her that i expected the overwhelming fatigue for the first three days (my first three doses were at night, 0.5mg, i'd feel it the next day), but i was really concerned about TODAY's reaction. already overwhelmingly tired, i took my first morning dose... and i've been reeling around like a drunk ever since... i have trouble seeing straight, i stumble, can't walk a straight line, drop things... i don't trust myself to cook, so all i'm eating is yogurt.

the kind nurse said this was NOT a good reaction and gave me a new protocol. 1/2 of the 0.5mg tab (0.25, then) for the next three nights, after which, i can try one in the morning. i'm to call her friday and report. She saw in my chart that i'm the one who reacts oddly/sensitively/adversely to most meds which fuck with neurotransmitters affecting mood. wise nurse. she also told me that i'm not allowed to drive. i informed her that i know my limits and wouldn't dare risking my life nor anyone else's. i DO need some stuff from the HFS, but that can wait til boy comes home.

i'm glad i have two phone lines. i can talk on here while awaiting phone calls. i also was drunkenly wise enough to go offline and use the computer line to dial a couple 800 numbers (insurance, etc), so i wouldn't miss doctor calls on my main line. ;)

i'm also faxing a letter to my doctor's office, regarding the referrals. arrrrrrrrr.