mommytobees
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Posts posted by mommytobees
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I currently have Tricare prime for insurance; I'm not forced to do anything. However, if I want something done, I do have to go through their gate keepers first. This is reasonable to me. One thing Tricare does which is asinine is that if I want to go to provider and pay cash for something, Tricare forbids the provider from accepting me as a cash patient if I am covered under Tricare. That is going too far into my business, IMO.
But I think that has something to do with federal health care regulations.....I'm too tired to go look it up, so don't quote me, but I think there is something about it being a federal health insurance.
There are a number of asinine rules like that. Because my kids are on a federally funded health insurance plan (Tricare, active duty), they can't accept (re: I can't accept) payment help for high-cost drugs, even for the co-pay. I don't mind. Ky is on a drug for Multiple Sclerosis that costs $6400 per 28 days. I pay $20 for 3 months of drugs through Express Scripts. The company that makes the drug, Genzyme, offers a copayment plan for low-income families, but because he is on a federal insurance, he can't use it. No biggie for a $20-for-3-month drug, but when the copay is $250 a month or more....THEN I'm a bit more interested.
Kris
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Are people on medicare and Tricare currently forced to do things?
Nope. My PCM and I regularly argue how often I need a pap.
Kris
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Interesting thread!
My daughter gets Epi-pens from her insurance, but my insurance wants a huge copay.
I've gone back to the old Anakit from olden days....pre-1999(?). My epinephrine costs about $10 and I have a huge box of syringes for $15.
Kris
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First, I always say (and am repeated by the moms above me) to "follow your gut". If you don't like it, chances are it isn't a good option for you/yours.
Second, I would like to think that ANYTHING that is going to benefit these boys is going to have to include the primary caregiver. That's you, Mom....even "just" the Foster Mom. So, NO.... therapy not including you at this stage is NOT acceptable. Sometime in the future, as they enter or near adolescence, they may need individual therapy. But at this age, they don't need individual, one-on-one, therapy as much as they need family therapy. Yes, there will be times when excluding you will be of benefit, but with the purpose of bringing Mom into the fold.
Third, I think holding therapy, like what you described, is very beneficial to a raging and angry child, IF you can do it safely. However, I do not like the idea of just going and doing it in therapy. I just can't see that being a good thing.
Kris
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The other thing to consider, since she is dual enrolled, is will their "boards" work on a Chrome book.
ASU (where I'm going right now) will work on a Chromebook, but the local community college's won't.
Question: how long do you want this to last?
I'm currently trying to baby my Macbook Pro until Dec, when I graduate. After Dec, I can wait a few months and save up for a new Mac (my preference). If, heaven forbid, I have to purchase something before Dec...sigh...I'm going to have to go with a cheap something-or-another.
I'm looking at this: 1) http://www.costco.com/Lenovo-Ideapad-310-Touchscreen-Laptop---Intel-Core-i5.product.100291597.html
or this: 2) http://www.costco.com/Lenovo-Ideapad-310-Touchscreen-Laptop---Intel-Core-i3.product.100291601.html
My order is actually backwards. I am more likely to purchase the cheapest of the three, though I do like Lenovo better than ASUS. The ASUS is also the smallest.
IMHO, the ASUS will last the longest period of time (of the three) and Do. Not. Drop. It. The Lenovo's won't last as long as the ASUS. BUT.....from everything I've read...you'll be lucky if they work in 3 years.
BTW: I hate Dell. I have lots of reasons, but not enough time in the day to expand on that.
HTH,
Kris, who has resolved to buy cheap until she can afford a new Macbook.
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Oh, boy. Conflicting advice. Arg. Thank you though! I will look into it. My son's boil was on his thigh. Another poster's baby has something on his head. :(
I know! I hate that! I am not a doctor and I do not play one on TV. That's why I always back up my "advice" with a good source; in this case, NHS. However, you should always do what you think is best! Just because I said something does not mean you should follow what I said over your doctor. Though, were I you, I'd print off that NHS page if you end up with another spot at the Doc's office. Give him that and ask him what he thinks.
Kris
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Q: Are a boil and cyst the same thing?
No. A boil is an abscess, an infection. It always has puss in it, though sometimes you can miss the puss stage. They usually form at the site of an infected hair follicle and are usually caused by staph.
A cyst is a fluid-filled mass under the skin, which can become infected, but usually isn't. You don't want to google how they are formed, as there are many ways and most will give you nightmares!
Kris
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Good! Boils can be dealt with easy enough. Though, I do think that is an odd spot (the top of the head) for a boil.
TMI, but I get boils regularly due to immunosuppressant drugs (which cause weight gain, which causes more boils -- sigh). I am shocked that Doc told you to squeeze it! You should never, ever squeeze a boil. Use hot compresses on them; making sure to wash the towel on hot or use disposable. (I usually get Viva paper towels, which sounds stupid, but I'd rather use disposable after my MRSA fiasco.) "Never attempt to squeeze or pierce a boil or carbuncle because it could cause the infection to spread and may lead to complications."
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/boils/pages/introduction.aspx
Anyway, keep a close eye and if ANYONE in your house gets so much as a nasty pimple, get it cultured. I'm a tad bit paranoid and OCD about MRSA if you can't tell LOL!
Kris
Thank you. Just got back.
It's a boil. The Dr. wanted to swab it to test, but it got scratched or something like the day after I posted the pic, so there was not fluid coming when the doctor gently squeezed. Instructions were:
1. Baths everyday for a week with gentle squeezing until lesion is flat and mostly normal color.
2. Come in if new lesion develops so they grab a culture.
3. If he gets a swollen area, fever, significant pain in the lesion, or is acting sicker, get attention immediately.
Hopefully this is the end of them, but I'm not convinced. :/-
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Any update? Did you get into the doctor?
Kris
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Honestly, how long as he had it? How long did the previous child have it?
I would take it to the doctor and ask that it be cultured. My MRSA staph infection looked a lot like that. AND, since you said your son had something similar last month, I'd be proactive.
Kris
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It would be interesting to see how she felt overall on a lower carb diet. I keep things well controlled and never have the crashes when on lower carb.
But I admit, it's not easy sometimes and I'm not always great about it. The other day I was eying the box of Special K and ended up having a big bowl of it and it was great while eating it, but I felt horrid later on and my blood sugar crashed.
Ya, I"m focusing on that with her now...but I want to figure out what's up.
Thanks!
Kris
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I am *really* hoping there is someone on here you might give me some feedback.
My DD15 has been having some physical problems lately and I've been pursuing it with the medical clinic (military) and have been running into walls right and left.
She has been formally dx'ed with Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and Juvenile Fibromyalgia.
When they Rheumatologist ran blood work at the beginning of the month, she ran for just about everything they could think of...including normal stuff like blood glucose.
Her glucose was 59 with a "normal" of 65-99 with this lab.
However, between 45-60 minutes prior, she ate 17 chicken nuggets, a Frosty, and a lemonade from Wendy's. It was a treat (eating out) and I indulged her with two drinks (if you want to call a Frosty a drink).
My question, that I can't seem to figure out via Dr. Google, is: is that a bad low? As I understand blood glucose, shouldn't it be much higher with the amount of sugar I had just given her?? If that was about an hour after she had eaten, what was the number before she ate? Am I overreacting?
Kris
P.S. I already have a call into the Rheumy, although she isn't an endocrinologist.
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I'm confused. What Apple app are you using if not the Audible app?
iBooks rather than the Audible app.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/audiobooks-from-audible/id379693831?mt=8
ETA: I used to use the iTunes "listen-to-music" app (whatever you call it...) but they pulled music and audio books apart.
Kris
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I've been an audible member since 2004 and have two different accounts.
First, you can burn your own discs and I used to do that religiously. Now, I don't bother as I use my iPhone and simply use the Apple app (NOT the Audible app...I hate it).
As for "big fees"...well, I guess that depends on what you consider to be big. One account (2004) is Platinum for $23 month and gives me a free audio subscription to WTJournal and NYTimes, with 2 credits a month. My other account (2008) is Gold for $15 month for 1 credit per month.
It comes down to: do you like to listen to audiobooks? I love it! But, I cannot read small print anymore. So, I have a choice: I can listen or I can get Kindle. Most of the time, I use Audible. I can multitask and listen to an audio book. My kids used to listen to audiobooks as well. Now, my daughter only does in the car/bus/train or when she is doing chores. My son, prefers music. But, when they were little (before 14 for both), they listened to audiobooks all the time.
HTH,
Kris
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If he applies for Social Security and gets deemed "disabled" by the government, he may be able to qualify for Medicaid as a "wraparound" to the employer-sponsored healthcare. My SN child is on Medi-Cal secondary to our family's insurance and it picks up the deductible and co-pays for her.
In terms of Tricare, I believe there is a way to submit the court order directly to the benefits office and maintain your son's coverage. It's like the same thing as having child support or alimony come out of his paycheck automatically. Back when my DH was an Army officer, he had to deal with some of his soldiers acting like deadbeat dads so if you need to, threatening to go to your ex's CO for assistance might make him straighten up & fly right.
Sadly, there is nothing I can do about the health insurance if XH removes him. The state isn't going to do anything after he turns 18 & graduates or turns 19yo.
Thank you though,
Kris
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Not sure but have you called the health department to see about special coverage due to the MS?
Not in this state. AZ stinks.
Kris
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So, I have a question and I'm hoping someone here might have some knowledge and/or experience.
In the divorce, my XH was ordered to cover the kids' health insurance. No biggie, he is active duty military so it's cheap. Right now, he is being an (insert bad word). I suspect he is planning on dropping my DS17 (18 this month) from the health insurance after he graduates. He will graduate late, a 3rd senior semester, because of his hospitalizations last semester. He was dx'ed with MS in October. So, he has lots of $$ medical stuff to deal with.
I am a full-time student and we live off alimony ($1500 a month) and child support. I know we (he as an adult and myself) qualify for Medicaid (I self pay for my health insurance, though am considering going onto Medicaid as well) based on income. But, can he go on Medicaid if there is a parent with health insurance that _can_ cover him? Will Medicaid cover DS if his NCP father refuses to cover him?
Second question, how do you move to a different state when on Medicaid? How does the coverage work?
Who do I even talk to about getting the information? I've been told, if I go into the whatever-the-local-office-is-called and ask this, they then have the ability to refuse him coverage.
Thanks,
Kris
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First, I wouldn't go back to that rheumy. Those tactics scream "I don't want to pay my staff to do these tasks. So, hand it off to the PCP and let them pay for that service."
Second, reading all of that....I'd take a closer look at Lupus or another auto-immune condition too. Crud!! That just bites. I'd keep a close eye on her over the next several years.
Kris
Thanks! That does help!
DD17 has had back pain since Oct15. The reason for the rheum dr visit.....sometimes her pain is debilitating, sometimes just annoying, but always there.
She is a cheerleader, so when the pain first started, it was presumably a normal injury. Possible sprain/strain, over use etc.
PT for 4 months didn't help (excellent PT who worked on her core and back)
Mri showed a slight bulge in L4-L5 but no nerve impingement, so they don't think this is the problem.
XRay- clear
Bone Scan- clear.
Physiatrist suspected a Pars fracture/ compression fracture, had her completely rest her back for 6+ weeks (no cheer and no activity that wasn't absolutely necessary) over Christmas break. She feels fine laying down, but then hurt the more she moves around. MRI and bone scan cleared both issues from possible sources of pain.
She has 2 PCP (right between seeing a pediatrician and adult internal med doctor). Neither have any idea why she is hurting. They are both the type of doctor to refer out to specialists.
She is hyper-flexible, so there is a slight possibility that she has a connective tissue disorder.
Her physiatrist/orthapedist/sports medicine doctor was moving at the end of February so he wouldn't be seeing her any more after the bone scan. He is the one who referred her to the Rheumatologist. I have sjogrens, her dad has psoriasis, her aunt has RA, so there is an increased risk for her to have a rheum issue also.
The Rheumatologist feels that the referral was appropriate, but also says he doesn't see anything glaringly obvious. He requested the blood work, and requested another MRI with contrast to rule out a few other rheum issues. We haven't done that yet. The Rheum was the one who handled it oddly. Instead of placing the blood work himself, and ordering the MRI, he gave me a list for the PCP to order. He said he wanted to see her in 4 months no matter what, and if there was something that came up in the blood work or MRI, he would call and schedule a more immediate appt. The rheum also wants her seen by an orthopedist, but instead of doing the referral himself , again he is putting it back on the PCP to do the work. The PCP has only seen her one time for this issue, because everything has been handled by the specialists.
So her PCP, was kinda forced to get all the authorizations and to compile the results in stead of the rheum dr. The rheum dr even said that if the PCP didn't want to keep looking for answers for her pain, that he would oversee the care. So why? would he make the PCP write all the orders? The PCP is in a very small medical practice of half a dozen doctors....the rheum is part of a huge, mulitstate practice, so it isn't like he doesn't have the staff to do the work for him.
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I attend ASU and I have several thoughts that you may or may not like.
First, does she have any interest in going military? There are lots and lots of opportunities through the Dept of Defense, but she has to WANT that.
Second...ASU....
One, while the school is trying hard to change this, it IS a party school. I've known plenty of people outside the Barrett Honors College living in dorms who have a horrible freshmen year because of their dorm. It sucks. So, is she a Barrett student? Barrett students have their own dorm and it's in the old campus buildings in the heart of the school.
Two, I would have to say that about 1/3-1/2 of the school are "serious students". Drinking, partying, and generally "stupid college" behavior is the norm on Tempe campus. Socially, how is she going to do with that. Again, Barrett is more serious than not.
Three, you do know that ASU has a placement option for the languages. I just went looking for the link...and can't find it. I know a fellow ugTA of mine who did that with Japanese. She tested out of 1 & 2 and placed straight into 3 due to written, not verbal. I'll ask her how she did it. If I forget to come back here and/or you can't find it, send me a message.
Honestly, if this were my kid....... I'd be expanding the search. Have her take both the SAT and the ACT and see if she can sit the Army language school test. Look overseas with these results.
Good luck and feel free to message me....esp if I forget to come back to this thread!
Kris
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I care less about the ANA (once positive, always positive....and you can get a false positive---headache).
I DO care about the SED rate, the c-reative protein, and the RA factor.
Why?
ANA is only going to tell you if there are antinuclear antibodies in the blood stream. It isn't going to tell you why? So, for me...I have a positive ANA first, because I have Grave's Disease, dx'ed in 2002. It did nothing to tell us that I have Sjogren's and Lupus too. Furthermore, ANA isn't always the end-all test.
SED rate is another test that isn't going to tell you much, but it will tell you if your body is inflamed. Last month, my SED rate was all of 4. WOOT!! I was happy with it. 12 months ago, my SED rate was 15, still considered "normal range", but for me was really bad. You could see the inflammation in my face, neck, feet, and hands.
C-Reactive protein is another test that checks the inflammation levels.
RA factor is another antibody factor test. The rheumatoid antibody binds with other antibodies in the blood stream. If positive, you have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Looking at the numbers your daughter's test shows:
ANA-E: positive
ANA-I: negative
RA: <10
SED: 3
CRP: <1.0
I would be happy with those numbers. I would take the ANA-E positive as being a false positive (plus that version is unreliable).
IF the SED rate or CRP go up, reconsider the other tests.
Now...may I ask why your PCP sent her to a rheumy in the first place? I'm not surprised the rheumy doc dumped the results onto the PCP, as she probably didn't need to be seen by rheumy. I'm unimpressed with that doctor's "bed-side manner" though.
Kris, who has Lupus, Sjogren's, and Grave's and possibly MS
My mom has RA and my 17yo son has MS
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I don't have time to read all the replies (I have a paper due tomorrow myself LOL) but I thought I'd give my thoughts.
How motivated is _he_?
I would seriously consider going to the local community college with the intent of earning an AS in Science (I saw where you said he is headed to Engineering). Transferring is less of an issue, if he earns the AS.
Why is this a good/better option? First, he can still apply to other universities for this year (late enrollment) and for next year. If he gets in and they accept his transfer credits (ENG 101 is ENG 101 everywhere with little difference), then he moves on. However, if he doesn't get in. Then he shows his intent and determination, his seriousness, in gathering the credits for an AS. Take that AS to earn his BS.
Hope that makes sense,
Kris
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To the bolded, I have seen a teen poisoned against a NCP. He has been lied to, manipulated and had his history rewritten by the CP and new step parent.
However, I know other teens who just don't want to keep going to see the NCP and it has little to do with either parent....just the kid not wanting to have his routine disrupted.
Well, that's hard...because one situation is unacceptable and the other is normal age/stage.
Teenagers normally start to separate from their parents. This is normal. I see it in my 17-year-old son, though after his hospitalization last October, I started seeing more "needy" behavior from him. I'm starting to see this separation from my 14-year-old daughter as she is 1/2 way through her freshman year of high school.
If you had a hard time reading, or trying to read Divorce Poison, then I don't think we are discussing a "normal" separation of a teen from his parent.
Kris
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I guess I would like to know how a parent is suppose to live through losing their kids....first to a divorce you didn't want, then to your kids getting a step parent who poisons them against you, then to teen development which seems to gravitate away from wanting visitation.
Ouch. That is hard.
Have you read Divorce Poison?
http://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Poison-New-Updated-Edition/dp/0061863262
While the author isn't my favorite (I can't stand Welcome Back Pluto), this book has some good information in it.
Kris
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So you would be ok if you got divorced and your kids dad got custody and you only saw your kids 2 weekends a month?
Edited to add....and you would be ok if your kids said they didn't even want to see you that much?
Interesting thoughts and question....I do wonder, Scarlett, is this your son or your step kids or neither?
I'd like to answer the question you asked here (above)....if I got divorced (and I did), if he had gotten custody (he didn't), I wouldn't only see my kids 2 weekends a month. I would talk to them regularly and I could see them at school functions. However, if I could *only* see them on 2 weekends a month, I would have a hard time with kids who didn't want to see me.
Going back to your first question... My children decided they didn't want to go and visit their dad last year. They were 17 and 14 and both were done with his crap. It went downhill from there. They refused to go to summer visitation. They refused to go to his wedding. They refused to go to his new home in Japan for Christmas. I am partially at fault for the kids' unwillingness to go. I've taught them both how to stand up for themselves and that they do not have to tolerate his borderline abuse.
Legally, I've lined my ducks up nicely. Both kids have their own therapist. Son sees an LCSW and daughter sees an MFT. If he were to take me to court for not enforcing visitation, he would lose. The oldest is now almost 18, but even last year at 17 he was articulate and persuasive enough to give justification to not going. His therapist doesn't actually agree with him or with me, but agrees that boundaries are important and his father ignores them. My daughter, last year at 14 and now is almost 15 is even more articulate and angry at her father. She has actually gone so far as to almost sever the relationship entirely. Her therapist is helping her learn how to establish boundaries and what happens when a narcissistic parent refuses to agree. She has already said that court would be ugly, but I'm not sending my daughter under the current circumstances. I will not make her go. And, quite frankly, she wouldn't agree to step foot on the airplane.
I think teens need to have a say in their lives. But, I also think there are different circumstances that need to be understood. Not all 13-14-15 year old children have the maturity to make these decisions. Finally, is it the teen's decision or is the teen being manipulated by the CP?
Kris
Aetna Slowly Bailing out of ACA Public Health Insurance Exchange
in The Chat Board
Posted
It is interesting....
I did an extensive study on how Australia introduced and implemented their single-payer system (post 1984) a few years ago for one of my classes. (Side note: this is an interesting and, more importantly, concise article: http://pnhp.org/blog/2015/08/06/what-single-payer-advocates-can-learn-from-australia/ )
I don't think it would be that hard IF the US were to go into a Medicare-type insurance policy. Planned out into steps, it would take several years and would cost us through the nose in taxes, but it is do-able.
Just my thought,
Kris