Bliss List Attempt Goes Awry

So I got up today with the intention of doing a "Bliss List" post today. But apparently I'm now in a foul mood and going to vent.

I have been trying for 2 weeks to find out if one of my meds is available under generic pricing under our new pharmacy plan. (The insurance company switched pharmacy providers on us). Our insurance company Allegiance (yes, I'm outing the SOBs) tells me to call CIGNA (ditto). CIGNA tells me to call Allegiance. Neither one will answer one freaking simple question.  ^%$%$#!%$

I've spoken with our agent twice as well. And now I've had to provide her with specifics on what prescription it is to see if she can get me an answer. Frankly, I don't like having to do that. Yes, she's our agent. But I also have to deal with her as a customer. I don't like her knowing what medications I take. It's nothing major; it's the principal. And what's the point of finding out now, since I was required by my employer and the insurance company to turn in our FLEX plan paperwork last week? That's why I needed the info. And since the insurance company takes your money if you don't spend it, I put the minimum amount in. Let's hope it's enough. (We're talking a difference of $400 here.) I told all this to my agent and both Allegiance & CIGNA. I also told all of them I'm 2 seconds away from filing a complaint with the insurance department. It really should not be this difficult to get this question answered.

Not that complaining will do any good. Their lobbyists are too powerful...hence the defeat Dec 15 of the bill attempting to get FDA approved drugs from FDA approved facilities outside of the US. Like from Canada. The way they act (lobbyists, congress), it just might kill us if we bring in drugs from Canada. Although how they survive getting their drugs from such apparently dangerous drug makers, I haven't a clue. (rolling my eyes). But what's cheaper for the consumer makes the US drug companies lose money. So the consumer - ME - gets screwed yet again.  Just take a look at what's been done to health care reform.

$%!*;%)*^# 

I need to go back to bed. Seriously. Hopefully getting that out of my system will make the rest of the day go better. I sure hope so. It's not even 9am. God.

(Did I mention my employer won't have the parking lot plowed when it snows, so the several feet we got over a week ago that keept melting and refreezing is now pretty much solid ice? My car slid into the parking lot yesterday morning. And it was worse today. A nice half-inch dusting of snow on top of the ice does wonders for traction. I slipped the second I stepped out of the car this morning. In spite of my good snow boots. Thank goodness I was being cautious...I was able to catch myself on the car. Which hurts, but at least I'm not broken. Which will most likely happen just after the new year when our deductible goes up to $2000. Yeah, yeah...I know there's work comp. But knowing my luck it wouldn't be covered....)

As a former co-worker used to say when I got all cranky "Do you need a lollipop?" Although I doubt any sugar will sweeten me up this morning. Holy smokes am I cranky or what?

And So It Begins

Sitrep: Nothing new since yesterday. Gym night tonight.

Had my annual doctor visit today; due to the lack of quality sleep/snoring/potential sleep apnea issue, I have my first appointment with the ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) doctor next week. Yippee. Not. My past experience with ENTs was not good. After 2 ENTs, multiple visits, x-rays, hearing tests (duh, I couldn't hear because the ear drops they gave me for an infection clogged my eustachian tubes - heard fine before then and after!!!), and results that said "you don't have allergies" in spite of the symptoms & past medical diagnoses to the contrary, I gave up on that field. But to get to a sleep apnea study, my doc wants me to go through the ENT. Ah'm thrilled. Seriously though. When I research S.A, I have a lot of the symptoms:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
• Loud snoring
• Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headache
• Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Irritability/Depressed mood
• Unusual behaviors in sleep (i.e. night terrors, night sweats)

A friend of mine was talking with a friend of his about sleep and bad dreams, etc. She works in the medical field, specifically Sleep Disorders, and told him the list of sleep apnea symptoms. Turns out those extremely vivid dreams and night sweats are on the list. Finally. Something that explains the night sweats!!!! (No, it's not hormonal! Checked that already!)

Thank goodness my doc renewed the prescription for the sleeping pill. I'd be a zombie without it. Next week the ENT and so it begins...

The wonders of modern medicine...not

So, I'm on my second round of antibiotics, since after 6 days on the first one I was not feeling any better. I think the doctor might have made me wait the full 14 days, but really. Six days, I should be feeling better. I should not be needing 4 ibuprofen at a time, every 4 hours. On top of the Sudafed every 4 hours. And I should not be able to be next door to Barnes & Noble and not go in. What's worse, I wasn't even tempted to! And Waldenbooks was just up the road and I had a 25% off coupon! The only thing that makes these business trips bearable, is the chance to go to a real bookstore!

Anyway. The doc says my left ear is getting better. Apparently my right ear got slightly worse. And it's heading into my sinuses. And she mentioned staying on the first antibiotic? I don't know why they don't listen to me and just give me a Z-pak straight out of the gate. When I'm this sick, it's all that works...Hopefully the new drug will kick in. So far so good. I'm at work and functioning. Can't hear anything much, but I'm here. Because I feel totally wrapped in cotton, the day is dragging unbelievably. (And yes, CO, I'm getting that sinus rinse...WalMart didn't have any yesterday when I went to the pharmacy.)

I did get almost an entire book read while out of town last week. My work computer was acting - irrationally, shall we say? - and while attempting all sorts of troubleshooting, I got to read. No internet time, which is bad, but good as apparently I missed a big brouhaha on the BB. I'd've waded right in, no doubt, and not feeling good would probably have been a real b###h.

If you're at all interested in politics and religion...even if you're not, for that matter, read "The Mighty and the Almighty" by Madeleine Albright. Very well written, even if I didn't always agree with her, and a very interesting viewpoint. I inhaled this book, which is hard for even me to say of a non-fiction political/religious book.

Photo Contest:

Our local newspaper is having a photo contest and my little sister's mom has entered. Here are links to the spots where her pictures are. Look for pictures by Michelle Boone. If you're so inclined, please vote! She could use the encouragement (as well as the cash prize.) She's trying to start her own photography business. She takes the most amazing people shots. I think she has better pictures than the ones entered, but these are the ones she chose.

http://www.helenair.com/photo_contest/gallery.php?category=People (on page 20 - links at bottom)

http://www.helenair.com/photo_contest/gallery.php?category=Scenery (on page 30 - links at bottom)

http://www.helenair.com/photo_contest/gallery.php?category=Animals (on page 23 - links at bottom)

http://www.helenair.com/photo_contest/gallery.php?category=Objects (on page 15 - links at bottom)