Confused089
08-10-2008, 05:48 AM
Hey everyone again,
I'm rushing to have a bunch of lab work done before I lose my "good" insurance in 4 days :-(. Just realized that it could cost me upwards of $3000 for lab work on my "regular" insurance if I don't get labs done this week. So, I'm trying to figure out if there are any lab tests CPPers should get. I know pain meds can affect blood sugar, the HPA axis -I *think* this is the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals (it's the H I can't remember exactly -think I have it right.)...I'm going to see how much I can get them to do for me. I'm thinking about a vitamin panel as well to see if I have developed any deficiencies b/c of meds or anything else. I'll be asking the doctor as well, but wanted to get input from everyone here.
I have all the standard stuff on my list of labs plus some more that a family member suggested. No time to talk to my PM before these labs - it's going to be quite a rush as it is and with all the tests I plan to request, I can imagine not having much blood left when it's all over...;-).
Thanks for your advice. Not really looking forward to it! I feel like cp is ENUF to handle. If it weren't for the fact that it is going to be much much more expensive to get these later, I would put it off! I seriously cannot imagine hearing bad health news right now. I have far more on my plate than I can handle as is...
I'm rushing to have a bunch of lab work done before I lose my "good" insurance in 4 days :-(. Just realized that it could cost me upwards of $3000 for lab work on my "regular" insurance if I don't get labs done this week. So, I'm trying to figure out if there are any lab tests CPPers should get. I know pain meds can affect blood sugar, the HPA axis -I *think* this is the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals (it's the H I can't remember exactly -think I have it right.)...I'm going to see how much I can get them to do for me. I'm thinking about a vitamin panel as well to see if I have developed any deficiencies b/c of meds or anything else. I'll be asking the doctor as well, but wanted to get input from everyone here.
I have all the standard stuff on my list of labs plus some more that a family member suggested. No time to talk to my PM before these labs - it's going to be quite a rush as it is and with all the tests I plan to request, I can imagine not having much blood left when it's all over...;-).
Thanks for your advice. Not really looking forward to it! I feel like cp is ENUF to handle. If it weren't for the fact that it is going to be much much more expensive to get these later, I would put it off! I seriously cannot imagine hearing bad health news right now. I have far more on my plate than I can handle as is...
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Executor
08-10-2008, 10:36 AM
I think I would go see my GP and ask him/her if there is any need for lab work and explain your insurance issue. However, you may not need anything. I wouldn't get work done just to get it done, or because it's interesting or informative. With all due respect, you're worrying too much.
BTW, welcome back. I've been a little worried about you.
Regards,
Ex
BTW, welcome back. I've been a little worried about you.
Regards,
Ex
cmpgirl
08-10-2008, 10:42 AM
Confused,
Believe it or not, ask if they can check all hormone levels. Opiates/opioids can supress glandular function. And I'm not sure the HPA covers all of them. Also, when a lot of docs order standard panels, they don't always check liver enzymes. Even if your current meds have "safe" levels of APAP (tylenol) if there has been long-term use, it never hurts to check.
In terms of vitamins/minerals magnesium and potassium are big ones, and since the lab slips can be very general sometimes, I would just ask which ones are included in the panels. Other than that, I think you've coverd all the bases that I can think of.
Best of luck. I hope you can get these worked in on time. CMP/MM
Believe it or not, ask if they can check all hormone levels. Opiates/opioids can supress glandular function. And I'm not sure the HPA covers all of them. Also, when a lot of docs order standard panels, they don't always check liver enzymes. Even if your current meds have "safe" levels of APAP (tylenol) if there has been long-term use, it never hurts to check.
In terms of vitamins/minerals magnesium and potassium are big ones, and since the lab slips can be very general sometimes, I would just ask which ones are included in the panels. Other than that, I think you've coverd all the bases that I can think of.
Best of luck. I hope you can get these worked in on time. CMP/MM
Confused089
08-10-2008, 05:39 PM
Ex, thanks. I don't have a GP now [tho, I'm looking -I've had access to a clinic and will be losing that this week] and haven't had any labs in a while [years?]. I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't have the insurance issue - I tend to put off labs/going to dr. etc. My mom is a health nut and has a list a mile long. I figured it I was going to get a bunch of tests, I might as well check on other stuff.This is it on the good insurance for a while - I think I will have to pay for anything else out of pocket - and there is *nothing* in my pocket right now ;-). I'm in a lot of pain so this may all be moot - I couldn't get to the clinic today even if I wanted to - I'm in too much pain to go out and get food, which I badly need, even though haven't had an appetite in over a month. Hoping tomorrow will be better.
Worry/anxiety are my middle name ;-) I try not to overthink and worry so much but I [obviously] have a hard time ...I was half-joking about getting bad news on the labs. I don't expect to get bad news. Everything else in my life is up in air right now, and the pressure is going to be pretty intense during the next 6 mo. I'm going off on a tangent here however - just looking for recs for lab test that might make sense for people taking meds for CP. It's going to be a while before I can afford labs again and a new GP may want recent labs on me.
CMPgirl - thanks for the tips - yes, I wondered about getting tests for homones. Interesting - I did not have my period during the time I was living w/ family after my accident - I think it was close to a year or more. As soon as I got back into the 'real' world and around other menstruating women, it came back.
I don't know if they will do a full vitamin panel or just test for specific ones like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron...I'll ask exactly what they check. Fortunately none of my meds have tylenol but always a good idea to get a liver panel.
Worry/anxiety are my middle name ;-) I try not to overthink and worry so much but I [obviously] have a hard time ...I was half-joking about getting bad news on the labs. I don't expect to get bad news. Everything else in my life is up in air right now, and the pressure is going to be pretty intense during the next 6 mo. I'm going off on a tangent here however - just looking for recs for lab test that might make sense for people taking meds for CP. It's going to be a while before I can afford labs again and a new GP may want recent labs on me.
CMPgirl - thanks for the tips - yes, I wondered about getting tests for homones. Interesting - I did not have my period during the time I was living w/ family after my accident - I think it was close to a year or more. As soon as I got back into the 'real' world and around other menstruating women, it came back.
I don't know if they will do a full vitamin panel or just test for specific ones like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron...I'll ask exactly what they check. Fortunately none of my meds have tylenol but always a good idea to get a liver panel.
forginon
08-11-2008, 11:32 AM
You might also look into county services and local pharmacies.
The reason I mention local pharmacies is that recently I went to our local Walgreen's and saw a notice that they were going to have a "free health screening day" soon, which included labs. I had never heard of such a thing before. But this could come in useful to you if, while off of the good insurance, you need labs done.
Local communities also run such screenings periodically.
steve
The reason I mention local pharmacies is that recently I went to our local Walgreen's and saw a notice that they were going to have a "free health screening day" soon, which included labs. I had never heard of such a thing before. But this could come in useful to you if, while off of the good insurance, you need labs done.
Local communities also run such screenings periodically.
steve
zoey1
08-11-2008, 02:04 PM
unless you have a practioner to write up the request for labs or does labs in house then it is unlikely you can get a set of labs.
Usually i get several sets. One from my rhumatologist which is liver col kidney functions sed rate
One from internist which is thryiod diabetes and tahnkfully my nuro accepts the lab resuts from both docs.
So i would ask doc or practoiner about kidney/liver/ Sed / . ALso if you have any other conditions get your scripts in now and a 3 month supply if you can, When we go through the dreaded inbetween coverage we mail away or ask docs to write up 90 day script. It works on most all except the hard/heavy stuff.
Do not forget all the stores that have the 4 and 5 dollar programs as well even if it is only a 30 day supply , They are a great stop gap measure untill insurance is back. Also if need glasses check now while might not have vision per say many of the insurance comp do offer discount programs
Ditto with get the dentist in while you still have the good insurance
Usually i get several sets. One from my rhumatologist which is liver col kidney functions sed rate
One from internist which is thryiod diabetes and tahnkfully my nuro accepts the lab resuts from both docs.
So i would ask doc or practoiner about kidney/liver/ Sed / . ALso if you have any other conditions get your scripts in now and a 3 month supply if you can, When we go through the dreaded inbetween coverage we mail away or ask docs to write up 90 day script. It works on most all except the hard/heavy stuff.
Do not forget all the stores that have the 4 and 5 dollar programs as well even if it is only a 30 day supply , They are a great stop gap measure untill insurance is back. Also if need glasses check now while might not have vision per say many of the insurance comp do offer discount programs
Ditto with get the dentist in while you still have the good insurance
Moldova
08-11-2008, 05:18 PM
I know my PM sends me periodically to have liver/kidney/thyroid blood work.
Unfortunatelly this only what I know, but what else? I wish I could help more...
Good luck to you.
Unfortunatelly this only what I know, but what else? I wish I could help more...
Good luck to you.
Confused089
08-12-2008, 05:13 AM
Thanks for all the great suggestions. Really appreciate it. I'll still have my 'crappy' insurance that pays for the basics. The problem is the deductible for almost everything aside from generic meds and office visits. If I can get to the clinic this week, and at the moment, that's a big "if," pretty sure I can get most of what I request.