I get a creepy feeling in my legs and an urge to move. This usually starts after dinner when I sit and increases in intensity when I go to bed. When I lay down the sensation is accompanied by an aching deep in my legs, primarily in the bottom half but sometime the entire legs. Relief comes from moving, sometimes just rubbing my feet together or stretching will help but mostly I need to walk.
Anyway, my regular neurologist wanted me to see the sleep doctor in his practice, he's concerned that along with the RLS that I might have sleep apnea. Bill's been saying that he thinks when I sleep on my back I stop breathing for bits of time. I snore as well which makes it easy for him to hear the pauses in my breathing. At least he thinks so.
I have insurance (I've always considered it to be good insurance) so I went into this without much worry of being covered or even the least concern of the cost. His charge is $1,689. If the insurance company pays less I would be responsible for the remainder.This is for a full night in the sleep lab and the full diagnosis of the results.The lady in the office told me that my insurance company has a reputation of not paying much. But my deductible is reasonable so I'm not all that worried.
So I said to myself, self..... I've been to the doctor a number of times this year and surely I've built up something towards my deductable right? My deductible can't be more than $250.00-$300.00. Well I checked and I have two words holy crap! My deductible has been raised to $1,000. Damn it to hell! Don't get me wrong I'm so grateful I have insurance but $1000!
I thought Obama-care was supposed to save us money. Put one in the not true for me column.
I hope my Political Representatives, my President and my insurance company are bedding down all nice and cozy tonight (sarcasm). I know they don't lose sleep on the little guy or gal.
Jen plans to keep breathing, my legs will keep moving unfortunately, and I'll try not to dwell on my soon to be dwindling bank account, damn it!
I hate to tell ya, but that's what's coming for all of us. We're ALL going to be paying more. Somebody has to pay for all the new people who are going to be getting insurance. You, the unemployed, the welfare crowd, etc. Yes, I'm a bit cynical.
ReplyDeleteWell heck Mare then why did my government tell me I would be saving money or that my insurance wouldn't change?!! Oh brother did it ever...
DeleteGood luck with the testing; it is good we do have insurance but you are right, it costs an arm and a leg to get anything done with it. Before my company offered better health insurance, my deductible was $13,000 (can you imagine?) Thing is at the age hubby and me are, health insurance is a necessity and not a luxury; one major illness would wipe us out and then some. Honestly, I really wonder what will be in store with us when Obamacare goes into effect next year.
ReplyDeletebetty
Thanks Betty. I agree and really I am grateful for the insurance I have, and I'm reminded every time I go pick up my medications which have huge price tags. But that jump of 3x the cost of deductible is just a real surprise. I fear I'm not the only one who is going to find themselves in the same spot.
DeleteI had horrible problems with RLS when I was taking another medication. Now, not so much. Good luck, I know how annoying it is.
ReplyDeleteHe tweaked my meds. I hope it helps. Annoying is the word :)
DeleteFirst of all, I am so sorry that you have to endure that pain. I've heard about it and I cannot even imagine what you go through every single night and sleep is so very important...comfort is important.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand your medical system since I am Canadian. There are perks in both countries.
I had to shell out money for IV supplies and drugs because the pain treatment I was receiving is still experimental....and AND because I can buy the stuff over the counter (IV bag, needles, tubing, sterile dressing tray....seriously. You're going to sell needles and how to insert an IV kit.)...yet in Canada, our government will pay for someone to get gastric bypass surgery...and the subsequent skin fold removal.
Bull shit.
I'm sorry friend
This is my problem with this whole thing!Some of it is very arbitrary. and the rest is ridiculous... Just because I don't have a bone sticking out of my head doesn't mean I don't have a valid condition.
DeleteIt's as if pain and or other conditions that are based on symptoms that can't be seen with the naked eye become punishable by coverage or lack of. Seriously who would make this shit up? I know we aren't. I would give anything for one night of undisturbed sleep and pain sucks I know you know that too.. No lie! Makes me crazy.
Oh Jen! I hope you're able to get the care and relief you need! I get those sensations maybe once a week at bedtime and it's so annoying. I can't imagine getting it daily. Take Care! ~Angela
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela, It's so hard to explain how it feels to someone who has never experienced it. Sorry you're in the gang who understands. I never did discuss with my doctors if this goes away. I'll have to ask and get back to you. In the mean time take care and i hope you don't progress to more days.
DeleteJen! Try lavendar essential oil on your legs, I've tried it on me and job girls' growing pains and it does the trick. You can also buy a sleep machine for SA without insurance. We almost had to for my husband and it was cheaper without insurance involved.
ReplyDeleteAmory, I've read a bunch of message boards and sites that suggested that was the way to go and it kept the costs down.But i'm not sure if i have apnea and I'm really the kind of person who would really want to know. I'll just probably go and have the test.
DeleteThe lavender sounds interesting and kinda nice! I'm a bit concerned the scent could give me a migraine (some scents can cause them but I can never tell until i'm exposed) But I'm game to give it a try. I'll let you know how it goes.
I was tested for sleep apnea years ago, but all I did was bring a machine home that tested my oxygen levels. I had to wear a thing on my finger and that was it. Ask if that could be done. The medical system in our country has always sucked. I couldn't get maternity coverage because I had a miscarriage between my first and second child. Then when I was between jobs and didn't enroll in Cobra, I had a gall bladder attack. I priced the surgery for self pay and if I had insurance. I opted for insurance and I was charged 5,000 more for the procedure than if I'd paid cash. I am currently uninsured and I am going to get insurance next month. If anything, the new health care laws will allow my brother with a pre-existing condition to get insurance and my brother-in-law's one-million dollar cap to be removed. He's on the heart transplant list and they don't come cheap.
ReplyDeleteNo such luck! He wants to check my breathing and watch my legs too while I'm there.
DeleteI'm sorry it seems like your family really has had a horrible time with insurance due to so many circumstances where good health insurance really should have been available.
For all of your sakes I hope to God things work out for you all Pamela. Especially with your brother in laws heart transplant. We have a very close friend who just got a heart after living with a mechanical heart for quite some time.(VCU Richmond did his transplant)
It's ridiculous. We have a huge deductible as part of our plan. Preventative care is covered 100% but once you get into anything extra, it gets super expensive. I don't think I know anyone with "good" insurance anymore.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember when there wasn't any insurance and the doctor used to come to the house? Or am I dating myself? Ask your parents they'll tell you...
DeleteOh Jen I know what RLS is. I had it a few years ago and it can be very uncomfortable. I think it was due to stress at the time.
ReplyDeleteThe more I hear about those insurance companies in the US taking advantage of everyone and wheeling their power over your government leaders and virtually paralyzing them, the more thankful I am for the universal health care system we have here in Canada. Yes our taxes are higher but we are guaranteed total health coverage.
I think Obama tried his best to get more for the middle class as far as coverage goes in healthcare there, but he was stopped by the pressure the insurance companies put on the Republicans. It was a start in the right direction.
Just listen to this Canadian stating his views for all to read!! lol
Hope you are feeling better soon and that things will work out Jen.
This RLS business goes away? Even if there's a small chance I'm grabbing onto it :) That's what I love about you Jim you give me hope!
ReplyDeleteI won't be so bold as to say I understand this whole thing, for what it's worth I pray it works but I'm really sceptical. And truthfully I can afford to be because I've had the same insurance policy for over thirty years.
The way I see it... Companies want profitable bottom lines, The Presidents wants to insure Americans and they can't do it without each other..that's a fact.
Then we have the special interest lobbyist who use money/favors to sway our political representatives. Add the ones who are against, the ones who want to defund, the ones on the fence. And speaking of the US congress and former members they ARE a bunch of hypocrites. They passed this healthcare bill for all of US but exempt themselves (both parties included on this) from it. What a mess! Lets pray it all works Jim and those who need it most get what they need at a good price.