So things have been getting better for me pain wise. But at every new plateau I seem to make my life a little harder too. Some folks here don't seem to have a hard time getting medications. For me it has always been a battle. I hate to say it, but perhaps it's because I'm African American. Anyhow, I have started a new job which changed my insurance. Needless to say the next time I went to fill my Lyrica prescription, something I've been living on for over 2 years, it was denied. It took 2 months but I finally got them to approve it. It finally took writing a terse well-worded letter addressing the fact that I had been on this medication for over 2 years, it had been recommended for me by at least 3 different physicians who had the opportunity to examining me and my medical records. And I threw in that I felt it was unethical for them to deprive me of the medication when they had not had this opportunity. It was quickly approved after that. But what a hassle they make you go through. And the approval is only for 1 year but I'm definitely saving both letters...
Sorry you had to get into a hassle to get your medication that works for you! Finding a medication that works is almost an achievement on it's own then to have the possibility of it not being covered by your insurance. I am in the middle of moving from gabapentin to Lyrica. My insurance company held up approving Lyrica that I only found out when then sent me a letter. All I knew from the pharmacy was that is was being processed and it took a couple of days. I'm keeping my approval letter like you just in case. I think probably anything that's not genic will have some push back or a high copay or both! For the insurance companies I think the color of money trumps everything! Good luck! Living with TN seems like it is always something like a spin on a wheel of issues from one thing to another!
It's not unusually for an insurance co. to denied initially an expensive name brand medication. Which isn't available as a generic. Especially if it's an HBO insurance plan. I've had several mediations denied until my doctor contacted the insurance co. personally. It's pretty normal.