Alright, which one of you......

[BootheBunch]

That really makes me mad about the insurance companies not covering drugs. I had the same problem with Ashlee. Claritin didn't work, Zyrtec was tried a few years ago and worked ok but now she  has Allegra and it seems to work good.  When I worked at the doctors office Pacificare (Prescription Solutions) rejected allergy medicines for her saying they weren't covered.  They said "Try Claritin, Try this, Try That", etc.....I knew none of them worked because we had been down that road before with different insurance. All it took was our prescription person to fax a form to Pacificare saying those other meds had been tried and didn't work and Allegra was needed. He had approval for all her allergy meds in 1 day. All I'm saying is if I hadn't worked there and knew someone I would of had to go thru numerous trips to the doctor and numerous prescriptions that I might as well of thrown away because I knew they didn't work before the insurance company would of filled what she needed. Lisa, I'm glad that Zyrtec works and is going over the counter after the first of the year. Hopefully they don't charge an arm and leg for it since it's new.

That is exactly who we have...Pacificare with Prescription Solutions.  That is the insurance we get with Bran's new job with ICI.  So, for the past 18 months, most of our meds are rejected and we have to use an alternative.  It is very frustrating...they are the worst.  K needed the Pulmicort...and it needed special permission...it took a week.  In the meantime, I was having to do the rescue breather on her because she was having breathing problems and we didn't have the Pulmicort!  I was livid!  Two months ago, I had to take her in for an emergency breathing treatment, the doc prescribed Xopenex bc Albuterol was working well enough anymore...and it was denied and I was told I would have to keep trying the Albuterol for a bit, then appeal.  Thankfully, a friend had extra Xopenex and gave it to me for the two weeks.  

This is one reason I am going fulltime....my district uses Blue Cross (like we had 18 months ago)....and they cover it all.  

It is so upsetting....we pay $ for insurance, the company pays $ for the insurance, but I can't get the meds for my daughter that the doc feels is necessary for her BREATHING!  Crazy.  I can't wait to dump Pacificare!!!

Lisa

[Camping Coxes]

Lisa --

 
We had taken up the carpet in our oom, Em's room and the hall  It was old and needed to go, so we took a chance that our hardwood underneath would be okay.  It was actually in excellent condition, so wehad it sanded nad refinished.  We haven't done the living room and family room yet though.  We'll have to put laminate in there because they aren't original construction, so part of the floor is plywood.
 
I was frustrated with our insurance and goign to change, but then I found out they are covering 100% of my allergy shots, which is rare.  At twice a week, then weekly, for the next four years, that could really add up to some high copays.  So we're staying put for now.
 
Makes me furious when some non-MD behind a desk decides which drug is the one you should take.  :swear:

[BootheBunch]

Lisa --

 
We had taken up the carpet in our oom, Em's room and the hall  It was old and needed to go, so we took a chance that our hardwood underneath would be okay.  It was actually in excellent condition, so wehad it sanded nad refinished.  We haven't done the living room and family room yet though.  We'll have to put laminate in there because they aren't original construction, so part of the floor is plywood.
 
I was frustrated with our insurance and goign to change, but then I found out they are covering 100% of my allergy shots, which is rare.  At twice a week, then weekly, for the next four years, that could really add up to some high copays.  So we're staying put for now.
 
Makes me furious when some non-MD behind a desk decides which drug is the one you should take.  :swear:

I am glad your insurance is covering your shots!  That would be expensive!  It's crazy!  

I talked to the pharmacist about the med denials.  She told me that my insurance has a deal with certain medicine makers...they get a better deal with them....so, they deny everything else, make us use the other stuff, unless we can prove otherwise.  So, I called the insurance to complain...and they said it had to do with the plan Bran's company chose with them.  Whatever.  All I know is I won't have to deal with this next year!!!

Our house is only 10 years old, so we have no nice, classic hardwood floors. :-(  I am going to clean K's room really well...clean it out (without her here)...get my cleaning lady and see if I can control it that way.  If not, the carpet will go (she will freak).  They did give me a couple of tips...like, make sure the cleaning lady finishes two hours before K gets home, so the dust can settle...and to not vacuum when she is here (dust storm).  

Lisa

[paspilot]

It was me that caused the weather to suddenly get colder on Thanksgiving weekend. I took my boys out to Santa Paula for a quick trip. I was expecting
winds, but didn't get any.  I'm not the cause for rain this weekend though.

Allergies. I've had my share. If you have a long term mold problem, just tear the drywall out. My parents thought one corner of the shower was getting moldy because I was messy. It turned out there was some funky condensation thing going on in the wall.  
The older furnaces and AC systems don't move as much air. When I had the AC replaced 7 years ago, the whistling ducts were amusing. I seem to do better with the new system, so long as I stay after the filters.  Disposable filters seem the best way to go. I've had the electronic ones that you wash a rack of plates, and it was effective so long as you washed them, but what a PITA. I never thought ionizers worked, and I think the ozone police is now discouraging their use.

Sometimes you just have to move. I grew up at the west end of the 91 freeway. I've been pretty healthy since we moved out of that house. My dad's constant runny nose stopped a week after we moved. There are studies showing that vehicular particulate concentrations are localized to areas near large volumes of traffic. It's probably why I like camping as a kid. I felt better.  There is a study out this week that says the polar ice caps are melting because the snow is dirtier- and darker, due to particulates.

So far, my boys didn't seem to inherit my allergies. Thank God.