Hey guys! So, after my neurologist prescribed me Aimovig I’ve been on a journey!
Let me tell you a little history of my migraines for any newbies here. I have lived with Chronic Migraine for over 20 years. I spent 18 years of my life being told by doctors that my headaches were stress related, that certain medications and or birth control couldn’t possibly be making my headaches worse, it was sinus related and or it’s allergies. Stress was the biggest diagnoses and then I was blown off after that. I fired some many trying to figure out why I had so many headaches. I have about 3-4 headaches a week, minimum. I could still function with most of them, so I didn’t think they were migraines. Finally, I found a doctor who believed me at least about the bad ones. He told me I was having a migraine. He prescribed me Imitrex for the migraines and told me to meditate. Considering meditation wasn’t a big thing back when he told me this, that was pretty progressive. Unfortunately, he retired about 2 years after that! So, I began another search for a new doctor.
Fast forward 18 years later, and countless uphill battles, I found a trial study for a new migraine medicine. They called and interviewed me and told me I didn’t qualify for that study because what I described was chronic migraines. I was like, “What!!!!! First off, you, believe me, secondly, I’m chronic? I told my neurologist about it and she didn’t realize that all my headaches were migraines, just varying degrees of pain. Most days I can function with the pain, but I’d developed a high pain tolerance. That being said, it takes a toll on your body. Here I am 48 years old, I keep putting on weight, and by the time I get home from work, I’m exhausted from pretending to others that I was fine and pushing through the pain. My family isn’t getting me at my best, they are usually getting me at my worst. Lastly, I’m not getting enough exercise, because I’m completely depleted of energy by the end of the day.
Back in November, my neurologist prescribed me Aimovig. She filled out some paperwork so that I could get two doses/two month supply for free to try. After I took the first dose I did have less mild migraines. After the second dose, even less mild migraines. I just started making progress and feeling good again, and the insurance company then told me it would not be covered because I hadn’t tried one of three class of drugs. Insurance companies require you to try cheaper preventatives first, which include: Beta-Blockers which are primarily prescribed for blood pressure regulation, SSRI’s which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that help with anxiety and depression and Anticonvulsant or Antiepileptic drugs which are used to treat Epilepsy. I had already been on several different SSRI’s over the years. My doctor chose to put me on a Beta-Blocker because they have far less worrisome side effects than the dreaded Topamax.
I was on the Beta-Blocker for a month and a half to give it a fair shot. It didn’t help, and on top of that I had a migraine for 21 days straight. I lost all the progress I had made. I called Amgen and they have an Aimovig Ally Access Card program. I was able to get a few more doses for free thanks to this program. You can get up to 1 year of free Aimovig provided it’s been prescribed to you and your insurance company has denied coverage. Then after your insurance company approves it, you have a low co-pay. I was anxious to get back on it because the longer I feel well, the more I can do! Right?
I’m happy to report that my insurance carrier FINALLY approved my Aimovig and with this discount card I currently only have to pay $5.00. This is a $500.00 a month drug!
I’m still working on getting Botox for Migraines covered. Most of this is due to the fault of the doctor’s office where I got the injections in July of 2018. They STILL have not billed my insurance for it and keep sending me a bill even though I’ve talked with them numerous times about it. If you want to see about the Botox Savings Program please follow the link. Hopefully, I can get pre-approved for Botox and see if this in conjunction with the Aimovig will help significantly reduce my migraines. I’ll keep you posted.
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Mommy Has A Migraine 