Sigh. If only I wasn't an honest gal.
I just transferred all my prescriptions, including Enbrel, to a CVS down here in Baltimore. I went to pick them up after work today, and after getting confirmation that they were ready, I didn't pay much attention as the pharmacist got the Enbrel boxes out of the fridge. I paid for the drugs, and then grabbed the bag she had put the Enbrel in, which seemed rather gigantic and filled to the brim. Given that I'd thrown my other two smaller prescriptions in my purse, I peered into the bag curiously only to find a massive stash of eight Enbrel boxes, each with four syringes, staring back at me.
Oh, the torture. I was so tempted to just take off. I mean, that's like handing a junkie real heroin instead of methadone, or a reformed bank robber a bag of unmarked cash. And given that my insurance is about to switch and I'll have to go through the entire pre-authorization process again AFTER finding a new rheumy, it was particularly heartwrenching to turn back around and tell the pharmacist there was some kind of mistake.
She didn't even believe me at first, thinking that it was my error, and she actually said there was only one syringe per box. Luckily, before my greed could get the better of me, she figured out that wasn't the case and took the extra SIX boxes back.
Sigh. It would have been like Christmas coming early. Or winning some kind of chronic illness jackpot.
If only....
Wow--amazing. If only, for sure!
Posted by: millicent | September 24, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Wow! As you said, if only. You will be rewarded for your honesty, especially since those of us with RA know how much our meds mean to us.
Posted by: Becky | September 24, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Way to go. You can't put a price tag on integrity.
Posted by: WarmSocks | September 24, 2009 at 09:28 PM
M-i know.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM, wrote:
Posted by: Sara | September 24, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Becky- Thanks. Holding that bag full of enbrel was like holding a bag of
liquid gold!! But I did the right thing. blah blah blah.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 8:55 PM, wrote:
Posted by: Sara | September 24, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Warm Socks- true. excellent point.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 9:28 PM, wrote:
Posted by: Sara | September 24, 2009 at 09:45 PM
oh, man. that is torture!
Posted by: jodi | September 25, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Congratulations! Yes you did the right thing and you will definitely be rewarded in the future.
And congratulations again for starting this blog. I just saw your story on RA-TV! I will just say that I totally mirror your experience when finding out I had RA and about what this disease is and how to live with it. It's been a tough road but I commend you for reaching out to others and giving the ladies with RA a chance to connect. Bravo and keep blogging!
Posted by: Trina | September 25, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I woulda run off! ;) But you did the right thing and that's what matters. One thing that I've used for my RA that I thought you and your readers might benefit from is the ChiliPad: http://www.chilitechnology.com - It's a mattress pad that lets you cools or heats the bed, mine lets me set any temperature between 46 and 118 degrees. They also make ones with two temperature zones. It really helps with pain and swelling - and sleeping problems.
Posted by: Lateralgal | September 30, 2009 at 03:12 PM
But doing the right thing is often the hardest thing...those little syringes (that cost me about $300 each after insurance and loyalty program) ARE like liquid gold! I hope our search for a new doc and insurance wrangles aren't bad. Good luck!
Posted by: Beth | October 01, 2009 at 02:52 PM
I haven't been prescribed anything yet but have heard good things about Enbrel.
Living in California just around the corner from no less than 3 medical marijuana clinics, I'm wondering if anyone has gone that route? Supposedly it helps with pain management and immune system suppression and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Posted by: Liz | October 03, 2009 at 10:37 AM