Benlysta Preauthorization Denied; Pain Meds That Help Lupus?

Unfortunately my daughter is now on very strong pain pills for lupus, RA, Crohns, bechets, and one more I can't think of right now. I don't suggest doing this. There is a new pain drug out, I can find out the name from her later, that is not a narcotic. You can probably look it up. And will your doctor help you argue with the insurance. Sometimes if the doctors pushes, or adds another reason, they will give in. It's worth a try. All these disease come with their own pain. None of it is easy on you. I am a mother, 84 and relatively healthy. It's my daughter, and she is living with me. She is on long term use of steroids, as she is allergic to every one of the new wonder drugs.

Unfortunately my daughter is now on very strong pain pills for lupus, RA, Crohns, bechets, and one more I can't think of right now. I don't suggest doing this. There is a new pain drug out, I can find out the name from her later, that is not a narcotic. You can probably look it up. And will your doctor help you argue with the insurance. Sometimes if the doctors pushes, or adds another reason, they will give in. It's worth a try. All these disease come with their own pain. None of it is easy on you. I am a mother, 84 and relatively healthy. It's my daughter, and she is living with me. She is on long term use of steroids, as she is allergic to every one of the new wonder drugs. Careful with Cymbalta. I would not suggest trying that one for pain. If you go on line and a read, some people have a very bad emotional reaction that looks like a mental health issue, but isn't. I have talked to 2 people that had this same experience. There are better drugs.

Hi Judy! Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing. I'm so sorry for what your daughter is enduring. I hope she is able to find relief and care from her doctor(s). I saw my Rheumatologist today, and am 9 days in to my Plaquenil prescription, while still on 20mg daily Prednisone. We will be giving Plaquenil one month to resolve my joint and myofascial pain; if it does not, we will resubmit the request for Benlysta preauthorization to my insurance. (My doctor did appeal/argue my first denial, and provided details for why Plaquenil is not considered the appropriate medicine based on my numbers, but to no avail. Seems to be a trend at the moment). I haven't yet tried my Cymbalta or Gaba prescriptions from my GP, but feel..safer having them available if days get worse while we test Plaquenil. I do understand from my GP that Cymbalta is an SNRI at first, which can also offer musculoskeletal pain relief; my GP has had success with several patients. But will definitely stay on the lookout for worsening mental health if I try Cymbalta - thank you for the warning. Best of luck to your daughter, and you as caregiver!

I have lupus and a lot of drug allergies. People with lupus normally have a lot of drug allergies most. One of mine is anything with sulfa. Gabapentin has a sulfa component to it in the inert ingredients.
Also if you do not know garlic is a trigger for lupus.
I am very limited what I can take and tolerate. The last medication I tried broke me out in hives for three days.

Hi Artemis! Thanks so much for reaching out. I haven't noticed drug allergies, but i LOVE garlic and tend to add a lot in cooking - thank you for that information! I'm now looking into other dietary triggers. I'm sorry to hear you struggle with drug allergies - I do hope you find a good fit!!

@artemis1886 I, too, am allergic to sulfa, and I have to be very careful. Recently, I had a colonoscopy, where the preparation fluid had some sulfa in the ingredients, but the Doc insisted that I have the colonoscopy! So, the lining of my colon inside became inflamed, and it hurt! Oh well! I’ll never have another one.

@foundryrat743 there is a way to do the prep without the sulfates.
It takes three days but I got it from the Mayo Clinic. I also have gastroparsis aka slow digestion so lot of fluid sits on my stomach. I throw it up. I called them it was my third try. I live in Texas.

@artemis1886 Luckily, My gastro Doc, said that I’ll never have to go through a scheduled colonoscopy again, because it looks good, now, and my age, so that’s a relief. If I would be scheduled again, I would like to know the formula, you mentioned, where the prep is without sulfates! I wish I would have known about that formula, before my last colonoscopy. Oh well! Thanks for the info. I appreciate your good advice! Have a great day!

@foundryrat743 I will give it to you just in case
MiraLAX morning afternoon evening for two days eating easily digested food I ate oatmeal, chicken and rice
Drank 8 ounces mid morning afternoon at night plus in between.
Day3 the day before colonoscopy
Four dulcolax, gas x and drink miralax about every hour until bedtime I started at 9 am. I did an Emma at 4 am. I was cleaned out for colonoscopy. I did not make every hour sometimes ended up with too much fluid but it worked.

@artemis1886 Thanks! One never knows? I have had diverticulitis flare-ups, so I could have an unexpected colonoscopy! I appreciate your generosity, and have written your formula down, in my special little book, where I keep secret numbers, codes, special recipes, passwords, etc. Thanks again!!