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California Medical Insurance Plans That Cover Actemra
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jul 7, 2023 | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
My experience with member benefits with KPNC is that they know less than medical specialists when it comes to medical necessity regarding medications, etc. not on the Kaiser formulary or FDA approved. I was denied serum tears for a severe eye condition prior to my PMR diagnosis although Kaisers Regional Corneal Specialist said it was covered. We persisted and I’m now receiving Vital Tears at no cost made from my blood because it’s a blood product not a medication.
In January I had onset PMR following a Shingles vaccine.
The corneal specialist said there was no inflammation in my eyes relieving fears of GCA. In May, my vision declined and the same specialist noted inflammation in both eyes but from allergies. This is being treated with prednisone drops along with my oral doses for PMR. Very scary. I return for a checkup next Thursday. With fingers crossed I pray for good news.
My rheumatologist said my temporal artery pulse is good and inflammatory markers are down so not GCA. I’m approaching 5mg of prednisone hoping my adrenal gland will function and I can smoothly finish taper in 5 months.
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I used autologous serum eye drops (ASEDs) for about 2 years. They are supposed to have ingredients that artificial tears just can’t replicate and promote healthy growth and healing of the cornea. I was somewhat grossed out by putting blood serum in my eye.
My ophthalmologist lectured me about the consequences it I didn't do those drops. She said the drops were absolutely essential for my condition.
I had a neurotrophic corneal defect as a result of damage to my trigeminal nerve.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3964170/#:~:text=Neurotrophic%20keratitis%20(NK)%20is%20a%20rare%20degenerative%20corneal%20disease%20caused,ulceration%2C%20melting%2C%20and%20perforation.&text=The%20hallmark%20of%20NK%20is%20a%20decrease%20or%20absence%20of%20corneal%20sensation.
I was taking prednisone at the time which made the problem even worse because prednisone doesn't promote healing. My ophthalmologist was saying I could have a corneal meltdown which would cause an eye perforation. I don't know how I managed to escape that predicament. My eye healed.