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Imuran - Insurance Q and the horrors of having blood drawn

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/9/2011 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I went to have my blood drawn to be tested for Imuran (if I am compatible with it?) today and PASSED OUT!! ARGH!

I have veins that are apparently REALLY hard to get into b/c it usually takes a lot of prodding around (which makes me want to puke), but today the needle went in easy peasy! I thought I had it made... until I saw the TWO VIALS ready to be filled with blood! That's just way to much for me!

Anyway - I tried to be brave, but the world started spinning, the nurse claimed I was changing colors, and becoming clammy, and out I went. Not the first time I'm fainted, but let me just say, I am TERRIFIED of needles at this point.

As a child, I didn't have a single problem with shots, but with the UC in recent years, having my blood taken out just really freaks me out because I usuallly already feel sick to begin with.

This is one thing I am NOT looking forward to with Imuran - getting tested the first few months. =(((( At least I have two really nice nurses that I regularly see.

Anyone else live with this fear???

When they gave me a CT scan, I was so beside myself with the drink they made me drink, the diarrhea, and the IV they were trying to attach (unsuccessfully) that I flat out started crying. That nurse had no clue what to do with me!

=))) Got blood drawing stories to share??

And to think... my husband offered to go with me this morning and I told him - nah! =)


One more question: has anyone had trouble getting insurance to pay for this pre-Imuran test? I just have this feeling that they are going to be a real booger about it.. anyone?
Posted 9/9/2011 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Tillie,

I had to get blood drwan every week for a while. I used to be so scared of needles and I am not scared at all anymore. I hope you are able to overcome the fear. It feels good to overcome a life long fear of needles. I never thought I would see the day. I would actually go so far as to say that I am less scared than anyone else I know. The key for me is to look away while they draw and to continue to talk and take deep breaths. Try to relax and don't think about the fear. I know it's hard and it took me months but I am finally okay with it. You will probably get blood drawn every couple weeks at first, then once a month, then every 3 months. Some people get it drawn less often but I have had so many problems with my WBC.

I have heard of a lot of people having trouble getting insurance to pay for these tests but mine never gave me any trouble at all.

Posted 9/10/2011 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
oh how i wish i could pass out when needles are involved. Instead I have panic attacks where I start screaming and shaking and I have no control over it at all. It's almost as if I'm blacked out except I'm aware that i'm being a total pain. I've tried anti anxiety meds and they just made me more aggravated. I've always wished I would just pass out instead of the screaming weirdness that I get. But yeah, I'm a hard stick too, I have one good vein and its scarred from all the blood draws, blood transfusions and IVs I've had. If I was going to get over the fear of needles, it would have happened by now. When I had my surgeries, I had PIC lines put in and there is no way I'd ever go back to regular IVs after that!
I had no trouble getting my insurance to pay for my test to try 6-MP which is Imuran but kinda pre-processed and skips a step in the break down. Beware though, my test results came back normal, but i still reacted to the 6-MP and developed pancreatitis. The test can only tell you if you lack the enzyme needed to process the drug, but there are many people like me that have the enzyme but still react to it. Not trying to scare you, just if you start getting sick shortly after starting the drug talk to you doc fast, for it can escalate pretty quickly. But I wouldn't image that insurance wouldn't pay for a pre-screening test. Its considered standard for a lot of medications.
Posted 9/10/2011 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Whether or not your insurance will cover the Prometheus test is based on what type of insurance you have. I have a HMO and it usually covers everything 100% but with my initial test, I had to pay $65 out of pocket. All the following tests (Prometheus metabolites) were covered 100%. You should call your insurance company and see if they will cover it because it's a pretty expensive test.

I had a fear of needles when I was younger. But I've had Uc for so long that I quickly overcame my fear. Now it's to the point when I see anyone with a needle, I automatically hold out my arm! lol I've had some very incompetent nurses over the years try to get blood and some really great ones. One time, this lady was digging around in my arm trying to find a vein - yes digging. I yelled at her, told her to stop and find someone who knew what they were doing. I ended up having a six inch bruise because of that.

But even to this day, I don't look when they insert the needle. I still can't handle that. I don't even look when the blood is going into the tubes. I just look the other way and wait until their done.
Posted 9/10/2011 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any big problems with needles, but I also look away. Makes it easier. The other day I was having blood drawn and it seemed to be taking a while, so I did look just to see how many vials they were filling (6, as it turns out) but it was ok.
Posted 9/12/2011 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
     I have HORRIBLE veins!  When hospitalized in 08 they had to put a PIC line in me because of this.  I also was on 6MP for seven years and had to have many, many blood tests.  There was only one tech I allowed to take my blood because all the other girls kept missing my veins.  It never bothered me to have my blood drawn but when you start looking like a pin cushion it can get to you.  My advice is to drink plenty of water before having your blood drawn.  I am a former lab tech myself and feel really sorry for those with tiny veins.  At my final Remicade infusion (it failed after my 3rd infusion, but still went for a 4th), the girl had to stick me seven times! smhair !  UGH!  Glad I am done with that crap....lol.
Posted 9/12/2011 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
LOL, my BP dropped off face of earth a few infusions ago and I about did the same thing. I know when I feel the cold sweat come up I am evidently freaking out on the inside. I started making sure I had something I was concentrating on when the IV went in, whether it be my laptop, something on TV, or singing a song.
Posted 9/14/2011 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tillie, I know this may or may not be a little late, but yes I did have trouble with my insurance covering it. Mine was shipped somewhere in California (I reside in Pennsylvania) and I, well I guess my mom, was billed $1,445. She literally screamed. We're still in the process of working it out. I pay a $20 copay whenever I go to a doctor, I'm on my parent's health insurance, my dad is a teacher, so I really never have anything to complain about in terms of paying for my medications, simple blood work and other tests, however I have never had a special blood test done to check my enzyme level.

I just started my first dose of Imuran today actually, so you'll have to keep me posted so we can compare! I was very hesitant on starting the Imuran however, after consulting another doctor and my current one, I decided I just needed to get on something and keep on working on tapering my pred.

Let me know how it works out for you! Best of luck!
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