Friday, June 29, 2007
I have been living with Barretts Esophogus for about 15 years - it's really nice to find others like me as most people have common heartburn and don't understand. It's scary every year to get my Endoscopy and even worse - I don't sedate. The last time my doctor had to dilate my esophogus and, well, OUCH! I The burning yucky little upchucks that wake me up, etc. Still eating long after everyone else is finished due to the need to take tiny bites.
I am now due again and very frightened as I know it is worse. My doctor is trying to arrange with my gastroenterologist that It would be better to just use general anesthesia. But you know how insurance companies can be about that stuff and I'm crossing my fingers..
Nuff said - sorry
Barb
Dear Barb, First welcome! I hope you and your doctor will advocate for a painless procedure. You have enough discomfort to deal with. There should be a way for your doctor to write a letter to the insurance company and request a special exemption. You deserve to be pain free during the procedure! Some insurance companies will assign a patient a case manager to oversee the care. I wonder if you have appealed directly to your insurance company. At least find out the procedure for a special exemption.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Jan