Butterflies Are Not Free
The disease Lupus was originally named because the mask like rash that a lot of lupus patients get on their face resembles the mask of the wolf. In recent times many people have also referred to this rash as a butterfly rash. Lupus can occur at any age and in either sex. It is 15 times more frequent among females but males can get lupus too. It is believed that people of African, American Indian, and Asian origin develop the disease more frequently than Caucasian women. These studies are small and need more research to be absolutely conclusive.
Butterflies Are Not Free!
What does this mean?
I am referring to the medical cost of having lupus. My own daily medicines come to around $260.00 per month. This is not including any extra meds that may be required just what I take every day for lupus. Medicines that help lessen the flares so I can function a bit better in this society. So I feel more a part of this society, this is important for everyone!
Now we have to start adding to that cost: Add in the standard every three months visit to a Rheumatologist and all lab work associated with this. Five tubes of blood is sure a heck of a lot of lab testing! And don't forget the "peeing" in the cup tests too. Often from these tests further evaluations are required, more testing and sometimes another specialist.
Since Lupus is a great impersonator of many other diseases, you often have to be checked to make sure it is the lupus that is causing the problem. You can not just dismiss chest pains, kidney problems, eye problems, headaches, confusion, or anything else that comes up in the course of your on going treatment. You have to make sure it is not something else, and cannot ignore the fact that you also may have another health problem. It has to be investigated.
This requires further specialists within many different fields of medicine. More blood work, urinalysis, X-rays, CAT scans, MRI's and at times hospitalization stays.
Are you getting the idea that lupus could be very costly? Could I afford any of this without having medical insurance? The answer is of course NO!
Medical care is much too costly for me to be able to afford it on an individual, pay as you go along basis. I was lucky to have insurance before I was diagnosed. If you have lupus as a pre-existing condition most insurances will not cover you. If you are lucky enough to find one that will, I will bet that the cost of the premium is totally unaffordable.
What happens to those that don't have insurance who can not afford the medical expenses?
Some are living a life that is diminished, painful and confusing. Others may be lucky enough to live in a state that provides for them. Still some may find an affordable general MD. But patients are sometimes given steroids because of cost factors. Compared to other drugs they can be pretty cheap generically. If these were just used for short term to stop a horrible flare, it would not be bad. But often they are given steroids over many years when another drug would have helped and been safer to their system, but was not affordable. When you are in pain, confusion and agony what are your choices? Steroids are a wonderful drug, I have been on them, nothing makes me feel better or faster than steriods. But they have so many complications and bad side effects to them, that most specialists in the field of Rheumatology, if possible with a patient, avoid long-term use. Long-term steroidal use can also result in death from complications of the drug itself.
In our quest for Lupus Awareness we cannot forget that affordable health care for everyone, with or without lupus, should be a part of the Awareness goal.
Butterflies Are Not Free
Some will sadly "fly away" from this earthly home.
Support and demand affordable health care for everyone.
Please take good care of you!
~Jenny~
Thank you!
Creed3D
Capsces
Traveler @ Runtime DNA
Daz
