Join medical aid for assistance in case of illness
Became ill in September 2006
Diagnosed with CBD in February 2007
Require medication called carbilev (now 8 tablets a day) and Lyrica (2 a day)
CBD (like MND etc) is not listed as a PMB illness
Discovery, however, agrees to cover the cost of carbilev as a chronic benefit but Lyrica has to be paid for out of savings account and eventually own pocket (R400 month)
Feb 2014 Pera changes employer, so we move to GEMS
Over the years, the type, frequency, dosage, timing etc have been altered in order to get maximum benefit from carbilev
They agree to cover cost of generic medicine only (Teva Carbilevo); I have to pay Lyrica out of pocket
I would have to pay in the difference if I continued with carbilev (R250 month)
After consultation with dr, patients etc I agree to change to carbilevo (even overseas discussions) and have to continue with Lyrica
But no carbilevo available for last two months – so pay in the difference for carbilev (and in full for lyrica)
Despite numerous calls by pharmacist and Pera all over the country they are unable to source meds
Pera manages to source tablets at DisChem
However, we are not allowed to buy it there because Provincial is our registered pharmacist with GEMS (may only change that after 6 months)
So I get involved (pull strings) to move tablets from one to the other pharmacy
Then Provincial manages to source carbilevo
On carbilevo since Sunday – experiencing slight shiver – lets see what happens and hope it works!
All sorted for this month at least (we hope)
Options: continue as is; get medical aid (legislation) to recognise neurological illnesses as PMB’s; sell of assets; get welfare assistance; donations; apply to become a state patient
