BUZZ BUZZ Once There Was...

Join with me in Growling at THE WAY THINGS ARE!!

GRRRRRRRRRR!!


The World is Displeasing in this follow ways:

I. BIOEQUIVALENCE ... I take and have taken a name-brand prescription medication for a chronic condition for over 5 years now. Up until recently, my home state's pharmacy assistance program was able to help me with the cost. In the recent past, they have switched from covering the name brand to covering the generic. I tried the generic. I've not got the money to complain. It did not function as the name-brand did. I was told by one Doctor that that can happen--that the generics are not the EXACT same as the name-brands and do not always work the same. In fact, that the drug I was having issues with was one they'd heard the complaint about before! From another Doctor--I was told that generic IS EXACTLY the same!

I have a tendency to get carried away, so now i'm doubting my own sanity. If the pills are in fact the same, and i did not react the same, were all the effective years of treatment merely expensive and inconvenient placebo-effects?

I went to the Int0rWebs!

Where I learned about BIOEQUIVALENCE. Apparently, in order to be a 'generic,' a drug must contain the active ingredient of the name brand drug. And be SIMILAR in effect, dose, and side effects. In fact, the FDA sets up a window of "HOW similar" in clinical trials.

So. I'm not insane. The drugs are NOT identical. Chemically, there's a molecular weight different of over 30 grams per molar volume (and yes, the generic is the lighter one b/c they threw stuff out.)

However, as far as my pharmacy assistance is concerned--since the drugs have been shown to be BIOEQUIVALENT with a margin of error in reasonable bounds, the drugs are CLOSE ENOUGH to identical for ENOUGH PEOPLE that if I'm not one of them, who gives a fuck.

what i've been taking for years that works!:C^13H^18ClNOHCl
what the FDA and the Pharmacy Assistance Program people will give me: C^13H^18ClNO

notice that the hydrochloride on the end of that is missing in the generic. HHHHhmmmmm.


II. FALLING DOWN STAIRS... Last Tuesday I slipped on some carpeted stairs inside of an apartment building. I had to go to the ER. I had to get Xrays. I have to schedule a follow-up appointment. I've missed work. I HAVE NO MEDICAL INSURANCE. My Grandfather told me that I should speak to the owner of the apartment building. I fell on their stairs. There was no banister. Their carpet was slick. I hurt myself on their crummy hallway.

I contacted the property manager who said that the building was up to code so basically i could go fuck myself. But that if i wanted, i could send a letter to their attorney and maybe something would come it. "Maybe" meaning "The building owner would sooner get a glass-shard enema than file with his insurance company over your dumb peasant ass."

I'll be writing their lawyer.


III. PHOTOGRAPHY... The photographer who took the Bolk's picture and has been emailed repeatedly about which photo they wanted from his proofs claims that he did not know what proof they wanted and la la la. That, beyond being highly irking, was easy to resolve. The Bolks and the Moores will be getting their Christmas present from the past 3 years in another week or two.


IV. TRANSPORT!... I have so many errands to run, but Aunt will not let me drive just yet. So they go undone. And I feel like a lazy ball of useless. And I ACT like a lazy ball of useless. I miss the gym. I miss my car. I miss... being independent. The foot is well enough to wander around on, but not for long and certainly not with any athletic intent.


V. DESK!... buried under paper. I go file and sort and balance checkbook now.