Monday I went to the dermatologist. I have some millia on my face that are bugging me and I also have had these spots on my arms forever that are now spreading randomly on my arms and legs. And when I say forever, I mean it. The main part is from like when I was 8. A pediatrician looked at it once and said, "were you burned?" Nope. I've had two other dermatologists check it out - they said nothing. One biopsied it and said nothing, and the spot came back. This doc looks at it, calls it some latin name and says it's precancerous but no major cause for concern because it is not raised nor is it bleeding. However, we should try and remove them. Sweet.
There are two options to go about doing this. One is freezing them off which is painful and will definitely leave a white spot. The second is to try and treat them with a topical cream which will take much longer and might not work, but will not hurt and is worth a shot. Sold. Then comes the kicker.
"The cream is actually what is used to treat genital warts, but do not worry, it is FDA approved for this treatment as well. And you don't have to worry, the pharmacists will not think you have genital warts becuase the prescription will be from me and it will say to apply to your arms," the doc said.
I replied, "oh I know they won't think I have genital warts because when I drop the presciption off, I'm going to announce to everyone in the pharmacy that I do NOT have genital warts!"
"Well, that will work too."
So I dropped off the prescription, made my announcement to the gal behind the counter (who giggled) and carried on about my day. I went to pick it up and my copay was 10 bucks. I read the pamphlet about the possible side effects and whatnot (you are supposed to do that people!) and then found the part where it says the 'your insurance saved you'. Yeah. According to them, my insurance saved me 609 dollars. Six hundred and nine dollars people for one very small tube of medication. That speaks poorly to our healthcare system which I will not get into because ugh, who wants to start that discussion? But it also speaks volumes to those not practicing safe sex. Because if you are going to sleep around and wind up with genital warts, you had BETTER have some good insurance.
I'm just saying.