Posted by medlib on January 3, 2001, at 0:02:34
In reply to Re: 24 days to taper off effexor/FREE MED.PROGRAMS » r.anne, posted by dorano on January 2, 2001, at 21:41:34
Dorano--
I am on Wyeth's med assist program for EffexorXR. Your pdoc should have the forms required to apply. He will have to sign and specify your daily dosage. When accepted, Wyeth will send your pdoc a 3 month supply for you. Some FYIs re this program:
1) It's a good idea to get to the max dose/day that's right for you before applying--they'll send 90-days-worth of what your pdoc asked for, capsules can't be split, and this company is *glacially* slow to respond.
2) It took me 3 months from time of first application to receipt of my first meds from Wyeth. Therefore, it's helpful to:
--ask your pdoc to complete his part of form while you're present and supply it to the correct front office person;
--after 2 weeks, ask that person to call Wyeth to see if they received your application, and ask her to phone you with their reply (don't settle for "They'll let us know."--"they" *won't* if they don't know about it because your pdoc or "they" or the post office lost it);
--ask your pdoc for sample starter packs or other office supplies to tide you over until your application goes through;
--have a back-up prescription filled to keep in reserve. Cold turkey withdrawal, for most, is just as bad and just as immediate as you imagine.24-day withdrawal sounds like a starter pack in reverse. It may work if your present dose is not too high. Personally, if I ever discontinue Effexor, I'll want more than 24 days to do it, and I'll make sure I have enough 10 mg. Prozac to cover the last part of the process and 2 weeks afterward.
The process described above is a hassle, no question; but,it's worth it to me because Effexor (with augmenters) helps. I wouldn't go through it just to avoid withdrawal effects, though. Many have come off Effexor successfully, some with relatively little trouble. Only consider this approach if Effexor works for you; as everyone here will testify, finding something that works is a rare event, and the quest is an expensive one in every way--emotionally, financially, timewise, etc.
IMHO, you shouldn't allow insurance companies or managed care (aka "as little care as we can manage") to dictate your health treatment or status--at least, not without a fight.
Good luck and well wishes---medlib
> This is good news about the free med. programs. I appreciate r.anne for letting me know about this. Believe me I will hav emy Dr. check into this for me. To keep on taking effexor is preferable to going through the taper down and all the side effects of it. If anyone else has more info. about this I would greatly appreciate it. dorano
poster:medlib
thread:50772
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50798.html