Posted by jannbeau on November 14, 2002, at 13:30:45
In reply to re: uninsured withdrawal..., posted by anais on November 14, 2002, at 5:03:19
Oh, I just thought of something for those of you who need expensive meds but are indigent or who have very little income. Some drug companies have a "pro bono" or "compassion" program for some of their products. I don't know which companies that manufacture pmeds have these programs or how one qualifies, but, if you contact the manufacturer and prove that you cannot afford their med, the company will often arrange for you to get it at "cost" or for free or just for the shipping charges. Sometimes, the company will arrange with a pharmacy to supply the medication. I do know that Eli Lilly has such a program and that Amgen does, for these companies are helping a friend and her husband with meds for diabetes and MS, respectively.
You might try this avenue.
Cheers and good luck,
Jannbeau
> > >I had the same symptoms as you. I truly tell you there is no easy way. I am off effexor now after being on 300 mg for 6 months. I had to take the 37.5 for a week, and then I cut it in half for a week and then I stopped. The withdrawal effects were not as bad as when I tried to just stop, but I still had the nausea, headache feeling, dizziness, and brain zips for another 3 weeks at least. Right now when I awaken from sleep I still get the brain zips sometimes. I also feel impatient and just not so happy. I am so mad that I ever started taking this. I hope that prepares you some. Pregnant.
> >
> > I've recently moved to New York City. Because I haven't yet found a job, I'm going to be without insurance for a little while, so I'm planning to polish off the last of my Effexor this month. I've been taking 75 mg daily for about 9 months to alleviate depression after breaking off my engagement to a beloved man/disappointing potentail life partner. I'm coping with that more rationally now.
> > > At the end of September, I started taking my dose every other day, and am able to do that with minimal side effects. However, since the beginning of October, I have been experimenting with taking the dose every three days, and on the third day, I have a number of the side effects, most notably the body's a jet, head's a slug dissociation at maddeningly varriable intervals. However, by staying calm and observing, but not panicking, over these side effect events, I've been able to endure them tollerably.
> > > I'm not really in a position to incur any expense as far as getting some Prozac for the transition--everything I've got right now is dedicated to November rent already. So, essentially, I'm asking for any insight into how to manage this. I don't have any of the 35 mg capsules, and don't think I'll get a very predictable dose from divvying up my capsules. I wonder if I am just prolonging my symptoms, and should try going off altogether and getting it over with. My additional motivation in all of this is to try to be off the medication by the time I'd begin working, because I really don't want to begin my new job distinguishing myself by being incapacitated for a coupla weeks.
> > > I have noticed some abatement in the severity of the side effects on the third day now. At first, I felt really nauseous, like I could feel my brain turning and tipping slowly in its cranial fluid, and headachey, and wanted to stay in bed all day. The first time I just threw in the towel and took my dose sometime in the afternoon, then not again for another coupla days.
> > > Anyone else out there ever heard anyone try it like this before? I'd welcome any advice.
> >
> >
>
> you don't have to go through this just because you don't have insurance. i am in the same situation, and was worried about med costs without insurance-which are insane! my psychologist told me about an online prescription service from canada, where they ship you your meds at a huge discount- socialized medicine, no interference from drug co's keep prices low. look up a few websites via google.com... i've visited 3 sites- the average price for 100 pills of 37 mg or 75 mg of effexor is $80. your old doc just faxes them the prescription. it's easy! hope this helps. good luck!
poster:jannbeau
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021108/msgs/127638.html