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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:12:54
I am 6 weeks into taking DESVENLAFAXINE ,,,a switch from my long-time use of Zoloft ( which seemed to had "worn out" or lost it's effect for me.)
DESVENLAFAXINE has been effective for me...the first 8 or 9 days were tough...but I now feel much better.
Here's my problem:
My health insurance was cancelled...and I cannot afford my script for this expensive new AD.
I have already gotten two, 2 week sample paks from my Pdoc ( who now I cannot go to because I have no insurance.....and owe him money from previously uncovered visits) and a two-week sample pak from my Family Doctor. I cannot go to him for the same reason..no Insurance.
To complicate matters I have made the much warned about mixing of alcohol with my Meds.
I took my last pill of DESVENLAFAXINE this morning.I feel depressed right now,scared, and unsure of what to do next.
I still have a week or two left of unsused Zoloft...should I wait a day and start taking it again?
I am on 2 other Meds, whose prescriptions will run out soon also.
I am guessing I am 3 weeks to a month away from Insurance Coverage....through another company...but even THAT is not for sure.
I am currently unemployed with time on my hands...no money....and much financial responsibilty for my family....
Where do I start? I would appreciate any helpful advice.
Thanks
BF
Posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 10:23:45
In reply to WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:12:54
What happens if you go to the hospital?
Sorry for my ignorance I live in Canada.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on September 15, 2009, at 10:31:19
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 10:23:45
Link big bill. Don't know the details of the insurance. Second that is. If unemployed could maybe apply for medicaid but that doesn't pay for expensive meds just the same class and least expensive. At least that's my understanding but things changing here. Phillipa
Posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:33:26
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 10:23:45
> What happens if you go to the hospital?
>
> Sorry for my ignorance I live in Canada.
>
> LinkadgeHi Linkadge....a hospital visit would result in A)embarassment..... B)I dont want to be labled on my permenant records by the Physc Team that happens to be on staff .... and C) My reputation would suffer...
I know these sound like lousy reasons NOT to go to the hospital, but we all have different circumstances we live in...and I dont have enough time ( nor would you like to hear ALL the reasons an emergency room visit would be unwise in my case)
Thank you for the idea tho...
BF
Posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:36:03
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS...... » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on September 15, 2009, at 10:31:19
You are right Phillipa....the last thing I need is a huge Hospital Bill....
looks like I am stuck huh?
BF
Posted by 10derHeart on September 15, 2009, at 11:30:21
In reply to WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:12:54
What about Wyeth's patient assistance program? Maybe you qualify? Sure sounds like it. They say the meds should arrive within 7-10 days after they receive an application. They need a script with the application (up to a 3-month supply - which maybe would be helpful for short-term peace of mind for your situation), but maybe one of your 2 docs would be willing to write one for that purpose that you could just pick up...? Without actually having an office visit?
Here's the link:
http://www.wyeth.com/contact?rid=/wyeth_html/home/shared/footer/Patient/contact_patient_assist.html
It stinks you, and so many others, find yourselves in these situations. I hope circumstances improve for you as soon as possible.
Posted by Justherself54 on September 15, 2009, at 12:02:40
In reply to WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:12:54
Have you tried calling both your pdoc and GP. Even tho you owe them, do you think they would give you some more sample paks to tide you over until things get straightened out.
Jeez..I feel for you. I can't believe what you guys have to go through to get things that we in Canada take so much for granted.
Posted by jparsell82 on September 15, 2009, at 14:19:54
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Justherself54 on September 15, 2009, at 12:02:40
Hey fellow buckeye brother,
You weren't drinking this last Saturday were you?... haha. Anyways, if you're worried about not getting insurance, I would go to your local Department of Job and Family Services and see if you can get Medicaid. You most likely can't get Social Security but you might be able to get help from the State, I did in Ohio around 5 years ago. I had it for about year or so and they were pretty helpful.
You just go in and meet with someone and they'll ask you questions about your disability, fill out some forms, etc.
Other than that, I don't know of any immediate options other than getting more samples from your doc... maybe another doc?
Posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 18:34:45
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:33:26
>Hi Linkadge....a hospital visit would result in >A)embarassment..... B)I dont want to be labled >on my permenant records by the Physc Team that >happens to be on staff .... and C) My reputation >would suffer...
Not sure what you mean. Do you work in a hospital? How would your records ever get 'out'. I think the diagnosis would be fairly clear. You have been depressed, you can't afford the medication so you stopped, you are really depressed again. I can see time as being a good excuse. I have been to the hospital twice and the only negative was the time issue.
You may want to switch to a med like imipramine or amitriptyline. I was recently switched to amitriptyline. It costs me $11 a month (total) and so far has been vastly more effective than SSRI's, effexor, remeron, etc. Imipramine would likely be comparable to pristiq in its clinical action.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 18:36:52
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by jparsell82 on September 15, 2009, at 14:19:54
What the f*uck? No offence but your system down there sucks if you can't go to the hospital suicidal and not get a huge bill.
In Canada hospital visits are free, psychiatrists are free, and meds (if you can't afford them) are next to free.
Linkadge
Posted by sowhysosad on September 15, 2009, at 19:39:36
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 18:34:45
>Imipramine would likely be comparable to pristiq in its clinical action.
Only thing is, the anticholinergic SE's can be pretty grim for people who aren't used to tricyclics.
Posted by Lou Pilder on September 15, 2009, at 19:39:41
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Buckeye Fan on September 15, 2009, at 10:36:03
> You are right Phillipa....the last thing I need is a huge Hospital Bill....
>
> looks like I am stuck huh?
>
> BFBF,
You wrote,[...looks like I am stuck...]
You also wrote,
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20050111/msgs/469634.html
Now taking the two posts here by yourself, I was wondering if you could be willing to combine both of them for us to have a serious discussion here that IMO could be fruitfull in unsticking yourself from the situation that you have posted about here.
Lou
Posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 20:23:04
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by sowhysosad on September 15, 2009, at 19:39:36
>Only thing is, the anticholinergic SE's can be >pretty grim for people who aren't used to >tricyclics.
I actually like the anticholinergic activity. It makes me feel pleasantly detached from reality.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on September 15, 2009, at 20:36:04
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Justherself54 on September 15, 2009, at 12:02:40
You have higher taxing system don't you? And longer waits? Or are the Provinces different? Love Phillipa
Posted by Justherself54 on September 15, 2009, at 23:10:09
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS...... » Justherself54, posted by Phillipa on September 15, 2009, at 20:36:04
Yeah, we do pay high taxes and our waiting list for some surgeries are long..but everyone has access to health care. I spent one month in my local hospital after my breakdown. The only thing I was charged for was the TV I rented. Seeing mental health workers is free also. I personally don't mind paying higher taxes for this. All mom's go home with their new babies with no horrendous bill hanging over their head. I really have begun to appreciate our system more and more. Sure it has its flaws, but it's positivies far outweight its negatives.
> You have higher taxing system don't you? And longer waits? Or are the Provinces different? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on September 16, 2009, at 7:21:14
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Justherself54 on September 15, 2009, at 23:10:09
Health care is something that everybody should have equal access to. Unfortunately, there is a higher rate of mental illness among those who are lower income, so you are likely seeing a high number of people who can't afford psychiatric medications (or optimal treatments).
Linkadge
Posted by Buckeye Fan on September 16, 2009, at 7:32:12
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by linkadge on September 16, 2009, at 7:21:14
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND ADVICE~
I was able to obtain 4 weeks of samples from my primary care doctor.
I really appreciate your help
BF
Posted by sowhysosad on September 16, 2009, at 11:35:00
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by linkadge on September 15, 2009, at 20:23:04
> I actually like the anticholinergic activity. It makes me feel pleasantly detached from reality.
Cool.
By the same token, 4 months on imipramine just made me isolate myself completely from reality - and completely screwed up my sleep.
I also hated the constipation and associated problems.
I guess anticholinergics just don't agree with me!
Posted by sowhysosad on September 16, 2009, at 11:40:22
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS......, posted by Justherself54 on September 15, 2009, at 23:10:09
> I really have begun to appreciate our system more and more. Sure it has its flaws, but it's positivies far outweight its negatives.
Yeah, reading some of the stories here from people in the US without insurance really break my heart and make me appreciate living in a country with free health care.
Here in the UK there can be long waiting lists and the system's a bit backward in some ways compared to North America, but there are a lot of people doing terrific work in the NHS.
Posted by linkadge on September 16, 2009, at 17:15:48
In reply to Re: WHAT NOW? NEED SOME HELP GUYS...... » linkadge, posted by sowhysosad on September 16, 2009, at 11:35:00
>Cool.
>By the same token, 4 months on imipramine just >made me isolate myself completely from reality - >and completely screwed up my sleep.
I have been sleeping better on amitriptyline than I have in the last 10 years. Even better than remeron.
>I also hated the constipation and associated >problems.
I have a little constipation, but I was dealing with the opposite before, so....
>I guess anticholinergics just don't agree with >me!
I have a lot of symptoms of hypercholinergic activity (I believe) when I am depressed.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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