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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LadyBug on August 3, 2016, at 11:22:13
Has anyone here tried Viibryd? My Dr. wants me to try it and go off Effexor. I know going off Effexor is going to be rough!!!! I've been on Effexor for at least 16 years. I unexpectedly lost my spouse in January this year, which has thrown me into a depression I can't seem to work through. I don't want to feel like crap anymore. I was grieving the first 3 months and then slid into grieving and depression. I'm supposed to get started on the Viibryd today while I take 4 months to go off of Effexor. Viibryd is not covered by my insurance so the Dr. had to do a prior authorization and my co pay is $75 a month which is a lot to me as a widow. Decisions are hard to make when you're depressed. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 3, 2016, at 13:51:31
In reply to Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by LadyBug on August 3, 2016, at 11:22:13
I think i became anxious on it.
Posted by Chris O on August 3, 2016, at 15:05:17
In reply to Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by LadyBug on August 3, 2016, at 11:22:13
A couple of thoughts:
1) I resent that the insurance and pharmaceutical industry make it so difficult for those of us struggling with anxiety + depression to get help. $75 to get a few pills. My god! (When I went on Brintellix in 2014, the "discounted" price was over $300 for 30 pills. Yeah, sure. Like I can afford that.)
2) I tried Viibryd when it first came out in 2013, I think. 7 or so months. Severe anxiety disorder. It did little or nothing for me.
3) That being said, anything is worth a try, right? I'd try it if I were you. Heck, I'd try things that failed a first time a second time I am so desperate. What's there to lose, really?
Chris
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 3, 2016, at 15:21:52
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd » LadyBug, posted by Chris O on August 3, 2016, at 15:05:17
Psychiatrists are often bad about prescribing the newest, latest, most hyped pills.
I'm not saying it won't/wouldn't work for you, but there are plenty of options that would cost far, far less. There are some (I was thinking Remeron, for instance) that could be added to the ongoing effexor treatment and might bring back a good response.
Big Pharma is lame, but I think a good bit of the blame also lies with docs who do this to people who might benefit from other, older, often generic drugs.
Posted by linkadge on August 3, 2016, at 19:54:41
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd » LadyBug, posted by Chris O on August 3, 2016, at 15:05:17
Somebody's got to pay for them to bother researching new medicines.
Linkadge
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 4, 2016, at 12:21:14
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by Christ_empowered on August 3, 2016, at 15:21:52
yes and if you gain weight on remeron you could take Metformin. The sucess rate of remeron is good.
Posted by Chris O on August 4, 2016, at 13:00:21
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by linkadge on August 3, 2016, at 19:54:41
"Somebody's got to pay for them to bother researching new medicines."
Sure, I get that. But it seems a bit unfair to force those of us who are the most burdened--psychologically and financially--to carry such a heavy burden. I am having trouble surviving and taking care of myself on a daily basis, and then I have to pay some completely unaffordable amount just to get the help I need? Not fair. But then, neither is anything in our current form of purist neoliberalism (at least in the US; I think you are in Canada in which some of this is ameliorated by your social services).
Chris
Posted by linkadge on August 6, 2016, at 19:58:11
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd » linkadge, posted by Chris O on August 4, 2016, at 13:00:21
>But it seems a bit unfair to force those of us >who are the most burdened--psychologically and >financially--to carry such a heavy burden.
I agree. But who said life was fair?
>I am having trouble surviving and taking care of >myself on a daily basis, and then I have to pay >some completely unaffordable amount just to get >the help I need? Not fair.
I agree completely. Many of the older drugs are more affordable. I think you can get a month of Prozac in the US for ~$5. Of course the new fangled drugs are more expensive - but none of them have proven more effective (overall).
>But then, neither is anything in our current >form of purist neoliberalism (at least in the >US;
The fact of the matter is that there are far, far worse countries to live if you have depression. I know that this type of thinking can be counterproductive for the depressed, but its true.
>I think you are in Canada in which some of this >is ameliorated by your social services.Nope. Not really. I have (several) cavities. It hurts for me to eat. I can't afford to go to the dentist. The government doesn't pay. I pay for my meds out of pocket (on the months that I can afford them). Nobody picks up the tab.
Canada's 'universal health care' is a farce. You can go to the doctor (or psychiatrist) for free (often with long wait times), but the cost of treatments comes out of pocket.
If you have zero income, there is *some* support. But if you make any money, you generally have to pay, even if can afford it or not.
Linkadge
Posted by Chris O on August 6, 2016, at 22:17:58
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd » Chris O, posted by linkadge on August 6, 2016, at 19:58:11
Thanks for responding to me, Linkadge. I didn't realize Canada's "universal health care" was so difficult. I thought it was something that you could get even if you were not working and that it was basically there for you no matter what your circumstances.
Sorry about your cavities. That sucks. I think it costs about $200 to fill a cavity in the US without insurance. That's annoying that your health coverage will not cover a simple dental procedure. I would think cavities and cleanings would be the two things it would cover.
Your point about life not being fair is a "fair" one. Probably something I need to hear as I have trouble asserting myself and that point makes me become more assertive to get my needs met.
I totally understand that things with respect to mental health treatment and insurance are worse in many, or most, places outside of the United Sates and Canada. So, I appreciate that. At the same time, I do feel like our current economic system (at least in the US) is not going to work as it structured much longer, with much of the income going to a small number of people at the top. That's just my opinion.
Chris
Posted by linkadge on August 7, 2016, at 11:41:52
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd » linkadge, posted by Chris O on August 6, 2016, at 22:17:58
>I thought it was something that you could get >even if you were not working and that it was >basically there for you no matter what your >circumstances.
Not really. I can go to the psychiatrist for free, and he can write me a prescription. If I go to fill the prescription (without employer insurance) I pay 100%. Jobs which provide benefits are harder and harder to come by these days.
>Sorry about your cavities. That sucks. I think >It costs about $200 to fill a cavity in the US >without insurance.It would cost me $200 just to see the dentist. I likely have about 5 cavities, I would be looking at thousands.
Also, when you're over 18, the government stops paying for eye exams. So, I haven't had an eye exam in 15 years. Eye exams are (I think $150) My prescription is wrong, and glasses would cost another couple hundred, so I'm wearing scratched glasses (that are now too weak).
I have a government job, but our government hires more 'temporary' workers to avoid having to pay benefits.
>That's annoying that your health coverage will >not cover a simple dental procedure. I would >think cavities and cleanings would be the two >things it would cover.
Yeah, you'd think - especially since this is a preventative thing.
>At the same time, I do feel like our current >economic system (at least in the US) is not >going to work as it structured much longer, with >much of the income going to a small number of >people at the top. That's just my opinion.
I completely agree with you. Obama economics, interest rate suppression and Quantitative Easing have only reflated the stock market, and made the rich richer. Bailing out the banks has done little to help the average person. They would have had more effect by using 'helicopter money' so to speak.
In Canada, we have a *massive* housing bubble (which puts the US's 2008-2009 bubble to shame). Its the same in Australia.
We've had high food inflation (as well as house price inflation) here in Canada (as a result of the reckless monetary interventions).
Anyhow, I generally agree with you.
Linkadge
Posted by Baseball55 on August 7, 2016, at 18:47:45
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by linkadge on August 7, 2016, at 11:41:52
I have family in Canada and was surprised by all the gaps in coverage. No dental, limited long term care, no drug coverage (though drug prices are much lower than in the US). It's like Medicare in the US that way (the public health program for those over 65). The UK and other European countries are more comprehensive.
I will say though that I once fell down some stairs on a Saturday night in Toronto. Was seen immediately in the ER. Nothing broken, just badly bruised back. As I left, the staff were embarrassed to tell me that I had to pay, as a non-resident. The cost? $325. In the US, I'd have waited at least 3 hours and gotten a bill for at least $3000.
Posted by Chris O on August 7, 2016, at 22:07:27
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by linkadge on August 7, 2016, at 11:41:52
Hi, Linkage,
I'm really sorry to hear about your dental woes. That makes me angry: you have a job and they won't give you an eye exam and pay for basic dental health stuff? Dammit! To hear that the government employed you as a "temp" just avoid dealing with your insurance is especially galling. That is the same gross shenanigans used by employers in the United States to avoid giving workers any type of benefits. Even though I know things are better in North America than in, say, China or Russia, I wince at our current economic system. I personally see no hope for myself at "competing" in this system in a way that allows me to carve out a self-supporting life as an individual separate from the wounds my parents have inflicted on me. Health insurance has been a constant woe for me since I was a child. That has never gone away. I have been on and off health insurance since my early 20s. I currently have decent health insurance with my wife's plan, but I have no idea what I would do without that. I would be up a creek for sure. Hang in there, man.
Chris
Posted by linkadge on August 8, 2016, at 13:29:28
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd » linkadge, posted by Baseball55 on August 7, 2016, at 18:47:45
>I have family in Canada and was surprised by all >the gaps in coverage. No dental, limited long >term care, no drug coverage (though drug prices >are much lower than in the US). It's like >Medicare in the US that way (the public health >program for those over 65).
If you can't afford the treatment itself, then its like no coverage at all. My kid can have an ear infection, if I can't afford the antibiotic, then so sad, too bad. Also, drug prices are not necessarily lower. For example, I think 1 month of Prozac in the US is around $5 (Walmart). When I picked up one month in Canada it was around $40 (also at Walmart!).
>I will say though that I once fell down some >stairs on a Saturday night in Toronto. Was seen >immediately in the ER. Nothing broken, just >badly bruised back. As I left, the staff were >embarrassed to tell me that I had to pay, as a >non-resident. The cost? $325. In the US, I'd >have waited at least 3 hours and gotten a bill >for at least $3000.
Hmm. All I know is I can't afford to go to the dentist, I can't afford to get new glasses or an eye exam, I can afford *some* of my meds, but I'm too cheap to pick them up most months. Getting the meds means some other essential that I cannot afford - so its a tradeoff.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 8, 2016, at 13:36:36
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd » linkadge, posted by Chris O on August 7, 2016, at 22:07:27
>I'm really sorry to hear about your dental woes. >That makes me angry: you have a job and they >won't give you an eye exam and pay for basic >dental health stuff? Dammit! To hear that the >government employed you as a "temp" just avoid >dealing with your insurance is especially >galling.
I work as a substitute teacher in the public school system. However, I still work most days (usually 9 out of 10). However, there are no benefits - zip. Even when I cover a teacher for a full semester, I get no benefits.
>That is the same gross shenanigans used by >employers in the United States to avoid giving >workers any type of benefits.
You got it. They've got money to bail out the banks, but no money for ensure lead free drinking water in Michigan.
>I personally see no hope for myself >at "competing" in this system in a way that >allows me to carve out a self-supporting life as >an individual separate from the wounds my >parents have inflicted on me. Health insurance >has been a constant woe for me since I was a >child. That has never gone away. I have been on >and off health insurance since my early 20s. I >currently have decent health insurance with my >wife's plan, but I have no idea what I would do >without that.My health has (paradoxically) improved since loosing coverage. I've had more depression free days each year using microdoses of meds and alternatives (exercise and supplements) than with
meds. I'm not anti-med at all. I've just had superior results with alternatives.Linkadge
Posted by LadyBug on August 18, 2016, at 10:44:13
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by linkadge on August 8, 2016, at 13:36:36
Well, after doing my homework, I decided I don't want to go off Effexor. I've tried before and I never want to go there again, especially when I'm fighting depression. The Vibryd is off the table. I read too many negative responses from people to want to try it even if I could afford it. I found a coupon for free the first month and $20 for the next 11 months. Great, but after a year, I still don't want to pay $75 a month. I'm trying Welbutrin with the Effexor. I've taken it before and it worked. If this doesn't help, there's other options. The hard part is the wait time to figure out if something is working. I sure don't need more anxiety. It's been a hell of a year anyway as I unexpectedly lost my husband of 31 years in January. It's been a rough journey the past 7 months. He left me nothing!!!!
Posted by Chris O on August 18, 2016, at 11:20:10
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by LadyBug on August 18, 2016, at 10:44:13
I'm sorry, LadyBug. I hope you find something that works. I really do. Hang in there.
Sincerely,
Chris
Posted by Horse on August 25, 2016, at 3:18:27
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Viibryd, posted by LadyBug on August 18, 2016, at 10:44:13
I think staying with effexor, at least for now, is an excellent idea, and wellbutrin is an interesting addition. I hope you do well and post back about your experiences if you're inclined.
This is the end of the thread.
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