Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 873209

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Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help » detroitpistons

Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 11:09:26

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:41:51

Ran into same problem as owned a house, car, and had some savings so did'nt qualify either. Also clinics with sliding scales often can find meds for you. I know a friend who did this. But then she didn't own a thing. Good luck. Phillipa

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help

Posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 12:49:21

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:41:51

Detroit, believe me, I understand. Also, to qualify for medicaid anymore, if you don't have kids, you can only make something like $500 a month (don't quote me on that).

I went for years and years with a child making too much money to qualify for anything. For many years I made $1200 a month--less than $15,000 per year--but could not qualify for ANY help. But get this--my child care expense for work was $500 per month, so I effectively earned $700 a month. They never took that into consideration even though I could not work unless I paid the day care bill. So we went without health care for many years.

One time though, I had to seek mental health services for my child. Through a special program with the government, we got a discount for therapy--$80 an hour instead of $100 an hour..lol! All on my income of $1200 per month minus $500 per month day care charges, I am eligible to pay only $80 an hour for services to help my child.

It keeps people in the cycle of poverty becuase the really destititute, once you start getting out of it, are disqualified from any help. It sometimes is a catch 22 situation. It's also how people with medical problems become homeless.

Oh and many, if not most, doctors charge people without health insurance twice as much as insurance companies pay for the same services. So, it is in your best interest to find a clinic as someone else advised you to do.

It's good to vent, especially anonymously...lol.
But yes, if you call the drug company you might find out otherwise.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help » Garnet71

Posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 13:04:33

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 12:49:21

> Detroit, believe me, I understand. Also, to qualify for medicaid anymore, if you don't have kids, you can only make something like $500 a month (don't quote me on that).
>
> I went for years and years with a child making too much money to qualify for anything. For many years I made $1200 a month--less than $15,000 per year--but could not qualify for ANY help. But get this--my child care expense for work was $500 per month, so I effectively earned $700 a month. They never took that into consideration even though I could not work unless I paid the day care bill. So we went without health care for many years.
>
> One time though, I had to seek mental health services for my child. Through a special program with the government, we got a discount for therapy--$80 an hour instead of $100 an hour..lol! All on my income of $1200 per month minus $500 per month day care charges, I am eligible to pay only $80 an hour for services to help my child.
>
> It keeps people in the cycle of poverty becuase the really destititute, once you start getting out of it, are disqualified from any help. It sometimes is a catch 22 situation. It's also how people with medical problems become homeless.
>
> Oh and many, if not most, doctors charge people without health insurance twice as much as insurance companies pay for the same services. So, it is in your best interest to find a clinic as someone else advised you to do.
>
> It's good to vent, especially anonymously...lol.
> But yes, if you call the drug company you might find out otherwise.


I feel for you. The system we have is sick and twisted. Unless you are completely disabled or on welfare, good luck getting any help. Fortunately, there are some clinics out there. It's nice to know that there are still some people out there who care.

People who have had group insurance their whole lives might not realize how lucky they are, and how bad things can be if you lose a job. INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS ARE A SCAM!! They don't cover anything. It's basically just bankrupcy insurance in case you have some kind of catastrophe. Even if I purchased an individual plan right now, it wouldn't cover my mental health because it's a pre-existing condition. If your employer doesn't provide health insurance, you are basically screwed. The individual plans are just pathetic, or they cost hundreds/ month for an individual, and possibly a couple thousand for a family.

I was also without insurance when I got laid off in 2002. I am a layoff magnet, I guess. Anyways, during that time, I couldn't afford insurance. I fell and hurt my back and didn't go to the emergency room because I knew I'd be paying for it for the rest of my life....The idea that getting sick or injured can lead to bankrupcy is just wrong, and it makes my blood boil.

I'm going to be in school for the next couple of years (my first degree didn't do me much good), and I don't have much hope for getting healthcare during that time. In fact, I'm scared to exercise or play sports for fear that I may get injured.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help

Posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 13:56:30

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help » Garnet71, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 13:04:33

"I'm going to be in school for the next couple of years (my first degree didn't do me much good), and I don't have much hope for getting healthcare during that time. In fact, I'm scared to exercise or play sports for fear that I may get injured."

Hey--most colleges offer health insurance and the cost is generally lower...the good part is that you can finance it in with your student loans..

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help » detroitpistons

Posted by bleauberry on January 11, 2009, at 15:00:28

In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36

The drug assistance programs are there for people like you. Most of the drug companies have programs in place to provide free meds to people who need them but can't afford them.

You can order generic meds yourself from overseas. Since it is against this board's policies, I cannot state the websites. If you spend a little time doing a google search, you'll find them. For effexor, you would probably have to switch to the regular release version and do multiple doses during the day instead of the extended release version. The drugs are the real deal and are fairly cheap. The only drawback is that shipping time is usually 2 to 3 weeks. I've done this many times without any problems.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help

Posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 15:43:35

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 13:56:30

> "I'm going to be in school for the next couple of years (my first degree didn't do me much good), and I don't have much hope for getting healthcare during that time. In fact, I'm scared to exercise or play sports for fear that I may get injured."
>
> Hey--most colleges offer health insurance and the cost is generally lower...the good part is that you can finance it in with your student loans..

That's good news. I will check into it. When I was in college the first time, you could get treated at the university's clinic, but only for relatively minor stuff and you had to be a full time student. I'm going to be going part time at a community college for now, but eventually I'll be doing a full time nursing program, so I bet they will offer some kind of insurance. What's ironic is that I'll have to also pay for malpractice insurance when I do my clinicals.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help

Posted by desolationrower on January 12, 2009, at 1:27:42

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:14:26

> > I would (well, actually i am in a similar situation to you, and so i should say DO) buy my drugs from overseas. Its impermissible here to say how, but its not difficult.
> >
> > Alternatively, you could switch the effexor to one of the cheap generic sris.
> >
> > -d/r
>
>
> I've thought about that before, but when I looked into it, it still seemed kind of expensive. I take 225 mg of Effexor XR (3 x 75 mg). It seems like the overseas places charge per pill, not per dose...Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. Can you tell me how much it costs you?
>
>

well i save about 33% on parnate, but MAOIs are hard to find, i'd imagine effexor would be better savings.

-d/r

 

MAOI TX in Severe+Resistant Depression

Posted by CaptainAmerica1967 on January 12, 2009, at 16:00:43

In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36

Look up Partnership for Prescription Assistance or Bridge to Access.

If you currently don't have insurance and don't make enough money then you can qualify for free (with copay) meds.

 

Re: MAOI TX in Severe+Resistant Depression

Posted by Mickapoo on January 12, 2009, at 16:38:08

In reply to MAOI TX in Severe+Resistant Depression, posted by CaptainAmerica1967 on January 12, 2009, at 16:00:43

Also look up Merck as they are the manufacturer of Effexor.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE

Posted by detroitpistons on January 14, 2009, at 15:45:22

In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36

So I called the community mental health center and talked to a clinician for about 45 minutes. He deemed me eligible and scheduled me for an intake! He made it sound like the center might balk at him a little bit for accepting me...Apparently, they are so overwhelmed, that most of the patients there are very severely ill and very needy. I almost feel guilty asking for a handout. I wish I didn't have to take these stupid drugs.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help » detroitpistons

Posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:28:20

In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36

Do you have a county mental health program or clinic in your area?

If so, that would be your best bet for getting some help with medications for mental illness.

> Hi all,
>
> It's been a while since I've been on this board, although I was never a regular. I mostly lurked in the past, but also did some posting....
>
> Anyways, I'm back because I need some opinions. I was laid off from my job and then was on COBRA for several months, but couldn't afford it anymore (almost $400/ month). I recently moved back home to go back to school because I couldn't find a job. I had my last appointment with my old doctor in December, and I got 3 months worth of meds at that time. It's been that way for a while. I've been relatively stable for a nice, long stretch. I just had maintenance appointments every 3 months and my pdoc would refill my scripts.
>
> I'm on Effexor and Lamictal (I also take Xanax as needed). My last doctor thought I was BP2. I've been doing relatively well on this combo. I just need to continue my supply. I could probably afford to pay $100 for a pdoc maintenance appt every 3 months (although there will be an expensive initial intake appointment), but I don't think I can afford the Effexor XR until it goes generic. Lamictal is already generic, but I don't think Effexor XR goes generic until the summer.
>
> I've been fortunate to never have been in this position until now, but I have no experience with this and I don't know where to go or what to do. I've always had some form of insurance.
>
> Anybody have any advice?
>
>
> Thanks a million!

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons

Posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:38:43

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE, posted by detroitpistons on January 14, 2009, at 15:45:22

Do not let them make you feel this way. Its your tax money that pays these clowns and if we ever get a universal healthcare plan in the US these jokers will be out of business.

You need your medications and you need to make that clear to them. Don't take any BS off of them. There are usually some mandatory phone numbers and addresses posted at county services to make a complaint or greivance, so make sure you get down there and get an appointment with them.

If you feel suicidal at all, make that clear to these people and that may help speed these overpaid county employees to get the message.

> So I called the community mental health center and talked to a clinician for about 45 minutes. He deemed me eligible and scheduled me for an intake! He made it sound like the center might balk at him a little bit for accepting me...Apparently, they are so overwhelmed, that most of the patients there are very severely ill and very needy. I almost feel guilty asking for a handout. I wish I didn't have to take these stupid drugs.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » rvanson

Posted by detroitpistons on January 28, 2009, at 17:44:11

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons, posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:38:43

So I had the actual intake appointment at the county mental health center, and I was actually VERY impressed. The guy I talked to on the phone was completely wrong. The intake psychologist was very surprised that he said what he said.

The intake was the most comprehensive I've ever had. I was interviewed for more than an hour and a half. I never had that kind of attention when I had insurance and when I was a paying patient at psychiatrist's offices. She really made me feel at ease with the process and seemed like she genuinely cared, and that I would get all the medication that I needed.

I have my first appointment with the psychiatrist on Saturday. Hopefully it goes well. The biggest difference with these kinds of free services, obviously, is that you don't get to choose your doctor...I can live with that.

In our hyper capitalistic society, I'm surprised that there are resources like this. I'm truly grateful. Our healthcare system in the U.S. is garbage. It's inefficient and too profit driven. If you have an illness and don't work for a company who offers group insurance, you can't buy individual insurance that will cover the things that you need the insurance for (as far as I know). The individual health insurance market is a friekin joke.


> Do not let them make you feel this way. Its your tax money that pays these clowns and if we ever get a universal healthcare plan in the US these jokers will be out of business.
>
> You need your medications and you need to make that clear to them. Don't take any BS off of them. There are usually some mandatory phone numbers and addresses posted at county services to make a complaint or greivance, so make sure you get down there and get an appointment with them.
>
> If you feel suicidal at all, make that clear to these people and that may help speed these overpaid county employees to get the message.
>
>
>
> > So I called the community mental health center and talked to a clinician for about 45 minutes. He deemed me eligible and scheduled me for an intake! He made it sound like the center might balk at him a little bit for accepting me...Apparently, they are so overwhelmed, that most of the patients there are very severely ill and very needy. I almost feel guilty asking for a handout. I wish I didn't have to take these stupid drugs.
>
>

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE

Posted by Ceres on January 28, 2009, at 19:30:11

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » rvanson, posted by detroitpistons on January 28, 2009, at 17:44:11

Good to hear that you got services through the County. It sounds exceptional.

That's so much better than in many regions. Here, one has to admit to being a danger to oneself or others(hospitalization)or have active psychosis to qualify. (Not that it's an inherently rotten system, they're just strapped for funds & can't retain their MD's).

If your county gets similarly strapped w/ budget cuts & you need a back up plan, there are therapy clincs (Family Resource or Service Centers, etc)in sizable cities. They usually require that one see a therapy intern at a sliding scale rate before they'll let you see the MD they contract w/. Their MD's are usually available at sliding scale to the uninsured.
It's another no-insurance, low-income possibility.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help

Posted by CaptainAmerica1967 on February 3, 2009, at 20:07:05

In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36

Hi, I haven't read through the other comments but Parntership for Prescription Assistant and or Bridges to Access. There are others too.

https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE (nm)

Posted by detroitpistons on February 4, 2009, at 13:55:04

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons, posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:38:43

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE

Posted by detroitpistons on February 4, 2009, at 13:55:51

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons, posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:38:43

I went in today and they told me that I have to apply for Medicaid so that I'll have a rejection letter, so that I'll be eligible for patient assistence. Apparently, the drug companies are such ***holes that you have to go through all that before they'll help you. I've bought and paid for Effexor XR for 5 years total. Throw me a friggin bone, Wyeth.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons

Posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2009, at 21:14:34

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE, posted by detroitpistons on February 4, 2009, at 13:55:51

No samples available? I'm so sorry but a clinic have you tried one? Love Phillipa

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » Phillipa

Posted by detroitpistons on February 5, 2009, at 8:16:26

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons, posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2009, at 21:14:34

I'm going to the county mental health center. They said they'll get me meds for the next couple of months, but I still have to apply for Medicaid...I guess the drug companies won't do patient assistence unless you prove you've exhausted all options. Therefore, I have to apply to Medicaid and get refused before Wyeth will give me free meds.

What I find a little strange is that I have a friend who lives in a different county and he doesn't have to do this. They write him prescriptions and they send him to a specific pharmacy to pick them up, free of charge....In fact, one of his drugs is Abilify, which is super expensive, at least $500/ month.

I guess as long as I get free meds, I have nothing to complain about. I just hope the Medicaid application process isn't too much of a pain in the a**.


> No samples available? I'm so sorry but a clinic have you tried one? Love Phillipa

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons

Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2009, at 20:18:07

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » Phillipa, posted by detroitpistons on February 5, 2009, at 8:16:26

No doubt it will be a pain. Anything Government funded is. I'm assuming you have old tax returns ets.? Great that you will get meds for now. Love Phillipa

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY

Posted by detroitpistons on March 9, 2009, at 18:21:39

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons, posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2009, at 20:18:07

When I went to the first appointment at this community place, I had well over a month of Effexor XR left. I had gotten the ball rolling with this place as quickly as possible, because I figured it might take a while to get an appointment and get meds, given the fact that I have no insurance, etc. I was trying to be responsible. When I told the doctor that I had a month of meds left, he basically just said, "Come back in a month."

So today I go back there and, after refusing to prescribe me adderall (I'm taking classes and I really do need it) he gives me a one month prescription of Effexor XR with 1 refill, and my standard Xanax prescription (taken once in a while for general anxiety), and Remeron for sleep.

After my appointment with the doctor, I had an appointment with my "case worker." I'm sitting there with my Effexor prescription in my hand and I say, "So how do I get this filled?" He was sort of surprised by the question. I informed him that one month of Effexor XR at a local pharmacy runs something like $350. He actually said that he's never heard of Effexor before!! What? Don't you work in a mental health clinic?

You know, I really hate to complain about free service, but I tried to make it very clear in the beginning that I COULD NOT AFFORD EFFEXOR XR, and that I can't, under any circumstances, miss a single dose of Effexor XR.

I've got 18 days left. Even if I get accepted into Wyeth's patient assistance program, it's going to take longer than that to get the meds. The case worker said that it usually takes around 2 months. He said he would find out about getting samples for me, so there's no guarantee about that. Even so, samples only go so far. I take 3 x 75 mgs/ day. That's a lot of samples.

I'm frustrated. I'm angry. I'm SCARED TO DEATH of running out of Effexor, even for 1 day. This gives me a profound sense of anxiety, but hey, I've got some Xanax now, right? I wish I didn't take these stupid drugs. I wish I never started. I wish I could just stop taking them. I wish my stupid brain wasn't so messed up....Maybe it isn't. Maybe these drugs are just a crutch. Maybe I'm just weak. God, I suck.......All these thoughts start swirling around my insufferable little brain.

This is also very frustrating for me in a larger sense. I guess I'm a person of principle, and, aside from the Effexor problem, the fact that I'm in this situation in the first place pisses me off all by itself. It reminds me of how screwed up our healthcare system is, and how a lot of people don't really care as long as they have insurance. I'm pissed that I have to go asking for "handouts." I'm pissed that everything costs so damned much. I'm pissed that I have to feel guilty for going back to school instead of looking for a job that offers health insurance. I'm just pissed.

Wyeth's patient assistance form has a section that asks for your assets, including IRA's/ 401k. Ok, so I have a few thousand dollars in a couple 401k accounts. I see that question and I start to feel a little guilty because I am reminded that I do actually own something. Am I supposed to take this question to mean that I should cash out (at a terrible tax loss) my meager little life's savings to pay for Effexor XR? Do I lie about my 401k and the unemployment money that's about to run out?

As you can see, I'm pretty pissed off right now. I have a test tomorrow and I can't focus on studying right now because of this.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY » detroitpistons

Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2009, at 20:48:11

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY, posted by detroitpistons on March 9, 2009, at 18:21:39

I say do whatever it takes to obtain the med. This is just me though. Phillipa

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY » detroitpistons

Posted by softheprairie on March 10, 2009, at 2:47:18

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY, posted by detroitpistons on March 9, 2009, at 18:21:39

> When I went to the first appointment at this community place, I had well over a month of Effexor XR left. I had gotten the ball rolling with this place as quickly as possible, because I figured it might take a while to get an appointment and get meds, given the fact that I have no insurance, etc. I was trying to be responsible. When I told the doctor that I had a month of meds left, he basically just said, "Come back in a month."
>
> So today I go back there and, after refusing to prescribe me adderall (I'm taking classes and I really do need it) he gives me a one month prescription of Effexor XR with 1 refill, and my standard Xanax prescription (taken once in a while for general anxiety), and Remeron for sleep.
>
> After my appointment with the doctor, I had an appointment with my "case worker." I'm sitting there with my Effexor prescription in my hand and I say, "So how do I get this filled?" He was sort of surprised by the question. I informed him that one month of Effexor XR at a local pharmacy runs something like $350. He actually said that he's never heard of Effexor before!! What? Don't you work in a mental health clinic?
>
> You know, I really hate to complain about free service, but

I really feel for you. The part above reminds me of a smaller similar vexation I'm going through now, with the VITA tax volunteer I used to get my taxes done for free messed up my state return for the second year in a row (when I went to the location I was specifically hoping I wouldn't get the same man, but out of the workers there, he had the opening when it was my turn, so I felt like I had to go with him again). So now I have to make return trips to try to get it corrected.

I tried to make it very clear in the beginning that I COULD NOT AFFORD EFFEXOR XR, and that I can't, under any circumstances, miss a single dose of Effexor XR.
>
> I've got 18 days left. Even if I get accepted into Wyeth's patient assistance program, it's going to take longer than that to get the meds. The case worker said that it usually takes around 2 months. He said he would find out about getting samples for me, so there's no guarantee about that. Even so, samples only go so far. I take 3 x 75 mgs/ day. That's a lot of samples.
>
> I'm frustrated. I'm angry. I'm SCARED TO DEATH of running out of Effexor, even for 1 day. This gives me a profound sense of anxiety, but hey, I've got some Xanax now, right? I wish I didn't take these stupid drugs. I wish I never started. I wish I could just stop taking them. I wish my stupid brain wasn't so messed up....Maybe it isn't. Maybe these drugs are just a crutch. Maybe I'm just weak. God, I suck.......All these thoughts start swirling around my insufferable little brain.
>
> This is also very frustrating for me in a larger sense. I guess I'm a person of principle, and, aside from the Effexor problem, the fact that I'm in this situation in the first place pisses me off all by itself. It reminds me of how screwed up our healthcare system is, and how a lot of people don't really care as long as they have insurance. I'm pissed that I have to go asking for "handouts." I'm pissed that everything costs so damned much. I'm pissed that I have to feel guilty for going back to school instead of looking for a job that offers health insurance. I'm just pissed.
>
> Wyeth's patient assistance form has a section that asks for your assets, including IRA's/ 401k. Ok, so I have a few thousand dollars in a couple 401k accounts. I see that question and I start to feel a little guilty because I am reminded that I do actually own something. Am I supposed to take this question to mean that I should cash out (at a terrible tax loss) my meager little life's savings to pay for Effexor XR? Do I lie about my 401k and the unemployment money that's about to run out?
>
> As you can see, I'm pretty pissed off right now. I have a test tomorrow and I can't focus on studying right now because of this.


I so concur with your assessment throughout your post. I wish I had something more constructive to say, but I don't.
I don't know if I would have the guts/forwardness to actually do this, but what if you mailed a copy of your post here to the director of the community clinic in question. That person might be able to do something.
If it really gets to be that you are out and can't get enough samples, you might be able to have a pharmacy call the doctor's office to authorize some (relatively) cheaper immediate-release generic venlafaxine and take those spaced throughout the day, but just buy a week's worth at a time while you try to pressure a speed up from any of the parties who can get free ones to you.
You are definitely one of the far too many falling between the cracks in our messed-up country, aka "playing by the rules but losing," which I also feel.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY » softheprairie

Posted by detroitpistons on March 10, 2009, at 10:56:53

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY » detroitpistons, posted by softheprairie on March 10, 2009, at 2:47:18

Thanks. It's nice to know that someone understands. There's no easy answer here. As far as the short term situation with Effexor, the suggestion you made about going on immediate release Effexor for a while is a good idea....I just have to remember to take them at the right time (easier said than done for me). If I can get these people to actually help me out and write scripts for me, I think that will be a good strategy. But this isn't like a normal doctor's office where you can call with emergencies and they will help you. It seems like it's really hard to get help outside of your scheduled med reviews. But if I have trouble, I'm going to raise hell.....They should go through Effexor withdrawal and see what it's like. It amazes me that, for years, drug companies and doctors denied that withdrawal, or as they like to put it, "discontinuation syndrome," exists at all.


> I so concur with your assessment throughout your post. I wish I had something more constructive to say, but I don't.
> I don't know if I would have the guts/forwardness to actually do this, but what if you mailed a copy of your post here to the director of the community clinic in question. That person might be able to do something.
> If it really gets to be that you are out and can't get enough samples, you might be able to have a pharmacy call the doctor's office to authorize some (relatively) cheaper immediate-release generic venlafaxine and take those spaced throughout the day, but just buy a week's worth at a time while you try to pressure a speed up from any of the parties who can get free ones to you.
> You are definitely one of the far too many falling between the cracks in our messed-up country, aka "playing by the rules but losing," which I also feel.

 

Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY » detroitpistons

Posted by Merge on March 10, 2009, at 16:42:08

In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - ANGRY » softheprairie, posted by detroitpistons on March 10, 2009, at 10:56:53

It was actually cheaper for me to order the generic XR (venlafaxine XR) from Canada rather than to pay for the generic non-XR (venlafaxine, non-XR) in the United States.


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Script revised: February 4, 2008
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