![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Snoozy on April 18, 2003, at 20:39:44
Hi - I've noticed quite a few people here are taking Provigil. I was wondering if any of you had a hard time getting your health insurance to cover it? If so, what did it take to get it covered?
Thanks for any insights!
Posted by fallsfall on April 20, 2003, at 7:56:40
In reply to Provigil and insurance, posted by Snoozy on April 18, 2003, at 20:39:44
My doctor was concerned that the insurance wouldn't cover it. But I have really great insurance and I had no problem. Since he was concerned, I would say that it is not unusual for insurance to have a problem with Provigil. I wish I had suggestions for you! My Provigil is really helping my depression. Good Luck
Posted by Snoozy on April 20, 2003, at 12:48:13
In reply to Re: Provigil and insurance » Snoozy, posted by fallsfall on April 20, 2003, at 7:56:40
Thanks. My insurance will usually cover things if you send them enough letters from the dr.
Can I ask about your experience with Provigil? I was really intrigued when you said it is helping your depression. I am considering taking it for this extreme sleepiness, which is making me really depressed. Maybe it's a chicken-and-egg thing, am I tired because I'm depressed, or am I depressed because I'm tired. Whatever the case, I want to feel awake sometimes!
> My doctor was concerned that the insurance wouldn't cover it. But I have really great insurance and I had no problem. Since he was concerned, I would say that it is not unusual for insurance to have a problem with Provigil. I wish I had suggestions for you! My Provigil is really helping my depression. Good Luck
Posted by fallsfall on April 20, 2003, at 23:03:24
In reply to Re: Provigil and insurance » fallsfall, posted by Snoozy on April 20, 2003, at 12:48:13
I have had extreme fatigue for about a year. I'm not too sad etc. but I have absolutely no ambition or energy. I now take 400mg of Provigil in the morning. It helped, but not enough, and it gave me nausea. So my doctor added Straterra, but the nausea was really bad, so I tried dropping the Provigil and keeping the Straterra. That did nothing. I need BOTH the Provigil and Straterra to get additional energy. It also has really reduced suicidal ideation. The nausea has gone away with time (ginger helps in the mean time).
So, yes, I would think Provigil would be worth a try. And if that isn't enough, see if your doc will add Straterra in, too.
Let me know how it goes.
Posted by jerrympls on April 21, 2003, at 20:36:26
In reply to Provigil and insurance, posted by Snoozy on April 18, 2003, at 20:39:44
I took Provigil for a month or two without any problems from my insurance. I had Blue Cross at the time. I already fullfilled my out-of-pocket costs so I didn't have to pay a dime for it - and they never questioned it either.
Posted by Snoozy on April 21, 2003, at 23:06:42
In reply to Re: Provigil and insurance, posted by fallsfall on April 20, 2003, at 23:03:24
Thanks again. I did ask my pdoc about Straterra last summer, before it was on the market. He said I might have to stop taking the Wellbutrin I've been on for several years if I were to try the Straterra. I don't know if this is good or bad, but I'm moving to the head of the line of patients that he first prescribes new drugs to. lol
It seems all of the posting I've read here about Straterra, everyone has had problems with nausea/no appetite. I really struggle with my appetite now and I'm underweight, so I would be worried about that. On the other hand, whenever I take a stimulant, which is supposed to decrease appetite, mine actually increases. I don't know if it's because I feel awake or what. I'm glad you're finding a good combo for yourself.
> I have had extreme fatigue for about a year. I'm not too sad etc. but I have absolutely no ambition or energy. I now take 400mg of Provigil in the morning. It helped, but not enough, and it gave me nausea. So my doctor added Straterra, but the nausea was really bad, so I tried dropping the Provigil and keeping the Straterra. That did nothing. I need BOTH the Provigil and Straterra to get additional energy. It also has really reduced suicidal ideation. The nausea has gone away with time (ginger helps in the mean time).
>
> So, yes, I would think Provigil would be worth a try. And if that isn't enough, see if your doc will add Straterra in, too.
>
> Let me know how it goes.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.