Re: melt down

[Guest guest]

I am going through the same thing with Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance with my

Cymbalta. I have been on this medication for almost a year. And had Cigna, my

husbands co switched and no they are saying they will not cover. Never gave me

an alternative or anything. had to go off the cymbalts cold turkey. It is

awful...my body had been jittering for day, don't dare to go anywhere. just

feel like crap literally. How can they do that. Ididnt' realize what our

doctors really do for us sometimes. My dr has been great. And I am taking

Lyrica, just started, but still not feeling any better yet.

Cbaker

melt down

The last two days I have been doing battle with the insurance company over

not having coverage any longer for my Effexor. They said they had a

" glitch " in their system and they found it and now will no longer cover ANY

anti-depressants. There are going to be a lot of irate people because many

are on anti-depressants not only for depression but for many, many medical

conditions. I dislike insurance companies. I spoke to so many people at

the company in the last two days and seemed to get a different answer from

each one. Almost like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing.

It finally came down to no coverage any longer for any anti-depressants.

And this is a major insurance company. Even had my doctor try to do a

pre-authorization. Denied.

So I'm screwed - I take a fairly high dose of Effexor and to pay for it

myself would run me almost $500 a month - I cannot afford that. Isn't that

what I'm paying the insurance policy for which is an individual plan in

itself? Lowering the dose right now isn't an option because the doctor just

increased it as my depression was getting worse.

So as I said - I had a melt down and cried like mad - my eyes are so swollen

this morning.

My doctor said they could switch me to Cymbalta and supply me with samples -

but how long can they keep giving me free samples?

I've searched around for other insurance and found out I am uninsurable by

any other insurance company because of all the medical conditions and

medications I am on - don't qualify for Medicare or Medicaid - so those are

out. Wisconsin has a high risk pool insurance that I might be eligible for

- but there is a six month waiting period before anything is covered - so

basically I would have to pay the premium and for all my meds not to mention

any other medical costs - which I might as well just shoot myself because I

can't afford that.

I give up. I just don't know what to do anymore. I keep praying an answer

will come because I can't deal with this anymore and keep crying.

Teri (central WI)

[Guest guest]

I did a lil research. Not sure if it will help or not but the manufacturer

of Effexor, Wyeth Lab, has a patient help resource that might help you pay

for the medication. Here's the link:

http://www.wyeth.com/contact?rid=/wyeth_html/home/shared/footer/Patient/contact_\

patient_assist.html

Many pharmaceutical companies offer a program that either pays for, or helps

to pay for medications.

> The last two days I have been doing battle with the insurance company

> over

> not having coverage any longer for my Effexor. They said they had a

> " glitch " in their system and they found it and now will no longer cover

> ANY

> anti-depressants. There are going to be a lot of irate people because many

> are on anti-depressants not only for depression but for many, many medical

> conditions.

>

[Guest guest]

Celeste,

Yup, that's the company I'm dealing with - apparently they no longer cover

any anti-d's unless you have a psych rider on your policy which is expensive

- talking $2,400 a month in premiums expensive. That's what I was told by

their sales department. (In Wisconsin anyway - not sure of other states.)

That's nuts. The pharmacist and doctor seem to think they are going to lose

a lot of business and have a lot of problems because of this " glitch " that

they seemed to have found.

God, I feel for you going off the Cymbalta cold turkey - from what I

understand one should wean off any anti-depressants otherwise you end up

feeling like you did. I remember going off Effexor years ago and had to

wean down - still had bad effects from it. I'm hoping that switching from

Effexor to Cymbalta doesn't cause too many problems. I know they are both

SNRI's so maybe that will help. Not looking forward to finding out though.

How did the Cymbalta work for you?

Teri (central WI)

Re: melt down

I am going through the same thing with Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance with

my Cymbalta. I have been on this medication for almost a year. And had

Cigna, my husbands co switched and no they are saying they will not cover.

Never gave me an alternative or anything. had to go off the cymbalts cold

turkey. It is awful...my body had been jittering for day, don't dare to go

anywhere. just feel like crap literally. How can they do that. Ididnt'

realize what our doctors really do for us sometimes. My dr has been great.

And I am taking Lyrica, just started, but still not feeling any better yet.

Cbaker

[Guest guest]

I don't know if you might want to try some of the anti-depressants

that are on some of the discount prescription plans like at Wal-mart

but here are their lists:

Walmart $4 Anti-depressants:

Antidepressant

Amitriptyline 100MG TAB

Amitriptyline 10MG TAB

Amitriptyline 25MG TAB

Amitriptyline 50MG TAB

Amitriptyline 75MG TAB

Citalopram 20MG TAB

Citalopram 40MG TAB

Doxepin HCL 100MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 10MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 25MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 50MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 75MG CAP

Fluoxetine 10MG CAP

Fluoxetine 20MG CAP

Fluoxetine 40MG CAP

Nortriptyline 10MG CAP

Nortriptyline 25MG CAP

Paroxetine 10MG TAB

Paroxetine 20MG TAB

Trazodone 100MG TAB

Trazodone 150MG TAB

Trazodone 50MG TAB

Target's $4 list can be seen at:

http://sites.target.com/images/pharmacy/pharmacy_4dollar_program_list.

pdf

Walgreens also has a discount prescription program. You can read

about it here:

http://www.freedrugcard.us/walgreens.html

CVS Pharmacies also has a discount prescription program. You can read

about it here:

http://www.freedrugcard.us/cvs.html

So does riteaid:

http://www.freedrugcard.us/riteaid.html

And Eckard Drug:

http://www.eckerddiscountplan.com/home.aspx

You might also check the manufacturer's website and see if they have

a discount program.

Good Luck

N.

[Guest guest]

Mystic,

You are wonderful!

Teri (central WI)

Re: melt down

I don't know if you might want to try some of the anti-depressants

that are on some of the discount prescription plans like at Wal-mart

but here are their lists:

Walmart $4 Anti-depressants:

Antidepressant

Amitriptyline 100MG TAB

Amitriptyline 10MG TAB

Amitriptyline 25MG TAB

Amitriptyline 50MG TAB

Amitriptyline 75MG TAB

Citalopram 20MG TAB

Citalopram 40MG TAB

Doxepin HCL 100MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 10MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 25MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 50MG CAP

Doxepin HCL 75MG CAP

Fluoxetine 10MG CAP

Fluoxetine 20MG CAP

Fluoxetine 40MG CAP

Nortriptyline 10MG CAP

Nortriptyline 25MG CAP

Paroxetine 10MG TAB

Paroxetine 20MG TAB

Trazodone 100MG TAB

Trazodone 150MG TAB

Trazodone 50MG TAB

Target's $4 list can be seen at:

http://sites.

<http://sites.target.com/images/pharmacy/pharmacy_4dollar_program_list.>

target.com/images/pharmacy/pharmacy_4dollar_program_list.

pdf

Walgreens also has a discount prescription program. You can read

about it here:

http://www.freedrug <http://www.freedrugcard.us/walgreens.html>

card.us/walgreens.html

CVS Pharmacies also has a discount prescription program. You can read

about it here:

http://www.freedrug <http://www.freedrugcard.us/cvs.html> card.us/cvs.html

So does riteaid:

http://www.freedrug <http://www.freedrugcard.us/riteaid.html>

card.us/riteaid.html

And Eckard Drug:

http://www.eckerddi <http://www.eckerddiscountplan.com/home.aspx>

scountplan.com/home.aspx

You might also check the manufacturer's website and see if they have

a discount program.

Good Luck

N.

[Guest guest]

Teri,

The Cymbalta seemed to be really working for me. I really am disappointed and

so is my Dr. He is still fighting the insurance company to try to get them to

approve so I can continue to take it with the Lyrica. I didn't really have

anythign to fall back on because Lyrica isn't the same drug, from what my Dr.

said. It has been awful. I was hoping that I would wake this am and feel like

better. But I don't! I still feel that jittery feeling and very emotional, and

a bit snappy! But trying to stay calm and just work through it. Awful that

this had to happen when the kids are on vacation. But they have really been

good. I wish you the best, and I am here if you need to talk. Would love to

make a good friend

cbaker

Re: melt down

I am going through the same thing with Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance with

my Cymbalta. I have been on this medication for almost a year. And had

Cigna, my husbands co switched and no they are saying they will not cover.

Never gave me an alternative or anything. had to go off the cymbalts cold

turkey. It is awful...my body had been jittering for day, don't dare to go

anywhere. just feel like crap literally. How can they do that. Ididnt'

realize what our doctors really do for us sometimes. My dr has been great.

And I am taking Lyrica, just started, but still not feeling any better yet.

Cbaker

[Guest guest]

Oh Teri, I'm so sorry. You are in a really tough spot. Have you tried

contacting the company that makes Effexor? They might have a program that will

allow you to get the med for free for a certain amount of time. I know it's not

a permanent solution, but it might help for a little while. I will pray for you

to find a solution.

Jeanne in WI

The last two days I have been doing battle with the insurance company over not

having coverage any longer for my Effexor. They said they had a " glitch " in

their system and they found it and now will no longer cover ANY

anti-depressants. There are going to be a lot of irate people because many are

on anti-depressants not only for depression but for many, many medical

conditions. I dislike insurance companies. I spoke to so many people at the

company in the last two days and seemed to get a different answer from each one.

Almost like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. It finally came

down to no coverage any longer for any anti-depressants. And this is a major

insurance company. Even had my doctor try to do a pre-authorization. Denied.

So I'm screwed - I take a fairly high dose of Effexor and to pay for it myself

would run me almost $500 a month - I cannot afford that. Isn't that what I'm

paying the insurance policy for which is an individual plan in

itself? Lowering the dose right now isn't an option because the doctor just

increased it as my depression was getting worse.

[Guest guest]

Terry,

I'm so sorry. I was on Effexor for a while and went through similar issues.

Fortunately, my doctor kept me in effexor samples for quite a while. However,

whatever you do, wean yourself gradually off the effexor if you decide to do

that. It will make you sick as a dog if you stop it cold. My brother wound up

in ER when his doctor switched meds on him cold; and I almost did when I ran out

once.

I'm on Cymbalta now. I like it better. It works better for me and I don't have

a total meltdown if I forget a dose. So you might consider making the change.

But again, whatever you do, ease off the effexor.

BTW I have a starter pack of effexor but I don't think I can mail it to you. I

might be able to fedex it; I know one time my mom shipped my Rx's to me when I

was on a business trip.

Angie Harley Mama Double-D

Carson City, NV; Single, five children (3 at home), 2 dogs, 4 cats, snow skiing,

camping, Harley Rider, Lone Wolf, Blue Thong Society/High Sierra Thong Snappers

member, LFA Advocate, independent, opinionated, outspoken, and open minded.

" It's always something. " ~~~Gilda Radner

" While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow

part of us to die - whether it is our spirit,our creativity, or our glorious

uniqueness. " ~~~Gilda Radner

http://www.mybloglog.com/buzz/members/AGBlog/

http://360.yahoo.com/lovinglifeinnv

http://www.myspace.com/amkg

http://doripost.agrato.info/

http://wine-and-chocolate.blogspot.com/

http://weblog.xanga.com/purplepassionate

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/angiemg

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=592316375

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LupusSurvivorsU/

melt down

The last two days I have been doing battle with the insurance

company over

not having coverage any longer for my Effexor. They said they had a

" glitch " in their system and they found it and now will no longer cover ANY

anti-depressants. There are going to be a lot of irate people because many

are on anti-depressants not only for depression but for many, many medical

conditions. I dislike insurance companies. I spoke to so many people at

the company in the last two days and seemed to get a different answer from

each one. Almost like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing.

It finally came down to no coverage any longer for any anti-depressants.

And this is a major insurance company. Even had my doctor try to do a

pre-authorization. Denied.

So I'm screwed - I take a fairly high dose of Effexor and to pay for it

myself would run me almost $500 a month - I cannot afford that. Isn't that

what I'm paying the insurance policy for which is an individual plan in

itself? Lowering the dose right now isn't an option because the doctor just

increased it as my depression was getting worse.

So as I said - I had a melt down and cried like mad - my eyes are so swollen

this morning.

My doctor said they could switch me to Cymbalta and supply me with samples -

but how long can they keep giving me free samples?

I've searched around for other insurance and found out I am uninsurable by

any other insurance company because of all the medical conditions and

medications I am on - don't qualify for Medicare or Medicaid - so those are

out. Wisconsin has a high risk pool insurance that I might be eligible for

- but there is a six month waiting period before anything is covered - so

basically I would have to pay the premium and for all my meds not to mention

any other medical costs - which I might as well just shoot myself because I

can't afford that.

I give up. I just don't know what to do anymore. I keep praying an answer

will come because I can't deal with this anymore and keep crying.

Teri (central WI)

[Guest guest]

Barb,

I'll add this to my list.

Thanks so much!

Teri (central Wisconsin)

Re: melt down

I did a lil research. Not sure if it will help or not but the manufacturer

of Effexor, Wyeth Lab, has a patient help resource that might help you pay

for the medication. Here's the link:

http://www.wyeth.

<http://www.wyeth.com/contact?rid=/wyeth_html/home/shared/footer/Patient/con

tact_patient_assist.html>

com/contact?rid=/wyeth_html/home/shared/footer/Patient/contact_patient_assis

t.html

Many pharmaceutical companies offer a program that either pays for, or helps

to pay for medications.