[Mari]

I asked the pharmacist what might be a good generic for me to talk to my pdoc about instead of the Cymbalta (Insurance has a problem paying for the Cymbalta).
He asked me what the pdoc was looking for. I said, "agitated depression for bipolar."

He said, "Lexapro?" HELLO? That is not a generic.
Then he said, Prozac or Effexor.

Great. That is the same thing I could have come up with on my own web search
=-=

Do you think that I could take small dose Effexor? I want something weight neutral or better. My main concern is that I want something that will help with the agitated depression.


Here is what wikipedia says about SNRIs

The SNRIs were developed more recently than the SSRIs and as a result there are relatively few of them.

However, the SNRIs are among the most widely used antidepressants today because they have demonstrated slightly higher antidepressant efficacy than the SSRIs (apparently owing to their dual mechanism) and because their side effects are slightly less severe in comparison to the SSRIs as well.

Wikipedia does not cite sources for that statement.



M.

[bizi]

have you ever looked at taking alow dose of an atypical, like abilify or seroquel?
a girl friend of mine used to take a very low dose 25mg of seroquel 3 times a day to help with her anxiety issues.

[Mari]

Dear Bizi,
Thank you for thinking about me.
I already take 2.5 mgs klonopin to help with anxiety. I prefer to change only one med.

I'm not ready to take an a-typical.
I have depression related to anxiety.
I want an anti-depressant. They work for lots of people.

My only real problem is getting the insurance company to agree to Lexapro or Cymbalta.

Seroquel and Abilify are not available in generic.

M.

[bizi]

I hope that your insurance company approves the cymbalta for you, I read on another forum that it very quickly gets worked into your system.
So I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

[Mari]

Originally Posted by bizi

I hope that your insurance company approves the cymbalta for you, I read on another forum that it very quickly gets worked into your system.
So I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Bizi,
The insurance company is not going to give me the med.
THey keep faxing stuff to the pdoc and he answers and then they send more faxes.

Anyway, now I don't trust them.

I had a talk today with the pharmacist about his moronic techs. He apologized for having lots of new people working with him.
Probably the insurance company also has bunches of morons.


I need to get started on a new drug -- a drug that could take weeks or months to titrate up.

I will call pdoc tomorrow and ask him to call in a 'script for Effexor.
He mentioned Effexor when I saw him last but he had samples of Cymbalta in his office so he gave me them.

M.

[bizi]

I am sorry it has been such a head ache for you....
bizi

[waves]

from your earlier thread...

Originally Posted by waves

Effexor is the other SRNI (same class as Cymbalta). If your pdoc can't get the Cymbalta for you he may script Effexor, since it is much older than Cymbalta.

[Mari]

I'm depressed.
Some nights I sleep 3 -4 hours.
The energy of my life is put into not sleeping.
There is something deeply wrong with me. I need help.


I have appts with mdoc specialists coming up that I have postponed for a while. I see one tomorrow. During the initial examination I will have to explain again that I do not sleep by choice. I'm getting anxious thinking about going over this.


I'm too tired to deal with my pdoc to get an AD. I am afraid to call. I certainly don't feel like making an appt to see him.

M.

[waves]

Dear Mari

a few things come to mind. no particular order.

depression is getting in your way right now.
tiredness breeds depression and viceversa.
you are sleep deprived.
you have made some psychological progress on the sleep thing - with the affirmations. sometimes these events cause stress, and can make things worse before they become better.

do first things first.

i encourage you to do whatever you can to get in to see your pdoc, gritting teeth, whatever, to get an AD. this is one problem you can fight. it will take one visit. the rest can hopefully be managed by phone.

after the mdoc visit today, defer the rest, and keep working with your T.

i am sending you energy for renewal and healing vibes.

and hugs

~ waves ~

[Mari]

Thanks, Waves,
You make sense.
I am now going to take a nap before my mdoc appt.
M.