Ticked off - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

angelgirl · 08-31-2005, 07:16 PM

I went and saw my psych today. I have been diagnosed with a mood disorder (imagine that

) .. I have been waiting to see him, and I finally did ( he's my, addiction doc ) and for once I am actually looking forward to trying a prescribed drug, because I feel a mood stabilizer may really help me.. He wrote me a script for Topamax, well I took it to the pharmacy and they will not fill it.!!! They said my my ins. company is being rotten, they need my doctor to call them before they;ll fill it.. Something about them, wanting to know why he chose that med instead of another or something like that they told me..
I am so angry, it is SOOO hard to get ahold of my doc. and he is so busy, I will probably have to wait some time before I hear anything, let alone get to start any meds for this,..
My doctor is very busy, and he doesn't move to fast when I have called him about things in the past..
Oh well,,,
JUst wanted to share my frustration, if anyone has experience with this med. or another mood disorder drug, please, can you tell me your experience?/
Thanks..
Love, Becky

bikewench · 08-31-2005, 09:35 PM

Hey Becky....

Nothing to share with you about the Topamax.... but I can understand your frustration with the BS at the pharmacy...

There's something fundamentally wrong about the incident... when the "bottom line" for investors is more important than just putting out what the doctor ordered...

I hope things work out for you...

ryanjosef · 08-31-2005, 10:56 PM

yeah a load of crap and serprising that they were such asses, let alone the doc prescibing something that is so questionable. o yeah and hi babe .. sorry bout what happend . dont know a thing about topamax but then again i dont know much about anything. so kick me and call me bill. but if you kick to hard ill tell my mommy on you and then she will kick me for being a tattle tail, then ill have to go out and kick the nabor...................s cat. and he wont like that..... much

Erratic · 08-31-2005, 11:09 PM

here is some information on the drug

http://www.psycom.net/depression.cen...opiramate.html

angelgirl · 09-01-2005, 12:22 AM

Thanks bike, rayn, and erratic too.

It's a sick situation when the ins. company get to decide what meds we take.. But we know that they do, and have for a while.. I just really needed to post on it, and WHINE

a bit.. It is sickening though..
Thanks erratic for the info. I will check it out..

Love, Becky

shutterbug · 09-01-2005, 01:02 AM

Hi Angelgirl,
I'm hearing your pain and frustration.
Glad to hear you finally got a real diagnosis from a doc...those kind of things can sometimes come in handy...like if you ever need proff of your illness...like to get social security and other services.

As to the problems getting the meds you need...Have you tried going to a different pharmacy? I usually got mine filled at Walgreens and usually had little trouble. I've never been denied access for a med b/c of my insurance and I've been on a ton of different meds...many of them costing between $300 and $400 for a month's supply and my insurance always covered them...after the small co-pay that is...but of course we probably have (had...don't have it anymore) a different insurance company.

Have you tried calling the ins. company and talking directly to them and telling them about the problem your having?

As I said, I've been put on many differnent mood stablizers and anti-depressants. The mix I'm on now seems to be a good one: Cymbalta, Welbutrin and Lamictal. I also take Visteril for anxiety and to help me sleep.

Other drugs I remember being put on are Seraquel, Effexor, a prosac comb pill, Lexapro, Depakote, Trazadone and I can't remember what else.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help in any way.

Hugs and God Bless,
Jenna

shutterbug · 09-01-2005, 01:07 AM

P.S. Your signature REALLY made me smile. I've been doing some research on a variety of things about bipolar disorder this evening and I thought of that same line:

"I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell"

I was thinking about how well that lyric is true of bipolar disorder, but I couldn't figure out WHERE I heard it from. I couldn't think of any other part of the song or the artist. SO here's a BIG THANKS!!! for giving me the knowledge that it's by Matchbox 20!

Live · 09-01-2005, 01:51 AM

Yeah, one of my meds has to be called in and it has caused a hassle. Leave an urgent message with the docs staff, that the pharmacy won't fill his scrip without the call. Be persistent. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. And yeah, try another pharmacy. One used to give me hassles, I switched and they are so much easier to deal with.

Ins companies can be heartless butts. One of my meds, they would only pay for 1/2 the scrip.

Also, at docs, I ask for samples, so when you call you might tell them that because your pharmacy won't fill until the phone call, you would like to stop by and pick up samples until you can get this resolved.

Stand up for yourself, don't give up and sometimes, being a pain in the arse helps, they get tired of dealing with you and give you what you need.

Just my experience.

live

angelgirl · 09-01-2005, 02:19 AM

Thanks much Jenna and live,
So others are alive at this ungodly hour huh

Nice to share it with you.. When I do get to sleep I will think of both of you, and wonder if your sleeping peacefully..

Thanks for the support. I get most of my meds at Walgreens too. But I use Shopko also.. We just got the Walgreens about a year or so ago, so when I get new scripts I drop them off there, ( I love the drive up window) but I still have some older scripts that I have been to lazy to switch.

I detest ins. companies too. They are so mean and cruel and heartless.. I have a few different meds and some are extremely expensive (like yours) and they pay, that's why I don't understand this?? I don't get it at all.
I am going to call the ins. company myself tomorrow. I asked the pharm. if I could and they said NO , they need to talk to the doctor, it's a mess, ?? I don't get that?? What's a MESS?? I wasted all that time and GAS (OUCH) waiting and waiting, and driving around, so I could pick up that medicine, they were a bit busy, so when I heard that, I almost blew a cork.. I was ticked. I didn't ask anymore questions, they said they'd call the doctor tomorrow for me, but he works at a couple different places, so I know that they won't get him, he only works wednesdays at the place I see him, and I see him in another town, so I;m sure they aren't gonna get a hold of him, so I will try that after I calll the ins. company..
I aksed when I dropped it off if they had a generic, they said not for that yet.. When there's no generic, they charge me at least $40 a script. That hurts cuz I am on so many, and I have tried so many that didn't work, which left me paying for a med that I couldn't use, soemtimes a few scripts a month that were wasted. I wish they could do refunds

Well, enough of my complaints. Thanks alot again, I appreciate your input..
Love, Becky
PS-- Jenna, I LOVE Rob Thomas, aand Matchbox 20.. Glad I helped you..

shutterbug · 09-01-2005, 02:31 AM

Yeah, I know how expensive those co-pays can be and how quickly they add up and suck you dry. I was worried about loosing my insurance when I got fired, but they actually did me a big favor by firing me cause...now I have access to a state funded program and they only charge me $15 a month for all my meds and I get to see the p=ych doc one a month and a counselor once a week and that doesn't cost anything. Maybe you could check into something like that - I mean, see if they have any kind of similar programs in your area.

As for Walgreen's telling you not to call your ins. company...HOGWASH!!! They can't tell you that you can't call your ins. company and talk to them. Sounds like those peeps at that pharmacy are just giving you the run around for some stupid reason. That makes me mad that they are treating you like that!

angelgirl · 09-01-2005, 02:43 AM

Hi,
well I think they were just telling me not to bother, but that's ok, I am going to bother

I need to.. I believe I have needed a mood stabilizer for a long, longtime..

I just home to late today, or I would have.. I hope they just have a question I can answer, and we don't have to chase the doctor all over, he's so busy...
It will take longer than I would like if we do..

Oh, well

I am going to try to fight for disability.. We'll see. My husband has a pretty good job, (it's just that we have SO many medical bills, that's what is hurting us so bad, and they are ALL from me) so I don't qualify for assistance.. But the disability, well that's another story.

Well I better go, thanks SOO, SOO much for all of your kindness and advice all.
I have to get up in about 2 hours, the kids first day back to school...

I hate school. I wish they were home with me all the time, but I know they need to be away...

Love, Becky

**shockozulu** · 09-01-2005, 11:34 AM

Do you go to a chain pharmacy? I go to to a small pharmacy that works with my crazy insurance company. They know the system inside and out. You might want to ask around.

The meds that would never get approved at the old pharmacy (if the doctor even called back) always get approved now. And if the doc doesn't call back, they work him and his office, knowing exactly when to call to get an answer etc.

08-31-2005, 07:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,190	Ticked off I went and saw my psych today. I have been diagnosed with a mood disorder (imagine that ) .. I have been waiting to see him, and I finally did ( he's my, addiction doc ) and for once I am actually looking forward to trying a prescribed drug, because I feel a mood stabilizer may really help me.. He wrote me a script for Topamax, well I took it to the pharmacy and they will not fill it.!!! They said my my ins. company is being rotten, they need my doctor to call them before they;ll fill it.. Something about them, wanting to know why he chose that med instead of another or something like that they told me.. I am so angry, it is SOOO hard to get ahold of my doc. and he is so busy, I will probably have to wait some time before I hear anything, let alone get to start any meds for this,.. My doctor is very busy, and he doesn't move to fast when I have called him about things in the past.. Oh well,,, JUst wanted to share my frustration, if anyone has experience with this med. or another mood disorder drug, please, can you tell me your experience?/ Thanks.. Love, Becky __________________ â„¢ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own. :praying

09-01-2005, 12:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,190	Thanks bike, rayn, and erratic too. It's a sick situation when the ins. company get to decide what meds we take.. But we know that they do, and have for a while.. I just really needed to post on it, and WHINE a bit.. It is sickening though.. Thanks erratic for the info. I will check it out.. Love, Becky __________________ â„¢ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own. :praying

09-01-2005, 01:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	Hi Angelgirl, I'm hearing your pain and frustration. Glad to hear you finally got a real diagnosis from a doc...those kind of things can sometimes come in handy...like if you ever need proff of your illness...like to get social security and other services. As to the problems getting the meds you need...Have you tried going to a different pharmacy? I usually got mine filled at Walgreens and usually had little trouble. I've never been denied access for a med b/c of my insurance and I've been on a ton of different meds...many of them costing between $300 and $400 for a month's supply and my insurance always covered them...after the small co-pay that is...but of course we probably have (had...don't have it anymore) a different insurance company. Have you tried calling the ins. company and talking directly to them and telling them about the problem your having? As I said, I've been put on many differnent mood stablizers and anti-depressants. The mix I'm on now seems to be a good one: Cymbalta, Welbutrin and Lamictal. I also take Visteril for anxiety and to help me sleep. Other drugs I remember being put on are Seraquel, Effexor, a prosac comb pill, Lexapro, Depakote, Trazadone and I can't remember what else. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help in any way. Hugs and God Bless, Jenna __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264). Last edited by historyteach; 09-04-2008 at 03:26 AM.

09-01-2005, 01:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	P.S. Your signature REALLY made me smile. I've been doing some research on a variety of things about bipolar disorder this evening and I thought of that same line: "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell" I was thinking about how well that lyric is true of bipolar disorder, but I couldn't figure out WHERE I heard it from. I couldn't think of any other part of the song or the artist. SO here's a BIG THANKS!!! for giving me the knowledge that it's by Matchbox 20! __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).

09-01-2005, 01:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
Live Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bristol TN/VA Posts: 11,305 Blog Entries: 5	Yeah, one of my meds has to be called in and it has caused a hassle. Leave an urgent message with the docs staff, that the pharmacy won't fill his scrip without the call. Be persistent. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. And yeah, try another pharmacy. One used to give me hassles, I switched and they are so much easier to deal with. Ins companies can be heartless butts. One of my meds, they would only pay for 1/2 the scrip. Also, at docs, I ask for samples, so when you call you might tell them that because your pharmacy won't fill until the phone call, you would like to stop by and pick up samples until you can get this resolved. Stand up for yourself, don't give up and sometimes, being a pain in the arse helps, they get tired of dealing with you and give you what you need. Just my experience. live __________________ Each small candle lights a corner of the dark....Roger Waters

08-31-2005, 09:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
bikewench Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: western canada Posts: 1,441	Hey Becky.... Nothing to share with you about the Topamax.... but I can understand your frustration with the BS at the pharmacy... There's something fundamentally wrong about the incident... when the "bottom line" for investors is more important than just putting out what the doctor ordered... I hope things work out for you...

08-31-2005, 10:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
ryanjosef Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Posts: 67	yeah a load of crap and serprising that they were such asses, let alone the doc prescibing something that is so questionable. o yeah and hi babe .. sorry bout what happend . dont know a thing about topamax but then again i dont know much about anything. so kick me and call me bill. but if you kick to hard ill tell my mommy on you and then she will kick me for being a tattle tail, then ill have to go out and kick the nabor...................s cat. and he wont like that..... much

08-31-2005, 11:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Erratic Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 60	here is some information on the drug http://www.psycom.net/depression.cen...opiramate.html

09-01-2005, 02:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,190	Thanks much Jenna and live, So others are alive at this ungodly hour huh Nice to share it with you.. When I do get to sleep I will think of both of you, and wonder if your sleeping peacefully.. Thanks for the support. I get most of my meds at Walgreens too. But I use Shopko also.. We just got the Walgreens about a year or so ago, so when I get new scripts I drop them off there, ( I love the drive up window) but I still have some older scripts that I have been to lazy to switch. I detest ins. companies too. They are so mean and cruel and heartless.. I have a few different meds and some are extremely expensive (like yours) and they pay, that's why I don't understand this?? I don't get it at all. I am going to call the ins. company myself tomorrow. I asked the pharm. if I could and they said NO , they need to talk to the doctor, it's a mess, ?? I don't get that?? What's a MESS?? I wasted all that time and GAS (OUCH) waiting and waiting, and driving around, so I could pick up that medicine, they were a bit busy, so when I heard that, I almost blew a cork.. I was ticked. I didn't ask anymore questions, they said they'd call the doctor tomorrow for me, but he works at a couple different places, so I know that they won't get him, he only works wednesdays at the place I see him, and I see him in another town, so I;m sure they aren't gonna get a hold of him, so I will try that after I calll the ins. company.. I aksed when I dropped it off if they had a generic, they said not for that yet.. When there's no generic, they charge me at least $40 a script. That hurts cuz I am on so many, and I have tried so many that didn't work, which left me paying for a med that I couldn't use, soemtimes a few scripts a month that were wasted. I wish they could do refunds Well, enough of my complaints. Thanks alot again, I appreciate your input.. Love, Becky PS-- Jenna, I LOVE Rob Thomas, aand Matchbox 20.. Glad I helped you.. __________________ â„¢ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own. :praying

09-01-2005, 02:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	Yeah, I know how expensive those co-pays can be and how quickly they add up and suck you dry. I was worried about loosing my insurance when I got fired, but they actually did me a big favor by firing me cause...now I have access to a state funded program and they only charge me $15 a month for all my meds and I get to see the p=ych doc one a month and a counselor once a week and that doesn't cost anything. Maybe you could check into something like that - I mean, see if they have any kind of similar programs in your area. As for Walgreen's telling you not to call your ins. company...HOGWASH!!! They can't tell you that you can't call your ins. company and talk to them. Sounds like those peeps at that pharmacy are just giving you the run around for some stupid reason. That makes me mad that they are treating you like that! __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).

09-01-2005, 02:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,190	Hi, well I think they were just telling me not to bother, but that's ok, I am going to bother I need to.. I believe I have needed a mood stabilizer for a long, longtime.. I just home to late today, or I would have.. I hope they just have a question I can answer, and we don't have to chase the doctor all over, he's so busy... It will take longer than I would like if we do.. Oh, well I am going to try to fight for disability.. We'll see. My husband has a pretty good job, (it's just that we have SO many medical bills, that's what is hurting us so bad, and they are ALL from me) so I don't qualify for assistance.. But the disability, well that's another story. Well I better go, thanks SOO, SOO much for all of your kindness and advice all. I have to get up in about 2 hours, the kids first day back to school... I hate school. I wish they were home with me all the time, but I know they need to be away... Love, Becky __________________ â„¢ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own. :praying

09-01-2005, 11:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
shockozulu Huntington's Disease Awareness Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cook County, Ill Posts: 2,594	Do you go to a chain pharmacy? I go to to a small pharmacy that works with my crazy insurance company. They know the system inside and out. You might want to ask around. The meds that would never get approved at the old pharmacy (if the doctor even called back) always get approved now. And if the doc doesn't call back, they work him and his office, knowing exactly when to call to get an answer etc.

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