View Single Post
 
Old Jan 28, 2008, 04:20 PM
misty324's Avatar
misty324 misty324 is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2008
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 56
Hi Everyone,

I made the decision to go to my dr. tomorrow to discuss possible new meds to help me with my depression and ADD. I've printed out my insurance company's prescription formulary so I can take it with me and talk about the possibilities.

Before, my dr. had recommended Provigil, but it's a tier 3 drug and would cost me over $80 a month - not feasible. The insurance companies suggest the alternatives of methylphenidate but I already know my dr. won't prescribe it because of my high blood pressure. I also know he' s against Ritalin.

This leaves me with, in my price range, the following to choose from - if the dr. even goes with any of these:

For the ADD:
amphetamine salt combo
dextroamphetamines

For the depression:
citalopram
bupropion HCI or XL
venlafaxine

My question - are the two suggested ADD meds too close to the dexmethylphenidate? Meaning, if my dr. is against it, would he likely be against these two drugs as well - same side effects with the BP and cardiac?

From what I'm reading, the only drug that's a tier 1 for me that even remotely would work is the bupropion. But does it work for the ADD also?

My problem is that I don't know what's worse right now - the depression or the ADD. I almost feel as if the ADD is causing the bulk of my depression. But I don't want to take a drug just for depression if it's not going to help my ADD. From my experience with my dr. though, I don't think any of the "approved" ADD meds are going to be to his liking. All other drugs on the formulary are out of my monthly price range - both depression and ADD drugs.

If anyone has experience with any of the above drugs, I'd sure appreciate hearing about them - good or bad things. So I know exactly what concerns to discuss with my dr. tomorrow.

Thanks!!
Misty