Hi.

I have sort of a similar problem with Lamictal.

I'm (now) on a govt. pharm care plan called Plan G. It's based on income so I get all my psych drugs for no cost- EXCEPT LAMICTAL OR LAMITROGINE. I have to have tried Valporoic Acid (depakote) and Lithium and found that they don't work, before they'll cover the Lamictal.

So 2 + yrs. ago I was dx'd with BP II and quickly prescribed Lamictal for the rapid cycling bipolar depression. That continued till now b/c I was on another plan and getting 70% off- that is for all pharmaceuticals. It is also based on income.

but this yr. I had to pay full price for everything all of a sudden. We had gone $500.00 over the limit of a yearly net income of $15,000 and jumped into this new catagory. I freaked, and began planning to go off of all my meds. $15,000/yr ceiling. Still makes me furious. Kinda like your situation with the ins. co.

then my tdoc got very concerned, stepped in and got me on the Plan G. I thought all was well until i found out the restrictions on Lamictal. I couldn't believe it. To have to try 2 other drugs, find they don't work, maybe get really sick in the process.........when the Lamictal seemed to be working for over 2 yrs!.

But- we had begun Wellbutrin for further help with the anxiety and depression, so pdoc said that we should discontinue Lamictal and see how it goes. I also take the other mood stabilizer (depakote) and Clonazepam. So far I'm doing okay, maybe just a little speedied up from the Wellbutrin, but holding my own.

If I was still on Lamictal, I would be paying almost $100.00/ mth. I can't do that.

Anyway- why that stuff is so expensive while Depakote is quite cheap is beyond me. They're both anti-convulsants!

I sure sympathize with you, and hope you get this sorted out soon.

J