I feel like quiting my anti-psychotic for bipolar

thickntired · Oct 22, 2013, 04:21 PM

Hi,

Please don't move this post to prescription drugs; I've already posted there. I was on Abilify - $400 a month with medicare. I can not afford that so I quit taking my drugs. My pdoc just wrote a script for a generic Geodon and it costs $200 a month with medicare. That is about half of my ssdi check. I can not qualify for a patient script card or use the psych central med card. I've heard seroquel costs $90 a month but causes weight gain

I tried rispordal and it didn't work

Does anyone here use a generic anti-psychotic for bipolar I that does not cost hundreds of dollars???

I greatly appreciate any responses as I feel like never buying an anti-psychotic again and just taking my chances. If I get manic then I can take it as that is really the only time I would need the stupid pills.

Sorry for the anger, but I'm just $%&# fed up with big pharma

TnT

Zabine · Oct 22, 2013, 04:31 PM

I had no idea those meds costs that much, I would feel the same way. I am sorry I do not have any help for you, hopefully someone on here does know what to do....

gayleggg · Oct 22, 2013, 04:36 PM

My doctor seems to think I need an antipsychotic drug cause keeps pushing. I was on Abilify until I lost my insurance. When I found out it was going to be over$700, I told he wa going to have to do something else. He has put me on Seroquel and says they have generic for the older Seroquel that he can prescribe for me, if it works. I don't see so far that it has done for me besides making me hungery. Abilify was the only thing that really helped me feel better but the cost is too high to pay.

Moose72 · Oct 22, 2013, 04:48 PM

I am sorry you're struggling with med coverage. I wish I had something to say other than that. Maybe there's something generic and cheap that you can use like Lithium? Or are you looking for an anti-psychotic? Maybe Haldol?

Mental reward · Oct 22, 2013, 04:53 PM

I'm bipolar I, and have not been able to take any antipsychotic drugs. They all react horribly with my system. Then also cost for me. Haven't tried one that didn't give me horrific side effects after a few weeks... So my doctor listens to me I know my manic signs and have a stash of sapphires just in case I start getting a little too whacked out... I am on 200 mgs lamotrogine , 2.5 mgs klonopin, and vistaril as needed. I am setting an appt to see her soon, as I feel they need to be adjusted. I guess just be ad open as u can w ur doctor...

roads · Oct 22, 2013, 05:07 PM

Have you tried this link, TnT? --> ABILIFY Patient Assistance Program

thickntired · Oct 22, 2013, 05:18 PM

Thanks so much for all the replies.

Actually, I have some good news. I called the number on the back of my Medicare card (DOH!). Anyway, they told me what the tier 1 alternatives are for an anti-psychotics. For $1 a month I can take Zyprexa or Seroquel. Rispordal is also cheap I believe. So, for anyone with insurance call your company and ask them what the prices are before you have your pdoc fill a script. Yay!

thickntired · Oct 22, 2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadie

Have you tried this link, TnT? --> ABILIFY Patient Assistance Program

Yes and thanks, Roadie. My husband makes too much $ a year for me to qualify. My last pdoc was giving me samples which was very lucky.

Moose72 · Oct 22, 2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thickntired

Thanks so much for all the replies.

Actually, I have some good news. I called the number on the back of my Medicare card (DOH!). Anyway, they told me what the tier 1 alternatives are for an anti-psychotics. For $1 a month I can take Zyprexa or Seroquel. Rispordal is also cheap I believe. So, for anyone with insurance call your company and ask them what the prices are before you have your pdoc fill a script. Yay!

Yay congrats!

Oct 22, 2013, 05:42 PM

I take an anti-psychotic, but only when I need it. It's written as a prn. It would be cheaper that way and less side effects. That's what works for me anyway. Sorry to hear. It is hard without coverage.

Oct 22, 2013, 05:44 PM

If I had of read everything I'd of heard about your coverage. Good news. Yay.

Moose72 · Oct 22, 2013, 05:47 PM

RR18 what is with your avatar? Is that snow?

Zabine · Oct 22, 2013, 06:49 PM

what are sapphires?

Moose72 · Oct 22, 2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabine

what are sapphires?

Saphris?

Mental reward · Oct 22, 2013, 06:58 PM

I'm bipolar I, and have not been able to take any antipsychotic drugs. They all react horribly with my system. Then also cost for me. Haven't tried one that didn't give me horrific side effects after a few weeks... So my doctor listens to me I know my manic signs and have a stash of sapphires just in case I start getting a little too whacked out... I am on 200 mgs lamotrogine , 2.5 mgs klonopin, and vistaril as needed. I am setting an appt to see her soon, as I feel they need to be adjusted. I guess just be ad open as u can w ur doctor...

Mental reward · Oct 22, 2013, 07:01 PM

I meant saphris

Oct 22, 2013, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moose72

RR18 what is with your avatar? Is that snow?

Yes it's snow.

BipolaRNurse · Oct 22, 2013, 11:08 PM

I'm paying $124 for a 30-day supply of generic Geodon. I do have a state discount card (not Medicaid, just a state prescription assistance program) which helps some, maybe your state has one too.

I used to pay $22 for a 30-day supply of generic Zyprexa, but of course it made me gain weight and sent my diabetes out of control so I had to stop taking it and go on the more expensive Geodon. I wish I could take it PRN and save a few bucks, but I don't seem to be able to stay off the moon w/o taking an AP all the time. YMMV.

thickntired · Oct 22, 2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I'm paying $124 for a 30-day supply of generic Geodon. I do have a state discount card (not Medicaid, just a state prescription assistance program) which helps some, maybe your state has one too.

I used to pay $22 for a 30-day supply of generic Zyprexa, but of course it made me gain weight and sent my diabetes out of control so I had to stop taking it and go on the more expensive Geodon. I wish I could take it PRN and save a few bucks, but I don't seem to be able to stay off the moon w/o taking an AP all the time. YMMV.

I am very worried about the weight gain. I asked a friend in AA about seroquel and she said that also made her gain weight plus she is on adderall which didn't help. From what my pdoc said Geodon has a stat of a 2lb weight loss. Right now I'm needing to lose weight as I'm also concerned about my blood pressure, possible diabetes etc. On Abilify I had been dieting & walking aprox 30 mi a week for 3 months and lost a grand total of 5lbs

If I gain anymore weight on a new AP I'll probably just take the damn things PRN.

Zabine · Oct 23, 2013, 12:52 PM

What is PRN?

Moose72 · Oct 23, 2013, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabine

What is PRN?

I forget what it stands for- probably something Latin- but it means "as needed".

thickntired · Oct 23, 2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabine

What is PRN?

Per needed or take as needed

Moose72 · Oct 23, 2013, 01:44 PM

Pro re nata*is a*Latin*phrase meaning*in the circumstances*or*as the circumstance arises.[1]*It is commonly used in*medicine*to mean*as needed*or*as the situation arises. It is generally abbreviated to*in reference to dosage of*prescribed*medication that is not scheduled; instead, the decision of when to administer the drug is left to the*nurse,*caregiver*or the patient's prerogative.[2]*Such administration of medication is not meant to imply, and should never allow for, exceeding a given daily dosage.