Could use some support

I've been going through depression for about nearly 2 months now. I have mountains of work stress. And now I'm in the middle of going through a med change with my son thanks to my new insurance not covering his Focalin XR. He's likely going to be hyper, struggling in school, and tearing my house apart at alarming rates this week. I feel bad he even has to go through it. I feel like a bad parent for not being able to find a way to come up with $170 for the medication. I'm so overwhelmed. I just can't handle all of this alone.

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. I know as a parent it's hard when we can't provide what they need.

You are not alone. Many of us have financial troubles here.

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Hello! Have you tried to talk to your son's physician to see if they offer any coupons for the medication? I work in a doctor's office, and oftentimes they can either give you samples for certain medications free of charge, or they can sometimes get you a discounted rate (ie: a maximum $40 copay). I am assuming there are no "generics" for this medication either, but that may also be a cheaper and more affordable route if it's an option.

I'm sorry you are going through this. ):

I'm so sorry! I know you've been battling with the Depression. Brittss has a good idea. Definitely ask the doctor's office if they have coupons (the med website sometimes has them as well). Is there another medication that is similar that is cheaper? Any financial help from family members (grandparents, etc) that would foot the bill just for that? I would rather my kid do without some gifts at Christmas for meds. Hugs

Have you tried Rx Outreach | Patient Assistance Program, Discount Prescription Drugs and www.xubec.com? Both give really good discounts on meds (have to be generic though).

You can also check into patient assistance. Just because you don't meet every single criteria doesn't mean they won't give it to you. With patient assistance you get the med completely free. I have several meds I get this way and I don't qualify 100% because I have Medicare but it doesn't cover the drugs or does so but still would leave me paying hundreds. One med I make a few hundred dollars too much as well so they exempt me twice. It's worth a shot.

If you go to Home Page it has a $60/month coupon card. Those usually don't help if you are paying out of pocket though (so stupid).

Prices, Coupons and Information - GoodRx has coupons and the prices for all the pharmacies and sometimes one will be substantially lower.

For the patient assistance:
Patient Assistance

(((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

The generic is $170 (using goodrx discount) and my insurance doesn't cover it I was using a drug discount card with my insurance before it changed that was from the manufacturer for the brand name. Doctors office doesn't have anything to help me out.

Sorry to hear you're having problems. I do hope that you'll be able to find a solution. Don't forget to take gentle care of yourself while you handle the situation with your son.

We are trying Intuniv as a replacement, but we have to start all over with tweeking dosages and times of day. He was doing so well for the last 2 years on what he was on. It took 2 years before that to land on what was working! He is still taking his risperdal and the regular Focalin. There is hope with the Intuniv that we may be able to get him off risperdal, which would make me super happy!

HUGS, sorry your going g through this

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Screw hyper, he's been home 45 minutes and has been in meltdown mode since he walked in the door

So sorry, anyone in the family about to help you financially? Meltdown is not good. He has to be miserable! I'm sorry. I know it's hard as a mom. We want to take good care of our sweet babies!

No one is able to help that much on a regular basis. I wouldn't feel right asking anyone to help me like that anyways. Once in awhile they do, but I'd need like $150 every month. I've considered stopping all treatment for myself to try to come up with the money, but it still wouldn't be enough.

I wish it would have been my medicine they wouldn't cover!! My Latuda is 3-4 times more expensive! I don't understand it.

I feel so terrible I'm putting him through this...

Try the patient assistance. The biggest thing you could lose is they say no. But if they don't then you're assured of the med for a year and really until it goes generic (and sometimes even longer than that). I've never done it through Novartis so I can't tell you for sure that they give exemptions but I've never had a company tell me no. I've been using programs (3) with Medicare for 3 years now and for almost 2 years before that when I was uninsured.

Insurance is idiotic about what is covered and what isn't. My plan doesn't cover any brand name AP at a level that I could ever afford. I looked into paying for a month of Latuda or a month of one or 2 other drugs and all of them would be at least $400/month. And so I continue to wait to go on the only generic I can go on (although the 2 name brands that my pdoc had any hope for had little chance of working anyway).

Actually, I'm glad it's not your meds! It's like when you are on an airplane and they say that if there is an emergency you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first and then others. If you aren't in your right mind, then you aren't helping him either. I'm sorry that family can't help out more. We have a friend that has a child that has a rare genetic disorder. She will live a regular life but has to be in a special school. They couldn't afford the school. They did a Gofundme page for her. It was amazing how many friends contributed to it because they knew them personally and wanted to help some way and maybe it was only $25 but it helped and they raised a ton of money for her. Anyway, just something to think about if it gets serious enough.

He's really struggling in school this week, and it's making me sad. I feel so guilty...

I agree with rainbow. Go on their website and see if they have anything to offer. When lamictal didn't have a generic I went on the glaxosmithkline website, signed up for this program and got a whole year of lamictal refills for free. It was pretty sweet! Hugs.

I'm sorry you are going through a tough time. I think psyc central offers a discount card not sure if it would help though.

Xxxxsometimes drug manufacturers have programs to help pay. Join a sport group and buddy w someone for some you time. Walking is great for depression.