Back on the merry go round

I'm so disappointed right now. My pdoc was fighting with my insurance compNy to cover the invega but they have flat out refused, even after being given all the evidence that I've tried many other things and invega is what works. They said that they will not cover a medication that has to be administered by a nurse or physician. I don't know why. They won't cover the pill version of invega either, which I don't understand bc that I can take myself.

So, after having no manic/mixed episodes for almost three years, I will have to stop it and start something else.

The question is, what? My pdoc is recommending latuda. But does latuda work for keeping mania at bay? I know it's supposed to be better for depression. The emsmam has me covered for depression. Should I even look into another AP or should I go back on a mood stabilizer instead? Which one would be best for mania? Trileptal controlled mania for me in the past. I went off it because it didn't help the depression at all. Now that I think about it though I did have a manic/mixed/psychotic episode while on it...but I wasnt taking it properly. I was skipping roses and stopping/starting at a whim. When I was compliant with it for a short time it did seem to work.

Or should I try latuda? What about vraylar? I know that's a newer one. I can't take anything sedating because I have to get up early for work. That's why the invega has been perfect (except for the high prolactin). Maybe I should just go back on risperdal? That raised my prolactin as well though so if I'm looking to get rid of that it won't help.

Oh I just don't know what to do. I've been stable for almost a whole year and now this might mess it up completely. I can't go back to the hospital. It will screw up my son irrevocably, I fear. I also can't miss work at this new job. Not for an extended period of time anyway.

****ing insurance. Telling me what I can and cannot take. Dickbags.

Does anyone have any advice in terms of meds?

Well trileptal is out, it interacts with emsam. I don't know what other mood stabilizer I could try. I have too many side effects with lithium. I was on Depakote for a long time when I was a teenager but I wasn't having manic episodes back then. Plus I don't think I would be able to commit to getting blood work done. It took me three months to do the labs my pdoc asked me for back in June. So no, that's out. I guess it's an ap or nothing. Can't do nothing.

Considering vraylar over latuda because it's more for mania. But I just don't know. This is so frustrating.

I feel ya. I'm having to go off zyprexa. (Again). If Rexulti doesn't it work, I dunno what we will try. We've tried so many.

Good luck! I really hope this works out for you.

vraylar is susposedly activating and not sedating, but i haven't tried it

Insurance is a biitch. I was having issues with insurance as well, and it seems a lot of other people here are too.

Would you be willing to go on two APs? For example, Latuda and Trileptal? Or vraylar and another AP? I've also heard that vrylar is mostly for mania. So maybe Latuda and vraylar? But that can be expensive, as there are no generics for either.

FWIW, Lamictal has helped with my depression. Have you tried Lamictal in the past? I was thinking Lamictal as a mood stabilizer and trileptal for mania

Unfortunately I get blurred vision with lamictal. I tried it a couple of years ago and ended up not being able to read anything. I always get the uncommon side effects.

I really want to keep the emsam as it's the ONLY thing that has worked long term for depression ever. Though I've never tried latuda so I don't know how that would work. I'm leaning toward asking my pdoc about vraylar though. Even though the side effects are scary.

Side note: she's doing a research project about APs and weight gain and wants me to be a part of it because I've gained so much weight. Thanks a lot. Sounds awful, something about "motivating talks" and meeting with a dietician. No thanks.

Why did they just stop covering it? Was this out of nowhere? I'd be PO'd too!

No I switched insurance companies in September. I didn't find out they wouldnt cover it till November and my pdoc has been fighting with them since then. But unfortunately my job only offers one prescription option. They offer many different insurance options but separate prescription.

It's crap.

That is the worst! I'm so sorry, I hope you and your pdoc are able to make it work.

If you become unstable sue the damn insurance company for your wages, health costs and pain &suffering

Does risperdal do anything for you? It's a precursor drug to invega, right? (I'm allergic to risperdal so I'm really not educated on invega). Is there a rispderal injection?

I know there is an abilify injection; would that be an option for you?

I'm sorry this is happening to you. I noticed this is happening to more and more people lately. For me, my pdoc wanted to try Latuda and since I'm not fully confident about my current med cocktail...but she scratched that idea since it is about $200, and there's no way I can possibly afford that, so we're back to looking at the cheaper options.

Sometimes pdocs can successfully fight with the insurance company with prior authorizations or other methods. It's a hassle though. Samples are sometimes options. It's really ridiculous how costly these meds can be. Something needs to change.

Abilify caused severe agitation for me so I'm not going to do that. My insurance won't cover any injections anyway. That's why they won't cover the invega. I could go back to risperdal because it did help but it caused the same prolactin problems as invega. If I have to switch I want something that's not going to raise my prolactin. At least try it. I think I'm going to try vraylar and if it doesn't work or I destabilize then I'll try risperdal. If that doesn't work I might have a chance at getting my insurance to cover the invega pills.

Latuda works well for me, dragged me right out of a seemingly hellish depression.

I don't have any side effects , no hangover at all which is very odd for me as usually I get the wacky side effects.

Yes Latuda is new but your suckaspie insurance might cover considering you have taking xyz.

I hate hate hate this for you, you busted you're asssss to find stability.