Losing my insurance - Anxiety Message Board

elee93 · 05-23-2005, 08:22 PM

I guess I should have known this would happen...I recently dropped down to part time at my job, and therefore my benefits go bye-byes. My doc has me on 100 mg zoloft, which I could pay for out of pocket if need be + the visit every month or so, but.....last visit he asked about my anxiety (which is still VERY present) and gave me two weeks samples of zyprexa. Which (almost) unfortunately is WORKING wonders. I feel so much calmer and have a sense of peace and well being. Maybe it's all psychological. I don't really care. If I think it's working, well then that's all I need. The problem is, as of 5/15, my coverage is gone, until 5 1/2 months from now when my husband's (very nice) benefit package kicks in. At this point in time, I cannot resume my job full time. It wasn't working out at all. I have three young kids, I cannot be gone full time and run a home and be there for them. It was making me miserable. My next appointment is on 5/26. I will tell him about my insurance problem. What I am asking here is, will docs give samples of this readily, enough to last a month, or longer? And, is it even necessary? I have one weeks left of zoloft, should (starting Thursday with doc's okay) start weaning off of it? Should I nix the zyprexa? I really do feel that it's helping, but it will be $180+ a month, which is almost half my monthly pay! So what should I do? My husband says continue with the zoloft, but quit the zyprexa (my anxiety does not directly affect him, he says, but my irritability does!). I just can't see going broke over this. I realize of course that I can't go off any meds without doc's okay. I received info about cobra in the mail, but it would cost $350/month just for me. Plus copays I'm guessing. Any feedback would be really helpful. I'm just so upset that I even got myself into this situation, I feel like a junkie (sorry) but I do feel that the meds are helping tremendously.

Comptons · 05-24-2005, 02:31 PM

This sounds like a family financial decision. But I can assure you that nothing matters more than your happiness and well-being. It also directly affects the happiness of your family. I know that some doctor's will help out with samples in situations like yours. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask. Good Luck!

hry33 · 05-24-2005, 03:11 PM

welcome elee
zyprexa is a new type of antipsychotic thats being promoted for anxiety and sadly theres no generic

zoloft is a prozac type med and there usually are generics of these available much cheaper,ask pharmacist
is the zoloft helping at all? sometimes it never does at any dose, if helping maybe up the dose a bit with docs OK
as you suggest, theres often a strong placebo effect with anxiety meds

learning relaxation and new stress coping skills helps a lot to reduce anxiety, so does more exercise

twizliz · 05-24-2005, 03:51 PM

My friend doesn't have insurance and her dr provides her with samples to get her through. She just recently went and got 2 months worth of zoloft. I also went to my dr for asthma, and I told her that my copay for the type of inhaler was a lot and I didn't have the money until friday to cover it, and she gave me a month's worth. So a lot of times doctors will give samples, if you have the right doc... good luck!

Paxil is also another medication that is generic. With my copay I only pay 15 for a month's supply. I don't think that it is much more w/o insurance.

vo-5 · 05-27-2005, 10:55 AM

Try looking up the maker of the drug online. A lot of them have a program where they will send you FREE medication for a while. I remember doing that a while back. I can't remember the name, but it was a couple of big drug companies that have this for people that don't have insurance. That's the kicker you can't have insurance at all. I have insurance now, but can't afford all the co-pays since I'm on 8 different meds. (physical and mental) My mom has to help me with co-pays.