Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the great comments on the Lamictal posting below. Here is some information on Glaxo’s program. They make Lamictal- it’s now available in generic, but if you qualify, this may be cheaper. For those of you new to Lamictal- it’s an anti convulsant used to treat bipolar depression. It has helped so many people, but it’s expensive. Thank heavens for generic!
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Most major drug companies have programs to help low income people with bipolar disorder get prescription help. Here is a link for GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Lamictal.
I have to ask this- where is the help for the middle class!!!
Julie
Related posts: Generic bipolar medications…. | Bipolar Disorder Medications: Lamictal (or should I say- generic Lamotrigine!) | Reader Comment: Running out of Lamictal |
Hi Julie~
I had a horrible experience with my “miricle lamictal”. I was on it for about 20 months. At about 8 months, really felt the full affect. I was blissfully stable.
Then, three months ago, I took my new script to my pharmacy. They filled my percription w/ a generic formula, and my co-pay went from about $70 to $15. Even though my gut said “no”. The deal was just too good.
By the end of that month, I was hurled into a full-blown mixed phase. (which by the way, i didn’t even know there was such until I read your book!) I was close to going to my psych, so just waited. When I told him what happend, BOY did he have a reaction. He was furious! He explained that the FDA allows a 20% difference in meds when creating generics. He said, “and guess which way they go.”
Well, it’s 3 months later, and I am still struggling w/ this episode. Meds are being tweaked pretty oftern.
I have to say that I truly enjoyed the manic part of my episode when I went back to the pharmacy and they said they’d filled it with generic again.
I “strongly suggested” that they NOT mess with crazy people’s perscriptions! I couldn’t resist. . .
Hi Julie,
I don’t know about help for the middle class – I’m definitely not in the middle class – but I had some really important news for low income people like Gina who are in the donut hole of Medicare Part D. I learned it this year at a conference, glady. I was VERY concerned about the donut hole but then I learned that if you are “dual eligible,” in other words qualify for or have Medi-Medi, that you do NOT have a donut hole. Wow! Yeah. I know everyone’s situation is different but I was able to “spend down” or cash out whatever money I’m not allowed to have and qualify for MediCal (Medicaid). It’s really been worth it to me too because, as an added perk, if you qualify for Medi-Medi you are also enrolled in something called Special Assistance or Special Help, something like that. Through that program I only pay $3.10 for brand name drugs and $1.05 for generics. It’s a pretty sweet deal. Now they’re switching up the formulary on me in January, which I’m NOT happy about, but I can deal with that. Now I’m just waiting to see if I’m approved for MediCal for 2009. Pray for me!
Michelle
I had a boyfriend that I fell madly in love with and we were just perfect for one another, had a wonderful relationship! I was in the process of a divorce, he was legally separated and still is. Due to his religious beliefs, he decided to give it a “try” with his wife by going to counsoling, etc. Being a Co-Dependent leader at our church, he is highly thought of and the church encouraged him to give it a try. I could not quit e-mailing, etc. which obstructed his boundaries that I knew nothing about and he put an “Order of Protection” against me which is always for a year unless he would cancel it. This means no contact and I cannot even attend our church as it is their policy in case there would be a problem, etc. I know I deserve the consequences, but not for a whole year! I feel he did not want waves with his wife and did not want the temptation in seeing me. My question is does Bi-Polar (he is) have anything to do with this behavior and if so, what is your best answer for me to this situation that has broken my heart. By the way, he does not love his wife, guess it’s some sort of stability and he lives separately from her. Thank you for the opportunity of sharing and hope to hear a response soon! Molly