Bimbo Bear Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 (edited) I told my pdoc about my mixed episodes and she gave me two options. The first option was that we go up to 60 mg of Latuda and see how that works, and the second option was that I taper off the Latuda and start a new medication I have never heard of called 'Vraylar'. Like the absolute complete idiot that I am, I decided to go on Vraylar because it's supposed to target mixed episodes. So I got a 1 week starter pack of the lowest dose and a prescription for 3 mg to get filled at the pharmacy. Well, I went to the pharmacy and got the run-around. My insurance won't cover the medicine without prior authorization and the prior authorization can take days to complete. Right now I am feeling very alone and very afraid. I only have enough of these mystery pills for a week and I'm going off the only medicine that's ever worked for me. I'm scared, full of rage at myself and my pdoc, and actually started crying three times today in my panic. I hate feeling out of control like this. I just feel so helpless, because once my pills are gone, they're gone. And I don't see my pdoc for another few weeks, I'm afraid (this appointment happened today). I'm afraid to titrate off the Latuda. I'm not sure if I even will when risks right now seem so great. But what if this new medication works and we can work out a way for me to get my pills? I'm just so afraid and at wit's end right now. If anyone has any advice or suggestions or anything to say, feel free to comment. I'm just really scared right now. Edit: And I'm calling my pdoc first thing in the morning to talk about this. Edited April 27, 2017 by Bimbo Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianOCD Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Can you simply stay on the Latuda then until you get things worked out? Or did you already begin taking the Vraylar? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimbo Bear Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Just now, BrianOCD said: Can you simply stay on the Latuda then until you get things worked out? Or did you already begin taking the Vraylar? My stupid impatient self already took one of the Vrylar pills, but it's still not too late to quit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianOCD Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 If it were me, I would call the PDoc office tomorrow and explain your situation, mine usually has no issue giving me samples if they're available. If they had the samples today, chances are they'll be able to give you some more until you get authorized on Insurance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimbo Bear Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Just now, BrianOCD said: If it were me, I would call the PDoc office tomorrow and explain your situation, mine usually has no issue giving me samples if they're available. If they had the samples today, chances are they'll be able to give you some more until you get authorized on Insurance. That's actually something my pdoc has done before; giving me more sample packs I mean. So maybe that will work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarsugar Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 That sounds like my reaction to such things. But as an outsider it's not happening to, I would continue the med that I'd been on and totally hold off on the other until the authorization and financial issues were explored better, probably that would take weeks and may not even come together. You can ask if your pdoc agrees with that. Since this was one of two options, it may be that the other option or a holding pattern is more practical. You don't want to stress yourself even more mid change with a big insurance mess, personally I would discuss not taking that path just now. Naturally this is just ideas for you and your pdoc to discuss, I'm not telling you what to do. And I've had this scenario, so I know how annoying it can be. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianOCD Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 I'm going through some med changes myself, my anxiety and depression has reemerged after lowering my Effexor, but I don't know which direction to go in anymore... More Serotonin or take Wellbutrin. Sometimes not finding my place is depressing and anxiety causing all in itself... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjimjam Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 I would call pdoc. Not being able to take the meds they prescribe is an urgent issue. If it isn't possible to get Vraylar either some samples or fixing the insurance issue quickly, they might just have you continue with the Latuda until they can sort that out. Just make sure you do get in touch so you don't run out and have nothing to take. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit37 Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Don't hesitate to ask for samples. My pdoc has never had a problem with samples, in fact last year while I was uninsured he kept me on seroquel for 6 months. I would think especially with a new med, the pharmaceutical reps would keep him well supplied. Good luck, hope the med works for you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asha Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 From my experience going up in doses of medications and coming off medication is absolute hell no matter how you look at it. I have had a handful of psych docs, and finally found a keeper! My husband started a new job in February, and I made sure that he double triple checked on out insurance. He told me we had 30 days from his last day, and then he would be up for benefits with his new job. Not so much. Our insurance was terminated the day he quit, and new insurance doesn't start for 90 days (which is thankfully this coming Monday) but Latuda is like $1400 out of pocket. And it has actually made a huge difference for me. I am on 80 mg. My dr. has given me the samples to last me the whole 3 months. I also got a 14 day free card. Call the office and definitely explain your situation. I promise you that you psych dr. does not want you relapsing. And I can tell you from experience that relapsing because you ran out of meds sucks big time! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimbo Bear Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 @BrianOCD @sugarsugar @mcjimjam @Rabbit37 @Asha Okay guys, so time for an update! Apparently my pdoc says I should keep titrating down from the Latuda and starting the new medication while a drug rep they're working with might be able to help out with my prescription. And if that doesn't work, they just got a form from the pharmacy to fill out for a prior authorization, so things should be okay in the end after all. I just wish my pdoc would stop testing out all these brand new medications on me. It's a pain in the butt getting them at the pharmacy when they're that new, plus starting to make me feel like a guinea pig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nervousbat Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 (edited) --- Edited May 9, 2017 by nervousbat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianOCD Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 (edited) 7 hours ago, Bimbo Bear said: @BrianOCD @sugarsugar @mcjimjam @Rabbit37 @Asha Okay guys, so time for an update! Apparently my pdoc says I should keep titrating down from the Latuda and starting the new medication while a drug rep they're working with might be able to help out with my prescription. And if that doesn't work, they just got a form from the pharmacy to fill out for a prior authorization, so things should be okay in the end after all. I just wish my pdoc would stop testing out all these brand new medications on me. It's a pain in the butt getting them at the pharmacy when they're that new, plus starting to make me feel like a guinea pig. Good news! That's interesting, as my psych doc is always trying to pull me off Effexor and get me to start something new. Apparently there's a new AntiDepressant class emerging, maybe they're just using fancy terms to sell now who knows? The drug is called Trintellix, but I'm not very comfortable taking these new drugs. I'd rather try something that has been on the market for at least decades so at least I can hear from others about the side effects, both short and long-term... Edited April 28, 2017 by BrianOCD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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