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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on December 31, 2002, at 16:57:57
Originally posted by Liam 12/31/02
> Hi,
>
> About a year ago I lost my health insurance and could no longer afford the meds I was taking: Zoloft 200mg/day, Buspar 20mg/day and a tricyclic that I can't remember right now. I took the zoloft for 2 years for depression and anxiety, buspar for 18 months for anxiety and the tricyclic for about 4 months for break through depression.
>
> Well, I'm meeting with a doctor (basic MD) in a week to get a physical and get a script for meds. The depression is back in full force with some anxiety.
>
> My thinking is that while the zoloft helped a lot, I had to take a lot of it. Going back to 200mg/day would be very expensive.
>
> Also, I've been dealing pretty well with my anxiety... but the buspar did help me be a more open, less stoic person.
>
> So, would it make more sense for me to try a new drug that is more tailored to dealing with both depression and anxiety? Something like effexor XR or Paxil. Is it possible that I might respond well to a normal sized dose of another ssri?
>
> -Liam
>
>
Posted by oracle on December 31, 2002, at 17:57:22
In reply to Re: Starting meds again and have some questions » liam, posted by Dinah on December 31, 2002, at 16:57:57
TCA's are cheap. When I was in this situation
I just used TCA's till I could pay for the higher priced meds.You can get your meds cheap:
http://www.needymeds.com/
Posted by Ritch on January 1, 2003, at 9:28:26
In reply to Re: Starting meds again and have some questions » liam, posted by Dinah on December 31, 2002, at 16:57:57
> Originally posted by Liam 12/31/02
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > About a year ago I lost my health insurance and could no longer afford the meds I was taking: Zoloft 200mg/day, Buspar 20mg/day and a tricyclic that I can't remember right now. I took the zoloft for 2 years for depression and anxiety, buspar for 18 months for anxiety and the tricyclic for about 4 months for break through depression.
> >
> > Well, I'm meeting with a doctor (basic MD) in a week to get a physical and get a script for meds. The depression is back in full force with some anxiety.
> >
> > My thinking is that while the zoloft helped a lot, I had to take a lot of it. Going back to 200mg/day would be very expensive.
> >
> > Also, I've been dealing pretty well with my anxiety... but the buspar did help me be a more open, less stoic person.
> >
> > So, would it make more sense for me to try a new drug that is more tailored to dealing with both depression and anxiety? Something like effexor XR or Paxil. Is it possible that I might respond well to a normal sized dose of another ssri?
> >
> > -Liam
> >
> >
>
>TCA's are very cheap. You can get generic Prozac now. You mentioned mixed anxiety/depression. Maybe a low-dose combo of nortriptyline+fluoxetine and maybe throw in some cheap clonazepam for the anxiety?
Posted by oracle on January 1, 2003, at 10:34:34
In reply to Re: Starting meds again and have some questions » Dinah, posted by Ritch on January 1, 2003, at 9:28:26
> > Originally posted by Liam 12/31/02
> TCA's are very cheap. You can get generic Prozac now
Good point, I forgot about Prozac being generic now. TCA + Prozac should be a good combo.
Posted by liam on January 2, 2003, at 5:14:22
In reply to Re: Starting meds again and have some questions » Dinah, posted by Ritch on January 1, 2003, at 9:28:26
> TCA's are very cheap. You can get generic Prozac now. You mentioned mixed anxiety/depression. Maybe a low-dose combo of nortriptyline+fluoxetine and maybe throw in some cheap clonazepam for the anxiety?
Interesting idea. I'm actually poor enough right now to apply for free meds from the drug companies... And a family member has offered to help pay for my initial meds while I wait for the paperwork. I can also order generic zoloft from Canada, which is only (ha ha) $120 for 100 100mg caps. I guess my real question is: should I stick with something I know works pretty well at a high dose or try something new?
-Liam
Posted by Ritch on January 2, 2003, at 9:59:11
In reply to Re: Starting meds again and have some questions, posted by liam on January 2, 2003, at 5:14:22
> Interesting idea. I'm actually poor enough right now to apply for free meds from the drug companies... And a family member has offered to help pay for my initial meds while I wait for the paperwork. I can also order generic zoloft from Canada, which is only (ha ha) $120 for 100 100mg caps. I guess my real question is: should I stick with something I know works pretty well at a high dose or try something new?
>
> -Liam
>If you can stick with what you know has worked in the past, that's what I would do, IMO. I've made some mistakes retrying stuff that didn't work previously (in new combos). You said your depression is in "full-force". It might be a lot safer to go with what works first off and then when you get to feeling better, perhaps tinker about to get a better response or reduce sfx with something different. Oh, BTW, if you *add* on some nortrip. to your Zoloft it might cost you a few extra bucks at most. I think I got 90 10mg NT capsules for less than $2 after insurance.
Posted by jflange on January 3, 2003, at 11:43:58
In reply to Re: Starting meds again and have some questions, posted by liam on January 2, 2003, at 5:14:22
Liam:
The combination of Buspar and an SSRI is really one of the most powerful anti-anxiety/depression tools out there. I think that from the standpoint of making a "fresh start", you may want to consider a different SSRI than Zoloft (Paxil is a good choice, perhaps) since most of these SSRIs do the same thing. Unfortunately, many have reported that returning to an SSRI already taken often does not have the same efficacy the second time around.
At the same time, now that Buspar is available as a generic and Bristol-Myers Squibb (maker of brand-name Buspar) has a patient assistance program, you might want to think about keeping Buspar in your arsenal, so to speak.
Personally, I have never found the SSRI that acts as a magic bullet for the anxiety/panic. Combining Zoloft with Buspar has improved my life dramatically even though I wish I did not have to take two drugs at once. But having tried both drugs alone, it is clear that for me they are meds that only "taste great together."Best of luck,
jflange
Posted by liam on January 4, 2003, at 4:26:48
In reply to Re: buspirone also now a generic, posted by jflange on January 3, 2003, at 11:43:58
I agree, buspar made a world of difference for me. It's hard not to wish that I had taken it as a teen.
Paxil might be a good choice for a ssri switch... A good friend just lowered his dosage of Paxil and offered me 100 20mg tabs. But I don't want to start a drug without a known future source. Anyway, that would take care of my first 30-45 days while I wait for free drugs.
The only real reason for wanting to switch from zoloft is that at 200mg I was still getting depressed here and there... a day at a time every week or two. Thus the addition of the TCA.
I guess the flip side is that I might hate something else and I should really get things under control now and look for something better later. hmmm...
-Liam
This is the end of the thread.
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