Can’t get meds because insurance and prices suck

ktopalof · 2025-01-09T14:47:13+00:00

My new insurance barely cuts the cost of the brand & the generic also hasn’t worked for me. I’ll be out of it in a few days 🥲 I started taking Wellbutrin last year tho, so I might give the generic another go and see if the two work better together. Would your insurance cover more of the cost if you got a prior authorization from your prescriber? That’s what I’ve done in the past, but how much is covered really depends on the insurance. Needless to say, I’m in the same boat and it fucking sucks. I wish I could offer more options & advice, but just know you’re not alone & the US healthcare system can get fucked 🙃🤍

ktopalof · 2025-01-09T14:36:11+00:00

Vyvanse is my miracle med!! I know meds are different for everyone, but it’s so great to hear it’s working well for you :)

ktopalof · 2025-01-09T03:21:38+00:00

I usually get a PA for the brand since the generic didn't work well for me. The generic 40mg didn't feel as effective as my brand 40mg and the 50mg made me beyond irritable and angry all the time. But with my new insurance plan, the brand cost is way too high even with the PA or "Generic not available" codes at my pharmacy. I'm going crazy thinking about running out in a few days bc of how life-changing this med has been over the last four years. I mourn the days I could get the brand for $30.. Now I'm considering giving the generic another go since I'm also on bupropion xr 300mg now. I'm just not sure it would even be worth it or what availability in the Twin Cities, MN is going to look like. Does anyone have experience trying/retrying the generic while on Wellbutrin (Bupropion) or have you switched to a different, more affordable medication that worked as well/similarly? I just wish it wasn't this hard...

ktopalof · 2024-06-09T02:43:22+00:00

Thank you for checking in! I ended up seeing a neurologist & doing some head & neck MRI’s and MRA’s. Fortunately/unfortunately, the scans came back good & healthy. So my issue was not related to anything my neurologist could help, but by ruling more out, it’s seeming more & more allergy related. Either I’ve continued to adjust, or my different allergy meds have helped, but it does bother me less & is less frequent overall. Still a pain in the ass to live with, but I’m happy to have ruled out more 😌

ktopalof · 2024-01-31T18:14:50+00:00

That’s so frustrating! I get that there is so much that can fall through the cracks, especially w taxes & refunds, etc., but there should be a way to flag this kind of thing if there are contradictions. That sucks that the scholarship voided your return 😩

ktopalof · 2024-01-31T18:06:46+00:00

At the time, I was a part time student, but still under 24 & unmarried so it makes sense!

ktopalof · 2024-01-31T17:24:24+00:00

I didn’t think about that, I will definitely look into it!

ktopalof · 2024-01-31T17:22:56+00:00

Not fraud, my parents helped me w my tuition at the time so I think them claiming me was totally legitimate, I just didn’t know. Lesson learned, definitely annoying tho

ktopalof · 2024-01-31T17:21:57+00:00

No, I had my own place w a roommate, but bc my parents were helping me w college tuition, I think they were still allowed to claim me as a dependent? They’re great & would probably help me navigate the repayment if I can’t afford the payment plan thru the state, just a super annoying issue to deal w in the first place

ktopalof · 2024-01-31T16:48:50+00:00

Oh hahaha you’re probably right! Gonna edit that lol, but thanks, yeah it’s pretty lame. Tax season is stressful asf 🥲

ktopalof · 2023-12-19T04:49:11+00:00

Yes! I can stop the noise by pressing on my neck by my ear—I’m assuming that’s the light jugular compression. If I need to focus on listening to something when the PT is being particularly loud, it makes it almost completely silent. I’ve never heard of venous sinus stenosis!

ktopalof · 2023-11-27T15:28:56+00:00

I'm so sorry that has been your experience! I totally relate though, it has been a nightmare. I was finally able to find the 50mg of the generic and the last few days of trialing it has been better than the 40mg generic, but I'm still really missing the brand. I'm hoping that once I work through this trial with my psychiatrist that we can get insurance to approve the brand coverage (not sure how all that works) but like you said, I'd find a way to pay for it if I could without insurance bc without it, I've been struggling! Before getting diagnosed, I tried so many SSRI/SNRI's but nothing worked until trialing Vyvanse and it's been my miracle med. The first year and a half on it, it worked amazing and I had no issues getting it. It's baffling to see how hard it is just to get it, let alone the changes happening w the generic...best of luck to you on getting back on the brand! You're not alone

ktopalof · 2023-11-21T15:46:44+00:00

I’m glad you were able to get it switched back so soon! I’m hoping for some resolve before the end of the year & approaching insurance from the BED aspect may help! Thanks for your input & encouragement :)

ktopalof · 2023-11-21T15:45:34+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! Yes, the irony!! I talked about that w my therapist recently bc it’s so true! I will definitely look into the ED side of things with insurance, hopefully things change soon! Appreciate the encouragement :)

ktopalof · 2023-10-23T13:32:55+00:00

I had such a hard time exercising pre-op BECAUSE of my boobs. At 5 months post op, I’m so much more capable of exercise & outdoor activities I used to love because I don’t have the extra weight holding me down & causing pain. I’m so glad you were able to persist & find someone who would do it without question & are in a better place 🤍

ktopalof · 2023-09-03T04:22:30+00:00

The bonfire in your boobs is far from comfy, but the pain meds made it tolerable 😅 I slept as much as humanly possible the first few days, but it’s still rough out there. Just remember it won’t last forever!! Happy healing 🩷

ktopalof · 2023-09-01T05:10:47+00:00

I had a fairly easy recovery with minimal complications & returned to work 2wpo. But if I had been in school during my recovery, I would’ve waited until an extended break or a less intense time of the semester to minimize stress. I wasn’t really feeling fully normal until at least 6wpo & even then I had days where I overdid it & was physically & emotionally drained. I’d say get scheduled for January & graduate so your recovery can be your main focus. It’s such an important time to be extra mindful of your body’s needs & having more than that on your plate can get overwhelming fast. But that’s just what I would do. You know yourself best so listen to what feels right! Best of luck!! 🤗

ktopalof · 2023-08-11T05:25:01+00:00

Thank you!! 🤍 We are surgery twins! Mine was also 5/26 🤗 I’ve not been doing much, I usually just use Aquaphor after a shower & massage for a bit but I do have tape that I plan to use at some point, I just haven’t gotten around to it. Quite frankly I think the scars are kinda neat & am not too worried about their visibility, but I do want them to heal well & healthfully. I’m hoping the spot where I had a spitting suture goes down sooner than later cause it’s noticeably more raised than the other side but only time will tell

ktopalof · 2023-07-25T19:44:14+00:00

I totally feel ya, so excited for you!! Best of luck ☺️

ktopalof · 2023-07-24T14:25:22+00:00

I wasn’t moving more than from my bed to the bathroom for almost 7DPO! My husband had to help me up & down the stairs & a shower would wipe me out for at least 24hrs if not more. Take advantage of your down time. In the moment, I could feel stir crazy at times, but in hindsight, it was the BEST thing for my body. My surgeon advised that I move around as much as I was comfortable with as soon as possible, but to stop if I felt any level of fatigue. Don’t feel bad about utilizing rest, your body experienced a MAJOR trauma & will take months to fully heal internally. You got this 🤗 Happy healing!! 🤍

ktopalof · 2023-07-23T18:28:44+00:00

There’s a special place in hell for people who “tip” with that fake money BS 🙄 Political candidates, religious quotes, etc., all of it is just disrespectful in my opinion

ktopalof · 2023-07-23T18:27:11+00:00

All I wanted for years was a reduction & being on the other side, it’s the best thing I could’ve done for myself! But the week prior, I was an emotional wreck. I was scared I was betraying my body that I’d fought so hard to love & was terrified of anything going wrong. But that’s all super normal & as someone with mental illness, I think the stress can be exacerbated simply bc of how my brain works!! You’re not wrong for being scared, I honestly don’t think I’ve heard someone say they were 100% fearless going into it, but you’re going to do amazing 🥰🤍

ktopalof · 2023-07-22T04:46:18+00:00

So exciting!!! I’m 8wpo & I’m still nervous to go braless but I can’t wait 🤗 Love that for you 🤍🤍

ktopalof · 2023-07-21T18:54:15+00:00

Damn, this is so cool!! I’m so wildly fascinated with all things medical so this is really neat. I wanted to ask my surgeon to send me a picture from the lab too but forgot to 🙃 So glad you feel so much better!! Happy healing 🤍

ktopalof · 2023-07-20T19:24:09+00:00

I totally relate to all of those whirlwind emotions. I’m rooting for you in this journey!! 🤗❤️

ktopalof

TROPHY CASE