![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 atwhatcost on November 20, 2003, at 12:07:49
We're broke because we both became disabled. Our old prescription plan ran out on Nov. 15th and my nortriptyline will run out on the 22nd. Cost too much to buy more. What can I expect going off it (100 mg. per day)? Will it kill me? If I'm immediately put on another tricyclemic, would it stop the withdraw symptoms? (I've tried many and nortriptyline was the only one I could tolerate AND it helped a little.) How long before I can function again? Are we screwed for Thanksgiving? And, most importantly, will I be able to take care of my husband for the few days after he takes his weekly chemotherapy?
No need telling me that I can't do this. Can't buy drugs with no money or credit card by Saturday. I have no choice.
Lynn
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 20, 2003, at 15:55:50
In reply to Will cold turkey kill me?, posted by atwhatcost on November 20, 2003, at 12:07:49
Should've started tapering down immediately on your dosage. Where do you live (in general) so someone can suggest a type of program in place to help people in your situation?
KDi in TX
We're broke because we both became disabled. Our old prescription plan ran out on Nov. 15th and my nortriptyline will run out on the 22nd. Cost too much to buy more. What can I expect going off it (100 mg. per day)? Will it kill me? If I'm immediately put on another tricyclemic, would it stop the withdraw symptoms? (I've tried many and nortriptyline was the only one I could tolerate AND it helped a little.) How long before I can function again? Are we screwed for Thanksgiving? And, most importantly, will I be able to take care of my husband for the few days after he takes his weekly chemotherapy?
>
> No need telling me that I can't do this. Can't buy drugs with no money or credit card by Saturday. I have no choice.
>
> Lynn
Posted by stjames on November 20, 2003, at 19:33:53
In reply to quitting nortriptyline cold turkey becuz of $$ » atwhatcost, posted by KimberlyDi on November 20, 2003, at 15:55:50
Generic TCA's should be under $20.
Posted by atwhatcost on November 21, 2003, at 9:07:38
In reply to quitting nortriptyline cold turkey becuz of $$ » atwhatcost, posted by KimberlyDi on November 20, 2003, at 15:55:50
I live in Philadelphia PA. In hindsight, you're right, I should have started tapering off, unfortunately, being broke means needing to get lots and lots of financial assistance from the government (having already exhausted all financially sound family members ability to help us), which requires lots and lots of applications and interviews at all the different agencies. Add to that, hubby is sick and I'm disabled, so energy level is being zapped with all these responsibilities and brain fog is doubled. I did find a page that has info that might help me by going directly to TevaUSA (the manufacturer) and called my doctor for a new script so I can get it refilled whereever I can get it filled for cheap to free. Starting tonight, I'm going to taper way back, in hopes of getting more before the bad effects show up.
Lynn
Posted by caulene on November 21, 2003, at 18:34:02
In reply to Re: quitting nortriptyline cold turkey becuz of $$, posted by atwhatcost on November 21, 2003, at 9:07:38
I think you're making a wise decision Lynn. Do whatever it takes to stay on your meds. It sounds like your under great stress. I am in that situatiion myself. I have gone off my meds because of money and it was not a good idea. I was no good for nothing, when I most needed to keep it together, and it has just taken me longer now to get back up. Fortunately for me the provincial govt. will provide free mental health meds for anyone that can't afford them. But I didn't know that at the time. Hang in there!
Colleen
> I live in Philadelphia PA. In hindsight, you're right, I should have started tapering off, unfortunately, being broke means needing to get lots and lots of financial assistance from the government (having already exhausted all financially sound family members ability to help us), which requires lots and lots of applications and interviews at all the different agencies. Add to that, hubby is sick and I'm disabled, so energy level is being zapped with all these responsibilities and brain fog is doubled. I did find a page that has info that might help me by going directly to TevaUSA (the manufacturer) and called my doctor for a new script so I can get it refilled whereever I can get it filled for cheap to free. Starting tonight, I'm going to taper way back, in hopes of getting more before the bad effects show up.
> Lynn
Posted by atwhatcost on November 22, 2003, at 0:37:55
In reply to Re: quitting nortriptyline cold turkey becuz of $$, posted by caulene on November 21, 2003, at 18:34:02
It got worse before it got better. I'm on Nortriptyline to reduce chronic pain, and assumed my Percocet 10/850 would be as cheap as 5/650. Got doubled whammied when I went to pharmacy and found out that the Nortriptyline would cost $49 with a coupon (we don't qualify for free drugs because we made more then $24,000 last year, thanks to taking retirement money out early.) The Percocet, however, was going to be over $250! Gag! At first, the pharmacy refused to accept my Access Card (welfare's healthcare plan), but when I called the Welfare helpline, I got a little emotional (blubbered LOL) and the lady on the other end checked stuff out for me (after telling me nothing could be done until Monday IF my case worker bothered to finally call me back), called me back, and then called the pharmacy for me. I got both drugs refilled for $1, plus I found out my cholestrahol (can't spell it) med, that is running out next week, is also covered!
Funny ending. After paying the $1, the pharmacist said, "Glad to hook you up."
I laughed and said, "Boy, does that feel truer then ever." LOL
(I did try to wrangle a deal out of them, and then asked if quitting either would kill me. I already knew it wasn't going to be good, and they told me I'd be in bad enough shape to be no good for my hubby. So, when I came back, they knew how good the news was!)
Panic is over. I'll have to taper off the percocet when I get up to 6 per day (5 now) to start over, but can't deal with that until hubby's chemo is over.
Thanks for all the help. Glad to know there is a place to come to where I'm not automatically judged as a druggy. Granted, I'm addicted, but not abusing. The drugs help me function enough to survive, not that they give me any kind of high.
Posted by qbsbrown on November 23, 2003, at 13:28:25
In reply to Re: quitting nortriptyline cold turkey becuz of $$, posted by caulene on November 21, 2003, at 18:34:02
Sorry to change the subject, but I have a question. I just started Nortriptyline about a week and a half ago. I'm on the 5th day of 50mg and go to 75 after a week. Does the tiredness ever go away? I can honestly sleep 15 hrs strait with no problem. I hate feeling groggy. Let me know of your experience
Posted by zeugma on November 23, 2003, at 13:50:21
In reply to Re: quitting nortriptyline cold turkey becuz of $$, posted by qbsbrown on November 23, 2003, at 13:28:25
You're moving up pretty quickly. Each increase in dosage, above 40 mg, had me in a fog for one to two weeks (one week at 50, one to two thereafter- and I increased from 50 to 75 mg in small encrements). The fog always cleared and left me with a slightly pleasant feeling of being 'normally' tired at night.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.