Dementia Support Group

Dementia is the progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Particularly affected areas may be memory, attention, language and problem solving, although particularly in the later stages of the condition, affected persons may be disoriented in time, place and person (not knowing who they...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Dementia Support Group

Depression Medicine

firelady
firelady
My husband was diagnosed with Dementia associated with Parkinsons and they are prescribing medicine for depression.
Would like some help if anyone has any answers.

Need medicine for depression . Doctor has prescribed Effexsor for my hubby. We are having trouble getting it approved through Humana.
Talked to drugstore, Humana and doctor. Doctor very upset with Humana and said" I can write a prescription for any amount and dosage I want.?" Does not help us though.
She is now going to write on for Lexapro. From reading the medicine book from Humana this is going to be the same thing.
I need to know if anyone is taking a generic drug that is comparative to Lexapro or Effexsor . We have have only medicare and Humana for meds and the donut hole is going to be hit next month if we cannot find a generic for the drug. At that time we will pay 100 % until the end of year for all meds that are not generi.
I appreciate any input I can get. Thanks to all of you.pat
Posted on 08/21/08, 10:08 pm
deleted_user
deleted_user
My Father suffers from depression related to Parkinsons and Dementia. Started on Celexa 3 months ago and it seems to be helping. Started low dose and kept increasing. It's hard to tell sometimes which medication is doing what for him any longer, but I believe this is a less expensive anti depressant and seems to be doing well for him so far. My Father has VA benefits that assist with his drug coverage, so I'm not sure about Medicare coverage, but I'll try to check around a bit. Cathy
firelady
firelady
Cathy, thank you for helping me get some information. I looked at the Humana formulary and that drug is not on it. I am going to drop by the drug store this morning and see it the druggist can give me some input. Hope you are having a good day. XOXO pat
deleted_user
deleted_user
Meds are so tricky with Parkinson's. I hope the pharmacist can help take a look at his current medications and recommend something that will not cause other issues. Have you looked into any other resources to help pay for meds?

I've heard of some Parkinsons and Alzheimers/Dementia organizations helping to fund some medications when they are not covered. I'll try to dig up some information on this later for you if I can remember where I saw it! :)

Hope you get some help today on this. Cathy
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have Dementia/Alzimers (take your pick not sure when one turned into the other) I am going into the donut hole shortly and have found if you look at the manutacture of the depression medication on your medicine and go to their web site and most ALL manufactures will assist you with getting their medications once you get into the donut hole if you are broke like me and quailify. You may have to pay a small amount, I will need to pay the same $30. for a month supply of depression medication I take both Effexor and Exelon for my condition and I will get the meds for the same price as I have up till now until the end of the year. Let me know if you need anymore information