Nancy Moran
Subject: Bipolar Realities
Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 21:42:27 -0500
From: Nancy Moran
To: info@bipolarnetwork.org
Zyprexa (free directly from the manufacturer), Neurontin (available most
of the time but not always on a limited basis on a $5 copay, Risperdal
($300 a month): Which is a first or second year resident going to
prescribe?
Zyprexa - horrible diarrhea, loss of bladder control, massive weight
gain, exacerbated depression. Good for the geese (schizophrenics) but
no so good for the ganders (bipolars not presenting with mania and even
presenting with depression).
Note: 1st and 2nd year psychiatry residents (the dregs of their
medical school class) don't know from mania, depression or euthymia but
they are cheap to see and get scripts for lithium without too much
trouble.
Neurontin - $350/month. It's better than a placebo but is it better
than a low dose neuroleptic that has been out of patent since the early
'70s? (loxapine, prolixin, ?Navane, ?Haldol, ?stellazine).
Risperdal - Has immune system sequelae (i.e., you break out in a rash).
Not sure if this has ever been reported - the nurse said she was going
to get me some Cortaid - she assured me the rash was due to the fact I
was wearing a watch band. The Janssen rep was across the hall sharing
pizzas and Pepsi and advertising literature with the "professional"
staff in continuing education credit unit session (CEU).
I got "off" Risperdal by calling my pharmacist and coming up
with a bottom line of $300 a month. (Insurance or the lack thereof has
a lot to do with prescribing decisions.)
Why is it necessary for a clinic that charges $95 for 25 minutes with a
social worker or fledgling resident to have $10 (lousy) clocks featuring
Risperdal, Zyprexa or Prozac?
Why does my 26-year old girl doctor have to rely on a calendar from the
Eli Lilly Corporation? I get my calendars (and they are better ones)
from Ralston Purina Corporation - manufacturer of Purina DogChow.
Good newsletter. Thank you for sending it to me. Your website has been
passed around the University of Maryland Medical System a number of
times.
Nancy Moran
advocate611@yahoo.com
Nancy Moran
Independent Prisoner Advocate
Email address: advocate611@yahoo.com
Return to top