Re: Meds vs. Natural Alternatives (was: Dr. Phil - Parenting with Pills

[Guest guest]

Hi Joni,

I agree that the " modeling " for seeking professional help is

important. But there are those who don't have that alternative money-

wise (speaking from experience) and I think that also educating on

possible alternatives to prescription medication is beneficial.

's one med (Celexa) is almost $500 a month. Luckily we have

state health insurance on him, so we can get it. Once he turns 19,

it's back to inositol and trying to come up with that $30/month (and

no sleepy side effects). (although we might try that before 19 as he

would like to get off it anyway) Also a lot of kids have benefited

from the omega fatty acids (for attention and some even for OCD

behaviors). Still cheaper than the prescribed med.

(And I know that you can apply for programs for meds for people who

can't afford them. However, income can look OK, but debt is another

thing so far as qualifying. Another option to see about if

has to remain on an SSRI though)

Not arguing, just sharing from another perspective. Notice we did go

from " alternative " inositol to " prescription " Celexa.

>

> -

> I meant to respond to this post but I ran out of time. I couldn't

> agree with you more. Here's why I'm so pro-medication these days.

>

> First of all, have you PRICED those natural remedies? Good grief -

> they're more expensive than medication & the doctor appts.!!!

>

> Second, my son benefits from visits with his doctor, who is

wonderful,

[Guest guest]

Hi

For those without insurance or on a budget, I'd like to pass on this

tip: Get all of your Rx's filled at Costco/Price Club. They are

cheaper there than the pharmacies!! 's Adderall costs $144 per

month at CVS pharmacy w/out insurance. At Costco: $50 per month.

is no longer a dependent (he's 21) so we had to drop him from

our insurance plan (and don't get me started on the health insurance

crisis in our country for the middle class! That's another HOT

button for me!)

Anyway -- we also found him a doc that will see him on a sliding

scale basis due to his lack of health insurance right now.

just got home from work and I asked him if he'd be willing to take

all the natural remedies suggested at www.brainplace.com for his ADHD

+ mild OCD.

(http://www.brainplace.com/bp/supplements/)

The recommended remedies for ADHD + OCD are:

Inositol(for moods/depression/over-focusing), Omega 3's (moods), St.

's Wort (moodiness), 5-HTP (increase serotonin levels), Grape

Seed extract and Pine bark extract (increase blood flow to the

brain), vitamin E (anti-oxidant), Gingko Biloba (increase

concentration) and a Multivitamin... (whew!!! ... if I didn't forget

any...)

I might have to add GABA (which works like an anti-

convulsant/antiseizure med) to work as an anti-anxiety medication.

He looked at me like I was crazy! You have to understand that

this is a kid that won't take an aspirin when he gets a headache

(thanks in part to me)! So, asking him to take all those pills was

like asking him to sit still for 5 minutes - it ain't gonna happen!

He's not even open to the idea.

However, he has seen immediate results from Adderall and trusts it,

so that's all he's willing to take, which is a miracle by itself!

Before he was taking Adderall, girls wouldn't date him because he was

so impulsive and reckless, mouthy and hyper, etc. He couldn't keep a

job (he was fired or would impulsively quit) and he couldn't sit

still for college classes (nor high school classes).

Now, thanks to Adderall, he's got a good life, a great future, a JOB,

college classes at night, and dates every Friday and Saturday night!

I'm sure he could have all of that by taking 10 or more of the above

natural remedies, but that's sooooo high maintenance! He simply

doesn't have the attention span to even remember their names or what

they're supposed to do!!

One pill - one prescription -low maintenance = no problems!

Don't forget to try Costco/Price Club!

Joni

>

> Hi Joni,

> I agree that the " modeling " for seeking professional help is

> important. But there are those who don't have that alternative

money-

> wise (speaking from experience) and I think that also educating on

> possible alternatives to prescription medication is beneficial.

> 's one med (Celexa) is almost $500 a month. Luckily we have

> state health insurance on him, so we can get it. Once he turns 19,

> it's back to inositol and trying to come up with that $30/month

(and

> no sleepy side effects). (although we might try that before 19 as

he

> would like to get off it anyway) Also a lot of kids have benefited

> from the omega fatty acids (for attention and some even for OCD

> behaviors). Still cheaper than the prescribed med.

>

> (And I know that you can apply for programs for meds for people who

> can't afford them. However, income can look OK, but debt is

another

> thing so far as qualifying. Another option to see about if

> has to remain on an SSRI though)

>

> Not arguing, just sharing from another perspective. Notice we did

go

> from " alternative " inositol to " prescription " Celexa.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

For those without insurance or on a budget, I'd like to pass on this

tip: Get all of your Rx's filled at Costco/Price Club. They are

cheaper there than the pharmacies!! 's Adderall costs $144 per

month at CVS pharmacy w/out insurance. At Costco: $50 per month.

is no longer a dependent (he's 21) so we had to drop him from

our insurance plan (and don't get me started on the health insurance

crisis in our country for the middle class! That's another HOT

button for me!)

Anyway -- we also found him a doc that will see him on a sliding

scale basis due to his lack of health insurance right now.

just got home from work and I asked him if he'd be willing to take

all the natural remedies suggested at www.brainplace.com for his ADHD

+ mild OCD.

(http://www.brainplace.com/bp/supplements/)

The recommended remedies for ADHD + OCD are:

Inositol(for moods/depression/over-focusing), Omega 3's (moods), St.

's Wort (moodiness), 5-HTP (increase serotonin levels), Grape

Seed extract and Pine bark extract (increase blood flow to the

brain), vitamin E (anti-oxidant), Gingko Biloba (increase

concentration) and a Multivitamin... (whew!!! ... if I didn't forget

any...)

I might have to add GABA (which works like an anti-

convulsant/antiseizure med) to work as an anti-anxiety medication.

He looked at me like I was crazy! You have to understand that

this is a kid that won't take an aspirin when he gets a headache

(thanks in part to me)! So, asking him to take all those pills was

like asking him to sit still for 5 minutes - it ain't gonna happen!

He's not even open to the idea.

However, he has seen immediate results from Adderall and trusts it,

so that's all he's willing to take, which is a miracle by itself!

Before he was taking Adderall, girls wouldn't date him because he was

so impulsive and reckless, mouthy and hyper, etc. He couldn't keep a

job (he was fired or would impulsively quit) and he couldn't sit

still for college classes (nor high school classes).

Now, thanks to Adderall, he's got a good life, a great future, a JOB,

college classes at night, and dates every Friday and Saturday night!

I'm sure he could have all of that by taking 10 or more of the above

natural remedies, but that's sooooo high maintenance! He simply

doesn't have the attention span to even remember their names or what

they're supposed to do!!

One pill - one prescription -low maintenance = no problems!

Don't forget to try Costco/Price Club!

Joni

>

> Hi Joni,

> I agree that the " modeling " for seeking professional help is

> important. But there are those who don't have that alternative

money-

> wise (speaking from experience) and I think that also educating on

> possible alternatives to prescription medication is beneficial.

> 's one med (Celexa) is almost $500 a month. Luckily we have

> state health insurance on him, so we can get it. Once he turns 19,

> it's back to inositol and trying to come up with that $30/month

(and

> no sleepy side effects). (although we might try that before 19 as

he

> would like to get off it anyway) Also a lot of kids have benefited

> from the omega fatty acids (for attention and some even for OCD

> behaviors). Still cheaper than the prescribed med.

>

> (And I know that you can apply for programs for meds for people who

> can't afford them. However, income can look OK, but debt is

another

> thing so far as qualifying. Another option to see about if

> has to remain on an SSRI though)

>

> Not arguing, just sharing from another perspective. Notice we did

go

> from " alternative " inositol to " prescription " Celexa.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

For those without insurance or on a budget, I'd like to pass on this

tip: Get all of your Rx's filled at Costco/Price Club. They are

cheaper there than the pharmacies!! 's Adderall costs $144 per

month at CVS pharmacy w/out insurance. At Costco: $50 per month.

is no longer a dependent (he's 21) so we had to drop him from

our insurance plan (and don't get me started on the health insurance

crisis in our country for the middle class! That's another HOT

button for me!)

Anyway -- we also found him a doc that will see him on a sliding

scale basis due to his lack of health insurance right now.

just got home from work and I asked him if he'd be willing to take

all the natural remedies suggested at www.brainplace.com for his ADHD

+ mild OCD.

(http://www.brainplace.com/bp/supplements/)

The recommended remedies for ADHD + OCD are:

Inositol(for moods/depression/over-focusing), Omega 3's (moods), St.

's Wort (moodiness), 5-HTP (increase serotonin levels), Grape

Seed extract and Pine bark extract (increase blood flow to the

brain), vitamin E (anti-oxidant), Gingko Biloba (increase

concentration) and a Multivitamin... (whew!!! ... if I didn't forget

any...)

I might have to add GABA (which works like an anti-

convulsant/antiseizure med) to work as an anti-anxiety medication.

He looked at me like I was crazy! You have to understand that

this is a kid that won't take an aspirin when he gets a headache

(thanks in part to me)! So, asking him to take all those pills was

like asking him to sit still for 5 minutes - it ain't gonna happen!

He's not even open to the idea.

However, he has seen immediate results from Adderall and trusts it,

so that's all he's willing to take, which is a miracle by itself!

Before he was taking Adderall, girls wouldn't date him because he was

so impulsive and reckless, mouthy and hyper, etc. He couldn't keep a

job (he was fired or would impulsively quit) and he couldn't sit

still for college classes (nor high school classes).

Now, thanks to Adderall, he's got a good life, a great future, a JOB,

college classes at night, and dates every Friday and Saturday night!

I'm sure he could have all of that by taking 10 or more of the above

natural remedies, but that's sooooo high maintenance! He simply

doesn't have the attention span to even remember their names or what

they're supposed to do!!

One pill - one prescription -low maintenance = no problems!

Don't forget to try Costco/Price Club!

Joni

>

> Hi Joni,

> I agree that the " modeling " for seeking professional help is

> important. But there are those who don't have that alternative

money-

> wise (speaking from experience) and I think that also educating on

> possible alternatives to prescription medication is beneficial.

> 's one med (Celexa) is almost $500 a month. Luckily we have

> state health insurance on him, so we can get it. Once he turns 19,

> it's back to inositol and trying to come up with that $30/month

(and

> no sleepy side effects). (although we might try that before 19 as

he

> would like to get off it anyway) Also a lot of kids have benefited

> from the omega fatty acids (for attention and some even for OCD

> behaviors). Still cheaper than the prescribed med.

>

> (And I know that you can apply for programs for meds for people who

> can't afford them. However, income can look OK, but debt is

another

> thing so far as qualifying. Another option to see about if

> has to remain on an SSRI though)

>

> Not arguing, just sharing from another perspective. Notice we did

go

> from " alternative " inositol to " prescription " Celexa.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Don't worry, Chris. I don't intend to get political here with so

many homeschoolers and people signing off " God Bless You! " <wink>

(and gee - I thought this was a secular group!)

Anyway, Costco is a national price-saving club that you can find in

most major cities. And yes - it's online. I'm sure you can Google

it and find one in your area.

If you add up that list that I sent in my last post, you'll see that

natural remedies actually cost MORE than medication. I'm a

banker/loan officer. Saving money is my occupation!

Joni

>

> Thanks for the Costco/Price Club tip - is that online or something?

>

> I was more or less referring to your sentence: First of all, have

you

> PRICED those natural remedies? Good grief - they're more expensive

> than medication & the doctor appts.!!!

>

> And that in our case the prescribed is more than the alternative.

> (Plus that $$ can come into play on what is used, that alternatives

> can help too, blah, blah, blah! and, yes, don't get ME started on

> health insurance, my oldest (19) has none now and needs to see a

> doctor; in our case, even sliding scale is out these days! - but

> let's not get political here <wink>)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joni,

Just wanted you to know that we live in the Bay Area of California and our

home school group is a community group with diverse religious and political

members. Home schoolers are main stream now and span all religous and

political and economic spectrums. I am glad that all parents of OCD kids are

welcome on this site <wink>

; )

God Bless!

> >

> > Thanks for the Costco/Price Club tip - is that online or something?

> >

> > I was more or less referring to your sentence: First of all, have

> you

> > PRICED those natural remedies? Good grief - they're more expensive

> > than medication & the doctor appts.!!!

> >

> > And that in our case the prescribed is more than the alternative.

> > (Plus that $$ can come into play on what is used, that alternatives

> > can help too, blah, blah, blah! and, yes, don't get ME started on

> > health insurance, my oldest (19) has none now and needs to see a

> > doctor; in our case, even sliding scale is out these days! - but

> > let's not get political here <wink>)

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Joni,

Just wanted you to know that we live in the Bay Area of California and our

home school group is a community group with diverse religious and political

members. Home schoolers are main stream now and span all religous and

political and economic spectrums. I am glad that all parents of OCD kids are

welcome on this site <wink>

; )

God Bless!

> >

> > Thanks for the Costco/Price Club tip - is that online or something?

> >

> > I was more or less referring to your sentence: First of all, have

> you

> > PRICED those natural remedies? Good grief - they're more expensive

> > than medication & the doctor appts.!!!

> >

> > And that in our case the prescribed is more than the alternative.

> > (Plus that $$ can come into play on what is used, that alternatives

> > can help too, blah, blah, blah! and, yes, don't get ME started on

> > health insurance, my oldest (19) has none now and needs to see a

> > doctor; in our case, even sliding scale is out these days! - but

> > let's not get political here <wink>)

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

--- Joni wrote:

>

> Don't worry, Chris. I don't intend to get political

> here with so

> many homeschoolers and people signing off " God Bless

> You! " <wink>

> (and gee - I thought this was a secular group!)

Ummm... I'm one of the homeschoolers, and I'm about as

secular as you can get. In our community (Northern

California), people who homeschool for religious

reasons are no longer the majority. I homeschooled to

meet my child's special needs. Some people homeschool

because they want their kids to be academically

challenged, or they don't care for how the public

schools teach, or their local public school is just

plain lousy. JFYI, homeschooling has changed a lot in

recent years.

In re: Costco, I'm a satisfied customer, but I think

it's only fair to mention that there's an annual

membership fee to be considered (I think it's up to

$45. these days). I personally make it back in

savings, but it might not be for everyone. It's also

worth noting that in addition to inexpensive

prescriptions, they have decent quality versions of

most nutritional supplements at bargain basement

prices.

As for the health insurance business, I suspect that

most folks with a family member diagnosed with a

mental illness have discovered how terribly, and

sometimes tragically, inadequate coverage can be (if

you're lucky enough to keep coverage at all.) I met a

woman just last week who took a $30,000. second

mortgage on her house to pay for uncovered services

for her mildly autistic daughter - and her family has

a very good health insurance plan. These things cross

religious lines, even if the politics aren't

appropriate for this forum.

- PJ

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- Joni wrote:

>

> Don't worry, Chris. I don't intend to get political

> here with so

> many homeschoolers and people signing off " God Bless

> You! " <wink>

> (and gee - I thought this was a secular group!)

Ummm... I'm one of the homeschoolers, and I'm about as

secular as you can get. In our community (Northern

California), people who homeschool for religious

reasons are no longer the majority. I homeschooled to

meet my child's special needs. Some people homeschool

because they want their kids to be academically

challenged, or they don't care for how the public

schools teach, or their local public school is just

plain lousy. JFYI, homeschooling has changed a lot in

recent years.

In re: Costco, I'm a satisfied customer, but I think

it's only fair to mention that there's an annual

membership fee to be considered (I think it's up to

$45. these days). I personally make it back in

savings, but it might not be for everyone. It's also

worth noting that in addition to inexpensive

prescriptions, they have decent quality versions of

most nutritional supplements at bargain basement

prices.

As for the health insurance business, I suspect that

most folks with a family member diagnosed with a

mental illness have discovered how terribly, and

sometimes tragically, inadequate coverage can be (if

you're lucky enough to keep coverage at all.) I met a

woman just last week who took a $30,000. second

mortgage on her house to pay for uncovered services

for her mildly autistic daughter - and her family has

a very good health insurance plan. These things cross

religious lines, even if the politics aren't

appropriate for this forum.

- PJ

__________________________________________________