How come Doctors

I know how you feel. unfortunately a lot of meds are expensive. I know when I started my lamictal starter pack that wasn't covered I almost died from the price. the starter pack wasn't covered, but the rest of my lamictal prescriptions have been covered...thankfully. I don't know if you are able to get generics...I know some meds don't even have generics yet, but you could always ask your doc about them. Also tell your doc that you can't afford these meds...they might be able to get you samples or find ways, like contacting drug companies, to get you discounted meds. I don't think your doc or any doc for that matter purposely gives out the most expensive drugs...it's just the way it is. Now I DO think they are pressured by drug reps to prescribe certain meds...aka their meds, but that's a different topic for another time.

Don't be afraid to ask for other drugs if you can't afford the ones prescribed. My husband has done so a few times. You may end up playing drug bingo a little bit longer but it'll be easier on your pocket book.

serafena

One reason that is not quite so sinister - when the drugs first come out they cost more because there is no generic version. So if you've tried several other things, and something new comes out, your doc will want to try it if other things haven't worked. So when you get switched to it, it is more likely to be new, and thus - no generic.

Also - ask if there IS a generic and if so, ask for it. They are exactly the same drug.

I've been struggling

 with BiPolar disorder all my life. Although I wasn't diagnosed BP untill I was 18, I was in treatment with a psychiatrist since age 13. We basically sat and stared at one another (Doc and I) for an hour, make an appt. for the following week, and do it again. Eventuslly she said I  had an "adjustment disorder" . Actually my moher was bipolar and it couldn't be her that had the problem, so it must have been me. Eventually they shipped me out west for the summer, other summers I lived with this poor family who had 9 children, plus me, in a two room house.

I've always been experimenting or Doctors have been manipulating the drugs trying to get it right. I discovered after a few years, there are no answers. Only varying approximations of what will work for the individual. Almost every new drug to come on the market starts out as the "wonder drug". Neurontin was good for neuroleptic pain, and was reccomended at one point for BiPolar disorder. Not so much now. Lamictal, the same. Now abilify and lyrica hit the market. Betta they'll end up "wonder drugs. I had to fumble my way through the maze, trying to understand what's wrong with me. the docs don't know the answer to that one, or know how to fix it. How can they possibly get it just right. I find my own way through with my General Practitioner, who isn't a willing participant, it's just so incredibly hard to find a pdoc. Good Luck.