I posted this under r/telemedicine or r/telehealth also. Wanted to post here also since it’s also mental health related.

ForHer

I saw a commercial today for this company, their spokesperson is Kristen Bell. I think she’s a great person (just from her social media, acting, interviews, probably a silly reason to “trust” someone so I decided to check it out. I registered & did the assessment (mental health). The initial fee, if they prescribe, is $25, then after 15 days, it’s $85/month.

This seems astronomical, but I thought the commercial was too good to be true. I’m considering doing the first month then canceling it.

Are most internet (not directly affiliated with your own medical network) like this? I have insomnia and night anxiety, and have taken Ambien for years. My doctor is now refusing to prescribe because of the cardiac risks to females. My relationship with him has been souring for about a year so it’s definitely time to find a new PCP. But that may take some time.

Are there any reasonable telehealth providers for mental health that don’t cost an arm & a leg? I was going to try Lexapro again, it’s been many years since I took it. I can’t remember if I didn’t like it for the aftertaste or if that was Lunesta.

If I try various ones to avoid the high cost after the initial fill, will that set off any alarms? I’d also like to get Seraquel (or instead of Lunesta or Lexapro) because I’m also tapering off Xanax and not relishing the idea off withdrawals.

I’ve never done telemedicine, unless messaging my doctor on their app counts. Unfortunately, I’ve done this a lot over the last year (been working through a diagnosis of iron deficient anemia and debating courses of finding the reason and the methods of finding the source). It’s been extremely stressful and exacerbating my anxiety. The morning I opened my test results and read the words “you need to get an iron infusion & blood transfusion ASAP”, I spent the day essentially in a panic attack. This is not how I want to live my life, whether it’s short term or long term. I’m afraid of finding out I have cancer, which I have no intention of treating. If it can be treated surgically, I’m open to that.

FTR, I’m 51, female, don’t want to do anything to extend my existence in this hell called life. Please don’t say I’m depressed, I’ve felt this way since I was 14. Meds haven’t helped, lifestyle changes haven’t helped, moving hasn’t helped, change in career hasn’t helped. Yes, I know I need therapy. That’s on the agenda. One fire at a time. It has also been suggested that I have borderline personality disorder, which would explain a LOT of my life.

TIA for any recommendations and for reading this. I don’t think I’d do well with talk therapy as I find writing to be the best way to communicate what is really in my head.