Posted by L.Marie on December 30, 2000, at 11:55:40
I have had chronic low grade depression for as long as I can remember. Low energy, always on the verge of depression, but never falling in. On a scale of 1 to 10, I like to say it's like constantly being at #5. No real downs, but no real ups.
I was seeing my most recent therapist (MSW) for several months, when my insurance company (Oxford) refused to continue paying for the sessions. I cannot afford therapy without insurance, and Oxford said the only way they would continue covering the therapy was for me to see a psychologist and try meds.
So I tried several meds - Paxil made me suicidal, Prozac didn't work. Celexa was a wonder drug for 3 weeks - I felt really truly alive, and then it burned out - when the doctor upped my dose I turned into a slug - literally could not get out of bed. Effexor XR didn't make me feel better, but it caused hand tremors and concentration problems. Wellbutrin made be break out in hives.
After trying all these meds without any success, I decided to stop trying. Each failure / side effect caused more suffering than every day living. I tried to continue therapy (paying without insurance) but I just couldn't do it financially. So I stopped going 3 months ago.
I feel that I still need therapy, but how do I pay for it on my own, or how do I get Oxford to cover it?
And maybe I do need to take meds, but which ones? My doctor said that based on my previous reactions to SSRI's I should consider trycyclic, or MAOI's. But considering I can function without meds, are the side effects worth trying the drugs?
Also, does anyone have any recommendations for psychologists, or psychopharmacologists in NYC?
Thanks.
poster:L.Marie
thread:50577
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50577.html