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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kira on May 17, 2005, at 12:18:37
I am wondering what the most common meds are for the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar with mixed states.
I was diagnosed at a free screening many years ago but have never had the $ for treatment. I've been experiencing mixed episodes for 22 years. Any advice re: how to get help when one has no insurance or money would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by SLS on May 17, 2005, at 12:39:49
In reply to Rapid cycling bipolar with mixed states, posted by Kira on May 17, 2005, at 12:18:37
> I am wondering what the most common meds are for the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar with mixed states.
>
> I was diagnosed at a free screening many years ago but have never had the $ for treatment. I've been experiencing mixed episodes for 22 years. Any advice re: how to get help when one has no insurance or money would be greatly appreciated.
What drugs can you afford to buy?Lithium is very, very cheap.
Try to keep a regular sleep cycle.
- Scott
Posted by Kira on May 17, 2005, at 13:06:36
In reply to Re: Rapid cycling bipolar with mixed states, posted by SLS on May 17, 2005, at 12:39:49
Hi Scott! Thanks for responding to my post. I can't afford to buy any drugs at all at the moment because I'm unemployed (quit my last job due to severe stress which triggered a really bad depressive episode with mania, which I'm still in the midst of). I'm wondering if there are any kinds of programs offering free meds. I'm not sure it would be beneficial for me to take lithium due to thyroid disease in my immediate family (all women on my mother's side have thyroid probs).
Posted by D minor on May 17, 2005, at 13:10:01
In reply to Re: lack of insurance, posted by Kira on May 17, 2005, at 13:06:36
Where are you? If you are in the US there's always Medicaid. And some other programs that I could look into.
dm
Posted by Kira on May 17, 2005, at 14:22:38
In reply to Re: lack of insurance, posted by D minor on May 17, 2005, at 13:10:01
I greatly appreciate your response! I just called the hospital and they told me to apply for State Administered General Assistance since I don't qualify for Medicaid, and they said that if I am denied, they will help me receive something called "charity care" (which should cover some of my medical bills but I'm not sure about the meds) Thank you so much for all your help!
Posted by D minor on May 17, 2005, at 16:25:09
In reply to Re: Medicaid, posted by Kira on May 17, 2005, at 14:22:38
Cool!
I also wanted to let you know that there is something called medicaid with share of cost for those who don't qualify for straight medicaid. Check it out to make sure you might not fall in that catagory.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/
Goodluck,
dm
Posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2005, at 18:24:03
In reply to Re: Medicaid, posted by D minor on May 17, 2005, at 16:25:09
I was told by another pdoc that a lot of the drug companies will provide free medication if you can't afford them. Even now I never leave the pdoc's without a sample of zoloft, or now I have 2 coupons for lunesta that I haven't used yet. The coupons were because she was out of samples. The whole time I was on cymbalta the pdoc gave me all the medication as samples and I had insurance. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on May 18, 2005, at 18:33:47
In reply to Re: Medicaid, posted by D minor on May 17, 2005, at 16:25:09
> Cool!
>
> I also wanted to let you know that there is something called medicaid with share of cost for those who don't qualify for straight medicaid. Check it out to make sure you might not fall in that catagory.
>
> http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/
>
> Goodluck,
> dm
The big problem with federal "share of cost" programs is that they calculate the cost of living as an average for the country -- meaning that, if you live in an average urban area, you can't live on what you're allowed to keep. The Share of Cost is *everything* you bring in from any source over what they consider the cost of living. I was on that sort of program, and the amount they calculated as my SOC was about half of my rent! There's no way to survive on a lot of those programs.But there are Compassionate Care programs around -- most drug companies have them, but they are hard to navigate and they certainly aren't advertised! The latest is that a group of Big Pharma are getting together to create a centralized, streamlined system to administer the compassionate care programs. Until it's completely finished, the best bet is checking out http://www.needymeds.com
As for MedicAid, the restrictions on that are pretty strict. Unless you are on SSI or have a child, you probably do not qualify. It's a nice idea, but...
On the other hand, a lot of counties have programs to help the low income residents of their county, through their public health system. Planned Parenthood also treats people for such a nominal fee that it may as well be free. Sometimes, it is free.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Maxime on May 19, 2005, at 6:54:10
In reply to Rapid cycling bipolar with mixed states, posted by Kira on May 17, 2005, at 12:18:37
Hi there. I lived in the U.S. for one year to work. My first job was just an internship so I was only earning a stipend. I went to a mental health clinic and was eligible for free treatment - pdoc and social worker and free state meds as long as I kept my appointments. It was a lifesaver. This was in Washington D.C. You should look up community mental health clinics. Can't hurt? Plus there is a list somewhere of how to get free meds, I can hunt it down it you want. What state and county do you live in?
Maxime
> I am wondering what the most common meds are for the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar with mixed states.
>
> I was diagnosed at a free screening many years ago but have never had the $ for treatment. I've been experiencing mixed episodes for 22 years. Any advice re: how to get help when one has no insurance or money would be greatly appreciated.
This is the end of the thread.
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