You know, there are programs for free medication direct from the pharmaceutical company. You fill out a form at your drs office, attach a proof of income and they will ship the meds direct to you or your dr. In the mean time, they give you a voucher to go get a free filling of the prescription at a local pharmacy. That's how I got almost all of my medication. The three I'm on right now (Lamictal, Wellbutrin, and Seroquel) are all free, all from the manufacturer, name brand. It arrives, the student center (where I see my p-nurse) calls me, I pick it up.

I'm afraid of lithium for some of the side effects I've read about, so I don't blame you for not liking it. I'm hoping Lamictal will do the trick on curing or at least leveling out my mood swings.

The sad but true fact about mood disorders is that it can take quite some time to find the right combo for you with the least side effects. I've been at it for a year now, and still not sure this will be the one. But, I'm not as bad as I was before I sought treatment. I used to not be able to sleep for weeks, was irritable all the time, etc. Now I get a decent amount of sleep every night, no hallucinations, very few nightmares, and I have energy during the day. Only pesky thing still is those unpredictable mood swings.

If you have bipolar (in the depressed phase) and ADHD, meds are about the only thing that will help along with therapy and exercise. I know some people swear by fish oils and B vitamins (which can assist in treatment), but the only thing proven to stabilize moods are either lithium or lamictal (and some of the other anti-seizure class meds). The anti-depressants may help with your depressive state, but they can trip you into dangerous mania of impulsiveness, aggressiveness, feelings of invincibility, etc. I've been there. Not good.

As for ADHD, I think there may be some meds that have an overlap between the two. If not, you may need a stimulant for that one.

Also, consider looking into state sponsored health insurance. Some states have a plan and depending on your income, you may not have to pay any premiums. If you have a serious condition (that is life-threatening or is a disability...which bipolar is at least on the former count and often on the second) they will be more likely to add you. I just applied for my state's insurance and hope to get a decision too. I'm pretty ****ing poor this year. Not that I've ever been above the poverty line in terms of earning, but really, I average about $500 a month gross. I'm a student and my hours at my job got cut like most other workers under 40. To stressed out and unstable to find another job at this stage.

Hope this helps some. Don't give up. It's worth the process. And god am I ever tired of it too!