[gravyyy]

I think at this point you all have heard about my frustrations with therapy and meds and all that. The therapy isn't so bad but with all the different meds and none of them working like I need them to and being that my work is now being affected, what do you all think about going to a psych 'rehab' program??? It's like drug rehab except for people with psych diagnoses. One program is in TX, the other is in the Las Vegas area. They are 4-6 weeks in length and would allow you to come off all meds, be off for several days, then restart whatever is necessary. I have never done that before.

The downfall is the cost. It's at least $50,000. My insurance would cover at least 60% and they give me unlimited inpatient days so that's good. I figure conservatively right now I'd pay about $10,000 out of pocket. My problem is.... assuming I have the means to cover my costs, would I be diving into this too quickly? It's been nearly 3 years now with 10 meds in varying combinations that haven't resulted in stability. My biggest hang-up is that there's a chance I go to treatment and really discover myself and get things under control. There's equally as good a chance I go and come out as bad as I went in and $10,000 down. I'm worried what my family will think if I try to tell them I'm dropping $50,000 on a treatment program that may not help. All I know is my treatment now isn't helping but I want to get your opinion as maybe my mind would be swayed due to feeling completely desperate!!! Any thoughts??

[gravyyy]

ugh.. I rambled on again... sorry.

[grizmom]

When I did my med detox, I was in for 3 1/2 weeks and it was just at the local hospital in their psych ward. I don't know what the cost was since I am on disability and they paid the full amount. The big difference is that I tried different meds and combos for 17 years before I went to the extreme point of starting completely from scratch. I don't know that doing it sooner would have made a difference though, since the med that ended up working is fairly new (Lamictal). I really don't know what to tell you - I guess the best thing would be to discuss it with your pdoc. He/she might be able to suggest some more options. I just don't want to see you jump into this without knowing what other options there might be. I'm sorry if I wasn't much help, I just wanted to share my experience with it in the hopes that it might help you somehow. Best of luck to you!!

[bp*april]

If your major problem is bipolar depression, I would highly recommend rTMS. (repetitive trans magnetic stimulation) costs about 5000 for initial series and then 200 per treatmenmt for titrating down and maintenance. It worked well for me but I couldn't afford the maintenance. No side effects

[sugahorse1]

bp*april- please tell us more about this treatment, as I've never heard of it.

For BP depression, my pdoc has suggested I may need to try ECT, but too scared at this stage.

Personally I would not be comfortable in a rehab program; I'd rather go through the detox process at a hospital. The 2 times I've been in hospital, I was in the general ward. The second time I basically just slept for 2 days straight. I had no motivation to do anything else. I cannot comment as to what amount of med combo's is considered excessive, before considering the detox adn starting from scratch.
But especially if u are seeing a new pdoc, he is confused as to to "where to from here" and you really get no relief from your current combo, I would consider a detox to start from scratch.

[BNLsMOM]

I have the same dilemma. I want to go to a diagnostic program at McLean and it costs $46,000 provate pay. I would have to set up a payment plan and basically be in debt. There is a chance I would come out without a diagnosis, just as I am right now. (at the hospital, they have decided that they really don't know what is wrong with me.)

As for coming off meds and going back on, I agree with Sugarhorse. I would feel more comfortable doing it in a hospital inpatient.

[gravyyy]

Yeah, I definitely think coming off would be best in the hospital. I have also looked at McLean but I figure if there are a few programs out there that accept insurance and I can even cut the cost in half for equally as good treatment then why not go that route. Meininger clinic in TX is out-of-network for me but my insurance still pays 60%. The program near Las Vegas also accepts insurance and seems like they would be in network so my insurance pays 90%. I wouldn't go in for a while but just weighing my options and trying to see if this is all worth the risk. If I were independently wealthy I'd go ahead and go. Since I'm not, it clearly makes things harder. I have about 6 places I'm in contact with right now about the process so we'll see. FYI BNL, I don't know where you live but there's a private pay program in CA that's $45,000 for 4 weeks. Overall I have found like 12 places that I could potentially go but I am only in contact with ones that accept insurance. Thanks for your input b/c like I said, I'm thinking emotionally right now and not logically about what would be best.

Thanks bp... I know about TMS and even found a program that offers it but not sure I want to go that route yet. It's too new of a technology for me and I'd like to see the 10 and 20 year results rather than knowing it works well for people now but what happens to that person over the next 10 year. We'll see. I wouldn't rule it out for me at this point.

If nothing is working, a psych 'rehab' program in my opinion is worth a try if you can swing the cost. The other options involving juicing the brain have been presented to me as options but I am not ready to go that route. What is rather astounding to me is a comment attributed to a psychiatrist that Electroconvulsive therapy is safer than medications.

Good Luck.

[sugahorse1]

My psychiatrist has also mentioned ECT to me

How are you doing, gravyyy?

[gravyyy]

Ugh, well I am up and down right now. Had a good day all around today, though still not right. I talked to the program in TX again today and got every bit of info I could possibly think of. It's $1200 per day for a minimum 6 weeks. It would be so comprehensive and professional people like me. Some educational groups (more like they talk, we listen) many small group sessions and creative arts groups. There would be individual therapy at least 2 times per week, you would see the pdoc 2 times per week and their staff is all hired by them and work 100% of the time for them and aren't cycling between private practice and all that. There's a pdoc available 24/7. Sounds like a terrific program. I know no one could possibly predict that if I go to this program I will come out and be 'cured' or 'stable' may be more appropriate. I don't possibly see how I could come out feeling worse. ANd I have to learn something from all that therapy (literally 8 hours per day for 6 weeks). Couldn't possibly go through that and get NOTHING out of it.

I have talked with some friends about it these past few days. I decided today to talk with my sister as I felt like she would keep this secret from the rest of the family right now. I was telling her about it and she was confused b/c she thinks everything is fine but then when I was telling her what my actualy symptoms were she was like, "I think this is an absolutely acceptable use (of the $50,000 I have available) and I you don't spend it I almost want to get the money for you and send you." She felt like my family would be supportive but the thought of telling them my true symptoms is really scary. I'm going to put this aside at this point. I will revisit it in like 2 months and see where I'm at then. It's hard to make any decision when my head isn't working right! Thank you all for your input. I hope you know it's greatly appreciated.

[grizmom]

It does sound like a great program! Also, in 6 weeks they would be able to try more than 1 med combo, so that's a plus. Whatever you decide, I hope things get better for you soon!

[gravyyy]

I can't sleep. Took sleeping med. I can't sleep. So much for a good day today.

[sugahorse1]

Ahhhh Gravyyy - I'm so sorry you are going through such a hard time right now. If you can't sleep try use it to do something productive, maybe household chores, creative writing... or read a book or watch TV. Love yourself and look after yourself. How about a hot bath to unwind?