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#1
Jun 04, 2010, 09:53 AM
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2 overwhelmed,need 2 wrap my head around this... He prescribed a mood stabelizer and anti-anxiety. Cnt read hs handwriting... Medz nt available in my city,need 2 w8 4 Monday 2 get through the red tape... Will upd8 u guys when I know more... Is a dx possible 1st consultation?
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#2
Jun 04, 2010, 10:01 AM
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Hey - don't stress; you knew you were on the right path to understanding this all. Welcome to our side of the fence!!! Pls try make out his handwriting and let us know what it is.
From here on things can only start looking up! |
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#3
Jun 04, 2010, 10:49 AM
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Didn't see this post until now and repsonded to the other. Sorry.
 I'd call the ofc back to verify what it is and the dose, even though pharmacists are good at reading the scribble, want to make sure of what you're supposed to be getting. Yes, dx is possible and required for insurance but can be adjusted as time goes on and they know you better. |
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#4
Jun 04, 2010, 07:08 PM
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Emailed him and asked him 2 mail me the details as I want 2 do some research...
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#5
Jun 04, 2010, 07:49 PM
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#6
Jun 05, 2010, 07:22 AM
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I stand corrected,my anxiety is manageble, I'm working on breathing exercisez 2 decrease it. Meds = stabelizer & AD; dosage 2 minimize after week 1 so as not 2 clash with cycle. From what I can make out,and from what I remember it looks like I'll be on 400mg of Tegterol (Carbamazapine) and Lorien (Fluoxetine) ; the scribbling is unclear,but it looks like 20mg week 1 and 10mg week 2. I'm still waiting for him to respond to my email, and will check in here again to update you guys. My next appt is in a month,but he advised me to call if I need him,and to immediately alert him if the meds do not agree with me in any way. He assured me that even though prescriptions are not often correct the first time, we will find the right 1 for me as long as I keep him updated... He was very nice, easy to talk to, I like him...
Thanx Queen for the link :-) and Suga, thanx for the welcome :-) I guess I knew this was coming,but because of "mental conditioning" I was prepared to be "dismissed" so now I'm still trying to wrap my head around it... |
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#7
Jun 05, 2010, 09:53 AM
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You are going to be a low dose of Fluoxetine. And I wonder why you are starting at higher dose and then it will be decreased.
Tegretol should help you but it does have side effects. I take Trileptal which is the same Tegretol except there is a oxygen atom in it. It doesn't have side affect the way Tegretol does. I hope your new cocktail will work well for you. 
__________________
Diagnosed with: - Bipolar Type 2 - Eating Disorder NOS - GAD |
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#8
Jun 05, 2010, 10:02 AM
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I'm glad you finally had your appointment, and it's great that you like him! I hope you are able to get your meds and start taking them.
__________________
From the movie The Hours: "If I were thinking clearly, Leonard, I would tell you that I wrestle alone in the dark, in the deep dark, and that only I can know. Only I can understand my condition. You live with the threat, you tell me you live with the threat of my extinction. Leonard, I live with it too." My blog, "Life and Other Annoyances": http://jennikj.blogspot.com/  |
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#9
Jun 05, 2010, 11:18 AM
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Quote:
The reason we're working back 2 front is so that the AD duzn hava negative impact when my cycle changes. (I explaind 2 him hw I went completely outta control when my gp gave me sum ADs last time,coz neither of us new the suicidal me wouldn't be present 4 long...) hope that makes sense I'm kinda jittery right now... |
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#10
Jun 05, 2010, 11:22 AM
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Quote:
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#11
Jun 05, 2010, 11:50 AM
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I'm seeing a psych dr next month&I'm afraid that they'll find something else wrong besides the anxiety&craziness that is me. I understand the stuff that happens when u get an AD but no mood stabilizer. I went totally crazy, ended up buying pills on the street2get high, stole from my man, lied2everyone, and lost my job....I'm glad u got help cuz its not fun2be that way....good luck&I hope it gets nothing but better4u!
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#12
Jun 05, 2010, 12:20 PM
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Quote:
Your well wishes and personal insight is appreciated. |
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#13
Jun 07, 2010, 04:47 AM
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Yay -clicking with the doc is the first step - when you trust him, you can ask anything you want to, and be 100% honest.
How are you feeling on the meds? |
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#14
Jun 07, 2010, 05:18 AM
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Have to wait till Wed,latest Thurs for meds, b/c for some STUPID reason, my med-aid say's I need to use the Jozi dispensary (I'm in CT) so i have to wait on delivery...
__________________
 DXD BP1, BPD & OCPD  "The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists in tact, is to realise, two out of three aint bad" FOB...
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#15
Jun 07, 2010, 06:21 AM
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WHAT!!!!??!?!? That is ridiculous. When you say Jozi dispensary, do you mean Johannesburg? So they will courier your meds to you? At least yours are paid by medical aid - I pay mine out of my savings facility, or my own cash. But try check with them for future scripts - there has to be a chemist closer to you that they can use.
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#16
Jun 07, 2010, 06:51 AM
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I HAVE to use the dispensary in Jozi, or pay extra for using a diff dispensary...ugh, as if I don;t have enough to deal with...
The meds will be couriered monthly...even though my med/aid option doesn't cover mental health (my appt. I pay cash) they are bound my law to pay for the meds, as Bipolar falls under the list of Prescribed Minimum Benefit... I was sO glad the doc pointed that out, b/c I was working myself into a frenzy about money b4hand... Now...I have to put job hunting on hold...1st need to check my med-reaction, have already spoken to a medical aid rep about being an independent member, (see what I mean) I'm working myself into a frenzy about things that are months away... Just wish I felt different, just wish I knew HOW to feel...instead all I wanna do is RUN!!!
__________________
DXD BP1, BPD & OCPD "The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists in tact, is to realise, two out of three aint bad" FOB...
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#17
Jun 07, 2010, 07:18 AM
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I know that feeling of being overwhelmed. Break down the process into bite sized chunks, and tackle one at a time. The Co-Payment cannot be huge - maybe look into it, and try get you medicine from Cape Town.
I know it falls under PMB, but I need a motivational letter, as not all meds are covered, mainly only citalopram. I think it's really unfair. My meds cost me about R500/month, which is quite a chunk. Plus all appointments. |
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#18
Jun 07, 2010, 07:26 AM
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It's a rip off, if you ask me! How is R500 FAIR? OVERWHELMED seems like and understatement right now... I'm trying hard, really trying, to break IT down, not break down...seems the harder I try, the harder it's getting. Colleagues have noticed I'm "retreating" can't even put on my fav. song...(which for me is EXTREMELY bad) I just wanna go home and cry until it's over...
The trouble with breaking down the process is: WHAT IS THE PROCESS? and why they hell am I on the verge of tears???? I hate myself right now...
__________________
DXD BP1, BPD & OCPD "The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists in tact, is to realise, two out of three aint bad" FOB...
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#19
Jun 07, 2010, 07:56 AM
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I wish I could just make it all become so much easier...
If you want, PM me your medical aid company name, as well as the option you are on. I'll sift through the fine print and get to the bottom of this issue regardin chemists. (For those of you that don't understand, Johannesburg to Cape Town is like 2000km!!! How can you get you prescription only filled in a city 2000km away!!???) Then work out what it is that you actually need to do with regards to your meds? What does "going independent" mean? What options are available for you? What are the benefits you get now, and what are you paying - you will obviously want to match on these criteria. Job hunting is not a MUST DO right now; you have a job and know the ins and outs of it, changing jobs now would be a huge stress you need to avoid right now. (((HUGS))) |
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#20
Jun 07, 2010, 07:59 AM
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Using a diary will be invaluable to you right now. Don't feel bad if you withdraw at work - I do all the time; I just sit in my corner with my iPod and only interact when really necessary. On your good days your productivity will sky-rocket! Don't feel guilty.
Divide your diary into 2 columns - a MUST do and a Eventually do. Put a check box infront of each item - it feels really good to check the DONE box :-) And then keep a journal to write down your feelings and emotions. |
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#21
Jun 07, 2010, 08:13 AM
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Like, I hate my job, I've made that clear, but if I leave, I have to keep my medical aid now, because of the meds I need...so I've already spoken to the rep here at work, who say's she will organise everything if and when I leave the company to ensure my membership carries on independantly...
I'm with fedhealth, with a mickey mouse option they sucked out of their thumb for teletech. It's called blue door, I'm told it was created with our company in mind. All it means is, that I can go to a GP as often as I bloody well like... That's why I have to pay cash for my mental health. This med-aid rep at work assured me (as did the chronic meds confirmation letter) that fedhealth uses Phamacy Direct (Johannessburg) as it's Designated Service Provider. Should I opt to have my medication dispensed anywhere else, I could be liable to pay a non-refundable 40% co-payment. I'm in so much financial crap, it doesn't matter what 40% = in Rands, I CAN'T afford it right now...my bills are in arrears as is... AAARGH. WHY? not because I earn THAT little money, I spend IT ALL ON CRAP!!! Crap that are "must have" items when I'm bloody manic and crap I "need" to make me feel better when I'm depressed... SO NOW I HAVE NO MONEY UNTIL ATLEAST THE 16 JULY  PLUS with BlueDoor, there are only a handful of practitioners contracted, so it's difficult to get proper help, so I can only imagine the nightmare I'll incure if I request a pharmacy in Cape Town. The rep at work was told that our contracted dispensaries do not HAVE my meds,so LOTSA red tape!!! Like WTF??? This all just feels like TOO much work, really now, I just wanna crawl into my bed and bawl my eyes out until all's right with the world again... Thanks for your continued support...
__________________
DXD BP1, BPD & OCPD "The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists in tact, is to realise, two out of three aint bad" FOB...
Last edited by Trippin2.0; Jun 07, 2010 at 08:15 AM. Reason: addition |
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#22
Jun 07, 2010, 08:34 AM
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Staying on top of assistance and insurance to cover treatment and meds can be a full-time job in an of itself. I have wanted to hide from it too many times; it can be overwhelming.
From your description, you are staying on top of it and the choices despite not being ones you'd like. You should give yourself lots of credit for that. It's not easy but you are. Wishing you well as you make these decisions and hopes for no red tape. 
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 Trippin2.0
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#23
Jun 07, 2010, 08:54 AM
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We also have a work medical aid, effectively underwritten by Medscheme. Or we can go on a Spouse's medical aid.
Well, for now medical aid is paying for your meds, and that's half the battle won. Diarise a week before your meds run out and ensure the courier is sending your next month's script - you DO NOT want to run out. A 40% co-payment is ridiculous - we just pay a co-payment if the medes here are more than at a registered provider. Why not open a 32 day call account? Work out how much money you NEED, an a bit for luxuries, and put the rest into a 32 days call account. That way it'll help you to manage your finances, and you cannot just buy the "crap" - you will need to wait the 32 days and can think about if you really need. Hey, I'm here to help you with whatever you need - and I understand the South African red-tape and crap! |
| Trippin2.0
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#24
Jun 07, 2010, 09:39 AM
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That made me laugh, at 16:35PM it's my first for the day THANKS!!! I know I need to be more responsible and rope in some help (financially) and logically I make these decisions when I'm broke. But as soon as I have money, impulsive splurging, it's like I have no fricken say in the matter, and I KNOW that sounds nuts, but that's how it feels... I don't really care what I splurge on, make up, shoes, clothing, junk food... it varies, depending on how much excess I have. As soon as I see X amount available...I withdraw it... Feel so stupid cos I have nobody to blame for my financial mess but me! A little birdie told me I'm getting an increase soon, so hopefully that will help. instead of making me spend MORE... who knows, maybe once I'm actually ON meds I won't be so impulsive? Maybe I'm just wishing on shooting stars? grasping on straws? hoping for a miracle??? I don't know, I don't know much about anything right now, and that IRRITATES me coz I'm a supposed "knowitall" 
__________________
DXD BP1, BPD & OCPD "The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists in tact, is to realise, two out of three aint bad" FOB...
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#25
Jun 07, 2010, 09:51 AM
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Or take out a policy that forces you to pay x amount into it monthly. That way you are saving for the future too, and you know money is being put away for a good cause.
I tend to spend a LOT of money on Junk Food. I think I'm addicted to McD's! |
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