[Arduos]

Hi, my name is Stephanie I am bipolar, I rapid cycle like you wouldn't believe. I posted an intro yesterday but I think it was in the wrong forum. I am 32, a mother, wife and an animal lover. I would like to say I am a simple person but I would be telling a lie. I started my meds again for the 100th time a little while ago, and they actually work this time. When I woke up today I went to get a refill and the pharmacy said *you need to get a prior authorization before we refill this* So I have been calling my doctor, insurance and pharmacy all day trying to get this taken care of. Now i'm loosing my mind, i'm having anxiety issues, panic attacks and severe mood swings. I hope they get it figured out soon today. It's Friday and I know nobody will be in an office till monday But other than this issue I'm hoping to find friends here, I don't know anyone outside of my computer that is bipolar and it's hard to talk to anyone that doesn't experience this. My family and husband can't comprehend how hard it is to control my moods, or to even get out of bad on the bad days. They just say, force yourself or ignore it, or what is wrong with you. It would just be nice to know others that go through this, and know i'm not alone

[sb7777]

Hi Stephanie, I'm really sorry to hear about the trouble you're having. I, too, am a rapid-cycler and I can relate to your need to get meds filled on time. I've had a similar experience to yours in the past, but luckily I was able to get my pdoc on the phone and get an emergency Rx filled at my pharmacy.

If the issue is with your insurance company, what I've found is that sometimes you have to keep pushing them. I've had several, um, heated discussions with them on reimbursement for office visits, Rx, etc. If you can get the right person on the phone, you might be able to get past this.

Last, talk to your pharmacist if you can. If you find one sympathetic enough, they can help you navigate the loopholes to get your Rx filled.

Know you have support here from people with similar problems. I'm fairly new as well, and I've found tremendous help from other members.

Keep us posted and hang in there.

[Arduos]

Thanks for the reply! I ended up talking to someone at my insurance agency (after 9 times) and I told him my problem and why it was important for me to not skip a day. He ended up telling me that he was bipolar too! That was the first time I ever talked to someone else that was bipolar It blew my mind! Anyway, he put a rush on things and I ended up getting them the same day. He saved me! Thanks sb7777

[BipolaRNurse]

It's funny.....since I "came out of the closet", I've found all sorts of people like us are out there. Even the Medicaid case manager for the assisted living facility where I work---we were chatting about one of my residents, then suddenly we wound up on the subject of mental illness and learned that we both are BP, that we're on the same meds, and that it's really, really hard to be a good consistent parent with this disorder. She's a lot younger than I and she's never had a mixed episode, but otherwise our stories are very similar.

Take-away lesson: it's OK to talk about bipolar. It's even OK to BE bipolar. What's not OK is allowing it to run our lives and using it as an excuse for bad behavior or failing to do something we should (but don't want to do).

[Trippin2.0]

Wow! I'm glad he helped you out so swiftly! somehow I missed your post, my phone can be quite idiotic. Anyway, just wanted to welcome you to the fold, hope you like it here

[~Christina]

Welcome to PC

Lots of caring people here with wise imformation and TONS of support

[EverythingNothing]

You are not alone. I am a rapid cycler myself. Use this forum to your advantage. I haven't been here long but pretty much everyone here is very understanding because...well...they understand they ******** that mental illness brings.

And something else to put things into perspective for you. This is just a very small portion of those online with bipolar disorder. There's a whole lot more than are posting. Anyway, just know that you are not alone and this place can be very therapeutic.

[sb7777]

I'm glad everything worked out!

[Butterflies Are Free]

So sorry to hear you are struggling.
I rapid cycle and have SAD as well.
Please keep posting!

[BuggsBunny]

Welcome aboard the Psych Central express! We move pretty fast at times, but always make stops for sympathy, understanding, and companionship. We will, at times come to a complete stop for depression, but we just keep chugging along for those manics. For some reason, they prefer to hop the train while it's running. All Aboard! toot toot

Hi Stephanie very nice to meet you! I am also a rapid cycler so I understand what you are going through. You are not alone in having family that doesn't completely understand you and what you are going through. It almost cost me my marriage. My hubby went to a NAMI class (National Alliance for Mental Illness) for family members who live with someone who is bipolar. It gave him a much better understanding of what I go through and how it effects my behavior. Also I invited him to my therapist's office so that if he had any questions he was able to get them from the "professional". It really helped both of us, he is more understanding of me now and I am relieved to not have that tension anymore. I think you will be very happy here on PC, there are so many wonderful and supportive people. They've been there for me whether I'm up or down. I hope you make many new friends here.