Newly diagnosed? Meds?

I've been on lithium and Cymbalta for a month now and I ran out of Lithium and don't have an appt. and I don't want to pay for Cymbalta. I have insurance but it's still so expensive. I don't want to talk about it when I see my new pdoc. It's embarrassing. I know I need something but as soon as I feel better I decide I'm ok. I'm sure this isn't new but it's new to me.

Lithium does not cost any money, come on. Or are you taking Lithium ER?

Tell pdoc your limited income celexa is around $10 w/o insurance.

Doctors are used to being told that prescriptions costs are a factor all the time. Seriously. I have a family member that is a doctor and have talked specifically about this with them (because this very issue is a problem for me too). You should not be embarrassed to mention this at all. They won't bat an eyelash and will just pause a moment as they think for a second to an older generation drug that will probably work. They have lots and lots of options available to prescribe and will work with you to prescribe the most cost effective ones that will help your situation.

Lithium is literally dirt cheap. I get 90 at Walmart for 4.00. There are loads of older medications that can and do work, and much cheaper. As others have said, don't feel bad about telling your doctor you need cheap medications.

Good Luck

Since you ran out of Lithium and don't have an appointment, you could call, make an appointment and in the mean time they will call in a script. Lithium is wicked cheap and it is one of the best meds out there for bipolar.

Also most doctors will give you samples, not for the Lithium as it is an old med, but for others. The drug reps always give the drs samples. I have gotten months worth in the past.

I know..... it's going to the pharmacy to get it and I'm so busy with work and kids and stressed out that I can't seem to get that direction to the store. Lame, yes I know.

I will ask about changing from cymbalta to something cheaper. I get pretty stubborn and I'm just trying to be honest about being too tired to go get the prescription or calling for the refill from my new pdoc. It's hard. So much is going on. The demands of normal life and then the public issue of my abuse is ongoing every day and needing to talk to investigators is so tiring. I can't seem to do any more.

((hugs)). One step at a time. One task at a time.

Yes you are right. But it seems too much to even get my prescription. Crazy? I'm a professional with a great family and I can't even take care of myself.
Day 5 now without it. Am I trying to sabotage myself? I don't want to.

Mail order pharmacy to the rescue? When you get settled and know your dosages, three month supplies of drugs from the mail order pharmacy should help, if this service is available from your insurance.

Good Neighbor pharmacies [in the US] also will offer to give deliveries so long as you ask for them in advance. I don't think you're sabotaging yourself intentionally -- you're just in a very bad place right now. You'll be fine soon, but even sooner if you can manage to get ahold of your antidepressant. They can really do your head in when you withdraw from them.

I did it.... picked up the Lithium tonight. I was being stubborn and tired and overwhelmed.

Great job!!

That is a big step forward!

I've lost count of the number of times I have stopped meds for one reason or another. Not a good idea to stop lithium because sometimes it doesn't work as well if you stop and then go back on it for some weird reason. Sorry things are tough for you at the moment. Wishing you all the best for your BP journey.

Good job!! I hope you start feeling better.

Feeling better that I actually went and picked up the Li. Now I have to do the same thing with the Cymbalta in 2 days and I anticipate having the exact same struggle only worse. This one is expensive. I know I'm cheap but there must be more to this than not wanting to pay for this stuff. I spent half my therapy appt. Thursday talking about this. Seems ridiculous..... but... it is a real problem. I have been tracking my mood and the past month has been better than ever in the past year with the combination I'm on so I don't know why I want to sabotage myself. I am new to meds (well, 2 years or so) so having this battle with myself is new.

Talk to your Pdoc BEFORE you pick up that expensive prescription..
All the great medications in the world are no good if you cant afford it or its causing you distress to this degree...

There are Cheap options .. trust me I am on them