Needing Support

I haven't been doing very well for awhile now. The BP depression has been slowly creeping in. The last 3 weeks I've been isolating and self medicating with extra medication I already have so I can sleep the days away.

My problem is that I can't afford the medications that I'm suppose to be taking. I saw my pdoc this morning and she mentioned twice that she thought I should be hospitalized, at this point voluntarily. I flat out refused because what's the sense in putting me in the hospital, starting other meds, getting out and I still can't afford the treatment.

I'm on disability but it doesn't cover my meds. I tried applying for government assistance but the deductible is more than my meds.

I don't know what to do and I'm so afraid of being hospitalized for the 11th time.

a lot of the medicine companies have assistance programs. That may be something that you should look into. I would do voluntary hospitalization before it becomes involuntary. they may be able to put you on medication that is covered by your insurance Or cheaper.

I have another idea. I've been in a committed relationship for about 8 months now. We do have plans on living together at some point. I've been very independent for many years and I don't ask him for anything. Would it be inappropriate to ask if he could put me on his prescription plan. I've never asked him for anything. This is a biggy. Also he doesn't know the extent of my illness because I've been able to manage. He has seen the mood swings but I'm afraid to tell him what the medication is for because I'm afraid he's going to think I'm some kind of a whack job

Thank you for that but my psychiatrist has tried and in Canada they don't seem to do that

Can you be added to his prescription plan? Here in the US to be added to a plan you need to be a spouse or a child.

I understand your reluctance of telling him the extent of your struggle with Bipolar? I would think at 8 months and if you were to ask him for that kind of help it would be time to tell him the XYZ of the BP illness that you deal with.

Does your Pdoc not get what your saying about needing a medication you can actually afford ? If your self medicating to just sleep it all away , well you know you need to address it before you will need IP and not have a choice.

I hope you find something that will help you. Stay safe

I am with an independent community mental health agency. They are independently funded and provide services to me at no cost. This includes medication. This has been a godsend for me. Some have a sliding scale for cost.