[mattjstead]

A long (well, to me, others have had much longer) battle of battling the diagnosis of Bi-Polar and Panic Attack disorder since 2009-2010.
After being with a pull-pushing Psych from 2012-2014 and ending up in the hospital for a week, I was finally able to get with a great psychiatrist than most people would only dream of. Listened. I would email him questions and get a response within an hour, and call and hear back within 30 minutes.

Suddenly, September-October (2014), he disappeared. I know, it sounds weird...it is weird. Emails didn't get responded too. Multiple phone calls and messages were never returned, etc. He ran a very small practice out of an office that dealt mainly with therapy. They didn't even have answers.

At that point, I figured no big deal since I had a great mixture of medication that was FINALLY working. And after talking to my GP he said he would do refills while I looked for another Psych. Endless calls were leading me to "Not accepting patients" or 6+ month waits.

Then I was informed that in December the tiers of my prescription co-pays would change. What was $50/$100/$150 would now be $60/$120/30%. I was on Latuda, being a Tier 3, meaning it would be about $550-$600 a month for 30 pills. Impossible for me and my family (wife and son). So, I just began slowly tapering down and not taking it. I know, not smart but I didn't want to worry my wife or feel like a bother to anyone.

Now, let's flash forward to February.
It has all come back roaring. Depression, fatigue, disgust, anxiety out the roof and the list could go on.

The best part? My insurance has dropped me as of February (I found out 4 days ago). When rolling over to a new year (January to February), I used auto-pay to pay my bill. Even though all emails and letters started if I wasn't making changes I needed to do nothing. What wasn't explained was that Auto-Pay information did need to be updated (I've actually been told this by the representatives, including that indeed that's what the letters said but I should have known to check that. Umm, okay. Right).

I am blessed beyond words in that my mother-in-law has down right said she will pay for anything, but that doesn't make me feel any better.

None the less, from October 2014 when I was on Latuda 40mg, Lamictal 200mg, Wellbutrin XL 150mg. I am now on...Well..nothing. And let me tell you if you ever have that thought of, "Maybe I don't need this crap." I'll tell you, you do.

I have an appointment with my mother-in-law's brother-in-law's psychiatrist that has a SMALL practice near me. I am going Tuesday to figure out what to do.

All out of pocket, but not worth my life, as my MIL says.

I am nervous, honestly. But I've felt nervous and anxious for days now. Panic attacks at the drop of a hat, and days I can't get out of bed.

I suppose this message is just to see someone say, "Go! You are doing the right thing." Or, "Sending positive vibes" or something.

I will keep everyone updated and I appreciate any well wishes and thoughts.

All in Love,
Keep the fight,

Matt S.

[Imah]

Matt, I understand the inner thunder of the shaking foundation. What you are currently going through would cause despair in the best of us. Well wishes to you. Thank goodness for your family support system. You speak so clearly. Thank you for sharing. Keep trudging forth.

[mattjstead]

Originally Posted by Imah

Matt, I understand the inner thunder of the shaking foundation. What you are currently going through would cause despair in the best of us. Well wishes to you. Thank goodness for your family support system. You speak so clearly. Thank you for sharing. Keep trudging forth.

Thank you Imah. Your message truly brought tears to my eyes. I did not want to sound like the "woe is me", but also a brief history.
It has been a struggle. Half disbelief (how insurance can pull the things they do and yet make the billions supposedly "helping" people), and also the wrath of ending what was helping so much.

I just hope and pray that this new doctor can help find reasonably priced medication.

Indeed, my family (especially my wife's), is beyond words in how much they have helped. Do not get me wrong. My family helps, but are also of a background in the Pentecostal/Assemblies of God church that disregards the majority (98%+) of "Psychological Issues" as just one of those things to "pray about." There is nothing wrong in prayer, spirituality, etc. But, as I tell people, "To those that disregard it and say to pray, you have to realize that you have to give God the credit for giving the doctors and researchers the knowledge to invent the technology and medicine they now have."

Thank you again for your message and I will keep you updated. Feel free to message me since I sometimes have trouble keeping up with my messages and forums.

All the best,
Hugs,
Matt S.

[Moreta]

The best thing to do is to look at some stores cheap prescription lists, i know walmart has one and so does walgreens (i looked at walmarts though and didn't see any psych meds) and go from there. If you have a costco or sams membership you can get meds cheap there. i know lamictal is relatively cheap, esp at costco. i don't know of any APs that are cheap. maybe reg seroquel, but i'm not quite sure. i do know for ADs that prozac is pretty cheap. PsychCentral also has a prescription discount card Announcing the Psych Central Drug Discount Card | World of Psychology I'm not sure how much it would save though. You can also go to drug manufacturers websites and look for discount cards, or apply to get your medications for a low cost or free. There's a lot of options out there. Also it's not too late to sign up for obamacare. I think the cutoff is march 15th.

hang in there. I know it's tough now, but things will get better.

Go! You are doing the right thing.& Sending positive vibes. And everything else. Your family-in -laws are great.

I agree with Moreta. There are several discount prescription programs out there. Stay on meds if you need them.

[mattjstead]

Originally Posted by Moreta

The best thing to do is to look at some stores cheap prescription lists, i know walmart has one and so does walgreens (i looked at walmarts though and didn't see any psych meds) and go from there. If you have a costco or sams membership you can get meds cheap there. i know lamictal is relatively cheap, esp at costco. i don't know of any APs that are cheap. maybe reg seroquel, but i'm not quite sure. i do know for ADs that prozac is pretty cheap. PsychCentral also has a prescription discount card Announcing the Psych Central Drug Discount Card | World of Psychology I'm not sure how much it would save though. You can also go to drug manufacturers websites and look for discount cards, or apply to get your medications for a low cost or free. There's a lot of options out there. Also it's not too late to sign up for obamacare. I think the cutoff is march 15th.

hang in there. I know it's tough now, but things will get better.

Thank you so much, Moreta.
I also (and for those who see this) was lead to an App that is new(ish) called "GoodRX". It gives you discount cards by pharmacy. I used one twice when it was cheaper than my insurance and worked.

If for nothing else it gives a concise, by your search, pricing of "retail".

Thank you for your information as well. My wife's grandmother has a Sams membership I believe she added me to so I will also look there.
Thanks guys for the support. It really helps just knowing someone (other than family, obviously) can relate and cares.
I truly appreciate it.

*hugs*
Matt

[mattjstead]

Originally Posted by ValentinaVVV

Go! You are doing the right thing.& Sending positive vibes. And everything else. Your family-in -laws are great.

I agree with Moreta. There are several discount prescription programs out there. Stay on meds if you need them.

Haha,
If I decided "not to go", my wife and mother-in-law would drag me by the hair there, haha. Plus, I don't like feeling like this. It's not fair to my son or wife, or me who I usually think of last.

I know there is a reason for everything, and this is just a lesson. If not a testimony of how corrupt our Insurance/Pharmaceutical industry is in this country.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I can understand the Religious Just Pray model.
But I also like the idea that God helps those that help themselves.
So,is it any use to go to the customer service department of the Insurance company and plead your case for reinstatement?
Or shop for better coverage?
Also my pills cost less when I get a 90 day prescription and do the mail order.
While coping with Bipolar disorder I've had many med changes. Some burn out after awhile. I don't know how effective and for how long Latutuda works. It probably isn't available in generic,right?
I had the disappearance of my Psychiatrist and his whole office of colleagues happen to me too. No notifications. Nothing. I think it's a dress shop now. It did make me feel very weird too.
But, be carefull. I weaned off my remaining drugs and ended up big time Psycotic. From May -Aug 2015 in and out of the hospital. ECT. It was horrible. I now go to the Pdoc I was treated by in the hospital.
She's trying to force more ECT.
It's not certain that another Pdoc would keep me on same meds. In my case I've learned that it may be a 6 month long taper on one of the meds I'm taking. That's also if its doing more harm than good. Which I don't know yet.
So I understand and am sending love and positive vibes your way.
Keep a positive attitude too.

[DesigningWoman]

I totally understand the pdoc abandonment. I had a pdoc for years. I seemed pretty stable I think I was on every fourth month an appt with him. They always called to confirm on the Friday before. No call came. So I called them and couldn't get through. I thought that was odd, so on the weekend I drove to the office. It was quite a ways. The door was locked and there was a note taped up that the dr had an emergency and had moved away. Patients were to call the office to arrange records transfer. Only I discovered the phone was truly disconnected and the office closed. That was a terrible day. I had several meds In need of almost immediate refill. I was terrified. I got my GP to refill but she said she would only do refills for a limited amount of time and never again. So I started calling. I had awful insurance through my job, so I ended up on a wait list for the public mental health system. I finally got seen there. They were extremely overburdened and I was unhappy with my very infrequent appts. Finally I decided my insurance mental health coverage was killing me. So I made plans to get a different job and go back to school. I put my name on a very long wait list for a therapist recommended pdoc. I promised them I would have acceptable insurance by appointment time. I only had to push back appt one time by a week. It was a risk but it did work for me.

All that to say, I do understand the fear of in that position. Thinking creatively worked for me. But I know that isn't always an option.

Take care of yourself.