The Bipolar Chat Thread

bioChE · Sep 07, 2016, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

I worry about saying anything to my boss about all this because I'm afraid they'll try to fire me, hence the reason I haven't put in for FMLA.

Once you put in for FMLA, your job is protected by law. If you don't, it's not.

hopeless2015 · Sep 07, 2016, 07:13 AM

I've got fmla, for intermittent use. I'm very thankful for it

p00dlez · Sep 07, 2016, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopeless2015

I'm sorry p00dlez, that really sucks

Thanks. I honestly don't know what that was. I know I had the mother of all panic attacks when that happened and called my pdocs office for the anxiety. They gave me some Xanax for the anxiety.

This visit he switched me to Klonopin because he said its longer lasting than Xanax is. I still feel unsettled about this. Like what if I really was somewhat unaware of things for all that time. I asked my husband and he says I am the same, but I don't feel the same. I know I have much more anxiety now on the Geodon then I had on the loxapine. I just don't know but I don't feel the same.

Sep 07, 2016, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

If you look around hard enough you may be able to find someone with no drug company relationships. For me it is a teaching hospital and while my dr. is a full dr, not a resident, she is not allowed to have much association with drug reps at all and cannot take anything from them, not even a pen. No samples are allowed except in special cases (they would let me have samples last fall when I needed to try a med I couldn't afford and would eventually get through assistance but needed to try first) and that leads the drug reps to not really prioritize the drs. there. We tried for samples of 2 or 3 drugs and couldn't get any of them.

The only time my pdoc meets with a drug rep is when a new drug comes out and they want to educate the drs. on what it does. I think my pdoc seeks that out because she's also a pharmacist and is very interested in how the drugs work (and uses that when deciding what to use to treat).

I don't know how to find someplace like this except by calling around but it is definitely possible to have non-industry-influence drs.

Yeah, I like that idea of going to a hospital setting, although my insurance limits me a bit since a lot of hospitals around here don't accept my insurance. But I'm sure I could find a pdoc like that if I looked hard enough.

Thanks for the idea

bioChE · Sep 07, 2016, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Yeah, I like that idea of going to a hospital setting, although my insurance limits me a bit since a lot of hospitals around here don't accept my insurance. But I'm sure I could find a pdoc like that if I looked hard enough.

Thanks for the idea

In my experience, the older pdoc a are the ones less influenced by the drug companies to push the latest and greatest on their patients.

Wild Coyote · Sep 07, 2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bioChE

In my experience, the older pdoc a are the ones less influenced by the drug companies to push the latest and greatest on their patients.

I think this is likely true. They have a lot more experience with meds and more insight into the history between pharmaceutical marketing and true safety and true efficacy of new meds.

WC

Sep 08, 2016, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I think this is likely true. They have a lot more experience with meds and more insight into the history between pharmaceutical marketing and true safety and true efficacy of new meds.

WC

Quote:

Originally Posted by bioChE

In my experience, the older pdoc a are the ones less influenced by the drug companies to push the latest and greatest on their patients.

Yeah.

I think my pdoc is in his mid 50s, although... I also go to a large psychiatry/therapy office and I've seen these drug reps walking around and talking to pdocs. I guess they hand out sample packs to all the pdocs, and I'm sure that influences these doctors a bit.

I mean, I saw this about 2 or 3 appointments ago while I was waiting to be seen. I sort of hoped my pdoc would've used these non-generics as a last resort.

I wonder how often this happens in other psychiatry offices.

Raindropvampire · Sep 08, 2016, 01:35 AM

I really think it depends. My last Pdoc was older and wouldn't listen when I kept telling her I had to be on generic or I couldn't afford it. Everything that was new was great to her.

This Pdoc is a bit younger than the last and if she doesn't have samples/coupons that make it affordable then she sticks with what I can get generic. She believes in more tried and true meds.

scatterbrained04 · Sep 08, 2016, 04:47 AM

My pdoc in the past has had a stock of samples. I don't think he's necessarily influenced by the companies though because he'll write for other stuff. I've been on APs a couple times short-term and he just gave me samples so I didn't have to spend money. He did this for me with Saphris, Seroquel, and when I started Latuda. He also gave me samples when I was titrating on Lamictal. He gave me Deplin samples. And samples of a strong vitamin D. It was kind of nice not to have to buy the meds unless they worked for me.

Sep 08, 2016, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

It was alright.

My room and bed smelled like dried urine.

Actually, everything in the room pretty much did. I had to wash all of my clothes when I got home because they smelled bad.

And they wouldn't let us use our own shampoo, so my hair was all knotty and frizzy and gross the entire time.

So, I guess, other than having a urine smelling room and gross hair, it was okay. lol

oh, how wonderful!

with that in mind, i'm sure you are glad you're out

(((((hugs)))))

Sep 08, 2016, 04:54 AM

today it is cold

complete with a nice breeze

yay.... me love the autumn. lots

BeyondtheRainbow · Sep 08, 2016, 10:06 AM

Wow, it's going to be 90 here today. I wish fall would come soon but we're breaking heat records instead.

bioChE · Sep 08, 2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Wow, it's going to be 90 here today. I wish fall would come soon but we're breaking heat records instead.

90 here too, not a pleasant time to be out after a beautifully cool weekend. It'll fade soon, though.

Unrigged64072835 · Sep 08, 2016, 10:35 AM

Same here. Plus lawn maintenance is mowing the yards and making a godawful racket.

raspberrytorte · Sep 08, 2016, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raindropvampire

I really think it depends. My last Pdoc was older and wouldn't listen when I kept telling her I had to be on generic or I couldn't afford it. Everything that was new was great to her.

This Pdoc is a bit younger than the last and if she doesn't have samples/coupons that make it affordable then she sticks with what I can get generic. She believes in more tried and true meds.

This happened to me too! I had a pdoc who kept on pushing non generics on me. She was totally pushy about latuda. Even after I told her multiple times that I couldn't afford it and could only afford generics. I was getting so pissed off and annoyed. Every appointment I had to remind her, and it was like she didn't care. I don't make, I don't know, $300 dollars an hour like she does. I can't afford a med that's going to cost me $100 each month.

Plus, I want to be on generics anyway, just in case I lose my insurance again.

scatterbrained04 · Sep 08, 2016, 03:27 PM

Grrrr I want to ask my boss for a raise because I haven't had one in almost 3 years and my workload is increasing. I'm too scared to ask because he keeps saying no.

OctobersBlackRose · Sep 08, 2016, 03:43 PM

Also posted in the check in thread...

Fell last night after some really bad pain in my pelvic region like I had period cramps, but they weren't, I think it was a gas bubble, but got really dizzy and fell, hit my head, and scraped my elbow. I'm okay now, but that scared me last night, luckly it was in my bathroom and I didn't try going downstairs. Other than that spent today in bed, watching TV and stuff, going to eat in a little bit so I can take my meds.

p00dlez · Sep 08, 2016, 03:52 PM

Oh wow hope you feel better. I wonder what that was? Id go to the dr if it happened again.

Sep 08, 2016, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctobersBlackRose

Also posted in the check in thread...

Fell last night after some really bad pain in my pelvic region like I had period cramps, but they weren't, I think it was a gas bubble, but got really dizzy and fell, hit my head, and scraped my elbow. I'm okay now, but that scared me last night, luckly it was in my bathroom and I didn't try going downstairs. Other than that spent today in bed, watching TV and stuff, going to eat in a little bit so I can take my meds.

Oh gosh, that must have been scary! Take it easy. Do you think you need a doc to check if you have a concussion? Thinking of you. xo

BeyondtheRainbow · Sep 08, 2016, 04:19 PM

I've had ovarian cysts rupture with that kind of pain and passing out. It's horrible. I hope you feel better.

Unrigged64072835 · Sep 08, 2016, 06:39 PM

Wow. My daughter came down and complained about her boyfriend. Apparently he has taken the position that he doesn't care what people think, therefore he doesn't have to shower, brush his teeth, and put on deodorant. We keep asking her if my husband should speak to him but she's been waffling on it. He's 19 and still in good need of a boot up his butt, I think.