[along4theride]

Hello. I am new to posting on this forum, although I have been reading for quite some time. I have been struggling with GAD, MDD, and now BP 2. I was misdiagnosed for years.

My soon to be former Pdoc had prescribed Cymbalta and then ADDED Zoloft, which made me very sick. I am actually lucky that it didn't kill me. I also take Lamotrigine 250.

As a favor to a friend, a prestigious PDOC did a second opinion and said I was BP 2 in July. He recommended a PDOC that he trusts for my care, and I will finally have my first appt with her next week (I've had to wait 3 months).

I have successfully weaned off the Cymbalta, and have cut back on Zoloft since it is throwing me into hypo mania. I am irritable, on the verge of crying all the time, and very discouraged. That's coming off of what I believe was hypo - not sleeping, extra energy, grandiose plans and beliefs.

My misdiagnosed condition has caused the havoc many of you can relate to - job loss, unemployment, financial issues. I am working a job way below my capabilities for slave wages because it's about what I can handle right now, it pays the basics, and I have insurance. I have plans to find a new, better paying job, but it's been suggested to me that I wait until I get on some correct meds to work that out, or I'll fail.

This morning, I got a call from the new PDOCs office telling me that they made a mistake when they booked my appt in July, and that dr. is not in my insurance plan after all. An initial visit will be $300, all OOP and due at the time of service, then subsequent visits will be $100. They wanted to know if I still want to keep the appt, and advised that this dr. has now closed her practice to new patients.

Her initial fee is half of my bi-weekly take home pay, and after I pay my basic bills, I actually only have $100 left for the month for meds, food, gas, and any other stuff that hits. I cannot afford this doc, but I have no good info any others. Regardless, I would have to wait for an appt with any other if i can manage to find one in network. In the meantime, I am hanging on by a thread, and have had this appt date as my goal to muddle through in the meantime. I am complete survival mode right now.

Sorry to vent as someone knew to this board. I am scared, angry, frustrated, sad, isolative, and feeling alone, nearly desperate. It doesn't feel like this will ever end or improve. Does it get better?

[Skeezyks]

Hello along4theride: I'm so sorry you have suffered this setback. Since this appears to be your introductory post, I'll say... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

P.S. No need to be sorry for venting. It's part of what we're all here for!

[wildflowerchild25]

I'm sorry you are struggling right now. Can you go through your insurance company to find a Pdoc that is in network? Insurance is such a pain in the ***, I totally understand that! I had to stop seeing my therapist for two months over the summer bc she wasn't in my network anymore. Thankfully I was stable so it wasn't a big deal but it's ridiculous.

I hope things start looking up for you soon. Keep posting if it helps!

Welcome, along4theride
That situation pretty well sucks, so vent all you need.
I'm well familiar with financial straits, so keep going over your post to see what might be able to be worked with. Have you looked into any kind of help such as food stamps? They might be able to help you through. Is there anything in your basic bills that might be adjustable? Are they all necessary necessary? (I don't mean to pry or presume, just thinking of things like tv service that many people would consider basic, but actually aren't necessary.) Are you able to put heating bills on a schedule where they average out your bills over the year to make the amount spread out into equal payments each month? With winter coming on, that could potentially help quite a bit.

I'm not sure what to suggest regarding the appointment, but will try to think on that more (I didn't realize the time and need to get out the door! Oops.)

[Unrigged64072835]

Sorry to hear that you are in financial straits. Maybe call your insurance and see if they can find someone who is in your network. Keep posting here as you feel like it.

[Bigmike727]

Hi, welcome to PC . Like the others have suggested you may want to try your insurance agency and see if they can recommend someone they cover. As a matter of fact my first pdoc was not covered by my insurance either, despite being told that my insurance did cover it. As a further matter of fact my insurance does not cover any visit to any doctor under the BP diagnosis which is why my doc just puts the depression code as the reason for visit so that my insurance will cover it. When I was hospitalized I was first diagnosed with anxiety by the emergency room personnel my insurance said they would cover it, however when the pdoc came and diagnosed me BP I. insurance cut me off completely said that they would cover nothing. Believe me I know how much a pain in the ***** insurance can be. Hoping things work out for you though. We are here if you need to talk or vent.

I am so sorry for what you are feeling and going through right now. I have been in your position of paying more than I have out of pocket out of desperation. I can see that you are between a rock and a hard place right now.

In my experience, it does get better. Then it gets worse again, then better....rinse, repeat, recycle. Some people find the right meds early in treatment and never have an episode again. There is hope so keep fighting. (((Hugs)))