[JustMelancholy]

I moved to a different state and moved in with a friend back in late August, I am Bipolar/w Depression and major anxiety to the occasional panic attack..
Before I came out to the Houston area I was always under a doctors care being prescribed anti depressants, bipolar meds and be Benzodiazepines for the anxiety/panic, I've been on these combination of meds most of my life..

I've been here since late August and I have been looking for a new doctor right away.. it took me until November and the first appointment was supposed to be a couple of days ago, I have been hanging on that appointment for dear life..
I even called a few days ahead, and all looked fine. However when I got to the office it was a different story. They claimed they contacted me to change the appointment (They didn't), and I was quietly pushed aside then given a repeat appointment for 4 months later.. 4 months! Now like I've said I have been off my meds, I am extremely unstable, I have not slept consistently for months and there is only one place in my entire area that accepts medicaid and Texana is the only game in town.. I have looked and looked and Medicaid has not helped me one bit.. I have been hung up more times that I can count and I have never had so many issues finding a psychiatrist in my entire life let alone being off my meds this freaking long..

It takes a ton of energy just to write this here as my concentration is **** and I just got off a severe panic attack which took the wind out of my sails.

I'm desperately trying to find a doctor that accepts medicaid, and I'm getting nowhere and I feel myself being peeled apart as each day passes, I'm just severely crippled by depression and severe mood swings that makes living just about unbearable.

My question is, where can I find a doctor? I have looked, I checked my phone book, made a ton of calls and all except the place I first went to would even talk to me.. I live in the Sugar Land/Fortbend County area and I just can't find any help.. Yeah another doom and gloom story but I'm close to losing it.. so close.. I'm not one to usually ask for help.. I hate asking since I'm usually so resourceful.. But I'm extremely desperate and I only want to check into a hospital unless every option is expended .. I have tried my local ER, only to wait for 12-13 hours in a gown.. given .5 of Ativan and sent home with a list of places that DOES NOT accept my insurance..(Medicaid).

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my useless drivel.. I'm out of gas and I can't fight anymore..

[gayleggg]

Maybe you could try a GP and see if they can prescribe your meds for you. I'm running into the same thing with medicare. I hope you find help.

[JustMelancholy]

Originally Posted by gayleggg

Maybe you could try a GP and see if they can prescribe your meds for you. I'm running into the same thing with medicare. I hope you find help.

I already tried that unfortunately the ones I spoke to wont budge..
In all my life I have never had an issue like this before..

No one is open today.. So Monday I guess I'll be on the phone calling every place I can think of.. call places that I wouldn't think of and call places that are further and further and further away.. Its been months and I have had no success accept that one place.. I had the appointment, they said they would call to confirm the appointment 2 days before..I called them the previous friday and the office told me not to worry.. So I didn't. I went there and they just told me the appointment was never confirmed.. And said I would have to go back when they had an intake appointment available.. It took me over 3 months to get this far.. no meds since September.. For the moment I am fine.. but that can change in fairly fast.. I'm on a virtual roller coaster.. If I can't find anything I'm probably going to have to check myself in to a Hospital I guess..

[*Laurie*]

More failure of our health care system. I'm sorry you were blown off, JM.

You just have to keep doing what you're doing- 'pounding the pavement', so to speak. Keep calling around or, go right to the offices and tell them you need help NOW. Please don't hesitate to go to the ER. They might not only help you right now, but could possibly provide you with referrals.

Best of luck to you. Don't give up! Someone will eventually listen.

[Nammu]

On Medicaid it's very hard to find doctors let alone Pdocs. When you see the gps can you ask for bipolar meds and something like propranolol instead of benzos? Because of their addictive qualities doctors don't like to give them to people they don't know. Propanol works far better in my opinion and docs don't have the same reluctance to prescribe it. This whole situation sucks. Best of luck in getting this resolved.

[JustMelancholy]

Originally Posted by Nammu

On Medicaid it's very hard to find doctors let alone Pdocs. When you see the gps can you ask for bipolar meds and something like propranolol instead of benzos? Because of their addictive qualities doctors don't like to give them to people they don't know. Propanol works far better in my opinion and docs don't have the same reluctance to prescribe it. This whole situation sucks. Best of luck in getting this resolved.

I see what your saying and I may have to bite the bullet.... I have not looked into Harris county aka Houston since I don't have a car and my travel and budget is limited so I could take an Uber or something but it would cost me a ton of money.. I tried contacting a couple of regular doctors and neither would help.. I have been taking St Johns Wart as a natural anti depressant, not sure if its helping or not.. I may have to bite the bullet and go to the State Hospital and see what they can do.. I do appreciate those who took the time to read all that I wrote.. I'm not the social type really so I don't frequent forums as I once did..though I do like this place..

The more depressed I get the more reclusive I become

[eyesclosed]

After years of having my insurace from my employer. I was shocked how different the doctors treated me. I noticed they like to throw pills at you and reieve no testing. pretty sad almost wondering if this is worth even having and just treat myself

[Baker#88]

Now my Family doctor is quite the opposite. She is the one that takes care of all my medications, except for the opiates. This way, she knows, exactly what I am taking and if anything will interfere with any other medication. Which I am glad, as she has caught 2 life threatening interactions. One happened right in front of her in her office!! I can`t remember the word she used. It started with a S for the reaction.

[seaecho]

This is off subject, but Propanolol does NOT work as well as a benzo! Maybe for some people, but not all. It doesn't help anxiety for either me or my husband. So don't try to substitute it and expect results. Might work, might not.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Would your former pdoc prescribe a few months of meds to help you get through this?

[JustMelancholy]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Would your former pdoc prescribe a few months of meds to help you get through this?

Already tried that, and he did write me a script for a extra month.. However that was back in September.. I came out here in late August and started immediately looking for a Pdoc, I had to wait until I had my medicaid changed to Texas which did take longer than usual..but I got it done..

I am currently doing a lot of breathing... to try to calm myself though it takes a lot of effort..

[avlady]

it took me years to get a good doc, now i am seeing a psychians assistant because there is no doc, they are looking for one.meanwhile i have been treated better than before, after being shunned by doc and nurses because i'm on medicaid. i like my propanolol as it stopped my migraine headaches, but it probably doesn't help everyone or they have differrent problems than me.