[cwiktorski]

Well, I've made the leap and managed to call out and get help. I managed to get in touch with my family doctor while growing up so he had a bit of background on my family and my own mental history and what we have tried in the past.

I have to say that I feel invigorated at the idea of trying something new, and had discussed several different options as far as treatment. We have tried Paxil in the past and I found that it didn't help the depression very much, and ended up making me gain quite a bit of weight. Prozac was a bomb for me, only exascerbating the apathy I had for the things around me.

At first we had discussed just putting me on an anti anxiety medication, as my panic attacks have become steadily worse over the last couple months, although there have been several stressful factors making things worse. Loss of a relationship, place to live and job together in a 3 month period really brought me to a low. He said that the anxiety may start to become a bit less aparent when I get my new place to live (end of November) and I have my new job already and am happy with it. It's only contract work at a tech company until the middle/end of December, but it will allow me to have enough money put aside to pay bills for January so I don't HAVE to have a contract right away after finishing up this one. I'm getting better with that and it's awesome.

After talking about those things, the stresses and depression that I had been feeling, he had recommended Wellbutrin. Unfamiliar with the side effects and such I was hesitant at first, but soon caved in after we had discussed costs and my not having insurance. He wrote the prescription and faxed it off to Rite Aid. I went to pick it up and was shocked at the cost of the perscription. $113.99 for a bottle. I paid it reluctantly and headed back to work because I was late. It was then that I realized that the bottle only contained 60 doses and after the first week on this med, I was going to be on it 2x daily, so I was looking at almost $115 a month for my medication.

I called and left a message with the office and talked to my doctor on the phone (which is awesome that he will help out with phone consults with me) and he told me to take it now for the first month at twice per day and see about moving down to 1x daily after that to see if that will still control the depression.

Now that I've told a huge story (and hopefully someone has read it) my question is twofold. Are there cheaper places traditionally to get prescriptions filled? I was recommended the Eastside Mental Health Clinic, but after looking on their site.

http://www.nami-eastside.org

I found nothing on their site about being able to get help from there, although I hear from several sources that it is a good way to go. I'm going to contact them tomorrow while I'm on my lunch break and try to talk to them about services performed and what it is that they can possibly do to help me out.

If there is anyone in the Seattle metro area on here that has some insight on where to turn when your medications become too expensive, I would love to talk to you about it or just get some help pointed in the right direction.

I think I'm about done with this novel here. Thanks anyone who read it.

[dasiy6]

I am sorry that I can't help you right now but I am searching for some answers. Not being able to afford meds is one of my biggest fears.........without them I am sure that I would not be here today.

I hope someone can help you soon.....but I will continue to search. Take care!

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

I have heard that if you contact the company that makes the meds they can help you get them free from them, also the doc could and should give you some free samples..I do not know who makes that med..it will say on the bottle ..then do a google search for the company and call and or write them

a mental health clinic will assess your income and will have you fill out forms. they then contact the manufacturer of the med and most always the company lets the clinic give you the med free. pat

[cwiktorski]

I ended up finding a great resource for medication assistance, although it may not work for everyone. I just wanted to share it, although it's for Washington state only, but I believe there are sites dedicated to every state.

http://www.rxhelpforwa.org

Since I'm single, only make around 14-15k/year, and am uninsured, I think that I may have a good chance at getting some help for my Wellbutrin. They make you re-up the plan eveyr 60-90 days I believe, but if I can get some help for even 2-3 months I should be on a longer contract at work and then can get insurance benefits if I'm making enough money.

I've been really excited to find this program, and I thank all of the wonderful people who have sent me messages giving me ideas on where to turn for help.

I know that part of all of this has been my desire to change, brought on by one of the most important people in my life. I can only hope that she will take me back after I'm able to break free of this depression, and return to the person that she fell in love with. I am getting my energy back, the excitement in my life, and I have her to thank for showing me the cracks in the base of my existance, and encouraging me (if not forcefully) to turn into a better person.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on the message boards, I feel like I'm really going to be able to break free of this with the help of my desire to change, my medications, and the loving people that always have encouraging words for those in doubt of their worth.

[(JD)]

just saw this cw or I would have linked it myself for the thread... guess they warrant charging an arm and a leg by giving many ppl free meds... imo get it if you can or need it!