[chalmette70043]

but i just got to get it out. i dont even know how to take it in. im just pretty much numb, stupified right now.

I was sitting in my truck waiting to see my counsler and my pdoc called me. he said after i have the appt with him beginning of next month i have to pay $30 for each appt after that. he also said all medicines and blood test i will have to pay for also. Well my insurance i do have doesnt cover the meds and i cant afford them. So when i see him he's going to get me weening off all of them. I will not see him for a follow up appt.

Then i go in to see my counsler and she tells me the week after next i have to start paying $45 for each appt. I can't afford that either. I don't have a freaking penny to my name. She had a group meeting starting on June 8th which cost $10 a meeting and my parents said they could help me with that but not every meeting. So after seeing her next week for the last time i wont be going to a counsler anymore or the group meeting.

Both told me that the state has run out of money to fund the mental health clinic and family services down this way. The only way the state will help is if you are currently on welfare.
Well i'm not and can tell you honestly i wouldnt qualify. I can't even get food stamps. and i have no job. But have been trying so damn hard to find one.

I knew this was coming. The news talks about the state not having any money. What they do with it, they freaking pocket it. they don't help their citizens.

So screw them all cause i'm sick of it all. I wash my hands of it. I lose it again and off myself then be it. It was meant to be. Cause my meds will again become liquor and pot to get me through.

[MissCharlotte]

((chalmette))

I think you should write a letter to President Obama. This is disgraceful. You are a Katrina survivor and there should be more help for you. Won't Medicaid pay for your meds? My son has medicaid and he only has to pay $1 copay for his.

Take gentle care of you and don't give up fighting.

[shezbut]

(((hugs))) Chal,

Unfortunately, these are very hard times. Is your entire state limiting mental health and family services? Or is the limitation in more rural areas of the state? I can understand your frustration. But, don't give up.

Many providers do perform necessary treatments pro-bono to those who need some assistance. Others have sliding scale fees. Pharmaceutical companies also provide necessary medications at significantly reduced costs. These are avenues I'd definitely recommend looking into. Don't give into the temptation of simply giving up completely.

Gentle hugs to you ~ take care!

Shez

[darkrunner]

(((((Chalmette)))))
That sounds terribly unfair and frustrating.
I'm so sorry all of that is happening to you.

[quote=MissCharlotte;1031982]((chalmette))

I think you should write a letter to President Obama. This is disgraceful. You are a Katrina survivor and there should be more help for you. Won't Medicaid pay for your meds? My son has medicaid and he only has to pay $1 copay for his.

Take gentle care of you and don't give up fighting

((((((chalm)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) I agree with Miss charlotte
You can e mail him. ALso your reps from your state. For that matter other states too.
For meds check walmart and other stores around you as they are doing some meds for cheap.
There has to be a clinic somewheres please do not give up.
please do not give up as Miss charlotte said.
there is always hope.....I know it does not feel like it right now. Thats ok

(((((((((((chalm))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
your friend muffy

[chalmette70043]

wow ya'll thanks for responding. I didnt expect any responses.

I don't know that it is all of Louisiana. I really doubt it is. Seems this area down here keeps getting screwed for just about everything.

As far as writing or emailing Obama. It wont get to him. There is this group of volunteers that play the middle, middle, middle man to get to him. I tried that avenue trying to contact the a-hole that was the last so called president. I even called.

I wont be able to get meds without having pdoc to prescribe them. My regular health doctor has already said she wont handle that with me that i need to go through a pdoc. The only pdoc i can afford (free) is at the local clinic. My health insurance doesnt cover any mental health of any kind and the only reason that i have to hold onto this insurance is because of the problems i have with getting tumors in my breasts.

I dont think a drug company would give me meds with a pdoc approval. I remember hearing someone at the pdocs office talking about it and needing them to call or fax something to the company.

I'm just saying the hell with it all. I'm so sick and tired of dealing with this and other crap. Its not giving up, its not having the option. My counsler and pdoc feel it too. They've both said they are worried what this is going to cause to the people of this region.

Anyway people are sick and tired of hearing about Katrina. Its done and over with. And the govt's want it shoved under the rug.

[MissCharlotte]

Chalmette,

Now, listen here young lady. You have earned the right to healthcare. You have fought so hard for so long so there is just no giving up now. You have to go back to your doctor and tell her that the pdoc is firing you! See if he can speak to her about your medication needs and maybe she will prescribe them for you. Muffy is right, there is always hope. Hey, maybe Obama has good helpers who listen better than the previous administration?

[SpottedOwl]

(((chalmette)))

Wow..I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all of this.

What strikes me is how strong you sound despite the pile of crap you are trying to wade through. You sound really determined to keep going, which is a beautiful thing.

I don't think you need an external system to keep going, you can absolutely take that into your own hands. I would highly recommend creating a support network of people in your life that can be there for you when you need them. That way, budget crisis or no, you will always have the support we all need.

Maybe instead of a weekly session, you and a few friends pop in a yoga DVD and have a weekly, healthy stress-relief session of your own. And its very economical.

I'd love to see you write more about all of this....for very selfish reasons. I think you have an amazing story, and that stories like this need to be told. A letter to the government might not help, but a blog or a book or a newspaper article just might.

Many, many hugs to you.

[MissCharlotte]

a blog or a book or a newspaper article just might.

THAT is a great idea! How about a call to the local TV station?

((((((chalm)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) FIrst im going to tell you that you can e mail him ....you know i do not lie. (((chalm))))and that I care about you .
second you said (((The only pdoc i can afford (free) is at the local clinic.)))))
Then you go to the free one my friend. With my sister filled out a paper when she lived with me that she had no income. Which she did not. She filled out her forms
I said she lived with me for free as she did. Now could be my state is different.
But try please ok.....................
None of us are tired of hearing of Katrina.....nor is the US. I wish you knew how much we all cared.
I know you feel this way. I can not take that away from you.
It sadly takes time and alot of ppl telling the US over and over over.......
go back my friend look at the vid you made for me.......
tell your story threw u tube if you can...........
tell it anywhere you can.....
you said (((They've both said they are worried what this is going to cause to the people of this region.)))))))))))))))))))))))) your counsler and pdoc...tape them speaking if they will allow it. keep going my friend for you and your friends
Your worth it............everyone there is
((((you all matter)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

{{{ Chalmette }}}

I have no idea if this info will be of any value to you but thought I'd share anyway.

http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=345

http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices...62&detail=3551

http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices...62&Detail=3545

http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/links.asp?ID=62

http://www.namilouisiana.org/

I think you should email this psychiatrist and ask if she can point you in the right direction. She has a special interest in PTSD.

You never know unless you try and the worst that could happen is she doesn't answer you or she says she can't help.

http://tulane.edu/som/departments/ps...johnson-md.cfm

Janet E. Johnson, M.D.
Dept. of Psychiatry & Neurology
Associate Professor
1430 Tulane Avenue, SL - 48
New Orleans, LA, 70112

[Amazonmom]

I am so sorry this is happening to you.
It's really unfair that you are getting your treatment pulled out from under you.

[chalmette70043]

Miss Charlotte, I've been trying the past week to get an appt with my regular doc becuase i've got this fluid gain in my ankles and legs. My ankles are starting to hurt from walking. I think its just a side effect from the new med i was put on last month. Anyway, when i call tomorrow to try an appt again i'll tell the nurse this too.

Wish me luck. Its really hard to get in without having to make an appt 5 mnths away. So few hospitals now for so many people. You know how it goes.

[chalmette70043]

Hi spotted owl. Thank you. My support group are my parents and those here. All the people in my life prior to the storm have moved away. I rarely speak to my friends and never get to see them. They are busy with their lives in the new places they live now.

I do usually take a walk around 1 in the morning up and down the street. Sometimes by myself sometimes my mother will go with me. I do it more for selfish reasons, thats why i think my mom goes with me. Where i live has become a very unsafe and dangerous area to live since and doing the walk at night i feel like i put myself in the bad enviroment. Waiting for something to happen. Kinda like Calgon take me away.

I use to ride my bike alot. But we've had this wind blowing that makes me get these headaches so i try to stay out of it. I have to get use to the wind though, its here forever now. The gulf winds cause were pretty much in it now. lol. I know exercise is suppose to help. And i try to get myself up and do it.

Thanks for you encouragment

[chalmette70043]

The local news talks about it almost every day. All the things that are no longer available or the so and so who are pushing for money for it. They get petitions going down here for everything, but that never helps. Calling 6 on your side wouldnt work. they only go for the most dire in need of help. Which i think they should. And i'd feel i would be getting in the way of that. There are so many people down here worse off than me. At least i've got the basic necessities again. You would be sick if you saw the way some people are having to live. Homes gutted and down to studs. No insulation, electric, water or gas. Bugs, rats and other marsh animals and reptiles crawling around. They have no money, none to rebuild. The majortiy of them are the elderly. It turns my stomach.

And as far as me doing another video, i'm not doing anymore on the storm. I did those two right after and with the videso of my friends who stayed. Tv stations all over aired pieces of it and i figure that got out enough. So enough of that for me. No post Katrina videos anymore.

[chalmette70043]

Thats it Orange. Its the Metropolitan Human Resources i go to. Thats the (was) the free clinic where i see the pdoc at. I notice alot of the information they have on their site is incorrect. All the phone numbers and addresses are wrong. They arent even in a building. The one they were in is gone now. They have been in a fema trailer since sometime in 2006 or 07. Im not sure when they opened down here. Muffy might remember. I think it was 2007, cause i'd been in my trailer about 8 months.

Anyway, sorry. Thats the only place im able to go without paying money. And the past two months St Bernard kicked them out the parish because of some inspection process thing on a new fema trailer they are going to move into. They were in one in the walmart parking lot but they kicked the fema trailer hospital and all the medical buldings out so they might be able to intice walmart to come back. Sweet huh. Now they are in New Orleans East, only a few miles from me. But i have to find transportation to get out there.

I dont' even know what i'm getting into talking about right now. My head is going someplace else with all this.

I'm going to try calling the doctor you wrote down and see what happens and i'll let you know.

Thanks Orange

[chalmette70043]

Hi amazonmom. Yeah i know. But life isnt fair. I learned the hard way. Ain't nobody gonna do it for you, so do it yourself. (not that i'd want someone to do it for me. that would really peeve me off) lol

[sunrise]

I'm so sorry for all that is piling on top of you.

I like the idea of your pdoc and GP putting their heads together to pass off the scrips to GP before you leave pdoc's care.

Here is a page that tells about the Prescription Assistanc Program for low-income people. Many of the pharmaceutical companies have these programs. This page has all the phone numbers to call for each company's program, and the names of the meds covered:
http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentG...e_Programs.htm

Keep trying.

[imapatient]

This horrible. A rotten way to treat people.

I'm in health policy. Suggestions I have is to check with some non-profits right away--charity orgs--the United Way for sure.

Another is to look into if a health system has a financial assistance program. I wasn't aware of them, but for Day Treatment I couldn't afford it and it turns out the hospital company has a program for those with very low income--but higher than you'd think. You can already have insurance and qualify if you meet the income/assets requirement. I qualified and I have Medicare. They'll pay the entire costs that I'd have to pay out-of-pocket for virtually everything--not glasses, hearing aids, no Rx, whether I’d need to pay for all of it, or just the co-pay parts not paid for by regular insurance.

It lasts for 1 year and I can get treatments at its hospitals and clinics around the state--it's a very large system. You can also get it renewed upon review of your then situation. I have access to types of care and it won’t cost me a thing for the next years.

Sounds too good to be true—and I support single public universal system—but I guess there are at least some assistance programs offered by private system. If my hospital system does it, I imagine there must be a few others out there.

Look into it, though it might be hard to figure out where to start. Some non-profits would be aware of it, and maybe some people with state social services, as well.

i am so sorry for what you are going thru. about the Rx can you have your pdoc give you the written prescriptions and try to get them filled somewhere for cheap at the places already suggested? i know i see commercials where prescriptions are only $4 at walmart. and my local pharmacy (a large chain) has a new very low cost program as well. if you really need your meds then please don't go off them. are there any schools or clinics where you could get free/low cost therapy? i know it is a huge hassle to find these things but don't give up! please take gentle care of yourself.

[phoenix7]

that really sucks chalmetter- Im so sorry - write to the president - it worht a try - email if you can - go to the free pdoc - maybe he can help wiht the meds issue - take any avenue you can get to get help a free pdoc may help a lot you never know.

hang in there ok - keep posting

[pachyderm]

(((((Chalmette)))))

[chalmette70043]

Hey Sunrise. Thanks. I checked it out and when i do see my pdoc i am going to bring it up to him.

Just to let ya'll know. The state is trying to get a 12 week extension to the program. Don't know, but hopefully. Its something

[chalmette70043]

Hi imapatient. Thanks for all that info. I'll look further into it. Some places i will call or check out, but some i wont go near. Just the after affects of the storm from the way i was treated then. Red Cross is the worst of them all. I'm already with the 'social services' thing. Thats how im getting the help right now. In this area they all have different names, but fall under the same state program.

Orange, i wrote the doctors name, address and number down. I'm going to call her after i see my pdoc. Im gonna wait and see what happens between now and then. Then is June 9th.