Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
I am really pissed off right now. I called my pdoc today and she finaly called me back at 430 and I told her what has been going on. Now here is what she told me. She wants to get a lithium level to see where my levels are since I have not had a blood test since last nov. ok fine. How am I suppose to get this done. I am waiting for my medicaid to kick in I HOPE soon. I have no money to get the blood test done so what do I do? She told me to coninue taking the Remron and the lithium as I am doing. I told her about the binge drinking and she said to me "well that didnt do anything for your mood did it" ummm she was nasty about it. So I still got nothing solved by calling her,what do I do? ok back to suffering I guess owell that was useless...
((((BIG HUG)))) Have you thought of AA? Saved many people I know, and its free! We have many members here that go, and do BETTER...
Her hands are tied, she gave you good advice, not to stop your meds, and do stop drinking. Usually you don't pay for blood test, you go in the lab and take it.... Only once in 20 years, did I pay $5.00 first....
Please follow up and there is also charities and churches that will pay your test, including Salvation Army, and the local health departments will also do blood test.... no charge...
We are here for you and I"m glad you called! There was nothing else she could do for you with out seeing you and getting the lithium levels..... The drinking trumps everything, including meds..
Try your local County Health Department...as you say you are applying for MediCade, you'll probably qualify for a low income scaled fee for the blood work.
As for the binge drinking..well you know that's not helping .
Good luck
How much does the lithium blood test cost? I hope it's as relatively cheap as the drug itself.
Her comment on your drinking was snippy but, if you're like me, any comment about my drinking (when I was drinking) pissed me off. I think it's prudent of her to want a lithium level before she considers upping the dose. Wouldn't want to blow up your liver or kidneys.
I hope it all works out for you. Stay strong!!
I understand how difficult it is but there is help out there. Drinking only diminishes the effects of the meds or exaserbates it to the point that noone can tell if it is helping or not. You might as well not even be taking the meds at all because it is dangerous to be drinking alcohol with Lithium. Are you drinking enough water? It puts your doc in a very difficult situation not knowing what is going on with your levels. I had to get blood work every three months when I was on Lithium.
Sorry, I know I am blabbering and I don't mean to sound nasty....I am just concerned for you...............you have to "want" to get better and do what you know you have to. You can't "self medicate" and take prescription meds or they conflict, seriously..............xo
1.) I agree with Gina, You should NEVER drink again, I have been sober 6 months. Alcohol is crap.
2.) The last 2 small towns that I was a transient in had a "free clinic" day at the hospital. Granted there was about 700 people packed into 1 room.
3.) I see that you are angry. I would ask you this, has anger ever hurt those who you are pissed off at and helped you? No, it hasn't, your shrink could care less about your anger and most people (not me) could care less about your Medicaid problems.
Once you begin to realize that anger is a destructive emotion and the predominate source of pain in your life, then it is all uphill from there.
You see how hard it is to get medical care, people need advocates, you should consider working on a career as a case worker.