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 go to the community mental health clinic for services. There were four of them in town and they closed one of them 3 months ago. When they closed that clinic they shifted all the people from that clinic to mine. This doubled the case load at an already crowded clinic. They say they did it because of state budget cuts.
Because of all this they now only give appointments every 35 days instead of every 30 days. However - they still only will give 30 days worth of meds at each visit. This means I am without meds for 5 days out of each cycle. I deal with this by going without meds one day a week. It really sucks. But on the other hand I am still getting free services and get my meds free as well. Can't bitch about that. Anyway, I'm not really feeling the effect of going without one day a week. It's just a sign of how well our economy is "recovering", they hit the ones most in need the hardest. They even raised bus fare on the disabled. Go figure.
Because of all this they now only give appointments every 35 days instead of every 30 days. However - they still only will give 30 days worth of meds at each visit. This means I am without meds for 5 days out of each cycle. I deal with this by going without meds one day a week. It really sucks. But on the other hand I am still getting free services and get my meds free as well. Can't bitch about that. Anyway, I'm not really feeling the effect of going without one day a week. It's just a sign of how well our economy is "recovering", they hit the ones most in need the hardest. They even raised bus fare on the disabled. Go figure.
Grateful is good - being kept unstable five days a week, not good - and should not be "legal" for no better term. WE can't play with our meds like that.
Did you ever make it to a NAMI meeting? I bet they know something, or someone that could make a ruckus and change that - they can write a script for 35 - I Would be GOING OFF LOL, really - I'm loud when not mad!
I'm pissed for you my friend! You need to fight for that 5 days, and I hate fighting for meds - but we are responsible to make sure - no, is not an answer, shorting you drugs is not an option.....
Idiot thinking , oh sure , the Economy is grand
HUGS !
Hang in there
Doesn't mean Someone - who CAN do something, who CARES, an Advocate - we should figure out, how to let THAT person know : )
It is simply wrong, mental or physical - daily drugs do not work that way... (((BIG HUG))) your one day a week is smart thinking, I'm sorry you have to deal with this..
Write a letter of complaint to the head idiots. Not that that will change much but sometimes it helps.
I agree with writing a letter of complaint to the head of the organisation to get that policy in writing.
Could going to the newspapers help? You could use the angle that one of these people who are having their meds cut could be the next serial killer or school shooter. Use that negative publicity and stigma to get us mentally ill the services we deserve.
Do you feel strong enough to take that on Heretic with support from Gina and myself? I know you don't like to mix with people but is there a chance you could gather together other members of the clinic so you are not alone working with NAMI?
NAMI HelpLine
The Information HelpLine is an information and referral service which can be reached by calling 1 (800) 950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., EST or by email at info@nami.org
NAMI MEETING
Las Vegas
Tuesday at 06:30 PM
Location:
Rawson-Neal Psych. Hosp.
1650 Community College Dr. Las Vegas NV.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Southern Nevada help line 702-310-5764
Contacts:
Two Lenz
Southern Nevada
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?stateabbrv=nv&section=nami_connection&template=/customsource/classlisters/connectionslistdetail.cfm
NAMI Legal Support
The NAMI Legal Center provides lawyer referrals as a service to our members and the general public
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?section=Find_Support
Heretic if you feel comfortable sharing the name and email address of the clinic I am happy to write them to ask for clarification of the policy on your behalf, keeping your name anonymous of course. PM me if you are interested.
Great idea of yours to stagger going without once a week. Sadly other people less stable or in control as yourself might not be able to do that.
-have you requested med samples from the drug companies? (have heard of people doing that)
-this is probably a silly idea but would you consider writing a local newspaper (maybe a smaller one) & telling them the situation- I mean given all the crap in the news at the moment about preventative mental health care (in light of recent horrible events) someone should be shaming your state's program..you never know if it would get picked up.