Dr. refused to prescribe antidepressant because I'm bipolar?

Question

I have very few resources monetarily... so it took a LOT of convincing, and actually many years of suffering, before I finally worked up to ask my Dr. for an antidepressant. I did therapy, they wanted to give me pills, but I always refused it thinking I would work my way through my problems.

Now I'm 32 and I've given up working my way through. I have stopped making any improvement, and I think I'm up to the fact that I'm biologically depressed...

I explained all this to my Dr. He started to write out a prescription for wellbutrin XL. He then handed me a questionaire "for the record" that was one of those dinky 10-question "Have you ever" types... I checked those that applied.

Seeing my answers, he said "You're bipolar".. & changed his mind, referred me to a psych that is way out of my budget and gave me nothing. I already spent $70 with this Dr. that I feel has been wasted...

What should I do? Can't afford the psych, nor anymore runaround. I need a solution that works.

Sorry my text is so ... choppy. Couldn't really say everything in the length given...

My problem is, I'm well educated on bipolar and its treatments. I don't need more therapy, and cannot AFFORD more therapy. I need something to help me deal with life before I end up on the streets. I scraped together that money, and just enough to buy a scrip if he gave it, and now have nothing to show for that $70... I am afraid another Dr. would just refuse me again, and waste more money. And the psych he referred me to is $275/hour. I have not been able to find out how to get any public mental health assistance either. I live in Beaumont, TX.

Answer 1

If you are bipolar and unmedicated, then he was probably right to refuse an anti-d as that could easily send you off into mania. I understand that there are many ways to get assistance with drugs in the US. I'm from the UK, so I'm not familiar with them, but I'd suggest you ask at http://www.crazyboards.org

Answer 2

Some family doctors are intimidated by the word bipolar. Try a community mental health clinic in your area, they generally go on a sliding. If you don't have one (though I think most places do) change doctors. Depression or Bipolar are nothing to play with, you are the best judge of how you are feeling. Good luck.

I am in Dallas Texas let me see if I can pull up any resources in your area.

Ok I did find something and here is the main link:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mentalhealth.shtm

This is the specific information that I think will help you, it's about midway down the page:

Community Mental Health Services
Find Mental Health Services in your Area
Payment for Services
Consumer Rights
Adult Mental Health Services
General Information

You can e-mail me if you need more information or need help, Even if you just want to talk. [e-mail]

Answer 3

Sorry for the lack of ref's...

The Bipolar Condition (I hate the term "disorder" .. who's order am I in disarray?) is often times not the best thing for bipolar disorder. A simple search for "Antidepressants Mania" will indicate this. Furthermore, for BP1, anyway, there is evidence saying that antidepressants don't even work (search: "Bipolar Antidepressants Effective") One study I remember reading from a few years back concluded for BP1 TCI's were less than 15% effective. However, for the less severe BP2, I don't know.

My experience with antidepressants have been very activating and dysphoric. I became mean, angry and obsessive. At one point I spent days in the wood shop, having no clue what I was making and becomming very frustrated when whatever it was I was making didn't work right.

Almost every bipolar I have met has had at least one bad experience with antidepressants.

Declairing "You're Bipolar" from a ten question screen seems a bit irresponsible. However, refering you to a psychiatrist was the right thing to do since he does not have the qualifications to treat bipolar.

I personally have always been suspect of psychitrists and therapists in private practice. Doctors and Therapists who work for themseves have no incentive to make you feel better, and this is especially true for therapists.

My experience has always been that quality of service has been much better at public-funded clinics who have sliding scale fees for uninsured and under-insured clients. These people also have no reason to keep you comming back since they're on a pay roll.

However, not all states have such good programs as states liek Wyoming, Ohio and Maine. California and Montana for instance were both horrible from my experience. Still public clinics are worth looking into, and in my opinion the quality is usually better.

Answer 4

Go to your local hospital behavioral health services and NEVER EVER EVER get a script for a psychotropic medication from a doctor other than a psychiatrist. If you are Bipolar, an antidepressant could trigger a manic episode or even make you suicidal. Meds can save your life or make you able to live your life, but only when prescribed correctly.

http://www.mhbh.org/Programs.asp?id=13

Not sure what your finances are, but programs affiliated with any hospital that takes government money CANNOT refuse you treatment. They can offer you a payment plan, a sliding scale or assist you in getting government entitlements to defray the cost of your treatment.

Answer 5

I am bipolar and medication changed my life, for the best. It took 8 years and a lot of meds, therapists and 5150's before I found someone that could help me. He is expensive...and Im lucky I can barely afford it. The doctor that you saw that basically took your $70 should be reported! I dont know exactly to whom, but it sounds like he just took your money and threw you out. Try medicare, through the government. Your local human services agencies are where you want to go for that. You may be able to apply online too. Im not sure. You may be able to qualify. I understand. Theres also an online thing I think its called Partnership for Prescription Drug Assistance....You may be able to get help through them. Im in CA so I dont know what kinds of services are avail. out there in TX. I wish you all the best. Health, help, love, happiness...but above all, HOPE.

Answer 6

lotherius, I don't blame you for being outraged. Not only at that doctor who wouldn't help you, but also for him referring you to someone who is so expensive.
My suggestion would be to go to the county mental health dept. You may have to fill out some forms about your income--but they will set up a sliding scale of payment and will be much more tolerant of partial payments--pay as you can. See a psychiatrist there. He can prescribe meds. I have had to deal with both depression and Bi-polar and medication has helped. Also out here on the West Coast, clinics were started during the hippy days to help the poor, and some of these clinics still exist today giving help to homeless people and people in poverty. You may want to check your area to see if they have "free clinics". Hope this helps.Also some charity organizations, although they will not give you cash directly, will make arrangements with a doctor to pay for a visit, or a pharmacy to pay for a prescription.
-Spec

Answer 7

I'm not a doctor (thank goodness for small favors), and I don't have a psychology degree, so I can't legally tell you what to do. However, as someone mentioned above, I will suggest looking into some alternative ways to get through this. It isn't as expensive and there is no risk what-so-ever. Medicine that's prescribed by doctors has a long-time affects on the body no matter what you're taking. I kind of wish I could help you more with this. If you want to, you can e-mail me and I'll try to give you some more help. Good luck.

Answer 8

Call your Community Mental Health agency. They will see you and you only pay on a sliding fee. You will be given an intake worker to diagnosis you and then an appointment with a Psychiatrist. If you need help right away call the crisis line at CMH. I would not be mad at your doctor, he is trying to help you. You need to see a Psychiatrist for a good diagnosis and to get you started on the right meds at the right dose. Be sure to keep all your appointments with the Psychiatrist and report accurately to him/her so that they can get the meds and dose correct.

You might end up with a caseworker who will be someone that you can talk to from time to time, but that will not be the same as a therapist. A therapist in this age of managed care will only give you enough session to help you deal with your diagnosis and teach you how to know when to call for help when you start to get depressed or manic...basically how to recognize the signs before you get into a full blown episode.

Best of Luck to you.

Answer 9

pay attention to him he ought to understand what he's conversing approximately. interior the final 3 years, my 2 brothers and my daughter have died. i'm now 34 and that i'm so so chuffed I by no potential went directly to antidepressants, my recommendations replaced into/is youthful sufficient to stay with this, and have confidence me it is quite frustrating and that i've got had and could have dark days. different contributors of my relatives went directly to antidepressants, a million of which replaced into my youthful brother of 24 years previous, the antidepressants have very almost messed his head up. My factor is, in case you are able to in basic terms attempt and get on devoid of the antidepressants it will make existence lots greater common. yet just to characteristic right here, i understand no longer something approximately schiz.........apart from as quickly as a month with my spouse LOL

Answer 10

we have a mental health clinic that is owned by the state- and they go on a sliding scale- I would think there would be one in Beaumont - if you are bipolar you have hyper states and very low depressive states- find a clinic- that is affordable on a sliding scale- and ask if they have samples you can get for free- it may take some trial and error to find the right meds that work for you- D