For those of you stable on meds, how do you feel about having to buy your happiness?

Question

I've conceded to the fact that as a bipolar person I will be medicated indefinitely. However, it frustrates me to no end that I'm a handful of pills away from being back to that place mentally. It costs me almost $200 a month to be close to living like everyone else. I guess this was a partial rant, but I wanted to see if there was anyone else.

Answer 1

I usually dislike the comparison of bipolar disorder to diabetes, because bipolar disorder is a lot more complicated and meds for it are more problematic, but with this particular point, I think that analogy makes a lot of sense. No one contemplating the complications of diabetes like blindness, amputations, neuropathy and kidney failure feels whatever they're able to pay for their treatment isn't worth it. I do have clients who skimp on diabetes meds to pay their rent, but they know that's dumb. They just don't know what else to do right away.

I have had many occasions to compare my life to my uncle's, who was almost certainly bipolar and wound up in a state hospital after a couple of episodes in his teens, in the thirties. He stayed there until the coming of antipsychotics let him out in his forties. My meds are definitely worth avoiding that fate. There are other reasons that might appeal to you more, like the 25% rate of suicide in bipolars. Suicide might not seem that bad to you, but you know how awful it feels to be so depressed that you want to commit suicide. Then there's trouble with the police, jobs, and relationships.

I think it will be easier when all the genetics are worked out and any of us who are bipolar can see what the tangible basis for our illness is. We might even be able to say things like, "Wow, I'm doing better than 90% of bipolars with my genotype." And if you're not doing that well, the reasons may be more apparent than they are now.

To respond to meds at all is better than some people.

It's a subjective thing what idea like this works best to make someone feel it's worth the trouble of being responsible about your bipolar disorder, from not committing suicide to the cost of treatment to having to tell some people you're bipolar to not be as emotionally protected as some people are. So whatever works for you is a good reason.

For me, that comparison to my uncle is very powerful. The thought of 30 years in a mental hospital makes me shiver. Of course they don't do that any more, but the alternative of being involuntarily hospitalized and loaded up with antipsychotics is something that's worth avoiding, too. I'd much rather take my prophylactic lithium and stay out of trouble. Of course that doesn't cost $200 a month. Hey, sometimes it's not fair.

Answer 2

I think it's more a question of accepting a handicap or unique need. For example, I don't have any mental conditions, but I do have a bad back inherited from my mother and exacerbated by a desk job. So I have to spend $140-230 a month on physical therapy and chiropractic appointments just to feel "normal" and not have a constant backache.

But I accepted long ago that I would never be a sporty/athletic person, and I would have to deal with problems unique to my genetic history. I find it reassuring that almost everyone has a similar "handicap" - be it paralysis or high blood pressure or diabetes or bipolar, everyone has a medical hurdle to overcome.

Answer 3

I was a basket-case internally, trying to adjuat to what I thought the world demanded! I finally started into therapy and was prescribed w/an anit-anxiety med. It changed my life!!! I realized that our physical systems, due to inheritance or whatever, can effect our mental outlook!!! I settled down, once on the meds, and life it SO MUCH EASIER, and I am so much happier and productive that I wouldn't consider anyother option! Our physical systems vary with inheritance or aberant sp? genes!!! It is NOT a personal reflection upon us!!! We are in a new age, that prescribes not only for physical needs but for psychological needs!! Re the cost--if I were physically incapacitated, requiring meds, I'd not hesitate!! Nor do I rail at the cost of my anti-anxiety meds!!! Life is GREAT when we are able to fully participate!!

Answer 4

Hi fiVe,

I wish it was actually "happiness" but it's more just stability. How do I feel about having to buy it------- I feel good about it.

It's like this safety net that I didn't have before. I'm not worried about going into some delusional episode because I can tell that the medication Geodon (40 mg) keeps that under control.

So I feel grateful for the meds, but I still have a lot of work to do to improve my life.

~Best Wishes~

Answer 5

Whoever said money can't buy you happiness didn't have a mood disorder! Because the price I pay for my Paxil sure out weighs the depression and anxiety I lived with for sooooo many years! And it's sure cheaper than the cost of booze I used to purchase on a monthly basis trying to drown my sorrow and wane my anxiety. I do think the government should do something about the prices of meds. People die daily because they can't afford them. People with mental disorders end up hospitalized (which costs tons more) or in a bad place within themselves. Street drugs are dangerous, but, sadly, cheaper. Have you contacted the nearest mental health dept.? They may be able to help or direct you to wher your meds are cheaper, if not free. You'd think our government would want a country full of happy campers, wouldn't ya???????

Answer 6

I am very fortunate that I have Medicare coverage for my meds. I take Abilify 10 mg for schizophrenia. It costs $600 a bottle for the month. I only have to pay $3.00. My other medication for major depression costs about $1,200 a month and I only pay about $20.00.

If I go back to work I would have to earn at least $1,800 per month for my medication. I would love to go back to work, but I live in a minimum wage area and I would be insane in a couple months.

Answer 7

I don't know how little your income has to be for this...but if you watch Montel...he'll tell you about a program ...I think it's called PPA I think the number is 1-800-PPA NOW. I think it's called Partnership for Prescription Assistance. You can google "Montel Williams PPA"They help you with prescriptions. I have a friend who uses it and she loves it. Her income is a retirement income..but she has a house etc. I don't think you have to be dirt poor to get on it. It's worth checking out. Good Luck. Also, you could probably get on Disablity and get Medicare.

Answer 8

I take a psyche medication too, to feel "normal"...However, it really all depends on YOUR perspective on things...Mental issues seem to get treated differently than Physical issues...while they really are not that different! For example...I have been a severe asthmatic since 3 years old...However, when I take my asthma medication--I feel fine, and "normal"...Same goes with your brain...Your chemistry might be off, and you may need to supply it with the necessary chemicals to correct the imbalance...This really isn't much different than having a physical condition that needs special attention, and medication implementation...REALIZE that, and you'll feel better....RATHER than feeling defected, or broken!!

Answer 9

I live in your shoes. Same disorder, same price. It sucks. We just have to deal with it and what I try to take from it is that my struggle is so hard that it makes me stronger than those around me - even if I am not yet accomplishing as much as I would like too. We are strong because we have an affliction that beckons us to death, yet we have not killed ourselves.

Answer 10

Dude, if I could I would. Most antidepressants make me sick, actually, every one that I've tried. And the sickness isn't worth it to be. But if there was a simple price tag I'd take it.