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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Donut on July 28, 1999, at 14:27:20
I have had a long time getting meds right for my depression. Now taking celexa and buspar and remeron for sleep and although I have gained weight, I feel really well. Problem is we are in major debt and everytime I think of declaring bankruptcy, the anxiety comes back and I start to go on a downward spiral in spite of the meds. My mother is a millionaire. Would it be so wrong to ask her to help us out?? I am in my late 40's and feel like a leech if I do that, but what else to do. I know this isn't your standard psycho-babble question but I feel so alone.
Posted by diane on July 28, 1999, at 15:22:21
In reply to Meds are working fine: I just need someone to care, posted by Donut on July 28, 1999, at 14:27:20
> I have had a long time getting meds right for my depression. Now taking celexa and buspar and remeron for sleep and although I have gained weight, I feel really well. Problem is we are in major debt and everytime I think of declaring bankruptcy, the anxiety comes back and I start to go on a downward spiral in spite of the meds. My mother is a millionaire. Would it be so wrong to ask her to help us out?? I am in my late 40's and feel like a leech if I do that, but what else to do. I know this isn't your standard psycho-babble question but I feel so alone.
Do you work a job? How in debt are you? There are organizations that will help you organize your bill free of charge. Most parents are not millionaires. Some people don't even have parents. What would you do if you didn't have a parent? What if your parent weren't wealthy? I really do believe in standing on your own. If you do your best to stand on your own, with no expectations of your parents saving you, they may just help on there own.
Posted by JohnL on July 28, 1999, at 15:29:39
In reply to Meds are working fine: I just need someone to care, posted by Donut on July 28, 1999, at 14:27:20
> I have had a long time getting meds right for my depression. Now taking celexa and buspar and remeron for sleep and although I have gained weight, I feel really well. Problem is we are in major debt and everytime I think of declaring bankruptcy, the anxiety comes back and I start to go on a downward spiral in spite of the meds. My mother is a millionaire. Would it be so wrong to ask her to help us out?? I am in my late 40's and feel like a leech if I do that, but what else to do. I know this isn't your standard psycho-babble question but I feel so alone.
These medicines are pretty expensive, aren't they? If it's alright with you, can I offer some ideas?
1.Drug companies have compassion programs to provide drugs for those in financial hardship. Contact your doc or the companies about that. Maybe someone here can help with more details.
2.Doc's often have free samples given to them from the visiting drug company reps. My doc saved me two months of Zoloft payments with free samples.
3.Maybe your mom has needed help at one time? Maybe might feel useful to have a chance to help? The worst she can do is say No?I think we all need help at some time, and I think we all have a chance to offer it in return at some point in time as well. Wishing it works out real soon for you. JohnL.
Posted by Racer on July 28, 1999, at 15:31:20
In reply to Meds are working fine: I just need someone to care, posted by Donut on July 28, 1999, at 14:27:20
I am in debt, and scared, too. I try to remember that I just have to take one day at a time and do what I can to fix the situation, and work out one problem at a time. It's really tough.
My mother is paying my rent. That keeps a roof over my head, but it comes at a price. For me, the price is payable, since my mother and I get along well enough. Whether or not you can afford the interest on money from your mother, only you can answer. It's a really tough question.
As for standing on your own two feet, that's another personal issue. It would be nice if all of us could be financially independant. After fighting to control depression for a long time, though, maybe it's a good time to learn to lean on others a little bit. Maybe now is not the time to say, "I can go it all alone." That's the nice thing about personal value systems. They're personal. You don't have to accept anyone else's.
Good luck, and congratulations on finding a drug combo that works!
Posted by Donut on July 28, 1999, at 15:42:37
In reply to Re: Meds are working fine: I just need someone to care, posted by Racer on July 28, 1999, at 15:31:20
> I am in debt, and scared, too. I try to remember that I just have to take one day at a time and do what I can to fix the situation, and work out one problem at a time. It's really tough.
>
> My mother is paying my rent. That keeps a roof over my head, but it comes at a price. For me, the price is payable, since my mother and I get along well enough. Whether or not you can afford the interest on money from your mother, only you can answer. It's a really tough question.
>
> As for standing on your own two feet, that's another personal issue. It would be nice if all of us could be financially independant. After fighting to control depression for a long time, though, maybe it's a good time to learn to lean on others a little bit. Maybe now is not the time to say, "I can go it all alone." That's the nice thing about personal value systems. They're personal. You don't have to accept anyone else's.
>
> Good luck, and congratulations on finding a drug combo that works!
I really appreciated your kind words. I have worked all my life as a nurse as well as taking care of a handicapped child. So the issue was never about being responsible--or maybe I was responsible in all ways but money. Anyway, the depression caught up with me and wrecked havoc in all areas. It really helps to hear kind words from people. I have enough negative words in my head to last a lifetime!!!!
Posted by Ruby on July 28, 1999, at 18:27:15
In reply to Re: Meds are working fine: I just need someone to care, posted by JohnL on July 28, 1999, at 15:29:39
I have both physical and mental health problems that require expensive medications. I have often gone without necessary medications because of their outrageous prices. John L. mentioned compasion programs run by drug companies. If anyone has any more specific information about these programs I would greatly appreciate it. I feel uncomfortable taking hand-outs. But I have decided that I must protect my health.
Posted by saintjames on July 28, 1999, at 19:14:17
In reply to The expense of medications: Compassion programs?, posted by Ruby on July 28, 1999, at 18:27:15
> I have both physical and mental health problems that require expensive medications. I have often gone without necessary medications because of their outrageous prices. John L. mentioned compasion programs run by drug companies. If anyone has any more specific information about these programs I would greatly appreciate it. I feel uncomfortable taking hand-outs. But I have decided that I must protect my health.
James here.....You can contact each company (use an internet search to get addresses)
or try http://www.themedicineprogram.com/
james
Posted by Kate on July 28, 1999, at 21:27:08
In reply to Re: Meds are working fine: I just need someone to care, posted by Racer on July 28, 1999, at 15:31:20
Racer- I thought of you yesterday with all your trials of trying to get good mental health care.
I'm having to find a new pdoc and have medicare and luckily (?) a separate HMO. Few pdocs in my area take medicare and the HMO said if I had medicare their shrinks couln't take me either. After a dozen long distance calls I finally got an appt. w/ the HMO. Yesterday I went to the HMO (head MD shrink name's "Dr.Brain" -were they kidding?) It was such an awful experience and they made me feel SO crazy that I could barely drive home. I can't even describe yesterday w/o feeling nauseaus. I can't fight for mental health care anymore - thank god I have a six month prescription - I'll figure it out then.
Why do some people assume you are crazy and have no rights just because you want to know the list of available MDs and what they specialize in.
I admired your persistance. Kate
ps--I also understood your need to keep your horse :-)
>
> My mother is paying my rent. That keeps a roof over my head, but it comes at a price. For me, the price is payable, since my mother and I get along well enough. Whether or not you can afford the interest on money from your mother, only you can answer. It's a really tough question.
>
> As for standing on your own two feet, that's another personal issue. It would be nice if all of us could be financially independant. After fighting to control depression for a long time, though, maybe it's a good time to learn to lean on others a little bit. Maybe now is not the time to say, "I can go it all alone." That's the nice thing about personal value systems. They're personal. You don't have to accept anyone else's.
>
> Good luck, and congratulations on finding a drug combo that works!
Posted by Racer on July 29, 1999, at 1:54:01
In reply to Racer-re: I just need someone to care, posted by Kate on July 28, 1999, at 21:27:08
Thank you both. It is nice to know that some people still care.
Donut,
Whatever you do, remember that those voices telling you you're not doing enough for yourself are the voices that come from depression. I see my own depression as a discrete entity, once which carries around a tape/video recorder, so that it can play back all the bad things in my life. My job, when I'm up to it, is to replace those tapes with healthier images.
As for my mother, for the last ten years, I've taken her shopping every Sunday. I've put up with her craziness (which is all based on mild depression and insecurities), given her emotional support, and put up with her need to go to ten different stores to get six items, to save ten cents by driving 35 miles. At this point, I've earned a few months of rent payments. That's the way I look at it. Considering I have given up my one day a week off work for ten years, she's only giving me money, I'm giving her myself.
And Kate, I'm glad you understand about my baby. The vet is coming this week. She may be going blind. On top of everything else in my life, I may lose my significant other.
Too much all at once.
But thanks for the support, and back atcha. Let me know your email, I have a few ideas that I've come up with having had to go through it myself...
Posted by Roo on July 29, 1999, at 12:49:16
In reply to Meds are working fine: I just need someone to care, posted by Donut on July 28, 1999, at 14:27:20
Financial problems are enough to depress anyone.
I know how you feel--I've been in the pit before,
and it's such a stressful and
hopeless feeling. I've had to bite the bullet
before and ask my folks for money (ugh--sometimes
you gotta do what you gotta do. They've never
minded nearly as much as I have...).
Maybe the meds will help you not beat yourself up
about it as much, hopefully. I always try to
remind myself that my financial situation is not
a reflection of my worth as a person. (Hard to
do in this society...).
Umm...anyway...I really hope it all works out..
I'll be thinking about you, Donut :-)
Posted by Donut on July 29, 1999, at 14:51:06
In reply to To Kate and Donut, posted by Racer on July 29, 1999, at 1:54:01
> Thank you both. It is nice to know that some people still care.
>
> Donut,
>
> Whatever you do, remember that those voices telling you you're not doing enough for yourself are the voices that come from depression. I see my own depression as a discrete entity, once which carries around a tape/video recorder, so that it can play back all the bad things in my life. My job, when I'm up to it, is to replace those tapes with healthier images.
>
> As for my mother, for the last ten years, I've taken her shopping every Sunday. I've put up with her craziness (which is all based on mild depression and insecurities), given her emotional support, and put up with her need to go to ten different stores to get six items, to save ten cents by driving 35 miles. At this point, I've earned a few months of rent payments. That's the way I look at it. Considering I have given up my one day a week off work for ten years, she's only giving me money, I'm giving her myself.
>
> And Kate, I'm glad you understand about my baby. The vet is coming this week. She may be going blind. On top of everything else in my life, I may lose my significant other.
>
> Too much all at once.
>
> But thanks for the support, and back atcha. Let me know your email, I have a few ideas that I've come up with having had to go through it myself...WOW-I read the above and thought I wrote it. Our cat has renal disease and I have to give her subq fluids twice a week. But she is so important to me. My mom totally does not understand that . I know I cannot ever blame my mom for my depression but I just wish sometimes that she would understand.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 1999, at 1:35:23
In reply to The expense of medications: Compassion programs?, posted by Ruby on July 28, 1999, at 18:27:15
> John L. mentioned compasion programs run by drug companies. If anyone has any more specific information about these programs I would greatly appreciate it. I feel uncomfortable taking hand-outs. But I have decided that I must protect my health.
In addition to the one that James mentioned, another independent program you might check out is:
http://www.needymeds.com/
And a directory of different pharmaceutical company programs is at:
http://www.phrma.org/patients/index.html
Bob
Posted by nancy on July 31, 1999, at 18:29:21
In reply to The expense of medications: Compassion programs?, posted by Ruby on July 28, 1999, at 18:27:15
www.themedicineprogram.com/links.htm
good luck.
> I have both physical and mental health problems that require expensive medications. I have often gone without necessary medications because of their outrageous prices. John L. mentioned compasion programs run by drug companies. If anyone has any more specific information about these programs I would greatly appreciate it. I feel uncomfortable taking hand-outs. But I have decided that I must protect my health.
This is the end of the thread.
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