Should I continue the medication?!
Question: I was put on a medication known as Lamictal for Bipolar I disorder about a month ago. However I lost my job as well as my benefits effective March 31st 2008. I do not intend to return to my psychiatrist for a $200.00 visit but my question is about the medication.. should I continue to use it even though I know in twenty-something days i'm not going to have it any more? Is it going to hurt me then more than it is helping me now? Does anyone have any experiences like this? Anything would help thanks!
Answers: I was put on a medication known as Lamictal for Bipolar I disorder about a month ago. However I lost my job as well as my benefits effective March 31st 2008. I do not intend to return to my psychiatrist for a $200.00 visit but my question is about the medication.. should I continue to use it even though I know in twenty-something days i'm not going to have it any more? Is it going to hurt me then more than it is helping me now? Does anyone have any experiences like this? Anything would help thanks!
As someone with Bipolar as well (unmedicated at this time, and never have been medicated - however I was just recently diagnosed), I would say, try to remember how you felt when you were unmedicated (if you can remember it - I have been on pain medications for 15 years, I can't remember what it is like to be off pain medications to be perfectly honest).
I'd contact your doctor and find out if there is a less expensive option for you to take. There are really inexpensive drug coverage programs out there for like 8$ a month or something - double check though, see what they cover and if it will work for you. If there's an alternative medication that will work and you can afford an inexpensive prescription coverage (and continue with the idea of skipping the psychiatrist), this would probably be a better overall solution. I believe places like Wal-mart has medications for low costs now. If nothing else, you may be elligible for the 'out-of-work' insurance that some company's offer, it depends on the circumstances surrounding your departure from your previous employer (I'm not asking for them, it's not important). If you are elligible, it will you time to try and qualify for a state or government insurance program like Medicare, check into it. If you aren't elligible, try and get yourself qualified for whatever you can now. We're heading into a recession and finding another job is going to be hard for a little while =(.
If it looks like there's no other option and going off the medication is all that is left since you're going to be out in some time - then ask your doctor the best way to come off the medication properly in the amount of time you have left. Believe me, withdrawal sucks (I take Fentanyl). Some medications can have deadly side effects if you just stop taking them without tapering off them (I've experienced this too, I'm lucky to still be alive).
Before saying goodbye to your doctor, get your records! Make sure YOU pick them up. This way you have them for whatever you might need them for down the road (next doctor, qualifying for state/government programs, etc.)
Hope this helps some, sorry for the misfortune of the job lost
=(.
you should really talk to your doctor first before getting off any medication, especially if you're going to suffer from withdrawal. trust me, it sucks horribly. but if you can't, you should wean your self off of it. start taking a full one for a while, then take less and less and less until you can handle not taking it. but if you have withdrawal symptoms, go to your doctor.
I dont have experience, but from what i know about these types of drugs taking them and then ceasing taking them all of a sudden can have a worse affect yes. Best bet is to talk to your doctor and they will advise you on how to decrease the dosage over time making the impact less noticable. xx
I would continue to take it, but try to find a counseling service. Maybe a medical school or a university offers low-cost or free counseling services with one of their graduate students. They can work with you and help you make the right decision. What therapy does with Bipolar people is try to make them aware of it. The highs and lows are really an illness that's kicking in (sort of like a virus that remains dormant most of the time), and if you know that your high or low is a symptom, you may be able to learn ways to deal with it or at least understand that it's an illness and not do yourself (or others) any harm. But, before going off your medication, discuss it was your psychiatrist (who can instruct you on how to go off it) and try to see a therapist.
why did u lose your job? see if it is helping u improve your health u can wait for a few days but if it is becomin a big problem in your social life then u can leave it , that is if it does not effect your health. i am not experienced so think before u do somethin