Hi,
How’s it going?
I hope you’re having a good day.
There is no doubt that we are in a recession, and that it’s on everyone’s minds.
Many people are skimping back because of it.
If they have two cars, many are going down to one car.
If they have a big house, they are selling it to move into a smaller one.
Those who usually take a vacation are skipping it this year for lack of money.
People are trying hard to hold onto their jobs, but some people have lost them anyway.
Then they are forced to skimp on things.
People who used to eat out a lot aren’t doing that any more – they just can’t afford it.
People who used charge cards, especially, are finding that they have to skimp on using them, because it’s hard to pay the bill when it comes.
More people are changing the way they handle their finances.
They are skimping on things they don’t need.
Because of our economy, many people have been forced to make changes in their lifestyles.
But if you or your loved one has bipolar disorder, there are certain things you can NOT afford to skimp on.
Many people with the disorder are getting worse, not getting stable, and going into episodes.
Do you know why? (scroll down for answer)
Do you think it’s because they want to?
Do you think it’s because they are forced to?
I’ll tell you the answer.
They are skimping on their medications.
Mary did this –
She cut down on her medications to try to save some money.
The next thing she knew, she was in a manic episode.
And then do you know what happened?
She started spending money excessively because of the mania.
So she ended up with just the opposite of what she wanted.
Now she owes even more money, and is still struggling financially to pay for her medications.
But do you know what the worst thing Mary did was?
She played doctor for herself.
She never checked with her doctor before messing with her medications.
You can skimp on eating meals out, because you can always cook at home.
But medications are something that you just can NOT skimp on.
In my courses/systems, I stress how CRUCIAL it is for you to stay on your medications, no matter what:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
There are other options.
For example, if you explain to your doctor that you are having financial problems, he might be able to give you samples of medication.
If you have to pay for your doctor, psychiatrist, and/or therapist visits, you may be wanting to skimp there as well, and put off appointments.
But if you tell them what is happening, they may be able to put you on a sliding scale or work out payments with you.
Are you skimping on what counts?
Try to find other alternatives.
Post responses below.
This a very important message to all who have bi-polar or are a supporter of someone who is bi-polar. Your daily medication is the key to your stability. Without it, all you have struggled for will be lost. I have had to cut back myself. I have been seeing a psychologist for 2 years, every 2-3 months costing $100-$150 per visit. Just to get my meds. My family practitioner allowed me to start coming to him instead as long as I was stabel. My medications have not changed in this length of time and I am doing well. So every 4 months I can go into him for a blood draw for my medication levels and not even have to pay an office visit. This will save me $720 per year. He also hooked me up with the generic brands saving me over $175 per month on just one script. This saved me over $2800 per year.
I am aware that not every one can go this route, but it is definately worth looking into to save money in these hard times. And a far better way than skipping doses to save money.
Here’s to good health,
Ronda
Hi there Dave,
thanks for the timely reminder.My daughter ran out of her meds: where I live certain medications are free apart from a chemists fee for each item dispensed. can vary depending on the sort of benefit one has with Social Welfare(New Zealand) So you might think – heck thats not so bad – but in these real bad times even $3.00 is too much per medication for a month.The up shot was my daughter was without her lamatrogine for 3 days this is not a good scenario to contemplate ever again : we have since found out that (here in NZ)
1) a word with the chemist on the day and he will give you enough medication to last until you get paid
2) We have to budget the extra inside the food budget per week.
3)There is a disability allowance for those in need where a portion of ones medical and medication bill is refunded on a monthly basis.
It was a very anxious 3 days for the family and when we knew about the other things we instantly put in place plans so it would not happen again
We have discussed what may happen if this reccession we are currently drags on and our government decides to take away all benefit entitlements and what sort of impact it may have on us and at the present moment we are working through a plan of action that will get us through that.
A timely word , I am as always grateful for your emails , they( emails) validate the way we(my daughter and I) are working together to make things work out.
My daughter has been in her new position for 1.5 weeks , she is loving being back at work, she is fragile about her abilities she has a job as a research admnistrator- but she’s willing to give it her best shot.Rachel has been 3 months back home with me and her sons.
Once again thanks for all your advice , Dave your emails never fail to be supportive, proactive and positive: but packing a wallop to the system everytime I become complacent.
Regards
Shona
My boyfriend is on disability pay and all his prescriptions are free. His meds don’t seem to be working for him though and he needs to try something else with fewer side effects. He used to have appointments with his psych every 2 weeks and was hoping to get some extra appointments to discuss a possible change or adjustment. Now they changed his regular appointments to every 3 weeks. So, it’s the health authorities who are skimping!
Skimping can also refer to picking them up from the pharmacy but not taking them b/c they are in the frame of mind of “i don’t need medication” i’ve never been manic just passionate. I don’t have problems, the rest of the world is the problem. I don’t cause problems, it’s just who I am. “The doctor said I could stop taking them, I talked to one by the phone”. This last one is the best – and just pathetic.
I was just told this weekend that “he” has no problem, he is not manic ever and he does not have anger problems. And he is not an alcoholic. This is how he views himself. He has terrible anger problems, outrageous mania, and drinks to make things worse. But hey his life is a huge success (ha ha) and he is only passionate and the doctors tell him he can drink, and he’s really just depressed. (ha ha). He is addictred to mania and he is an alcoholic. But since he swears neither are his problem I guess he is just a plain old abusive raging bully!!