Comments on: How to Manage Bipolar Disorder… when you don’t have insurance: http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/how-to-manage-bipolar-disorder-when-you-dont-have-insurance/ by Julie A. Fast Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:13:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kirby Horton http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/how-to-manage-bipolar-disorder-when-you-dont-have-insurance/comment-page-1/#comment-1541 Kirby Horton Thu, 07 May 2009 13:19:59 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/how-to-manage-bipolar-disorder-when-you-dont-have-insurance/#comment-1541 Nice post Julie. One of the many problems that we see in our business is the complexity of managing the multiple prescription assistance programs that are available. Some of the drug companies are very easy to work with but others are just horrible! Because they are voluntary and not mandated by law, all of the drug companies have different forms and guidelines. If we have a patient that is just taking one or two medicines and has good organizational skills, we steer them to the company direct and give them guidence at no charge. If they need assistance and monitoring of the refill process then we do charge a small service fee for that. As you know, three groups of antidepressant medications are most often used to treat depressive disorders: tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and lithium. Lithium has historically been the treatment of choice for bipolar disorder by most physicians and some forms of recurring, major depression. More recently, doctors have also been using anticonvulsants for bipolar disorder. Your doctor must consider your own personal health history in determining what is best for you. Most of these expensive medications have assistance programs for low income, uninsured patients to help them with the cost. Nice post Julie. One of the many problems that we see in our business is the complexity of managing the multiple prescription assistance programs that are available. Some of the drug companies are very easy to work with but others are just horrible! Because they are voluntary and not mandated by law, all of the drug companies have different forms and guidelines. If we have a patient that is just taking one or two medicines and has good organizational skills, we steer them to the company direct and give them guidence at no charge. If they need assistance and monitoring of the refill process then we do charge a small service fee for that.

As you know, three groups of antidepressant medications are most often used to treat depressive disorders: tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and lithium. Lithium has historically been the treatment of choice for bipolar disorder by most physicians and some forms of recurring, major depression. More recently, doctors have also been using anticonvulsants for bipolar disorder. Your doctor must consider your own personal health history in determining what is best for you.

Most of these expensive medications have assistance programs for low income, uninsured patients to help them with the cost.

]]> By: HB http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/how-to-manage-bipolar-disorder-when-you-dont-have-insurance/comment-page-1/#comment-1536 HB Wed, 06 May 2009 19:22:18 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/how-to-manage-bipolar-disorder-when-you-dont-have-insurance/#comment-1536 Those are some great tips! Julie is right, there is a lot that can be done through education, support groups, and trying to control triggers. For people in NY state, there is a health insurance for low income people, here is the info: http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hnyeci.htm The only other ideas I would add, is that there are some over-the-counter supplements that may treat some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example, Lithium Orotate helps stabilize mood for some people. Also the supplements 5-HTP, St John's Wort, & Magnesium can help with mild depression. However, taking a supplement such as 5-HTP that effects serotonin could trigger rapid-cycling or mania, so working with a professional is a good idea. Hope this helps! Those are some great tips! Julie is right, there is a lot that can be done through education, support groups, and trying to control triggers.

For people in NY state, there is a health insurance for low income people, here is the info:
http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hnyeci.htm

The only other ideas I would add, is that there are some over-the-counter supplements that may treat some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example, Lithium Orotate helps stabilize mood for some people. Also the supplements 5-HTP, St John’s Wort, & Magnesium can help with mild depression. However, taking a supplement such as 5-HTP that effects serotonin could trigger rapid-cycling or mania, so working with a professional is a good idea.

Hope this helps!

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