BIPOLAR and lithium

United States
February 1, 2007 10:59pm CST
I have Bipolar and for this I take Lithium 3 times a day! Right now we lost our insurance and We have no way to pay for it! So, I have been going without my lithium and my family is not happy with the effects the bipolar has! Anyone know if the company will help furnish the medication?
2 people like this
5 responses
• United States
4 Feb 07
you should ask your doctor for free samples or even check out your local medicaid office....its not good when you just stop taking the lithium cold turkey..sometimes the symptoms seem worse than before.talk to your family counselor,church or sme orgination you may belong to for help...someone must know something.i have bipolar and also take lithium---900 mg a day...it is the only thing that keeps me from back tracking and having manic episodes...please do what you can to get back on it and stay on a constant track.i hope t all works out for you
@AmbiePam (93952)
• United States
4 Feb 07
Yeah, I'm with you two. My doctor just upped my Lithium to 900mg a day. At least I'm in good company!
• United States
4 Feb 07
I have been on 900mg for a steady 3months...but I also started taking the seroquel at night! So, I think with the both of them working together is what is working. I take 2-4 pills of this at night...averages about 100mg. If you find that you keep uping your lithium, then you might want to ask your doc about the seroquel.
• United States
4 Feb 07
Actually I also take 900mg a day! I have contacted everyone possible that I know and I am not getting anywhere's. I know that it's not good to stop cold turkey..I'm having first hand experience! Thanks for your concern!
@AmbiePam (93952)
• United States
3 Feb 07
I sympathize with you. You cannot help how you are without Lithium. I think Lithium allows you to be the person you would be if you didn't have bi-polar. I am bi-polar and have been faced with the same problem. And Lithium has been the only thing to work for me. You might try these sites: www.nami.org/update/freemed.htm or www.rxassist.org. I hope this works for you. Even though your social services center may not help you, you might contact social security advocates in your area because it has been my experience that they know the places you can apply for free medicine. You may have to look a little bit to find one, but they are there. And sometimes they have a lot of information that helps people down on their luck. They can't help you personally, but they know people who can. Good luck and you'll be in my prayers!
• United States
3 Feb 07
Lithium does make you be the person you would have been without Bipolar! Some people just don't understand! Thanks for the websites, I will deffinately look them up!
• United States
2 Feb 07
With a condition such as this medication is of the utmost importance. Your family is unhappy with you because of the way this disorder affects you and your personality. I know a lot of state programs help with prescription meds. You can go to your social services office to get more information. Also you may want to go Montel Williams web site he has a program for this. Best wishes...
• United States
2 Feb 07
Actually I have been to social services! Apparently we make to much money! Haha, we can't even afford our monthly bills to survive. And thanks for the website on Montel, I will actually check this out!
• United States
3 Feb 07
I dont know that the company will, But check with the county mental health.They will guide you to other resorces if not help you too.My ex-husband went to our county mental health for all of his needs as far as bi-polar illness . Most of them go on a slidding scale fee.
• United States
3 Mar 07
I have been on Lithium since 98. I at one time received samples through my med doc. They also have a or should have a prescription assistance program through your county. Or you could try needymeds.com. I have used them more than once in my time. I can't believe that you aren't getting any help for this. No one should go without their medication. Good luck and please tell me if and when you get help. I will continue to look for more information for you.