Bipolar

[Bmmeup]

I've been on medication since being diagnosed at 26.
My mood swings are severe and scary.  I didn't
Want to accept the fact I am manic-depressive or
Bipolar(today's term).  But I accept it now, I'm
Not ashamed.  My problem now is I can't find
a doctor since mine retired.  I've been given
names from my Gyn and orthopedic doctors
but they aren't taking new patients.  I have
been without meds now for two months. After
Thirty years on meds and now back to my scary
self.  I'm trying to cope. I'm telling myself, I
don't need them but the truth is, I do.  I'm
struggling again and my husband and children
don't know what to do when I'm suicidal or am
manic, or crying uncontrollably.  My husband
keeps promising to help me find a doctor, but
so far he hasn't found one.  My question, where
can I find a doctor? I have the means to pay
if insurance is not accepted.  I can see someone in
Manhattan , NY or near my kids near Torrance, CA.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

[robinlyne]

Maybe ask your primary doc. That's how I found my fiancee 's.   Wish u the best of luck.....

[Midijane]

If you do one thing tomorrow, please let it be to find a new doc. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your kids. Managing without meds is horrific. I'm sorry you're dealing with this and I really hope you keep posting for support. Even if it's just to get your feelings out and know others are going through similar circumstances. Take good care.

(((Hugs)))
M

[persephonedemeter]

Also, it surprises me that your other doctors or your retiring doctor just left you without medications for your bipolar disorder. Do you have a primary doctor besides your gyn and orthopedic doctor who is aware of your meds? Two months without meds is too long. They wouldn't allow you to go without insulin if your had diabetes. Anyone of your doctors can write out a prescription to tie you over.  I know my primary internal medicine doctor would write out my psych prescriptions I have been on for many years if my psychiatrist all of a sudden disappeared and I needed meds.

The other thing to ask Aetna is if you can see a psychiatrist urgently just to get meds. This is a reasonable request to ask, and it is cost effective because it would prevent you from being hospitalized or complicate your care.  At this point, from what you describe you are going through, you need urgent care. Ask for an authorization and the urgent care or emergency hospital department where you can get coverage for that visit, so you don't get stuck with a huge emergency care bill. New York City has quite a few hospitals, and I am sure, at least, one of them would accept your insurance. You have  to call your insurance first, and if you have one, your primary doctor. It may turn out that your primary doctor will write your prescriptions for you until you get your psychiatrist. That will be determined by your insurance company and your primary doctor. When I am talking about a primary doctor, I mean the doctor who does your physical exams, who you go to when you are in trouble physically and makes referrals to specialities like your gynecologist or your orthopedic doctor.  This would be a general practitioner, family practice doctor, or an internal medicine doctor. It could also be a nurse practitioner.

I know it is more cost effective and convenient for you to get your meds through the mail and have a 3 month supply. The prescribing doctor can still do this for you and your insurance will still cover it as they have done in the past. Personally, I don't really see how any one would object to this arrangement, even if 2 of your drugs were controlled substances. If anything, if whoever prescribes is queasy about it, they can make those 2 controlled substances good for a month and the rest a 3 month supply. There are always more than one option to a problem. Others may have other solutions for you.  

Sorry I am thinking in pieces, but I drove from one place to another, and now, I have to move on.  I will cross my fingers for you.

[persephonedemeter]

When you talk to the Aetna mental Health Insurance , ask them to do a wider search and tell them the 2 they gave you before did not pan out. You also mentioned Torrance, CA, ask them for a search there also. Under the new federal law and after Sebellius made a statement that the health care policy had to be equally accessible and covered between physical and mental health, especially with private insurance, there would be more pressure on their part to look harder to get you your psychiatrist.

As far as you concern over the meds you had before, you can tell the psychiatrist you get, how the meds worked for you all those years when you were stable. If possible, bring your old bottles with you or if you have any records from your previous psychiatrist, that would be good also, but it isn't absolutely necessary. You can just give your new psychiatrist the name of your previous psychiatrist. There is such a thing as continuity of care.

When I changed psychiatrists earlier in my care, the new psychiatrist usually stuck with whatever I was prescribed before when It was obvious at the time that it worked for me...at the time.  

I also went through what you went through, trying to get a psychiatrist when they were all  in demand. I had to go back to the insurance company 3 times for a new listing.  Be persistent,  It is totally unacceptable that you have insurance and yet you cannot get the care you need. Especially, if it is a benefit that your insurance says it will pay for.

This is a question of access to care. Personally, when it proves to be difficult, I would email or call my Congressperson (Rep or Senator) who covers the district I vote in, as well as the insurance commisioner of my State, and make a complaint and let them know my situation. After all the mass shootings we had in recent years, politicians and communities are focused on mental illness prevention and mental health care, no matter what political party they to which they belong. This is not just a problem that happened to you. It is national.

[Bmmeup]

I have found a couple psychologists, but they can't prescribe medications to patients.  Only a medical doctor, a psychiatrist,   Appreciate your help.

[Bmmeup]

Thank you.  Yes, Aetna is my insurance and I have contacted the two on their list.  No luck.  My last doctor didn't take insurance, but I only saw him every two months or so.   I will call my insurance directly, like you suggested and see if they can help.  Two of my meds are considered narcotics which I didn't know.   I would get my 90 day supply in the mail from Caremark for 12 years.  I guess that's been part of my problem.  Finding a doctor who will prescribe these meds.  Thank you again for your help.

[JustChrissy]

I would also look into your county and see if they have a county health department.  Although, that would not be my first choice.  Or perhaps look into someone in Psychology to at least start with for meds.  When I was first diagnosed my general practitioner was the one that managed my meds.  I went to a psychiatrist and am finally at least trying to find the right meds for myself.  Best of luck to you.  

[persephonedemeter]

Have you called your health insurance to ask them if they can provide you a referral list of psychiatrists to you? Tell the benefits analyst that you have been without a pyschiatrist for 2 months now, and that means you are not being treated for your bipolar disorder and that you are not on any medication now.

Usually health insurance has mental health insurance subcontractor, and your health insurance should provide you with the mental health insurance subcontractor number. Make sure you get this number so that you can call the mental helth subcontractor directly, in case you get disconnected.