who can help

[charlijo56]

I was on pain meds for over 25 yrs. then everyone decided that pain pills r bad so they cut them off no weaning just STOPPED. I am also bi-polar. mostly severe depression and anxiety. went to rehab and they started me on suboxone. I didn't ask for it, had never heard of it but I felt so much better I didn't question much. just took every day for 1 week. 2mg twice a day. sent home with 8mg 3 times a day. it has now been 5+ years and insurance doesn't want to pay for it and it is EXPENSIVE. my doctor retired and was of no help when asked for a referral. I have tried 5 doctors who can prescribe it but none take insurance now. so I cannot afford the office visit and the cost of meds on my own.  my doctor did say I would probably be a lifetime patient when I asked how long I would be in outpatient treatment..  I already knew that was the case for my emotional health but..... :(.  what options do I have for some kind (any kind) of treatment for chronic pain and depression. BAD depression and anxiety before I ever used a drug. I don't want to go back to that dark hole again. I wont be able to climb out this time. getting up there in age, :)  58 yrs. u'd think i'd have figured something out by now right??!   I have 2 months of meds to go. fight or give in? is there any new treatment out there ? been on Cymbalta for 10 yrs. but that just keeps me above suicide level. I've tried so many antidepressants over the  years. none do what the suboxone does for setteling the whirl wind in my mind and to think more clearly and to sleep normally.  I hate remembering what it is like!! I don't want to go there again. suggestions????

[christabus123]

I really feel for you. I cannot believe your Dr, took  you off of pain meds and put you on suboxine. Suboxine is just as addicting. The only good thing about suboxine is for people who have addictions to pain meds. My daughter went through the same thing. Insurance paid way back when, Then she decided to get back on suboxine she had to pay full price to see the Dr, and the meds, They are way too expensive on top of paying a suboxine Dr. Most Drs, will not prescribe suboxine here so these so called prescribers for suboxine do not take the insurance anymore. Even her Primary Dr. back then.....she wil take her insurance for other ailments but it is a special appointment for suboxine. It is a shame for people who have addiction problems and cannot afford the suboxine. Pain meds are covered by insurance.One question is do you have chronic pain on your bi=polar,depression, anxiety? or does it help you with this?  I think you should discuss this with your Dr. Get off of the suboxine and get back on pain meds(which is covered by insurance) if he thinks there is a problem he with the pain meds at least wean you off of the pain meds before the suboxine and see how you feel. I do not know why he thinks the pain meds are bad for you and the suboxine is better? it just does not make sense. Best of luck to you......I hope your Dr. will listen or find another Dr, who will just a suggestion

[philnoir]

I'll be frank.

If you've explained all this, and expressed your anxiety to your physician w/o any compassionate response, then it's time to find another doctor who will treat.

Best wishes.

[remar]

I don't understand why after 25 years they would all of a sudden stop your pain medication. Can I ask if you were on it for chronic pain or was it helping your anxiety and depression and that's why you were on it for so long? It doesn't make sense to me to take you off of one drug and put you on to another if you do not have chronic pain. If you no longer need pain medication Drs will usually wean you off of it.
If you're bi-polar I take it you've tried the medications that help with it?  
I wish I could be of more help but I'm not sure how to answer your question. We need to know why you're taking Suboxone. Was it to help you wean off the pain meds, do you use it to help with chronic pain or are you using it for your bi-polar, depression and anxiety?
I can only give you my opinion. If it's not being used to help with your pain it may be time to get off of it. You Dr can try antidepressants again. Many Drs use will a combo of meds to help with what you have. Is this something your Dr has ever tried?
If you feel that your truly need the Suboxone there might be a way to get help with paying for it. You contact the company that makes it. You ask if they have a program for people who can not afford this medication. They will have you fill out a form and your Dr will most likely have to approve it and sign it. Some drug companies will help patients and some will not.
Please do get back to us. We really need to know why you're taking Suboxone before we can give you any real answers.
Hopefully our wonderful Community leader will see your post. He gives the best advice.