Is there Help?

[TokiBlu]

This seems crazy, trying to reach out for help over cyber space. I'm hoping to find answers to questions I don't even know how to ask. This is my last resource to "fix" my "problem". I suffer from severe depression, I have no insurance nor money to get the medications that I need. I have no family to help me. I'm 22 yrs old and as far as they are concerned I should look after myself. The family that raised me disowned me for having sex before marriage, my mother lives 500 miles away from me and is only concerned with sex and drugs. My real father is an alcholic that needs all the help he can get. I live with my boyfriend in his parents' basement, due to both of us lost our jobs and can't afford a place to live. I was raised by my grandparents, my grandfather was/is a demon. He tortured us, beat us, held guns up to us and made us watch fire and brimstone preachers on television, and did sick and unthinkable things to us........ I easily slip into sorrow and heartbreak, I've had issues with my weight due to stress which increases the depression. I have no one to turn too, no friends or family. I love my boyfriend, I feel so very unattractive and not like a live human I don't want to be happy, which stresses our relationship. I used to cut myself so I could feel something, I tried it recently, it scares me that it doesn't do anything any more. I just don't care. I can't watch tv b/c my thoughts stray to nothingness, it seems I would rather stare at a blank wall and think of nothing.

I'm at an empass. I don't know what to do, I don't know how to get my medication (prozac 20 mg) with no money or insurance. I feel like a blank piece of paper that should just be put in the fire and burn. I know many people have these issues, I feel horrible I'm saying anything at all. I know some people have it worse. But I honestly don't know what to do. Please God some one help me. Please reach out to me. I can't stop this downward sprial into darkness, I just want to end it all. I just want the sorrow to stop, to go away.

[peggy64]

So sorry for all your trials. Where I live, prozac is $4.00 a Rx. And maybe where you live, they have a place like they do here. It is a free clinic. Not affiliated with government. A christian based clinic. You do have  a lot on your plate to be so young.

I pray the Lord will help strengthen you.

[doctora]

Sorry my last message was meant to go to you not iam1butterfly, sorry about that girls.

[doctora]

Hi;
You could mention to the Dr that you dont have any money, and possibly they can put you on a similar medication that is not as expensive as Prozac. I was on and off it twice, and I know how much it costs, there are other anti-depressants that are much less, and also ask the Dr to make the prescription generic, which is also cheaper than the name brand and has the same active ingredients.

[iam1butterfly]

Try contacting your local health clinic(s). They are usually low cost... even free, for those who are unable to pay... at least, that's how it is here, in San Diego.
There are also clinical/ medical research studies that are always looking for participants to test new trial medications. The majority of the study requests that I've seen are calls for people who suffer from Depression. You can find these research/ study announcements in most local newspapers and similar periodicals. Typically, they offer a free medical consultation/ physical exam. And, if you qualify, you receive study medication (real or placebo)... plus, they often pay you for your participation. Take care!

[Julie359]

Hiya.... you really shouldn't feel in any way strange about asking for help, we are all here for you and will try and help, you are not alone!!

So your living with your boyfriends parents, erm.... would it be an option to ask his parents for a cash loan to help you maintain your med's, even if it gives you a couple of months supply, at least this will help you get back on ur feet? Does his parents know of ur illness?  Also can i ask how are you both surviving with food, etc??

I know this can be very hard to ask for help but your main priority right now is to get back on the Prozac and so maybe if you feel unable to, your boyfriend could ask them for you......

  

[whodunnit]

Hi there,

You have enough bad stuff in your life, way too much for any one person to deal with. Dreadful people have hurt you big time.

Yet you have survived to date. How long have you been on meds, and now without them? How has your mood deteriorated since stopping meds?

I mentioned on this site that docs often have free samples of meds and do like to help people out. They are intended as a taste and then we buy the real thing but I, for one, have been on Seroquel for 12 months now through free samples. I live in Australia and we have a system that supports most things but Seroquel hasn't been accepted for my illness.

It costs a bomb at the chemists so my doc has just kept handing them out. Try  it, not Seroquel, the samples approach. Most docs can get plenty if they want.

Your post saddens me again as I see how poor the US health system really is. I suspect that's where you are.

I have noted though that you say you have no one to turn to yet you have a boyfriend who you love. Isn't he someone you turn to?

His parents have given you accomodation, basement maybe, but it's accomodation. Don't spit at it. Accept it and look forward to better.

If they let you live there they too must care to some degree else you wouldn't be there.

You can't change what's happened, dreadful as it is. But you can change the future by trying to work hard at dealing with this illness.

Your problems do sound environmental, things that happened to you after birth. As such could I suggest you go get a book on cognitive therapy and try learning how it works. Ideally a therapist would drive you through it but it's actually a self help process.

Good luck, you deserve a change.

[Jaquta]

Help can depend on which country you live in.
If you're in the States my understanding is that there are free or low fee clinics that you can attend.
People have also suggested asking doctors for samples of the particular med they're on.  (A lot of people are struggling financially due to the recession, etc.)

You absolutely should be asking and sharing.
If you don't feel like you can cope then going to your local hospital could be a good idea.
There is help out there.  Keep asking and searching and you'll find it.

Good luck and take care.  Don't give up!!

[Kobuk]

Hi, I don't know what to do about getting meds, but maybe you could look in the yellow pages and see social services, they might be able to help you.  I feel your pain, you are not alone, we are here to help - even tho it is just to listen.