Posted by WelshKat on February 10, 2002, at 11:35:26
Hi~
I've learned so much by reading this board. Decided it was time to
try to get some feedback on my personal situation. I was diagnosed
with bipolar I about 6 years ago. I am 40. I quit all meds about 3
years ago. I have been just getting by without the meds.
Just had my usual manic period this past Oct to Dec.
Then, crashed big time. After, once again, causing some mild?
havoc all around me. I have decided it's time to try some
of the newer drugs. But, I have no insurance and haven't really
worked in four years. So, paying for a regular pdoc is
not a real option. I have started the rounds of the local
free clinics. What an experience. :-) Thanks to a doctor
I saw this week at a free church clinic, I got a script
for Klonopin for my extreme anxiety. Cost me $78 to fill it, but
that was ok. I have started on a low dose twice a day.
Today, I will have a total of 1 mg. It does seem to keep
the dreaded tight chest feeling at bay. :-)
Anyway, I am waiting to hear if I will be accepted into
a 12 week Topamax clinical trial. Not completely sure
if I want to do it. They will be starting the subjects
(who don't get the placebo) on 400 mg and 600 mg a day.
And getting them up to that level in one week. That doesn't
sound like much fun to me. But, I could get free Topamax
for two years and that could be a good thing. Assuming the
stuff even works for me.
I am just managing to get through life one day at a time right now.
Reading this board has helped a great deal.
Thanks for listening,
WelshKat
poster:WelshKat
thread:93586
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020208/msgs/93586.html