Just had a nocturnal TC for the second time this week.

[skyfire322]

I apologize if this is a long, messy post!

I feel absolutely defeated, because my seizures were under control for the most part over the past several months, minus the occasional staring spell.

The seizure itself occurred in my sleep which doesn't happen too often. My girlfriend told me I was hyperventilating (which has never happened to me during a T/C) and fell off the bed. Luckily our mattress is on the floor, so it's only about six-eight inches off the ground.

However, when I woke up (at 2:30 PM, haha) both of my shoulders were in so much pain, I grimace even lifting my coffee mug. I already have a partially torn AC joint in one shoulder due to my last seizure, and my other arm feels the same exact way.

I'm pretty sure the stress of having to move halfway across the country for my new job, and find an apartment in one week, has a big role in this. The other biggie is that my prescription for Lamictal ran out, and can't see a neurologist because I don't have health insurance and can't afford to pay full price (~$300) for the visit. They don't even have a "bill me later" policy.


Anyway, I have a few questions in regards to this:

1.) I have three refills left on my Depakote before the 30th of this month. Do you think the pharmacy would be able to fill all three if I explained my moving situation?

2.) If I went to the ER for them to check my shoulders out, do you think the ER physician would be able to write a prescription for the Lamictal? For some reason, I have a gut feeling that only specialists are able to write them.

3.) The neurologist in the town I'm living in now refuses to see me as I have a past due bill from a three day EEG (which I cannot afford, ~$750) and the neurologist at UPMC cannot see out of state patients anymore.

4.) I do have a full bottle of Zonegran (which the quack neurologist prescribed), so do you think in the meantime, I could supplement the Lamictal for that?

 

[Cint]

My first question to you is, How are you getting across the country? I hope you're not the one driving with your seizure history. My 2nd question, Does this new job offer better pay/insurance?

Now, in regards to you questions:

#1) I doubt the pharmacy is willing to refill all your Rx for Depakote. If you have no insurance, how do you pay for it?

#2) I doubt the ER dr. will write a Rx for Lamictal, since he/she isn't the treating physician. The times I've ended up in the ER due to seizures, no dr. there would prescribe any meds, unless I was status and then they gave me Ativan.

#4) NO! DO NOT supplement one AED for another!! That could be dangerous! Who knows what that could do to you body/brain?

I really think you need to re-evaluate your move right now. Your are extremely stressed out because of it and that's what is causing the seizures, IMO. S-L-O-W DOWN!!

 

[masterjen]

My thoughts are the same as Cint's.

Also, you mentioned in an earlier post that you had interviewed for a job and that you told them you have epilepsy . . . do you actually have the job now? If so, explain your current medical situation and perhaps they can expedite your medical coverage and referral to a specialist. Some larger companies have "preferred" GPs to enable their employees to see a doctor sooner, and in turn one of these GPs can refer you to a neurologist at your new location.

Good luck and feel better.

 

[skyfire322]

My first question to you is, How are you getting across the country? I hope you're not the one driving with your seizure history. My 2nd question, Does this new job offer better pay/insurance?

Now, in regards to you questions:

#1) I doubt the pharmacy is willing to refill all your Rx for Depakote. If you have no insurance, how do you pay for it?

#2) I doubt the ER dr. will write a Rx for Lamictal, since he/she isn't the treating physician. The times I've ended up in the ER due to seizures, no dr. there would prescribe any meds, unless I was status and then they gave me Ativan.

#4) NO! DO NOT supplement one AED for another!! That could be dangerous! Who knows what that could do to you body/brain?

I really think you need to re-evaluate your move right now. Your are extremely stressed out because of it and that's what is causing the seizures, IMO. S-L-O-W DOWN!!

Again, sorry for the long post, but to respond to your questions:

My girlfriend will be driving the moving truck (I'll obviously just be the passenger). The new employer offers ridiculously good health insurance, probably the best I've ever had. It covers pretty much everything. It's $20 co-pays for everything including specialists, and prescriptions are $10.

As for the rest of the questions:
1.) I receive the generic brand of Depakote, which is $25 without insurance because the pharmacy I go to will automatically apply manufacturer's coupons to the cost, thus dropping it to $25 which is more than doable. My girlfriend said she could pay for it, which helps.

2.) I had a gut feeling that only the treating physician could prescribe the medications. The ER in my current town will usually just pump me full of either Klonopin or Ativan to calm me down and that's only if I'm in status, but other than that they're pretty much useless.

4.) The only reason why I asked about the Zonegran was because the quack neurologist that I left changed it without reason. At that time, I was on Keppra, Zonegran, AND Lamictal but was having huge side effects, so he took me off the Zonegran when in fact, it was the Keppra that was wreaking all the havoc. But I totally understand. I did just think of something however... One of my best friends is on Lamictal, and she has a cache of leftovers. My prescribed dosage is 600 of the XR, and she's only on 200 of the XR. MAYBE she could let me have some.

I guess my biggest issue in life is that I've always had a tendency to overthink things, which in turn, unnecessarily stressing myself out. It is a HUGE page I'm turning in life, so I'm understandably stressed out.

Not to make excuses, but since my current employer doesn't offer health insurance, I don't qualify for Virginia medicaid, and since I cannot afford the government insurance, I'd like my new employer's health benefits to kick in sooner rather than later. It's just hard being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[skyfire322]

My thoughts are the same as Cint's.

Also, you mentioned in an earlier post that you had interviewed for a job and that you told them you have epilepsy . . . do you actually have the job now? If so, explain your current medical situation and perhaps they can expedite your medical coverage and referral to a specialist. Some larger companies have "preferred" GPs to enable their employees to see a doctor sooner, and in turn one of these GPs can refer you to a neurologist at your new location.

Good luck and feel better.

I sent an e-mail to HR today asking if they offered PPO or HMO (I prefer HMO). They also offer one that has a health savings account, but the the deductibles and co-pays are much higher and doesn't cover prescriptions. That might be a smart idea to ask about expediting, though it might be a stretch.

Luckily, Ft. Wayne has the second largest medical system in the mid west, just behind Chicago I believe so I'll be doing some research on neurologists there. I do have the job, and my official start date is April 11th. They're pretty short staffed, so they needed me to start ASAP.

 

[Nakamova]

Hey Skyfire,

This thread might provide some ideas:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f45/when-you-cant-afford-medication-1452/

As far as finding someone to write the Lamictal rX, it doesn't have to be a specialist, but it does have to be someone familiar with your health history. So an ER doc is probably a no-go. Sorry to hear about the shoulder stuff -- I've been there. If there's a chance either of them might be dislocated, go to the ER. In the meantime, alternate ice/heat to relieve the pain and take ibuprofen or similar...

 

[skyfire322]

Hey Skyfire,

This thread might provide some ideas:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f45/when-you-cant-afford-medication-1452/

As far as finding someone to write the Lamictal rX, it doesn't have to be a specialist, but it does have to be someone familiar with your health history. So an ER doc is probably a no-go. Sorry to hear about the shoulder stuff -- I've been there. If there's a chance either of them might be dislocated, go to the ER. In the meantime, alternate ice/heat to relieve the pain and take ibuprofen or similar...

I called the GSK Bridges to Access for the Lamictal, and although I meet the income requirements, they require an updated prescription from the treating physician, which I can't get due to the reasons stated above. I contacted that neurologist as well to see if they can make an exception, and they even said until I pay the past due bill, they can't do anything, so needless to say, I'm pretty frustrated.

 

[Nakamova]

Will they accept a partial payment? Set up a payment plan?

 

[skyfire322]

Will they accept a partial payment? Set up a payment plan?

I believe they do, but they said they require the bill paid in full before they can see me. I think that's a bunch of nonsense (borderline illegal), but you know how some medical offices work. Some are all about the money, and patients seem to be an afterthought. This neurologist's office is JUST like that.

In the meantime, I'll definitely contact them tomorrow, explain my situation, and see IF I could at least get a one time prescription written to hold me over, but since I haven't seen them in over a year and a half, it might be a moot point. It's definitely worth a shot though! I think this MAY be my last resort, besides asking if it's possible to get a buy in before my 90 day probationary period.

I think the most disheartening thing about the situation is when I asked those questions to the HR department at the new company I'd be working for, their tone of voice seemed to put a sour taste in their mouths. Any delay, even for an extra month, and the job offer would probably be pulled off the table since they're so short staffed and training is approximately eight weeks.

They did say it was illegal for them to discriminate against someone with disability, so they're taking a big chance with me to begin with, but will do everything in their power (I think I already said that part, lol. I'm pretty out of it right now.)

I know it sounds like I'm making excuses for putting everything off, and looking for sympathy with my situation, but that could be further from the truth. I just needed to vent and get some advice outside my immediate circle of family and friends.

I love all of you guys even though we've never met in person, and don't think I'd be able to cope as well as I am without you. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

:hugs:

 

[masterjen]

I called the GSK Bridges to Access for the Lamictal, and although I meet the income requirements, they require an updated prescription from the treating physician, which I can't get due to the reasons stated above. I contacted that neurologist as well to see if they can make an exception, and they even said until I pay the past due bill, they can't do anything, so needless to say, I'm pretty frustrated.

You mention a circle of friends family and a girlfriend . . . I would think they would give you a loan to pay off your debt so you could get treatment, with the promise that you will pay them back since you will now have a job. Have you asked them?? Don't say "I want to do this on my own" . In your current situation, I don't think you have many options if your health and future income is at stake.

 

[skyfire322]

Unfortunately, everyone told me "They couldn't afford it". :\