neuro may refuse refill for epilepsy medication?

[k&w]

i've been on lamicital for about 6 months and have gone from having 2-3 temporal lobe seizures a month to none at all, and i've had 2 auras the entire time i've been on the medication. when i first started having seizures i went to the ER with no health insurance and was flooded with bills. i now have health insurance but even with that i can barely afford the new slew of bills i have from several neurologists visits, EEG, MRI, and spinal tap. if i'm not able to pay a certain amount of money towards my neurologist bill i will be discharged and refused prescription refills - if this happens what can i do about getting my medication refilled? i'm worried about missing my medication and getting horrible seizures again where i scream and seemingly hallucinate horrible things and once there over i have absolutely no memory of anything that happened that day and am very slow to recover short term memory at all. it is very scary to even think about and very debilitating to my life to have start happening again. i can understand the neurologist not accepting any further appointments for lack of payment, but not filling perscriptions is practically life ruining and potentially brain damaging. any suggestions? i work retail and barely make enough money to feed myself and pay rent.

 

[Hand of Blood]

I wish i could help, i dont know how it works over there, but it seems crazy to just stop giving you medication maybe you could look online for help with what to do in these times?

sorry i cant help... i hope it all works out, keep us up todate

 

[limbicseizure]

reply to K&W

My heart goes out to you. I don't know where you live but it sounds like the
USA. Your doctor sounds heartless to me. He should be able to help you get
the government assistance that you so desperately need.

Sometimes, I have heard, pharmaceutical companies will help pay for meds
for those in financial straites.

You need help now. Perhaps calling the hospitals can help guide you to the
right emergency funding that must surely be available - somewhere.

Good luck.

limbicseizure

 

[Nakamova]

Hi k&w, that sounds like a terrible bind to be in. I would check with your local social services government agency to see if they can help. Are there any free clinics in your area? They might provide assistance as well. There's more good info here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/when-you-cant-afford-medication-1452/

 

[CrunchyFrog]

I really don't understand your healthcare system, how can they justify not giving you medication you need?
It makes me feel fortunate to live where I do, our system is still flawed but, compared to many countries we are very lucky.
I hope you can get some help..

 

[k&w]

thanks for all the words of support. i have PAC, the government assistance health insurance in my state in the US, as well as regular health insurance. luckily i have no problem getting my medication with a very low co-pay. the neurologist visits and the EEG even after insurance were quite expensive and i did set up a payment plan when it was offered, which was only after the large bill went unpaid for 60 days, but i still received a letter stating that all appointments would be canceled and perscriptions could not be filled if payment is not recieved in 180 days. i'm hoping i can just talk to them about offering an extension on payment. if that doesnt work i'm just worried about how hard it would be to find another neurologist to see me and refill my perscriptions. i'll keep you updated when i hear back.