Bipolar Type II Support Group

I posted the other day that I just got out of the psych hospital last Wed. I have been feeling pretty good, other than being restless and I worked yesterday with no problems. Went to see patients (I'm a home health nurse). However, last night, I was soooo tired and fell asleep really early watching TV. I just chalked it up to first day back at work after over a week. This morning however, I started feeling that dread feeling. You know, the one where you feel like you just dread doing everything. I felt so depressed on the way to work. So, after being there until 9 a.m., I called my p-doc office and asked if I could be seen before my appt on Thurs because I was not feeling well. Well, they are not open but 2 days a week, so no go there. I didn't want to go back to the ER because when I was there in an emergent state before being sent to the psych hospital, the MD at the ER told me that they were not a psych unit and were not equipped to handle cases like mine, depressed and suicidal. (it was my 3rd time there in 1 and a half years). She then went on to say that I would be better off, next time, to go directly to my p-doc or a psych unit. She REALLY upset me, sitting there all depressed anyway. I'm an RN and I have ALWAYS told people if they feel suicidal to go to the ER ASAP. Also, psych units do not admit you that way, you have to go THRU and MD, p-doc or ER.

I made it through seeing 3 patients today, went to lunch and was in such a state I called my boss and told her how I felt and I need to go home. She is very understanding, but she needs a nurse and I just can't cope like this. So then I called the person at my ins co that called me after I got home from the hospital, who said she would help me coordinating my md visits, meds or whatever, and I told her how frustrated I was with this situation and that the only places their Ins would cover is over an hour away from me and it's just tough. She said she would try to get a local p-doc to approve my ins. but that is on the back burner because she's busy helping all the people that just got out of the hospital, and that is understandable because at least I already have an appt in place, though it IS two days away and I'm a hour away.

Here I sit at home, totaly digusted with this system. I will not quit my meds, I fully intend to go to the p-doc, but how in the heck can you get help when you need it with the blasted p-doc is not even there and you do NOT want to go back to the ER due to the above?? How do we with depression/bipolar/mental illness of any sort survive in this world when we can't get proper help!!

Is there any way to get disability through social security when you are like this? I just can't work like this, I just can't!

I sooooooooooo disgusted and depressed!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe the attitude of the ER drs. That's ridiculous. I sure do hope that your insurance company will find a local dr to be approved. When I called and asked that before when I lived far away from the city, the ins co said the actual pdoc would have to ask them if they can be apart of the network. I'm sure the ins cos are all different. Maybe the person you talked to can pull some strings. Keep us posted on that.

What a pain in the butt to deal with when you don't feel well to begin with. I've heard so many horrible stories about how people are treated who have mental/emotional problems and need help from the medical community. And God forbid they need assistance from their police deparrtment. I think the only way people will really understand depression and illnesses liike it is to educate them. Now I don't know how that's supposed to happen when our society is so mental illness-phobic.

I have no real words of encouragement but I wanted to let you know I hear you and underrstand. I hope the ins rep does her job for you and at leastt helps you find someone to see who is closer to you. Good luck.

Thank you for the replies.

I'm sorry to whining. I'm just so totally frustrated and this is the only place I can really vent.

You're not whining and this is a great place to come to! We can relate and that's what's important. No post is less important than the other posts. We're here to support you. Let us know how it goes. *hug*

Dagny - I hope things are better. I initially went ot on FMLA and then my pdoc.told me about disability through the state. We pay into it like all other taxes that are removed from your pay. I was out of FMLA, out of money and out of time and not "fixed". You pay into it and it is available for you. I had 28K available to me and I am sure you can imagine the weight that that information lifted off of my shoulders. My pdoc filled out all the paperwork and has helped me understand this. My HR department at work didn't tell me any of this. In California it works just the same as unemployment. Money is deposited into a bank account and I have am ATM card that I can use to get at the cash. I have it transfered into my credit union and that makes me happy.

I hope that this finds you in a better place. If you live in CA I would be happy to help you get the right paperwork.

Jodystandup

jodystandup, unfortunately, I don't live in a state that offers that disability.

Wow... makes me glad I live North of the border. We don't experience anything like that with our system up here. sometimes the facilities can be crap (the psych unit I was in when I was admitted last month was in desperate need of repairs) but at least I got the help I needed right away.

Even the hospital I was sent to for ER - despite not having a psych unit actually keeps a crisis nurse & pdoc on staff to assess whether to send patients to other hospital or not.

Plus my family doc is well versed in mental health, so feeling like he's been the biggest support and has told me to call the office number at any time if things worsen and he will see me asap.

Feeling fortunate.

Dagny - really hoping this gets sorted out. Disgusted right along with you.