health care system sucks ass & 5-htp

I'm pretty certain the health care system sucks ass in all of the USA but my vent is going to specifically target california, which is where I am right now. I was posting in another thread I made on the mental health forum about how I was going to be evaluated today, I thought I would be getting my meds today also. I've been on celexa before for anxiety and depression.

I don't qualify for any assistance in california and I was basically told that I'm screwed. It seems all of middle class is basically screwed. Out of pocket, I believe celexa is about $100 for a month's supply. Not to mention that I have a chronic illness and those meds are very expensive- $400 for a months supply, so I basically need to cough up $500 for my own well being and life support...fucking ridiculous.

I really, really felt like going berserk and imagined myself going berserk at the county mental health office I went to, but I held back. If I had done so, then I probably would have been put in a psych ward or arrested. Lock up people instead of giving them the help they need, right? (sarcasm).

Anyways, anyone else in the same boat? Any tips or ideas for me? In another forum, I stumbled upon someone mentioning that they've taken something called 5-htp before. It works as an anti-depressant. Anyone heard of or have experience with it?? I bought some of that today and I'm going to try it out.

Anyone know states where the system is not as broken and help is actually given to people? I'm planning on going back to washington state as soon as I can..

 

my mom takes 5-htp. I think I remember her telling me it helps with minor depression but if you're in a deep depression it probably won't do much.

I don't have any advice other than that. The only reason I haven't left my job yet is because of the insurance benefits.

 

There's no way citalopram (generic celexa) is 100$, but if you can I would avoid taking that anyways.

5-HTP works well for some people who have mild depression. I hope you have some success with it.

What about exercise/diet/sleep... what are your habits regarding that? How long have you been depressed? do you really feel taking dirty gross SSRI's is your only option?

 

i've taken 5-htp, it can be okay but it really won't do much for severe depression. it's very light on side effects though, you might get some GI discomfort and feel lightheaded

i've heard some people say it's best to take it on a cycle, as in take it for 2 weeks and then stop for 2 weeks and so on

i took it at 100mg twice a day, for a couple days i was in a pretty good/calm mood but after that i didn't notice any difference

the 5-htp you got, does it include niacin? that helps with absorption. mine also had a low dose of valerian root which can help calm you down

SSRIs aren't the only treatment option for depression. tricyclics might be cheaper, and the second generation nortriptyline comes with a lower cardiotoxicity risk than first generation ones like amitriptyline

 

Quick question, does the 5-htp suppress appetite?

I tend to eat only one meal a day as it is. I don't have much of an appetite. I'm wondering now if 5-htp will worsen my appetite. I'm also thinking maybe I can combine it with medicinal marijuana (gives me an appetite) which is what I was using before deciding I should try to go back on celexa.

I took the htp about 3 hours ago. I am actually feeling light headed now...

 

yeah it tends to suppress appetite, i have that effect when i take it

i find the combination with cannabis to be intriguing. it seems to add an extra dimension to the high, almost makes it more sensory. that effect fades after the first two or so times though

that should help the appetite problem though

 

What if for the next three weeks you made a commitment to eating healthier (and more), exercising, and meditating 20 minutes per day?
You have nothing to lose, and you might be surprised at how you feel after that three weeks is over.

Regarding weed, if it helps your depression, then use it, but use it wisely. Weed is certainly healthier than those pills, but make sure you don't over do it, because it can get you lazy and more depressed!

 

Well, my situation is that I have two very young children. They don't allow me much time to myself at all. Though it may seem like an excuse, I really don't think I have any time for meditation or exercise. When I do get a rare free moment, I usually spend it writing because that is what relaxes me. In a sense, I guess it's a sort of meditation for me.

My eating 'disorder' is deeply rooted in me and I think I would have to do some sort of therapy to remedy it. I've been a type 1 diabetic since I was 8 years old. So you know what I associate with food? Pain. Every time I eat anything, no matter how small the food might be, I have to inject insulin. Thus, I hate food. Food is a burden to me. I'm not able to enjoy it.

I guess I'm just looking for something quick right now. A magic pill. I know other natural remedies may benefit me and I have used meditation before. I guess I just want to get happy fast cuz I know my kids need be to be happy..and then once things calm down around here then I'll opt for alternative remedies.

The pot? Yep, I know, everything in moderation. I don't smoke very much and don't like it as much as other people seem to. I use a vaporizer and smoke sativas so it actually gives me energy, doesn't make me lazy.

 

Forgot to mention that I sort of owe my life to the celexa. I don't like to pollute my body with drugs, but it seems sometimes if you're desperately depressed then it's the only option. I started taking the celexa and started getting my life back on track after three suicide attempts (this was about 4 years ago).

Celexa helped me a great deal in the past. It helped me get out of bed and actually be able to function again. It gave me the energy and happiness I needed. I don't ever want to end up desperately depressed again to the point where I'm not able to function. Now since I've been thrown some more curve balls in life, I wanted to go back on it, but it seems it's not even an option now since I don't have insurance.

 

But can't you ask for the generic citalopram? It will be like 5$ a month!!

 

That's actually all I've ever been on, the generic version, but what I understood was that it was $100 without insurance..I'm actually going to call up walmart and ask if they offer that as a generic for the $4...I'm not sure if it is offered. Well if they do offer it then I just have to find a doctor to prescribe it for me. Though, I think I'm going to try the 5-htp for a bit...

 

I reccomend calling because I strongly doubt that it is 100$ for a generic drug!

 

Well I didn't call. Anxiety. I hate talking on the phone. lol. But I found a list online and whhatta ya know, citalopram is on it. I hope the list hasn't changed though, I guess I'm gonna have to call. So I would need a prescription, a dr visit is about $100.

I suppose I'm gonna have to find a low cost dr. for like $30 in the slums or something just so they can write out a prescription that isn't even going to take a minute to write...x_x there's another vent, most dr's don't even spend time or get to know their patients, it's rare to find a good doctor...

 

buttttttttttttt you may be able to get your script for 4$

 

so I found an old prescription for the celexa I never filled, but it's dated 8-12-11...
think I'd have trouble getting it filled now?

 

yeah I think they are usually good for a year... you could always try though..

 

Well it seems like they're gonna go ahead and fill it. I'm actually just transferring a prescription that was on file at my old pharmacy to walmart so I can get the $4 deal. I am apprehensive about starting the celexa again though. I know I can eventually get myself off of them like I have before. I think I've stopped and started them again on at least three different occasions now. I Do not like the feeling of the withdrawals from the pills so that's why I'm apprehensive. I do believe it's the best thing for me to do right now though. I'm just gonna use the old prescriptions until I can get myself to a doctor.

 

you might be eligible for disability benefits

 

May I suggest a trick for eating. It works well also with chemo patients who have issues with quantity of foods.

Use a bigger plate. There is something about seeing a full plate that makes if far harder to eat it all. Take the same portions but use a bigger plate and it helps to make it appear more manageable.

I hope that you start to feel better and your quality of life improves.......one step at a time and hang in there.

 

Yes, it does. Perhaps it is not what is best for you. If taken in small doses under 100mg a day it might be safe but I would consult a Dr. first.

I was taking 100 mg a day and had severe depression after losing my baby. It did help me. I lost 60 Lbs though but I needed to lose that weight.