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I am too young for this!

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 1/19/2011 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I am a 23 year old female. For the past 3 years, I have been taking Cymbalta (For Bipolar 2). Oddly, I was having other strange symptoms that couldn't be linked to one thing or another, such as a sudden appearing heart murmur (atrial tachycardia), a SEVERE case of shingles, severe Fatigue, etc. None of these symptoms pointed to anything to the Dr's and quite frankly they just brushed me off.

Circumstances have changed, and I am now without insurance. I am not able to take my Cymbalta anymore. Since the day I quit, I have had the most painful and uncomfortable life. I can't eat because it makes me nauseous. My intestines are abnormally painful, and not digesting my food properly. My skin hurts so bad, having my underwear on is painful. I cried when my fiancée tried to give me a back rub.

My mother was recently diagnosed with Fibromyaligia.

What do I do? I have no insurance, but I can barely get out of bed in the morning (this is when it is at its worse). I hurt so bad...being asleep is painful, and being awake hurts even more. I am so at a loss...confused...worried. Help?

skull skull skull skull skull skull
Posted 1/19/2011 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you are having so much trouble. You're right, you are too young for this, but hopefully that fact will make climbing out of the mess easier in the long run. Don't you just love how some doctors brush you off when they don't know what to do with you? (oh I guess you're right, I'm fine - NOT!!) I hope your shingles are gone or at least going.

Did you quit Cymbalta because it's too expensive w/out insurance or because you couldn't tolerate it?

Debbie
Posted 1/19/2011 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
No, the cymbalta worked great. It's over 300 dollars without insurance though :(
Posted 1/19/2011 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the forum. There is a link at the top of all our questions and answers called FIBRO 101. There is a lot of useful information there all in one place.

Many times a drug manufacturer will provide the drug and I have had 2 different doctors give me enough samples that I didn't have to buy cymbalta.

Good Luck
Posted 1/19/2011 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

Have you contacted the Department of Human Services to see what you might be elibable for? There could be some programs that you might be able to sign up for to get some extra help. We have a program in our state called "tencon" and a lot of people are able to get help though that. You might have to take a generic though. Not sure about that.

I am sorry for the situation that you are in. Keep searching for help. Don't give up. You might be suffering withdrawal symptoms from stopping your medication. I think going back on it would help you a lot.

Keep posting and know that we all do care about you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/19/2011 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I attempted to find a doctor that would give me samples of Cymbalta, but thus far have been unsuccessful. One month, I was able to get my prescriptions for free, but it was a one time deal. I can't find a doctor to work with on the Fibromyalgia possibly worse because I am so young. They brush me off, then re-schedule me, then tell me there is no way to prove it...and then nothing. I am losing hope, but I can't live like this forever.
Posted 1/19/2011 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the kind words Karen. I have tried to get on state assistance. I was once, but was limited as to what I could have as an income. Now, I make too much money. It's a catch 22. I can't work if I don't have my medicine, but I can't have my medicine because I work.
Posted 1/19/2011 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
What if you tried the department of mental health? Often they operate on a sliding scale which means that they go by your income. Then maybe you could get samples. Often there are programs that you have to ask about at the doctor's office. They wont tell you about them, but if you inquire as to whether there is anything that could help you, they will. That might be another option. That is how my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) got the tencon assistance. His meds were free on that program. I don't know if you have anything like that or not. I wish I had some more ideas. It seems to me a little while back on the Anxiety and Panic forum Kitt posted a drug discount card. You could post about it there and I know that she would give you the site. I can even check for you. I will look and see if I can find it.

Take care, I hope that you feel better. Going off of cymbalta isn't easy. I do understand that. There are a lot of withdrawal symptoms.

Hugs, Karen

PS I found that thread, here is a link to it...

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=1914533

Good luck!!!

 

Posted 1/19/2011 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Iheartmysoldier,

I am not sure where you are from but my sister went to wal-mart for some of her medications when she didn't have insurance. they have a long list of meds that are only $4 a month. I don't know if cymbalta is one of them or not but it could be worth looking into.

My daughter does have insurance but they would not cover the cymbalta either and gave her two other meds in place of them. One of them is effexor but I do not no what the other one is. The second one is more for her use in the winter months for seasonal disorder but works hand in hand with the effexor and both are only $10 each with her insurance. Again, wal-mart may have these for only $4??

I hope things work out for you soon. It is a vicious cycle to be in.
Posted 1/19/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Karen and Denita. I am going to try both of these things. Thanks again!
Posted 1/19/2011 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry, I went back and re-read your post and it makes a bit more sense to me. If you do not have the insurance to get the meds you do not have the insurance to see the docs either - makes sense.

I really am sorry that you are mixed up in the vicious cycle. I had to watch my daughter go thru it. It took almost a year before she was able to find the right doctor and the right combo of meds (doctors and meds that her insurance would cover or would take her insurance). It really made me mad that more is not available for people with mental illnesses.
Posted 1/20/2011 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
what state are you in
Posted 1/20/2011 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Washington
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