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Substandard Psychiatric help in Washington State
I need help, my life depends on it. I'm battling suicidal depression right now and on top of that I have been informed by an Oncologist that It is likely I will develope Multiple Myeloma cancer in which there is no cure. The Hospitals in Seattle are third rate in dealing with serious depression and consistently rate at the bottom nationally. The Mayo Clinic prides itself in helping people from all over the world with Cancer but apparently I'm not welcome for inpatient help because of my location which is really ashame because it is going to cost me my life. I do not see but one way out. I'm so sorry for my family
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@minneapolis123 i just read your post from an hour ago. ECT has changed since you had it in 2004. I had it in 2015. I didn't notice side effects but everyone is different of course. I had acupuncture and every other non-medical method that ever appeared on the mental health care scene. Meds often don't work alone and I find that a combination of chemical and non-chemical plus A GOOD THERAPIST WHICH IS HARD TO FIND IN SOME AREAS OF THE COUNTRY...can work well together. I'm thinking that visiting the mayo clinic is the next best step cause they have excellent practitioners and doctors who can look at your entire body and mind and spirit. I hear you about your son. I am there with you. I see the awful visions of his suicide daily. So keep connecting with all of us who understand and keep us informed as we do tend to get concerned if we don't hear from each other. Blessings.
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2 ReactionsThanks for the update, @minneapolis123. Glad to know the hospital took care of you during the 9/27–10/6 time period. That is unfortunate you were not referred to the resources you'd hoped for for help.
A conversation that comes very much to mind with what you shared about smoldering myeloma is this Connect discussion, which started back in 2011 and continues into 2019 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/multiple-myeloma-i-have-smoldering-myeloma-does-anyone-have-this-diagnosis.
Alternatively, you might check out the group in which the above discussion appears, the Blood Cancers & Disorders group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/blood-cancers-disorders/ and start a brand new discussion on smoldering myeloma.
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2 Reactions@minneapolis123
Hi, John. When I began to spiral downward, I couldn't pinpoint any triggers. The doctors and therapists seem to think that I need to acknowledge them. But life was going well at the time. Of course, the more depressed I became, the more I was affected by the difficult things that, if I hadn't been depressed, I could have dealt with.
So I have a sense of how terribly difficult it is to deal with the things you wrote about when you're so far from well.
It seems unconscionable that the Seattle health community is failing to see, and acknowledge, and refer you to the people who could help you. I hope that you are finding a way to get around those roadblocks to access competent and compassionate care. It's unfortunate that you have to involve an attorney. That should not be.
Was the time in the hospital helpful? Are you able to see that your son's problems are his own, and not carry any guilt as a parent? I worked for a long time with therapists on sorting through my own guilt and shame, and doing so was vital to achieve any sort of recovery.
I'm glad that you've been able to figure out how to navigate the dialogue in this group.
Jim
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3 Reactions@minneapolis123 thank you so much for reaching out again and updating us. it really does mean a lot. i really hope you can get to the mayo clinic and get the help you are seeking. dont stop until you do. my thoughts are with you.
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2 Reactions@minneapolis123 That is a lot to have on your plate all at once. It can be overwhelming and make you feel you cannot get your head above water to breathe. @jimhd mentioned about your son's issues not being yours, and I agree, but as a parent that is a difficult stand to take in your mind, isn't it? Are there any resources to help you with your mother, perhaps other family nearby to share the heavy responsibility that you describe?
Will your insurance let you self-refer to a therapist for assistance, rather than the behavioral health at SCCA? Or perhaps your oncologist knows a therapist to refer to you, outside of the BH team.
I hope we continue to be a place for you to come for venting and suggestions.
Ginger
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2 ReactionsHello
I believe the hospital stay was helpful at the time, however the medication that was started there has not starting working yet. But worst of all that particular medication has a very high copay $478.21 per month. I will be contacting my Insurance carrier and see if they will make an exception so I can give the Med a try for a few months.
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3 Reactions@minneapolis123
Ouch! That's one expensive medication! My lidocaine cream had a more than $100 copay, but now Medicare doesn't cover it, so I guess it's a moot point. I called the manufacturer, and they gave me a couple of numbers to see if they would help with the cost. But, since it's not on their formulary, I haven't called anyone. Maybe you could find if your medication would qualify for assistance. If you want the numbers they gave me I'll pass them along.
Do suicidal thoughts come and go, or are they there all the time? Do you have a plan for how you will commit suicide? Do you have a plan list of things you can do, or people you can call when you don't feel safe? Of course, we are always available to support you.
Jim
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2 ReactionsI completely agree with you that visiting the Mayo Clinic is the next step I need to do. I will bring the results of my medical tests or have them sent there for a complete review by an Oncologist and I need to find out what is available in terms of counseling especially for bad anxiety and recurrent major depression that may or maybe not available at Mayo. The more information I can gather the better. Thank you for your post.
John J
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1 ReactionI will check into the Blood Cancers & Disorders group that is a very good idea. Hopefully I can find people who are in a similar situation as me who have achieved ACCEPTANCE of the disease and can explain to me how they got to that point.
Thanks,
John J
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1 Reaction@minneapolis123
How many antidepressants have you tried? I tried 6 or 8 of them before I found one that worked for me. It was a really long process, taking one for 6 weeks, then taking another one for 6 weeks, and so on down the list. It took nearly two years. I finally found one that I thought would work, Wellbutrin. I started on it the first of 2006, and when I was feeling increasingly depressed a couple of years ago, the psychiatrist had me try a few meds that could enhance the Wellbutrin. Again, it was a six week trial period of several meds until I found that Mirtazapine did the trick. Finding the right medication can be a tedious and frustrating process, but when you finally get going on the right medication, it's worth the effort.
I hear and read all the time that the most effective treatment for depression et al is the combination of medication and therapy. I can attest to the fact that it really is true. I know, the challenge is to keep mucking on through the mire, when all you want to do is stay in bed or worse. I have to be honest with you, even after all these years of therapy and medications, I still sometimes feel myself sliding down into the dark hole and want to check out. Major depression is the hardest thing I've ever faced. I've been a survivor thanks to God and the people around me who have walked with me and given me support and encouragement. In spite of myself!
Jim
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