<link href="css/hmh.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/> <meta content="urn:uuid:589b0ce2-0024-4b0c-89fb-0110d58d7b2e" name="Adept.expected.resource"/> </head> <body> <h1 class="backtitle"><a id="p284"/> My Bipolar Facts</h1> <ul> <li>Current medications: Lamictal, Tegretol, Geodon, Wellbutrin, trazodone, Ativan, and a number of supplements that are thought to support mood stability, including a high dose of fish oil and a strong vitamin B-complex</li> <li>Some habits that help me: a structured schedule, including daily mood charts, keeping a journal, yoga (I'm serious), cardiovascular exercise, meditation, baths, massage, going out of my house and interacting with another human being at least once a day, long periods of sunshine, and, during the winter, my light box. Also, seeing my doctor and therapist frequently, seeing my family and friends several times a week, and, critically, staying sober.</li> <li>Weekly cost of my meds: around $300, one third of which is out of pocket</li> <li>My side effects last week: double vision until 2 <span style="font-size: smaller"><small>P</small>.<small>M</small>.</span>, dizziness, poor balance, headaches, nausea, digestive problems, low blood sugar, anxiety, shaking hands</li> <li>Weekly cost of therapy: $217, out of pocket</li> <li>Cost of psychiatric visits: $300 per session (at least two a month, sometimes more), only partially covered by my three forms of insurance</li> <li>Cost of my last hospitalization: $45,000 covered by insurance; $10,000 paid out of pocket</li> </ul> </body> </html>