Good to hear you're on low doses.
I was concerned in case they were high.

There are other things to try for anxiety that are natural.
Some people find them helpful but it varies for the individual.

I was prescribed Zoloft for years and years when I was younger (pre concussion) and it didn't help my anxiety at all. I found it very awful coming off it but I was on a high dose.

So I received my reply from Dr. Tessler and he would rather me fly to Colorado where he is which is not feasible at all. He said he does do a long distance treatment that is $895. I know it may seem inexpensive for some, but I don't know how we would pay for that. We are maxed out paying for the $15,000 in outstanding bills since my fall.

Surely there has to be someone else out there that does this treatment or something that its based off. I guess I shouldn't have entertained the idea. I'm just desperate and feel my poorly controlled anxiety is taking a devastating toll on my mental health.

I have become extremely socially withdrawn and am developing very irrational fears and phobias. Anyone have an idea of what type of MD to see? The state run mental health clinic, psychiatrist and prescribed Zoloft just isn't doing anything for me.

Thank you all.

I still think a benzo for a few months until you feel better is a cheap and reliable choice. but that's just me.

RAllen,

I assume that much of your bills are for ER and other medical expanses. Have you been offered a discounted payment structure ? ER visits may bill at high amounts but the hospitals often will take a small portion in settlement. We have seen up to 80% reductions in billings.

Mark,
That is correct- from two ER visits and an inpatient stay at a "treatment" facility after the accident. They both gave me a 35% discount for no insurance, but it still left the balances pretty high. I have arranged payment plans for what is left.

I wish we had a chunk of change that I could settle with, but I'm afraid with me not working and having two small children we don't have it right now to spend.

I'm hoping I can get into a better MD to help regulate my meds or give me some guidance and direction. My family and I are going about this alone pretty much and unfortunately the current situation just isn't working.

Thanks for the reply. If it comes down to it, I may just let one of the big ones go into collection. I hate doing that because my husband and I have worked very hard to have high credit scores. But you've got to do what you've got to do sometimes.

How long have you been on zoloft? If its longer than 6 weeks and you're jusr feeling crappier, it may not be the right drug for you. It certainly wasnt for me. Two days of it was a terrifying experience. Lexapro has worked much better for me. Everyone is different but if you think the drug is making it worse you should ask about/insist on an alternative. Hang in there. Keep breathing. You're gonna make it thru this.

Re what kind of MD, psychiatrists are gonna know the most about meds and brains. But i got the zoloft from my obgyn so you could try that route sinxe its cheaper

Thanks underwater. It is a psychiatrist in our county mental health system. He's the only MD available there so my family and I have discussed tonight going to someone new (a private practice psychiatrist) and just paying out of pocket.

I have been on the Zoloft for 6 weeks. I guess I'm trying to satisfy my family's wishes as they are so, so supportive. They are walking along with me blind so when the first psych doc said this medicine is what you need, they insisted I stay with it.

Something has got to give. I think they see this now and we are to the point where we are going to have to go another direction.

I cant believe your psychiatrist didn't give you a benzo short term at least. There is no reason to be suffering. They've been mentioned multiple times on the board. Is there a reason you would not want to take them short term?

What family is telling you to stay on the Zoloft ? Husband or parents ? They are not living in your mind.

Bad credit from medical bills are not nearly as bad on credit records as bad credit for stiffing a credit card or car loan.

Regarding the discount, 35% off is chump change. They routinely discount twice than to an insurance company. As a single income family with no insurance, they can give you a better deal.

Does your state have a Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund ?

What was the rationale behind the inpatient stay in the treatment facility ?