important things that some folk cant afford

dithedancer

due to been in debt i suffered from depression, i still do. i went to my doctor who prescribed me anti depressants. i work and at that time i didnt qualify for a tax exemption card so had to pay for my medication.after a time on the sick i couldnt afford my tablets, i told my doctor this but got no advice of what to do or where to go i was just handed the paper, even though i wasn't fit enough i had to go back to work, which nearly caused a breakdown luckily, or unluckily, i work for the nhs and was sent for councelling that didn't work ,but thats a different story. now i suffer in silence because no health proffessional was able to help me and i found it so traumatic that i will not go back.

dancingfairy

Hi - I am not sure what you query/question is but there are various means of getting help:
1) firstly have you spoken to one of the debt charities or even your local CAB to see if you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to? some of the benefits mean you can get free prescriptions so you need to be getting this sorted out first.
2) It can take a while sadly to get the right type of help and medication so don't give up - have you tried looking to see if there is a mind in your area or rethink charity? also try their websites and see if there is any info there.
3) I can't help re the work situation but hopefully by getting on the right benefits and meds and getting the right help you will be able to see more clearly the situation and it will resolve itself one way or another.
Good Luck
df

Danni-R

Hi Di,

I actually understand what you mean, I was put on A-Ds for a while and the doctor would only give me 1 month at a time. Part of it was stress to do with work etc and then of course money and all the usual suspects. I worked hard to stay in work etc so couldnt get any help with the cost and couldnt afford to stump up for a pre-paid card. Its a bit of a vicious circle. Luckily my parents are amazing and my mum use to 'pick them up' for me. It meant that I didnt have to worry about that. But its made even more annoying that there are some medical conditions that allow you to get free prescriptions for life. And it was only a few years ago that Cancer was finally added to the list. Someone I know's doctor asks her if she needs paracetamol etc as then she can get it for free. I have Crohns and should be on medication for life but they wont give me longer than a month and I still have to pay! Its rediculous!

More money is being cut from the mental health budget and its where people are really struggling.

Sorry, End of rant.

pebble65

Hi o/p
You can get a prepaid prescription card and pay by direct debit now monthly which may help you if you are on a tight budget.It costs £10.40 a month from the prescription agency. If you are on more than one medication this can help reduce the cost a lot.

Please consider going back to your gp and trying again with the medication, as you might need a change of medication which might help you. Have you talked it over with your work union rep or do your employer offer welfare/wellbeing/staff support? Maybe they can offer some assistance to help you?

MessyMare

there's also a form for those on low income than can qualify you for free prescriptions, though I can't remember what code the form is!

MiaowMiaow

Hi there
I can completely sympathise with you. I just started back at
work this week after nearly 4 months off due to depression (some of it debt related). It is such a difficult time, I have suffered with depression for the last 10 years but had 2 very bad episodes over the past 2 years and have been on antidepressants. I would really urge you to go back to your GP - I know it is difficult but try and see someone different. As for counselling - I tried CBT which didnt work and now am seeing someone through work who I can just talk to which has helped imensly - can you get counselling through occy health at NHS? Or to they provide any financial help etc?
As for the meds - I have been on various doses and it can take a while to find the right one for you - please try again as I dont know howwould have coped without them.
You can prepay for your prescriptions online for 3 months - think its about £29. Also sometimes you can get a private prescription from your GP - usually knocks a couple of pounds off. It took me a while to find a GP who understood but its worth pursuing.
I hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you want any more info.
xx

Byatt

Here's a link: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Documents/2009/HC11Nov09.pdf

ColleenPamela wrote: »

there's also a form for those on low income than can qualify you for free prescriptions, though I can't remember what code the form is!