Comments on: Holding Fire

By: Laura S

Laura S — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:03:33 +0000

So sorry you and your family are going through this Eldon! In this day and age, doctors and patients are, many times, at the mercy of the insurance companies, whose sole motive is increasing profits. Keep fighting. One of these days, we will get the political will together to change this system to one where the priority is health care rather than profit taking.

By: eclecticdeb

eclecticdeb — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:06:22 +0000

My Mom suffered most of her life with depression, to the point of being committed twice (in those days it was called “nervous breakdown”). Each time she was miraculously cured and deemed okay to go home, on the same day the insurance coverage ran out for her treatment.

My son has addiction issues stemming from his ADD that aren’t covered. But if he chose drugs or gambling as an escape from his ADD, he’d receive intensive treatment not only for the addiction, but also for the ADD. Now? Not so much (other than a bottle of pills).

I feel so badly for you, but even worse for your son. Good Luck, and know that there are lot’s of people sending positive vibes your way.

By: Kukui

Kukui — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:49:08 +0000

I’m sorry, Fatty.

Insurance companies are the devil… especially when it comes to mental health issues. But, that’s okay because they’ll pay buckets to temporarily fix the erectile disfunction of the guy sitting next to you!

I know my mom had the damnedest time getting my depression treated, and it finally came to us just “winging it” which was not fun. For anyone who came within like a mile of us.

I wish I could offer more advice/support than that. :( ::hugs::

By: Bo-be-wan-kan-o-be

Bo-be-wan-kan-o-be — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:26:34 +0000

More of us understand than you can imagine, which is a sad statement in itself. My 21 y.o. son battles paranoid/schizophrenia and the mental health facilities and insurance are for C**P. He’s “covered” (and I use the term loosely) by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, who, I will point out, were outstanding for me through cancer surgeries, radiation and chemo. I used to think poor mental health services was a North Carolina problem only. But find our country has slim to none real mental health concerns and serious treatment. I know your pain and that of those who suffer the maladies of these illnesses. Cigna is just one of many (all?) health insurance cos. who give short shrift to mental illness.
Our heart is out to you, your family and especially to your child.

By: a chris

a chris — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:19:19 +0000

Wish I could say or do something helpful. Hoping the wheels are turning in the direction of progress.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:52:12 +0000

You’re a great dad, Fatty.

By: Kari

Kari — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:48:11 +0000

…Even if all we can do in the immediate moment is offer a sympathetic ear and let you vent whenever you need. I hope everything shifts in your favor very soon

By: Kari

Kari — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:41:55 +0000

My own battle with the same disease was answered by my own medical coverage with the equivulent of “here, have some drugs but you get nothing else.” Anyone who has everdealt with the disease know that, like most cancers, it requires a multi-faceted treatment plan and such plans are never One Size Fits All. Hang in there and know that you are not alone in this.

By: BamaJim

BamaJim — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:38:49 +0000

Praying for a good outcome….

By: Superstantial

Superstantial — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:25:29 +0000

Health insurance companies are complete crap when it comes to mental health care. This is where the the problems of a for-profit health provision system crash right into our continued bias against treating mental health seriously.

Good luck, and, while I’m sure it doesn’t count for much, I hope you know there’s lot’s of people out there hoping for a good outcome.