Several months ago I started a new “add-on” antidepressant medication to be taken in addition to my current medication regimen. The doctor handed me a small white paper bag containing a few months worth of pills in sample packs for me to “try before I buy.”

Much to my surprise, they worked! I had a long and disappointing track record of medications not being effective for me. The new technology in pharmaceuticals really is something! My brain fog lifted, I felt more grounded, engaged, and energetic.

The next visit followed suit like the first. I reported the great results and we adjusted the dosage slightly and I walked out with my white bag of happiness. A couple months later just before Christmas break, I phoned the doctor’s office requesting a script to be called into my pharmacy as I was running low.

My pharmacy run went smoothly, $57 for my first medication, and $32 for my new one. Despite a stressful holiday season, I made it through with a little more motivation and peace.

Last week, I needed a refill of my fancy new drug. I called up the doctor, and shortly after received a call from the pharmacy. I thought it was a bit odd because usually I just get a text notification when my scripts are ready. The pharmacy tech politely said, “We have your script here, and we already applied the manufacturer’s coupon for $400 off. But the balance for one month supply is $900, and we wanted to see if you still wanted this filled?”

*Gasp* NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS for 30 pills?? How in God’s green Earth could a tiny pill cost so much? Without the coupon, that is roughly $43 per 1mg pill. That is more than I spend to feed my whole family of three in one day, at a nice restaurant nonetheless. That is like me going out to eat a filet minion every day of the year. Apparently the last time it was filled, I had met my deductible and out of pocket max.

I smiled and thanked the pharmacy tech for the call and let her know I would pass on filling the script. Flashbacks to when I found the only effective medication was not labeled for depression and the typical administration of it was intravenous infusion, costing $500 each time. Thankfully, I was able to manage to convince the doctor to order me the oral compound version for $1,943 less each month.

What I can’t understand is how we expect society to avoid constant mental illness crisis among the poverty-stricken. To obtain my medication, I am required to visit my psychiatrist every two months, by law. If I had no insurance, this is $250 for 15 minutes, or $1,500 a year. Medication is not enough though. For my therapy every week, it costs me $70, or $150 for uninsured. That is another $7,500 a year. So sure, let’s go ahead and tack on another $15,000 for medication.

This is what I need to live. I know I quip this is the cost of “happiness” but it isn’t even that. It is the cost of functioning at a job, parenting my children, keeping myself alive. I have a terminal illness called major depression, where if untreated has a fatal prognosis.

So what can I do? What can anyone do? How does it change? I do the only thing I know… I go to my doctor and ask for another white paper bag, praying the day never comes that they stop receiving samples to give.