Hi everyone, I'm back.

[Guest_4643]

Hi everyone, mb20lover here. I wasn't sure where to post this.

It's been a while since I was on the forums, so I just wanted to make a post saying that I'm back. However, I'll try my best to limit my time, comments, etc on here.

I won't bother tagging anyone, and I'll try to keep this as my only open thread that I have created.

I've missed everyone I've spoken to on here, and I hope to talk to some new people. I have been using my offline supports - my Psychiatrist, GP, Parent support of course, and a Social Worker. I'm in the process of finding a Psychologist but I'm having no luck.

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say hello, and also I hope I haven't upset anyone on the forums or anything like that because nothing was intentional, so I deeply apologise.

An update on me, I recently turned 21, can't do much with COVID though, it's a hard year for everyone unfortunately.

I also have a milestone, an achievement, I've been seeing my Psychiatrist for a year which is the longest I've stayed with a therapist. And I also finally have a GP I feel comfortable with. I'm on different meds that seem to be working a little but I still of course have my moments, but these meds I've been on the longest for out of any of the ones I've tried.

Other than that, please don't feel pressured to comment anyone, although it would be nice to connect with some people, old or new, but like I said that's okay. I just wanted to check in.

If you've read this and made it this far, thank you. Stay safe and take care everyone, as much as possible with the unfortunate COVID circumstances.

Thinking of all the Beyond Blue Mods & Users. I've missed everyone.

- mb20lover.

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla a GP writing a letter to your pcychiatrist is a normal part of their job and they will communicate back to your GP.My doctor does to my specialist and they do the same back.You could email the address you have and see if you can sort your medication out sooner .
Take care,
Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Mark. I think I might email on the 1st, he usually replies and they send his replies to me (my Psychiatrist I mean). In all honesty, my GP is nice and supportive but he's not that helpful. I guess he's more of a Psychical health person but he didn't help with my Bunion, just sent me for a test & an X-Ray & that was all.. And I'm still in pain. I asked him for a referral to a Podiatrist but he just said go there myself but then I'd have to pay $60 each time. I don't mind paying it once but yeah... I'll try to make an appointment with the Podiatrist in the New Year, my Mum goes there and says they're good.

I feel more comfortable with my Psychiatrist & I trust him more, I feel like I have more of a bond with him. I don't mean that in a creepy way, I mean in a thankful patient way. I've known him for a year, well nearly 2 years now, and thats the longest I've stayed with a therapist, which is sad but also an achievement.

[Matchy69]

I just had a thought have you applied for NDIS.It can be hard to get but I have got it for my two kids and have been told I can get everything it for myself but I haven't applied for it for myself.It helps a lot financially with medical things and support.It pays for my children's physio and podiatrist ext.

[Guest_4643]

Yes I did apply for NDIS, but I was told that nothing my Psychiatrist wrote and what i wanted (social programs, work training, etc etc) would be funded, so I withdrew my claim. My psychiatrist was surprised. I had to send him them and he scanned it and sent it back to me as he's the professional who's known me the longest. I was upset by some of the things he wrote but he said he had to make it negative. I apologised for wasting his time & I still feel bad about it. I'm on the DSP though because he wrote me a letter.

[Croix]

Dear Tayla~

Thanks for giving me the location of your thread.

It sounds as if you are going though many of the problems I’ve had, particularly in the relationship between the psychiatrist and the GP.

As my medical center has fresh GPs all the time most conversations with my (permanent) psychiatrist are not that meaningful except to update my current medications.

I simply rely upon my psych for all mental health related medication and use my GP for straight physical ailments. Talking of which most GPs do not know the effect of using a script or referral, I get simple over the counter pain and stomach related medications much cheaper with a script. And physiotherapy free.

Perhaps if you were to tell him the difference and that such a steep price will most likely result in your being reluctant to get them treated at all then he might cooperate. I’ve no experience with the NDIS except to know any application needs to be filled in by an expert, not a local GP.

As far as any mental health condition is concerned there are always a lot of different medications and dosage sizes. It sadly is not an exact science and calls for good liaison between you and the prescriber. Perhaps you might ask your psych if he is willing to deal direct and answer your questions and receive your reports on effects?

It has taken me many years of trying different meds to get to the stage where my current regimen works and have little side effects -though they are somewhat unusual. Rules prohibit me from naming the specific medication, though general functions (eg antidepressants, anti anxiety meds, mood-stabiising meds etc) plus family names such as SSRI are ok.

I too often had no idea if a new med was making any difference -many did not. Some had drastic side effects on mood, awkward if they had to be tailed off.

As an example, my Psych prescribed a med often used by those with PTSD (me too I’m afraid) in order to help get to sleep and reduce nightmares. It worked just fine and dandy, but sent my blood pressure so low it was completely unsuitable. A quick call to my psych and I was able to stop them on the spot

With reporting posts, have a look at the list under the title We maintain the right to remove posts and threads in the Community Rules Red Button at the top of every page, it will give you some idea. If in doubt then report and let the moderators sort it out.

Croix

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla I am sorry you couldn't get NDIS.I know it is hard to get and had to have two goes at getting it for the kids.They make it so hard these days to get anything.I just had reviewed and extentended for the next 2 years for my son.
How are you feeling today? I hope you can get that bunion looked at soon.
Take care,
Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Hi Croix & Mark, sorry I'm just replying now.

What do you mean by "Perhaps you might ask your psych if he is willing to deal direct and answer your questions and receive your reports on effects?" (I'm dumb, sorry).

I'm not the best today, my meds make my period more painful (sorry TMI) and I told my GP & Psychiatrist this. But not as bad as when I had that Cyst of course. I don't even feel like they're working in general.

I can't contact my Psychiatrist because I can't contact him personally, and him & the Telehealth company are on holidays I believe. I think my GP is still working but I don't know how to contact him through the GP Clinic. Plus my Mum said not to bother them. The person I email from the Telehealth company isn't back until Jan 11 and I looked on their website and the live chat isn't available so nobody's there.

- Tayla.

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla and Croix.You are not dumb at all Tayla.You are a very intelligent young lady.I to don't quiet understand some of what Croix was saying.I am sure he will explain it to you so you understand.Their is no shame in not understanding something and it good you always ask questions.
Take care,
Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Mark, I appreciate that. I don't think my GP & Psychiatrist realise how hard it is for me to cope in between sessions. I know they do it to try and make me stronger and see if I can cope but I can't. Some days are ok, some days are impossible. Over Christmas & New Years are hard also. My cousins are no longer talking with me, I think my Auntie who I blocked because she was attacking me for no reason at all like she did last year, said something to them, so I've been scared and overthinking it but at the same time I'm trying not to let it bother me and try and move on. I've been trying to make it a New Years Resolution to not worry about people who don't worry about me.

[Croix]

Dear Tayla~

OK, to try and explain, based on my own experiences.

The traditional means of communication seems to be therapy in face to face or equivalent with a psychiatrist, and a combination of GP plus Psychiatrist when it comes to prescribing medication . In practice it may well be the psychiatrist prescribes all the medications, or hte GP does, and at the same time communicates with the other - The GP then explains to you what is hoped for and you explain to the GP if the medications is doing good, or harm, or nothing.

This is an unwieldy way of doing things. You are the one that has the reaction (good or bad) to the meds, and the quicker the prescriber knows about these the better. Consequently many psychiatrists will talk with you direct over effects and change dosages or stop the medication depending on circumstances.

Trying something to make you stronger is all very well, but can backfire and a means of dealing with problems needs to be available.

Actually in your situation atm is sounds most frustrating. It is not good practice for a prescriber not to be available, nor omit to or arrange a proxy. Leaving things at a minimum to the 11th really is too long .

With the GP clinic why not ring up and ask for an appointment wiht your GP?

Any adverse reactions should be reported and it sounds as if you have no clear pre-agreed means of dong so wiht either GP or psych.

It would be great if GPs and psychs were available and worked in tandem, frequently exchanging notes, that is the ideal I guess. Unfortunatly many are in your situation and basically left to fend for themselves between appointments that are much to far apart.

What you do about things depends upon you, and that very largely depends on the amount of distress you might feel at trying to get clear lines of communication, the pair working together, and a reassuring atmosphere.

It might simply be too difficult and you have to take what they hand out. Remember though you , rahter than the medical professionals, are in charge of your treatment and you might feel a passive approach is not in your best interests.

Does the explain the query you had?

It's not a bad new years resolution if you can stick to it, I personally would find it hard even if I knew it was the wisest course. "Scared and overthinking" sounds familiar:)

If I've made things as clear as mud sing out and I'll try again

Croix

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