GP's and Anti-Depressants Important Info

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone! New Posters are very welcome to share your experiences with a GP too!

I had an appointment yesterday with my GP. He is aware of what I do on the Beyond Blue forums. I asked him about anti depressants and how he treats his patients with depression/ anxiety and why some GP's dont prescribe meds. This is what I learned yesterday from one doctor.

• He has always had an interest in depression and anxiety and prescribes AD's where the symptoms fit the criteria to do so
• He will refer to a psychiatrist if a patient shows symptoms of a more 'complex' mental illness and not prescribe meds himself
• Some GP's have little interest in 'getting involved' with depression and will refer to a psychiatrist with little if any discussion
• He isnt 'pro meds' or 'anti-meds' He treats depression as a serious illness with meds to improve his patients health & well being

• He mentioned that a pro-active GP can know more about AD's than some psychiatrists as GP's have more frequent patient contact

It did surprise me that some GP's have little or no interest in treating depression. I hope these GP's are in the minority.

I am interested to know any good or not so good experiences other people have had with a GP. I posted this thread originally so any people with untreated depression/anxiety have a better understanding of how experiences with a GP can be positive step towards recovery.

All your thoughts are most welcome

Thankyou for taking the time to read my thread

Kind thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

thanks Paul and Shred for your kind thoughts it's so very much appreciated. Geoff.

[MarkJT]

Geoff, with your 8,061 posts on the bb forum, it is fair to say that your caring nature is well and truly established. You have had a long history of mental health conditions and are still here helping so many others which tells me your resilience is high.

I cannot imagine what it would be like for you to change docs but i would love for you to have confidence within yourself to establish a new rapport with him. After 20 years of seeing your old doc, I can just about guarentee that he would not be sending you to a dud!

Best of luck, you are so richly deserving of the best treatment.

Mark.

[geoff]

hello Mark, thank you so much for your lovely thoughts.
You know Mark, it's so great to receive such an enormous morale boosting compliment and with so much concern for me, it's never something I am looking for, but when it does happen it gives me the stamina to continue on the site.
You don't know how much I appreciate your words, so thank you so much. Geoff.

[MarkJT]

Geoff, you're welcome and as i said it is well and truly deserved.

We often do not look in our own backyards and want to care and help guide others which can cause us to neglect our own health.

I have no such concerns for you, you will be fine.

Mark.

[blondguy]

Hey Mark...you have a huge kind heart 🙂

Hey Shred..we hope that your recovery is going well and you are as comfortable as possible. My Best. Paul

[Shred1106]

Hey there all

Geoff - I am sure all will be fine with you. Just give it time.

Mark JT- you are a legend

Blondguy - recovery going well, just a wee bit slow for my liking. Finding it difficult with family in the house, man everyone is sooo quirky aren't they?.But, I suppose that includes me too Lol! Just another three weeks without driving and continued physio and then... freedom!!! Yee haa. Seriously though we've a good local community transport mob who are getting me out and about at least once a week...

All good, a little sore and stiff in the new joint each morning but, Onward and Upward !!

[geoff]

hello Shred, I can understand how you are feeling after hip surgery, but once it's been done then there is no more pain, just a big scare on your butt, which raises eyebrows when you show it to someone.
I've had three operations on the one hip, first in traction for 6 weeks, then had a hip resurface which I never liked from day one and then a total hip replacement, now it's beautiful no pain, but if you can go swimming it's a good way to exercise.
How is your other hip, the one you would have favoured to try and relieve any pain from your damaged hip, for me mine was sore when I had the hip resurfacing, but now there is no problem.
Well done, it's a daily operation but certainly a big one to have. Geoff.

[blondguy]

Hey Shred, thanks for posting back...Great news that you are doing well. I would be the same as you with being impatient with any recovery period.

Always a bonus to hear from you Shred 🙂

My best

Paul

[Shred1106]

Hi Geoff and all

Wow Geoff, can understand...Yup, the other hip will need doing at some stage but just need to finalise the use of it - Lol! When you are born with bone problems they start cursing you in your twenties and I made a conscious decision to completely wear mine out because the specialist said I wouldn't be walking by the time I was 30.Well, I showed him didn't I!! I am a wee bit further down the track than that and still planning to get back on skiis with my surgeon's blessing!

Main news is 49 days without Antid's wow!!!! Saw my GP today and they were pleased with everything!.Still seeing a psychologist and will do for some time but it's so worth it. I never thought I would ever get this far, one day at a time and funnily enough I can see nature again how I used to, beautiful smells, lovely sunrises and sunsets and can't wait to get down to the snow, to just be there in my happy place!.

Time for exercises - so I shall get to it!

Thanks all, for being you and being here!!

[blondguy]

You are a weapon Shred....49 days without the AD's....That is a huge achievement....I envy your strength..seriously

You rock! My Kindest and Best for you Shred. Paul 🙂