"No you prescribe it" My GP and Psychiatrist are at odds

[silicontrip]

I saw a psychiatrist for a medication review, and they recommended a particular drug. However my GP doesn't want to prescribe as it's not a commonly GP prescribed drug and they've had no experience with it. So eventually I went back to the psychiatrist who asked why I hadn't started on the drug saying that they had provided detailed instructions so my GP should know what to do. My GP is still not comfortable prescribing it, saying I should be seeing a psychiatrist regularly for medication reviews. Of course I'm stuck in the middle not able to get a recommended drug.

Has anyone else been in this sort of situation? Or know what my next steps would be.

I'm a bit uncomfortable contacting a new GP saying "will you prescribe blah?"

I don't know what to do.

[white knight]

Hi

my first thought is that your psych should write out the script.

I would contact his office and explain the situation with his secretary and he/she might get through to the psych your meat in the sandwich position

Such a ridiculous situation

TonyWK

[silicontrip]

I forgot to mention that the psychiatrist isn't taking on new patients and only saw me for a medication review. I did contact another medical centre but their reception said that I'd need to see a doctor before they would decide if they would prescribe it. My GP has written me another referral to the same psychiatrist clinic, they have contacted me but said I probably won't get to see someone until early next year.

I feel like I've been backed into a medical corner that I don't know how to get out of, is there some sort of medical advice line I can contact?

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi silicontrip,

Thanks for your post.

I agree with TonyWK agree - this situation is really ridiculous. I don't personally understand why your psychiatrist would ask your GP to prescribe the medication?

The only thing I can think of is that your psychiatrist is too wary that he's not seeing you regularly (as you mentioned it was a once off) so maybe he thinks if it's prescribed by your GP it can be easily altered dosage wise without too much of a hassle.

I wonder if it might be worth leaving a note with the receptionist at the psychiatrist clinic. While they may not be able to see you again, given they've already spoken with you they could potentially do the script and have you come and pick it up. (I've done this before) Having your GP leave a note with the clinic would be ideal of course so it has more authority.

There is an advice line that you can call, but I think there's every possibility you are backed into a corner until next year. 1800 022 222 - for Health Direct Australia.

Best of luck

rt

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi silicontrip,

I just wanted to drop in an 'apologise for the system'. I have seen this all too often where GPs are not comfortable with managing mental health issues. This occurs so often that there is some new services available to GPs across the country that look like this.

https://ncphn.org.au/archives/media/new-gp-psychiatry-support-line-will-help-improve-mental-health-care-on-the-north-coast

I just wanted you to know that this is a common issue and there are things around Australia that are trying to address improving the support for GPs.

This, of course, doesn't help your particular situation. It may be an idea to get a second opinion and talk with a different GP and gain another opinion about your psychiatrists medication suggestion. The care they are able to offer may be more suited to you. At least you will have something to compare it to.

It should not have to be this hard and I am terribly sorry that the system is not collaborating well for your care and healing needs. Please be assured that there are some health care professionals that pick up the phone and call other health care professionals and collaborate to get the best outcome for their patients.

In the mean time, the suggestions from RT and WK are sound. Please keep us posted on your journey.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nures Jenn

[silicontrip]

It's almost comforting to know that this sort of thing isn't unusual. I sometimes feel that my medication route has me singled out.

I spoke to my Psychologist and they also said that the psychiatrist should be writing the first script at least. Also spoke to a pharmacist who said I should get a script from the psychiatrist. I have called the psychiatrists reception but they are not in so won't hear back until at least tomorrow.

Interestingly enough I saw a psychiatrist about 12 months ago who also recommended the same drug, however again the GP I was seeing at the time (different to now) also did not want to prescribe it. Not sure what GPs have against it.

As another annoyance my GP doesn't seem to be able to get authorisation for my current antidepressant and because of the dosage I'm taking, I have to keep getting a new script filled every 9 days, is this sort of thing normal too?

thank you

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi silicontrip (and a wave to Nurse Jenn),

I have all my fingers and toes crossed that you'll have some positive news tomorrow. Like Nurse Jenn mentioned, unfortunately this is a problem in the system.

As to your other medication, hopefully Nurse Jenn will offer some more advice - but the only think I can think of that requires new scripts so regularly makes me think that maybe the medication can be abused and so there are new policies to prescribing it. I know with my own medications and dosages it's more complicated for even my psychiatrist - as even my psychiatrist has to ring (somebody?!) and get authority.

Best of luck for tomorrow

rt

[silicontrip]

The reply from my psychiatrist is "find another GP" I can write a letter to them. So how do I go about seeing a new GP who doesn't know the history and is being asked to prescribe medication on a first visit. Is this sort of thing done? Does anyone know a GP who might do this (Eastern Melbourne area)

[Matchy69]

No drama changing GPs happens all the time and they will give you scripts on first visit.With me they checked with my previous GP who confirmed my medication i was on.Got my medication on first visit.

[silicontrip]

So I found a GP who said they would prescribe it, if i became their patient. it makes sense now but I didn't realise this at the time. I'm not that comfortable talking to that GP about my mental health, so I now have to start my GP search over again.

I have booked in to see a psychiatrist on the 3rd, but I assume that I'll need to see them every time I need a script or want to report how my medication is going and that's not going to be cheap.

(really wishing my original gp would prescribe it)