Really frustrated with the NHS

Which prescription have you stopped taking without them knowing and why, @BabyCatMama?

I think you should ring that mental health nursing unit today. They will be best placed to help you.

Phone the GP, this situation you are in is an emergency. Tell them that, once you have an appointment you can get advice for all of the issues you're having. No one should have to live like that.

I agree with the poster who advised seeing a Podiatrist.

Opiates are rarely appropriate for chronic pain. They rapidly build tolerance and become less effective, as you have found. Doctor shopping for more opiates is a huge red flag for addiction. I'm not saying this is your fault, or you've done it on purpose, but getting off them needs to be your top priority. Addiction can happen to anyone. You will probably feel physicallyand mentally better without them. Combining them with sleeping pills, seeking codeine w/o paracetamol so you can take more - its positively dangerous. I have chronic pain OP so I'm sympathetic. I've been on codeine, and was on it too long w/o med review. It stopped working. I was still in pain. Of course I initially thought, 'well I need stronger painkillers then'. But I didn't. I needed to get off codeine, take regular proper exercise, see a physiotheraplist, and use heat, paracetamol and ibuprofen as needed. I am now in signicantly less pain than I was on codeine.

Hi OP

If you have a chronic pain problem - so the pain has gone on for weeks or months - then the usual treatment is to change from painkillers to drugs that help to control the nerves that transmit pain.

Drugs that fall into this category are drugs like amytriptyline, duloxetine, etc. not all people find the first one they are offered (usually amytriptyline) helpful and so sometimes you need to try two or three before you find the one that works for you.

The usual advice is to take these drugs alongside doing physio and exercises to try to help whatever part of your body isn't working well.

Can you ask your GP if you can try one of these drugs?

This is absolutely what I’m thinking, and it’s what any medical professional is also thinking.

Try filling out an e consultation on the GP's website for your foot including a picture and hopefully they can issue a prescription without seeing you.

They’re refusing you pain relief and sleeping pills that they legally and medically are not permitted to give, and your desperation for stronger this and that only supports the fact it is not healthy. Any doctor, nurse, will happily sign to say that they are following the rules.

You need to get this idea that they’re depriving you these pills out of spite out of your mind, they’re following the rules and regulations that they HAVE to follow.

Looking for ‘strong’ sleeping pills or won’t attend appt as asleep.
Looking for stronger pain killers too.
Buying online for stronger painkillers.
Don’t attend the gp due to money but will spend online or privately for the prescription you want.

All screams addiction issues to me.

As you have a psychotic illness, ask your GP for your SMI (Serious Mental Illness) Annual Health Check.

You should get at least 40 minutes to go over lots of health stuff and will probably get blood tests too.

I would def get in touch with the MH unit. They will be able to advocate for you and be far better able to advise and support you than MN.

You should go to a podiatrist. They see this sort of thing every day and will be much more knowledgeble than a GP.

I do totally understand why you feel like that, but the reality is it’s not up to you. These are controlled medications for a reason and they have very strict rules around prescription and use for a reason. The doctors are not refusing to prescribe them because they want you to suffer, they legally cannot prescribe them the way you are asking them to, and doing so could lead to them losing their license or at worst being criminally charged.

Nobody wants you to suffer, but they also cannot give you what you are asking for because it is simply not allowed and that is in your best interest.

The way to manage the risk is short term use only, that’s the legal and medical standpoint. Your psychiatrist is the one best equipped to getting you through that.

I'm sorry you are struggling at the moment.

Regarding your comment:

To be honest a private and insurance based model from birth would have worked out a lot better for a lot of us. Maybe I could have had a normal life.

I don't currently live in the UK. If I want to see a doctor, although I have health insurance, I still have to pay $40. You don't want to know about the cost of blood tests and other treatment.

I have no advice but it all sounds very overwhelming and I'm sure the lack of sleep isn't helping any of it. I hope you can get some support soon.

Oh OP I get you. It’s not as simple as just getting out of bed and rocking up to appointments sometimes.
You should prioritise your pain issues first because it’s going to on your mind a lot.
You need to tell the receptionist that you’re on severe pain and have been taking pain relief long term. Tell them the truth, that you can’t beat it any longer and need help.
Once your pain is sorted then prioritise your mental health. I don’t know what NHS trust you are but mine offer video calls.
Re refer yourself and get the ball rolling again.
A PP mentioned an advocate, if you have a friend or relative to help initially they will be able to help you get your issues addressed.
I really hope you can get the help you need. I have been where you are and it’s shit. One tho f at a time and it will all come together eventually x

What path did you take to have seen a psychiatrist for so long? I am surprised you do not have a care coordinator.