When to go back to GP?

[pyjamas89]

I've struggled with my MH on and off for quite a few years. Generally the last couple of years things have been good and things were going smoothly but over the last 3-4 months my mood has really deteriorated and my level of anxiety is sky high.

I saw my GP about 10 days ago - we made a plan together including medication increases which I'm doing as agreed. I know that 10 days really isn't long enough for any increase to take effect but things have continued to go pretty downhill and I think I might need to go back. That said I desperately don't want to waste anyone's time if I just need to hang on until hopefully the medication changes help and I'm not sure what more she'd really be able to do anyway. I know people say there's nothing to worry about with speaking to your GP about how you're feeling but I've had several inpatient admissions after being honest with professionals so I DO worry a lot about asking for help.

I don't feel unsafe right now and there's no immediate danger but I definitely cannot carry on as I am and I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the direction things are heading. Could really do with a bit of support/some words of wisdom from you lovely lot if anyone can offer some?

Hopeful bump...

I think you should go back to the doctor. They will be really glad you have gone back and won't feel you are wasting their time at all.

My main period of mental health issues in my life was when I had PTSD. When I had made a lot of recovery and was nearly back to my old self, I had a little bit of a relapse and felt awful. I was so down about it. A friend who has had a lot of problems with anxiety and depression over the years said to me "you feel awful now because you've got further to fall" and I think she was right. I had worked so hard and been blessed with recovery that when I had a blip again it was really hard to deal with. However 6 months earlier I was used to feeling awful all the time.

What I am getting at here is that you have had a big improvement in your MH for a few years and it might be a bit of a shock to the system to have gone down hill again. That's ok though - you shouldn't have to stay feeling like this and you know that you need help. So you should go back to the GP and I'm sure they will be really helpful. Good luck and hope you feel better soon xxxxxx

Thanks for replying @chikiTIKI, that's really helpful and your thoughts are really relatable. I hope you're doing much better now. I think I do partly worry that I'm a time waster because feeling not so great has made me panic a bit at times, in case it's a sign of worse things to come, so I'm trying to be proactive because I so badly don't want things to deteriorate any more. Its a case of trying to find the courage to go again I think.

@pyjamas89 I hate going to the docs too and usually put it off... Try to separate the phone call and the appointment maybe?

I am much better now. I got PTSD in child birth and I am pregnant again. I was supposed to make a doctor appointment yesterday and didn't! I don't feel ready to have an appointment however I am going to just focus on building myself up to do the phone call today and see how I get on with that.

My sister has worked as a GP and I know we are definitely not in the tame wasters category! From what she told me the only category of people that are really frustrating are the ones that want a sick note repeating and have no interest whatsoever in discussing their condition and trying to find ways to improve their health or recover.

Good luck with booking your appointment. Wish me luck too! :) xxxx

Could you arrange a telephone appointment? Might be less stressful. I think it’s fine to need to talk to the doctor again while you’re waiting for the medication to kick in. Better to express how you’re feeling than leave it and struggle.

Thank you for the ideas and support.

How did you get on @
@FaithInfinity it was a good thought but I’m actually autistic so speaking about how I feel is difficult anyway, on the phone even worse.

I managed to arrange an appointment to go in and see her later this afternoon.
I’m now so tired/sleep deprived they I’ve started to see things that aren’t actually there so I think I’ve made the right call. I really hope she can offer some sensible advice as I’m feeling quite concerned about how things may be heading.

how did you get on @ChikiTIKI*?

You’re not time wasting! Your GP will be glad you have asked for help. Might I ask what has triggered your symptoms to get worse? I am just asking as it might be they can offer something in addition to the meds increase. My husband was recently offered free therapy via a charity, that has been a real godsend. He wouldn’t have got it unless he had been a regular botherer of the GP!

Funnily enough I’m autistic too! Sometimes I find the phone calls easier than physically going to the doctors but I get nervous beforehand. Hope you got on okay.

I'm so glad you called up the doctor @pyjamas89 I hope your appointment was helpful. How are you feeling now? Are you glad you went?

I didn't pluck up the courage today. You have inspired me though and so I promise I will call them tomorrow.

As well as being worried about the actual appointment, I worry about the booking phone call and also about if I make an appointment and then realise later on that I can't make it. Or if it clashes with work time and I have to inform my manager. I don't know why, I just find it super stressful!!

Thanks all for checking in.

@FaithInfinity, how funny, hello fellow neurodiverse friend :)

@Tolleshunt I'm not sure why really, which makes it more tricky in a way.

She was absolutely lovely and patient and said it was the right thing to go back. She has given me a week of sleeping tablets and when I left was going to make an urgent referral to the community mental health team (I think they see you within 5 days). I feel really fortunate to have been listened to and I really hope I can pull this back before it gets any worse.

Good luck tomorrow @chikiTIKI, let us know how you get on.

Oh I'm glad you had such a helpful doctor and have a plan of what to do @pyjamas89
I hope you can get some rest now and that your referral goes through quickly xxxx

How are you doing @pyjamas89 ? Hope you have had some good sleep now and are feeling better.

I just made my appointment, it is on Monday morning.