To lie to a private GP to get a prescription?

[AintNoThing]

I’ve been on a lot of Anti-Ds and none of them have done the job for various reasons.

I have recurrent depression and ASD.

I am not in a great place rn, I’ve arranged counselling but really do need extra support in an urgent-ish way.

I’ve done a lot of research over the past year and feel that I would like to try Wellbutrin/Bupropion.

I know on the NHS it’s only available for smoking cessation.

If I booked and paid for a private GP appointment would they only prescribe if I said I wanted to stop smoking or would they consider prescribing for mental health?

It's not licenced in the UK for depression (it's not just that it's not on the NHS), so they won't prescribe it for that.
Do you actually smoke?
Wellbutrin sounds appealing due to the weight loss / lack of impact on libido, but there was a concerning link to increased suicidal ideation...

Thanks so much for replying.

I hadn’t realised that, just thought NHS wouldn’t fund it.

Even if I did smoke, I guess they wouldn’t prescribe more than once?

I was so desperate yesterday I was one click away from buying online.

Although, surely some of those online places are legit?

Please be very careful if ordering meds online. There are lots of unscrupulous people out there.
Do you have access to a Mental health crisis team that you could contact for advice?

You need to be honest with your GP. While Wellbutrin works for some people, a friend of mine took it to stop smoking and had horrendous panic attacks and horrific intrusive thoughts. If you’re not properly supported while taking it, it could be dangerous.

Thanks so much.

I called long term GP at 0830 yesterday and he called back at 17:22. Not his fault, he’s just so busy.

He suggested I self-refer to local mental health services but they take a long time to get an assessment interview before any counselling takes place.

I’ve already fixed counselling privately, not that I can afford that long term, or even mid term.

Because I’m not actually actively planning suicide, though have had ‘thoughts’, no crisis.

I know online is very dodgy but, I’m desperate.

They won't prescribe Wellbutrin for smoking cessation if you have a history of depression. I am sorry you are going through this.

Trazadone is similar to Bupropion and often prescribed by GPs, have you tried that?

I'm not sure the dosage for smoking cessation is the same as for depression anyway?

Oh god, nevermore, that’s horrific- your poor friend.

Thanks Nautaloid, I appreciate your kindness.

I guess that puts the tin hat on it then...

Thanks onestep, Trazadone isn’t something I’d considered.
I’ll research it now.
Really appreciate it.

My pharmacy offers a private doctors service over webcam for £39 it's via medicspot and they can write a private prescription for an antidepressants to get you help now. Complely safe no dodgyness.

Zyban is rarely used for smoking cessation due to side-effects and more effective / safe products being available. With your history there would be no chance.

Thanks cropcircles, do you think they’d prescribe Trazadone? Not that I honestly expect you to know? Just thinking out loud... I’ll look them up now too.

I think you have become fixated on this it does seem you are in some crisis speak to your GP again tell them you have started to fixate this medicine could be dangerous to you, if you don't smoke you would be foundout anyway your carbon minoxide wouldn't be high enough and you would trip yourself up at the cessation questions don't lie lying will only add to your problems.

Thanks mrscrane. And you’re very
astute mrsjayy.

GP not open until Monday now.

I just need not to feel like this. And Soon.

Aintnothing I think if you asked them and said you'd like to try trazodone they will be able to decide if it's right for you

I get it I really do I've been on every AD/antipsychotic, mood stabiliser and anti anxiety drug available in this country.

I got there in the end, it took a long time but I've been stable 5 years now so i have faith there's a combination/medication out there for most people.

Please don't lie or order online, AD's aren't drugs to be messed about with and can have major bad side effects you need a GP/MH worker to support and monitor you.

Thanks, Pandamodium
I get it I really do I've been on every AD/antipsychotic, mood stabiliser and anti anxiety drug available in this country.

Yes, you do get it - me too.

I just want to stop being me rn.

I'm so sorry you're feeling this was @AintNoThing.

Firstly, you're not alone. I reached crisis point last week and my GP was predictably useless.

Once I accepted that I wasn't going to get pills to help, I accepted that therapy was the best way forward.

I've been long term on the strongest dose of ADs though, so there wasn't a huge amount medication could for me I guess - is this the case with you or have you not been prescribed anything previously for your depression?

You say that you can't afford counselling/CBT mid/long term but it would be worth looking at counselling centres that offer low cost sessions. There are places near me that offer low cost counselling carried out by trainee counsellors who are mostly qualified but need experiment to be fully qualified; they're trained and supervised throughout. There may also be pay-what-you-can style services nearby too.

Are any of these options open to you?

Private gps will prescribe it and you won't need to lie. Its ridiculous that it's not licensed for major depression in the UK. It's the first line choice in other countries as there tend to be fewer side effects than SSRIs. It's not described as the skinny, happy, sexy pill for nothing

I have been there. In your shoes today I would ring 111 for an out of hours GP appointment today. If you Google Mind helplines there is a long list of mental health helplines many of which are open today. I'd try one of them too, and access any RL support I had.

*Private psychs, I mean. I dont think a private gp actually would. But a private psych will do.

** none of the above is to say that meds don't work - they do, and saved my life. What I'm trying to say is that it's also worth really investing in counselling/CBT if you can because there isn't really a pill that will fix the underlying issues causing you to feel like this.

Thanks JellyB. I’m sorry you’re going through this and appreciate you helping me.

Over the years I’ve had pretty much every AD that the NHS can prescribe. Same with CBT.

The last, five years ago, was 300g of Venflolaxine that zombified me and didn’t really touch the underlying anxiety. Coming off it was utterly, utterly horrific.

I am still kind of traumatised by it and am really reluctant to go down that path.

I’ve got an assessment appointment at a private counselling clinic that specialises in people with ASD + other issues, it’s me having the ASD that I feel rules out many of the low cost options.

I haven’t actually asked how much each session will cost, but will see if they do have any lower cost options.

Thanks again

Would an autisim charity/organisation be able to help you or offer some therapy