AIBU to go to the doctors for the third day in a row?

[smellycatitsnotyourfault]

I'll try and keep it short, I'm 99% sure I have PND. It's taken me a long time to admit it and reach out for help, I know it's my fault for letting it get this way.

Two days ago I went to make a gp appointment, they offered me one a month away. I thought this was too far so I told the receptionist what it was for, and she managed to squeeze one in in two weeks. I accepted this, then that night I felt more desperate. Luckily the doctors have a health visitor drop in on Tuesdays, so I once again worked up the courage, prepped everything I needed to say and yesterday took myself down to the doctors. The receptionist turned me away saying the health visitor wasn't doing her clinic today.

Last night was one of the worst yet. AIBU to ring and ask for a same day appointment today? The receptionists must be sick of seeing me/hearing my voice. Am I worthy of a same day? I'm not at the point of planning suicide or anything but i'm getting desperate. I think I'm most scared that by the time my appointment comes round in two weeks, I'll have lost all my courage and will cancel it.

*paroxetine

Ring back tomorrow and ask for an urgent appointment for depression.Keep on at them.

You saw a truly shit example of a GP and I’m so sorry you had to experience this OP. Do you have a number for the health visiting team in your red book? If so, call them right away and explain everything.

I’m so sorry you had such a nasty GP. I agree it’d be worth trying your HV. Also make another appointment for a fortnight if you can with a different GP.

That is absolute bull, I had pnd after youngest was born and I was breastfeeding.
I was put on Sertraline and I saw the mental health nurse every 2 week (she was lovely).
I'm so sorry your doctor did not take you seriously.
Yes going out can help but I think esp in the first few months of pnd most people need support and medication.
Also my hv was excellent and supported me very much would definitely be worth for you to phone and ask for a home visit.

I’m so sorry OP. A bad GP is a terrible thing.

When you feel up to it, I would contact PALS in your area and make a complaint. They should contact the practice manager. I’ve had to do this before and they found out the best GP in the practice for me to see because they knew about the subject, and arranged for me to see them.

I work in maternity and we are spending huge amounts of time and money raising awareness of maternity related MH issues. That’s completely pointless if this is what happens when you seek help.

Also read this and take a print out to your next appointment should you need to change meds
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/antidepressants/

If you happen to be in Dorset, please PM me because I would like to make sure this is brought to the attention of the relevant people. This shouldn’t happen and makes me so angry!

Oh you poor lamb @smellycatitsnotyourfault - keep at them and tell your health visitor.

Have you got the resources for a consultation with a private GP?

I had recurrent mastitis with dd2 and my NHS GP was useless - "come back in 3 days if it's not better" when my boob was like a lumpy, scalding hot rock and I was crying with pain. FFS. Private GP sorted me out with antibiotics, a relaxed session trying different holds and angles to drain the breast better, and an ultrasound to make sure that there wasn't anything else going on. HUGE difference in quality of care!

A private GP is under less pressure to get you out the door in 7 minutes (because you are paying her so much!!) and will give you more time and look at you (in my experience) more holistically.

However the NHS is SUPPOSED to look after you so keep at the health visitor.

I'm so sorry you are going through this - you are doing a wonderful job.

I’m so sorry this happened to you. I had terrible pre and post natal depression anxiety and took ADs throughout (even breast feeding). Your appointment today was not acceptable. Do you have a number for your health visitor? They might be more helpful. In the meantime we are here. Take it one hour at a time if you need to.

That’s awful my hv was amazing, do you have a partner or family you can talk to? Sending hugs x

Please phone your Hv and tell her how you are feeling. I'm retired now but would have made you a priority home visit and also spoke to the gp as she was wrong about anti depressants when breast feeding.

I took fluoxetine whilst ebf weeks old dd, absolutely no adverse effect.

That GP is a cunt. When you feel able you should put in a complaint with PALS.

I’m so sorry this happened op, I wish women weren’t fobbed off like this. Going outside ffs? I’m furious on your behalf.

I'm so sorry that's shocking treatment

I'm livid on your behalf!

You are absolutely NOT the failure in this situation - the GP failed you. Read the support here back through again and be confident that you are an excellent mum and person

It's brave to seek help and you did it. Please keep pushing. Hopefully your HV will give the GP a rocket.

You are NOT failing as a parent. You have been failed by a GP.

I'm so sorry you are suffering. It is not your fault.

Would it be easier to text your HV rather than call? Text something like "I'm struggling awfully and need urgent support. Can you help me please?"

What are you doing for the rest of the day? Are you seeing anyone or is anyone due home later? Look after yourself. You are important and deserve proper support.

Oh bloody hell OP, what a shit GP (and one who is totally wrong - I take sertraline and it's safe for BF). I'm sure complaining is the last thing you want to do right now but it would totally justify one. Do you have a contact for your HV? I've got a number in the front of my red book for them and it might be worth speaking to them. They'll have a lot more experience and won't talk such utter bollocks. You did an incredibly brave and strong thing this morning. You are amazing.

Oh god OP. As others said, you are NOT failing. You're a great parent because you're doing what's right for your baby by asking for the help you know you need.

The GP is a twat and I'm so sorry that after all of that you have had to deal with such a moron.

Please phone your HV for advice.

Oh my lovely, that’s absolutely appalling.

You did so well reaching out, please don’t be discouraged from seeking more help

Oh goodness OP, that's dreadful.
I agree getting in touch with your HV now urgently would be a good move. She (presumably) can hopefully advocate for you and make sure you get what you need.

Once you have sorted out your immediate needs, a complaint to the practice.

You are not a failure Lovely, you have been so brave in admitting to yourself that things aren't right, never mind to another person.

Approach your HV, inform them that your GP failed to listen, and ask for their advice, they are there for you as well as your baby, do you have a Partner or Family Member who can contact them with you or attend any appointments, just to reiterate what you are going through (you shouldn't need to, but may help) I took my Husband as I just couldn't get the words out, I was lucky my GP was fab I was 9 months PP, but when I mentioned at my 6 week check I was feeling low another GP shrugged it off, despite me getting upset, I felt like you do now.

Also, if you feel strong enough email/write to the practice to ask the usual approach for someone who has PND, and inform them that you feel you have been failed by your GP.

xx

I've had two cups of tea and calmed down (slightly). I will see the health visitor tomorrow and will be making complaints when I can find the time.

Oh OP I'm so sorry you had that experience. It's not you: that is a totally unacceptable response to your situation. Do try again, both for yourself and your baby. You don't have to feel like this.

Name change fail OP.

Yes name change fail indeed. I was embarrassed admitting I felt this way but oh well. What a plonker I am.

@Fluffballs don't be embarrassed - it's perfectly ok not be ok. Hopefully this thread has shown you that