To want to get gym membership on the NHS

[lucyellensmum]

Our local swimming pool does GP reffered memberships and fitness programs. I suffer with depression and anxiety - i used to love the gym but i cannot afford it or justify the time away from DD. If i could get this at a reduced rate i could ask my mum to have DD for a couple of hours a week just so i could get back on track - i want to come off of ADs but cant do so without an outlet. Has anyone any experience of this?

FFS, nervousal, nowhere did I suggest that?

you're grasping at straws.

it's not a matter of taking some experimental drug. it's more a matter of: you PCT uses this drug for your arthritis. there are other drugs out there and other treatments that other PCTs use. ones that may suit you better if you have other medical considerations. but you'll have to pay for them yourself.

ditto insulin pump.

some PCTs fund them. others do not. want one, stump up.

they have a fight on their hands with those free prescriptions, nervousal, just like the council tax abolition. because there is the highly valid point that people in the South shouldn't subsidise free prescriptions in Scotland, and there is a power struggle in Holyrood at the moment.

sort of like, if you are in the Lothians and pregnant, you get one scan at 12-13 weeks.

want anything else and you have to pay privately for it.

if you are in Paisley, you get a nuchal scan and a twenty week scan routinely.

I have not read the entire post but the gymn I go to does NHS referrals. JJB's if that is any help. I must admit the people who go are mostly overweight but dont know if that is a requirement.

The reason I asked LEM is because sometimes feeling obligated to be in a certain place at a certain time for a certain reason can have the opposite effect than the one intended.. it's like it can be yet another thing you have to do.. iykwim

yeah, some chronic conditions the person has to pay for their drugs. others not.

what gives?

sorry expat - I misread your post - I thought you were saying that it was wrong that your MIL had to pay for treatment that was not supported by NICE

I think that postcode prescribing definitely exists, and that its really sad that you can get some treatment for free in some places and not in others. Argument for this is that funding decisions should be made locally according to local need. Not sure if that argument stands up - but its reality at the minute.

the scan thing is really maddening. especially if you are poor and stuck in the Lothians and Borders.

i was shocked when i found out the nuchal scan with bloods was provided here - Paisley.

Anyway - not running out on this discussion but have to go. Most interesting thread on here in a long time . Glad that we've managed to get to 6 pages without falling out

Lucy,do yuo work or are you not up to it at present?

That is a good point mascara, but for me, i would feel it would work. I do enjoy going to the gym, or at least i did. I find it really difficult to leave DD, feel terribly guilty - in fact i have not left her with my mum more than a handful of times to go out with DP. I feel that if i had been told to go the gym by the doctors i would feel less guilty about asking my mum to sit with DD. I guess that is a separate issue from the payment though.

moondog, i don't work at the moment, am i up to it? I honestly don;t know - if you were to ask me, i would say i am a SAHM and intend to stay home with DD until she starts school. I do have a complete lack of confidence though so maybe i am hiding behind that, well i know i am. I do feel strongly that i want to be SAHM, but our finances dictate otherwise - i cant get past this though, i could come up with a list of excuses why i dont work, so no, i dont think i am up to it just now.

In which case it sounds like you could do with a personal trainer, they are great but expensive.. that's the only way you'd have real sturcture. Even gym membership just gives you a program and then kind-of leave you to your own devices.. could you find a 'gym-buddy' or are you having issue with socialising?.. could be as simple as your partner and going for a bikeride with your kid(s) on weekend. Not trying to put you off at all, just discussion points really.

I just can't stay away can I? In our scheme you get a trained person to take yout through the program. You're not left on your own.

The best treatment for depression is therapy + anti-depressants. The NHS can't pay for this.

Why is it wrong to fund (along with local councils) a cheaper alternative that has been proven to be effective?

Do you think i could get a personal trainer on the NHS? One of those sexy muscly ones that massage their clients egos?? I mean, thats gotta be a cure hasnt it . I have done the program thing in the past actually - i didnt stick to it BUT, i used it as a starting point and generated my own routine, without that to start me off, i wouldnt have done it. We were very lucky at the uni, the gym was opposite my lab and newly refurbed with state of the art equipment - VERY different to the one run by the council. I doubt i will be rubbing shoulders with sporting celebs there!

I have no difficulty believing that being referred would act as a motivator, especially if you had particular times to go and someone waiting for you. Years ago when I had a gym membership, I used to go on the treadmill - I'd fart about, slowing down or stopping when I got tired. Then one day, one of the instructors came and stood beside me. I ran non-stop for 10 minutes straight! Would never have done that on my own.

I hope you can just ignore the ignorami, lem. There is nothing to be lost by asking your GP about it, and much to be gained if there is a scheme which you are eligible for. If not, by all means try out alternatives like walking. Might there be some kind of group that you could join (or start up) to go walks or such like?

LEM carefully consider what you want from exercise .is social interaction/contact with others, volition to undertake something. a treatment in conjunction with AD, or control and mastery of your own actions eg you chose exercise, or desire to exercise

please do see your gp as referrals are usually available

People keep telling me i should get my hair cut, i really want to get it highlighted too, maybe have my nails done - i'm taking the piss now aren't i??

LEM,you have a PhD, yes?
You are obviously brilliant.
A walk a day and a part time job might do wonders for yuo.
Sorry yuo've had a bad time. I'm pretty brutal usually but I think people have been unkind and completely miss the point as exercise would be chaeprer and better for you in the long run than ADs.

What does your dh think of all this?

I know in my own job as a salt that people want a prescription (ie do this exercise with your tongue x3 a day) Salt doesn't work like that but I've learnt to 'prescribe' it in these terms if i sense the person would be happier with it.

you joke LEM.. but actually you could get a mate to do your nails over a bottle of wine. Wouldn't recommend getting them to give you highlights though

I'd stay clear of booze. Such a bad idea when depressed.

I do walk EVERYWHERE, i find it amazing when people ask me how i got places or how i will get somewhere and i say, im going to walk - the looks i get, its like im climbing everest or something.

a REALLY bad idea when depressed and on ADs.

a glass of wine with a nice meal, maybe every now and then.

but otherwise, give it a miss.

empty calories, too.

LEM i think you have had a mixed reception here, and fair play you never get the hump but oo yes self care and pampering - mmm yep great for anyone self-esteem