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What choices do I have?

3 replies

Openmouthinsertfood · Today 17:31

Hello, I posted the following in General Health but had the feeling I should have put it in this section. I had a reply that suggested the same so am reposting in case of any helpful advice:
Hi, Didn't know whether to put this in the mental health section or here as it's kinda both. I had been on Olanzapine since 2011 for anxiety. For various reasons recently this was changed to Aripiprazole. I was cross tappered for two weeks. A couple of weeks ago I had a bad flu like reaction that was withdrawl symptoms from Olanzapine. Finally started to feel better then got other symptoms. Couldn't sit still for long, my leg kept feeling like pins and needles almost and I'd have to move it or walk, I've found out this is called Akathisia. I've also been having a lot of tension in my jaw and causing it too ache (I'm sure it's not toothache as no pain on eating or brushing, no throbing.) which is also a known side effect. My anxiety has gone through the roof and I have a bit of paranoia and also tremours. Because of all this I am hardly sleeping. I did a bit of Googling and apparently the only way to reduce these symptoms is to reduce my dose of Aripiprazole under medical supervision, and beta blockers for the anxiety. I got in touch with the Drs at 8am today when they opened and all the slots for today were gone already. I had to fill out an econsult. They replied by text to say I have an appointment to talk with a pharmasist on the 7th August. That is 7 days away. I Googled again and it said it is too long to 'Tough it out' and that I need medical advice. I agree. So I got back in touch with the Drs. They are insisting my only option is to wait for my appointment on the 7th.
I'm feeling a bit desperate and don't know what my options are? Call NHS 111? Any advice will be gratefully received, thank you.

OP posts:
Warning12 · Today 20:13

Who prescribed the medication? From what I know (and I’m no medical expert) it’s something that needs to be looked at. Are you under a CMHT?

Ramblingaway · Today 21:09

In my area, you can call 111 and request mental health support rather than physical health, by pressing option 2. If not available in your area, Google for the mental health crisis team number and contact them. If all else fails, you can go to A&E and there will be a duty psychiatrist available. And you really need a psychiatrist or a prescribing mental health nurse to help you with this, I think. MY GP won't change my antipsychotic meds (quetiapine). They'll prescribe them under shared care arrangements but they won't alter the dose or the type.

Inmyuggs · Today 21:22

The dr fobbing you off to a pharmacist is really shite.
Ring the nhs and get some advice. Especially not sleeping on top of all that is going on
Is the person who advised you reception or a actual Dr?

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