I have my appointment with the psychiatrist on Friday

[WigWamBam]

And I'm terrified and just need to off-load.

My GP has referred me because he says he can't change my medication (I'm on 40mg Citalopram)without referral to a psychiatrist, but from what he tells me now, the psychiatrist won't really want to see me because they're not really interested in straightforward depression. They are only seeing me because they have to (new guidelines on one particular medication) and not because they feel that they can help me. That's made me feel really wonderful about wasting the psychiatrist's time just for a change of meds that the GP isn't able to do.

I was hoping for a good, positive session with the psych but with my GP saying this, I can't see it happening now. To add insult to injury, dh was going to be coming with me for a bit of moral support, but he forgot and has now arranged a business trip for Friday.

I was feeling really positive about this, as I've been waiting for a couple of months for this appointment, but now I feel I'm just going round in circles. If the psychiatrist isn't going to want to help me, who will?

I feel as if I'm just going round in circles

All ads have side effects, some nastier than others! I guess I'll just have to suck it and see.

And of course they affect people in different ways, not everyone gets all side effects etc. The emotionless feeling comes with a lot of them surely becasue the anti Ds enable you to feel more calm and less of the built up feelings of anxiety which you have been experiencing. If this is the Pschs advice, it is going to be worth following in a suck it and see sort of way - but you aren't niave enough to think it will solve everything!

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Yes, it's Venlafaxine. I can't get on MSN at the moment, but I'd be really grateful if I could have a chat with you about it some time soon. Thanks, m'dear, it means a lot.

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Hi WWB! I just want to say that I think you are incredibly brave and strong and I have so much admiration for you, for the way you are coping with what must be a really difficult time. I know myself when my depression has been really bad that its taken somedays all my strenght to just get out of bed. I want you to know that like the other mnrs I'm here to support you in any way that I can so pls feel free to call on me if you ever need too [[[[[[hugs]]]]]

Hi WWB, Well, looks like I missed this thread. Sorry not to have been around for you. Sounds like you got on OK with the person you saw, and it's great the 6 week check is in place.

Did they feel that any of the thyroid stuff was relevant to their suggestions ?

Hope the bloods and ECG thingy comes through fast for you, and that these meds can make a difference, enabling you to figure out some way to address whatever needs to be addressed.

I presume contemplating a GP change is not on the cards ? You might be able to find someone younger / female / personal interest etc. perhaps ?

The 3 year waiting thingy sounds seriously grim, but I guess it's better to be on than off the list IYSWIM, so it's worth pushing for it. As someone else mentioned, you can always come off the list if circs change. I know you posted about the cost of seeing someone privately being a no no, but perhaps it's worth ascertaining what sessions cost, and how long they might want to see you for so at least you have an understanding of the cost implications should money become available somehow (poem / short story writing ? Lottery ? Garden design / advice / planting plans ? Page 3 of the Sun commission ?)

Thinking of you, toadie.

Hiya

Hows things today?

bump

I'm feeling a bit better today, Huggy, thank you. Still very down and feeling the clouds gather, but not as bad as over the last couple of days.

Hub, the lady I saw felt that the thyroid stuff was very relevant, and some of the bloods that she wants done are looking into that - thyroid function, endocrines and such whatnots. She also wants checks done for anaemia, liver function and diabetes in case there's any other underlying physical problem which is making things worse. The frustrating thing now is that I have to go back through the GP for the bloods and the ECG and he's not available for a fortnight (I've been here before). I shall be on the phone at 8.30 on Monday banging my fist though - see, stronger this time than I was last time.

The problem with a change of GP is that there's no-one any closer that I can change to, and it's already over a half hour walk (longer with the 4 year old in tow, smelling the roses). My only option is to try and change within the practice, and sometimes it's better the devil you know.

If I'm feeling strong enough when I (finally) get to see the GP, I have decided that I will really push to get onto the waiting lists for counselling/CBT/whatever. If I had been put on the waiting list when I first saw the GP with PND I would have been seeing someone by now (although hindsight is a wonderful thing). We really haven't got the finances to pay to see someone at the moment - although maybe when dd is at school and the pre-school fees don't need paying anymore I would be able to see someone then.

I'm not sure page 3 of the Sun is going to be the answer ... I would hate to be responsible for too many heart attacks and people dropping down dead with the shock but thanks for the thought anyway ...

Hello

Im on the waiting list for CBT

if you want to read about it Hub has put some links and intresting and helpful info on the 'new begining' thread.

read about CBT that is

Oh, great, thanks for that.

the links dated 7th june at 4.06pm

all about cbt

hth

MTS used to be really good with advice on this board, and she recommended CBT very highly.

WWB, is the GP on ANOTHER holiday then ?

You go bang fists !

Re: GP - I imagine further = pants, but could further = get there by bus / minicab / car / bike ? You don't really go there too often do you ? Is dd a tough little cookie or often needing a doc ?

This would be sooo worth it if there were to be a radically different mind set / ability to be seen / responsiveness / care about your feelings etc IMHO.

Yes, the NHS already is stressed without burdening them with more heart attack victims. And I'd hate to see Abi Titmuss out of a job.

CBT may be appropriate for you, but you should take professional advice first. Infact ask the psychiatrist after the 6 week meeting, as you'll have had a chance to build up a little more rapport, and they will have a better understanding of your background if they think this or some other method might be most suitable. Enquire as to the differences between CBT and A N Other type of psychotherapeutic intervention or perhaps peruse a psychology text book for uni students to get a feel of the different approaches and what you think might be best for you.

Luckily (maybe) he's not on holiday again, just fully booked up. They have this weird system though where they don't release all the appointments at the same time, so if I ring at 8.30 on Monday I have a chance of seeing him next week.

Further = more time walking! I don't drive (well, I do, but haven't for a long time and haven't got a car, so it all amounts to the same thing), the bus service from my part of the sticks is rubbish, and it would take me longer on the buses than it would to walk, and I fall off bikes really well. My dd has a cast-iron constitution, but at the moment I'm seeing the GP every three weeks or so because he won't release too many ads at a time in case I try and take them all.

I am clueless when it comes to therapies, I don't have the first idea of what kind of therapist I would be better off seeing. The psych didn't mention therapies at all, and they do seem keener on medicating than on therapies. Further research needed, I think.

Abi Titmuss I'm not ... I'd make at least two of her, and you'd need to put me in a broadsheet to get it all in

Morning

Just saying Hello

xxx

Hi Huggy, missed this this morning

Hi

Just thought i'd see how you were doing today?

didnt want to bump it incase you didnt fancy chatting about it today IYKWIM

Hope you're ok

love Huggy

xxx

Thanks for asking, I'm keeping my head (just about) above water today. I'm getting a bit anxious over the change of meds but I'll just have to take that as it comes, when I can finally start to take them. I have to have the results from the bloods and the ECG first, and then I have to withdraw the Citalopram before I start the Efexor.

Sometimes it all just feels a bit too much, you know? And I don't know why.

Hey toadie,

The present ones haven't really worked for quite a while if I understand correctly, so there is a reasonable chance the new ones will work differently / better, right ?

(Try and stay optimistic).

Re: Psychiatrists and therapists... yes, different approaches to the same aim: happiness / mental health... I expect the psychiatrist will have some opinions and information about the various approaches though and I think if you begin to do a little private research at a local / uni library into the topic as a whole you will find it immensely fascinating.

You are particularly articulate and you may find a 'talking' therapy allows you to address stuff you thought was either sorted or perhaps irrelevant.

Hope all works out for you, WWB.

Hi,

glad you're managing to keep your head above water.

the offer of a chat still stands, if and whenever you want to.

Thanks, huggy, I will take you and Sax up on those offers.

Hub, I'm articulate in writing but not so sure about when I'm talking. I have very little self-confidence, which can make talking face-to-face very intimidating. I'm also slightly deaf so it can be a little embarrassing too when I have to keep asking for people to repeat themselves!

I'm only worrying about the meds because of the fear of the unknown, I suppose. And because of some of the scare stories that you get with these things, and the fact that they need an ECG before I can have them ... scary stuff, you know. Although all ads have their scare stories attached, and I've had no problems with the one I'm on.

hey,

Im afraid i know nothing at all about ad's but i do understand the feelings of nervousness, shame, embarrasment etc that go along side talking to someone about how you feel, especially if it opens uo old wounds.

I also understande the feelings of relief, calmness (if thats even a word but ykwim) and the feeling of being 'lighter' after getting things off your chest.

i hope you understand what im on about cause its hard finding the words to describe the feelings.