[sui generis]

Hey guys, so I'm having a med review...I was supposed to have one with a psychiatrist through a govt funded program but they've been acting kinda sketchy and suddenly told me they want me to go a regular doctor?? Idk man, I think it's irresponsible to have a regular GP handle psych meds unless you're dosage/whatever you're taking hasn't changed since you originally saw your pdoc. I've been having troubles with depression and anxiety and we all know that's something that can be difficult to treat with bipolar (especially if the anxiety occurs regardless of mood episodes) for a psychiatrist, let alone a GP!! Is this something that I should be concerned about or am I being pedantic?

[~Christina]

Hmmm.. Did you ask them "why" they want your GP to review psych meds? Because GP's just dont know enough about them to do anything them if changes need to be made.

If it was me I would call whoever back and have them explain in great detail what the reason for seeing your GP is all about..

My GP knows all about my Psych meds but would not fiddle with them at all.

Good luck !

[sui generis]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Hmmm.. Did you ask them "why" they want your GP to review psych meds? Because GP's just dont know enough about them to do anything them if changes need to be made.

If it was me I would call whoever back and have them explain in great detail what the reason for seeing your GP is all about..

My GP knows all about my Psych meds but would not fiddle with them at all.

Good luck !

They said it was "easier" because then I can make an appt with the counsellor who is in the same building and do it all in one day (it's about an hour and a half away from where I live and it is true I am seeing the counsellor regardless). But the psychiatrist at the community health centre is located literally 15 mins from my house! I told them this too. My mum thinks they're following some wacked out procedure.

I was thinking about calling but from the email it looks like they're pretty set on this and I don't want to argue at this point. Especially because the lady who was handling this is really nice and she's just passing on what "they" have said and decided. From what I gathered they also think it's acceptable for a GP to deal with psych meds.

Also it's not even my GP I'm seeing. It's the GP at the university

[Love&Toil]

Just because "it's easier" for them doesn't mean you have to chose that route. Even though it's government funded, YOU are the CONSUMER here. You have a right to advocate for yourself and follow the route that you believe is most advantageous.

[~Christina]

If there are pushy about you seeing some random GP .. Go .. Total waste of money of course.
If your meds are working and dont need to be adjusted well then just keep follow ups with your Pdoc .. If you need a change do not let this GP do anything .. It always winds up being a cluster **** and then its an uphill battle to find stability again.

If its a goverment paid service this appt would be considered "wasteful" and they can be reported as such.. just fyi.

[sui generis]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

If there are pushy about you seeing some random GP .. Go .. Total waste of money of course.
If your meds are working and dont need to be adjusted well then just keep follow ups with your Pdoc .. If you need a change do not let this GP do anything .. It always winds up being a cluster **** and then its an uphill battle to find stability again.

If its a goverment paid service this appt would be considered "wasteful" and they can be reported as such.. just fyi.

That's the other thing, I wrote back to say i wasn't registered at the uni healthcare centre... Which means it would cost me! She then told me to go to my usual GP but I don't want to do that either because 1) it will be a giant waste of time 2) is less expensive than uni doctor but still dont have the money atm and 3) 2 HOUR waiting times, sometimes more because it's a walk in clinic. I'm not doing that to be told either my meds are fine or to be referred to a psychiatrist since I know that is my GP's procedure.

I'm really tired I have my doubts about whether I should even bother or not.

[sui generis]

Originally Posted by Love&Toil

Just because "it's easier" for them doesn't mean you have to chose that route. Even though it's government funded, YOU are the CONSUMER here. You have a right to advocate for yourself and follow the route that you believe is most advantageous.

I agree with you 100%

[sui generis]

Well... after emailing back and forth nothing is happening now. she clarified that the doctor would consult on the phone with someone from community mental health services but again I cant afford the uni doctors... I'm just sad because at first she did tell me I would see a psychiatrist and it would only take a week of waiting and then suddenly it's a change of story! I'm not even been given the option of seeing someone at the community mental health services that is near my house.

So upset and tired. I don't have the energy to work this out. I'm just going to leave it.

[Nightside of Eden]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

If there are pushy about you seeing some random GP .. Go .. Total waste of money of course.
If your meds are working and dont need to be adjusted well then just keep follow ups with your Pdoc .. If you need a change do not let this GP do anything .. It always winds up being a cluster **** and then its an uphill battle to find stability again.

That's just not true. My GP got my whole family stabilized on meds in half the time most Pdocs take. It's the quality of the individual doctor, not what letters they have behind their name that matters.

[StayinAlive]

It took me a long time to get a correct diagnosis (or at least, close) and meds that helped, seeing pdocs. My GP back then didn't want any part of it. But, if this is free, what can you do? Best of luck to you.

[Tucson]

I find many pdocs do not know their medications as well as they should. The same can be said of GPs, perhaps even more so since they have had no specialized training in psych meds, which I found to be important. So finding one GP that knows what he is doing I would consider very fortunate.