[icreateidestroy]

I met my GP yesterday for my follow-on appointment and turns out he hadn't actually made a formal referral and had just written to her and was expecting a response, which he hadn't received. Listening to me, he said he could make a referral, but might get refused as I don't meet the criteria.

He said usually in bipolar, the symptoms are far more serious with people swearing at people at work, or spending all their money or getting arrested and things that are quite extreme.

Appears my case will get rejected on the basis that my symptoms aren't that extreme. He said they might say I have some mild form of depression and that he could prescribe an anti-depressant, but if I indeed have bipolar, then they could have opposite effects.

Likewise, meds are great for bipolar, but also comes with side-effects.

He said he could refer me to a private psychiatrist, but that would be very expensive and I don't have private insurance cover.

I did ask for the private referral, so I can talk to a psychiatrist. Honestly, at this point, I don't know how many sessions will be required before they can make a diagnosis. And for sure, I way too expensive for me to afford on my own without insurance.

At this point, it looks like I am left with no other option than to cope/deal with this just on my own.

Not really looking for help, but just sharing.

[glennk]

Don't give up. Be persistent. Navigating and finding the right doctor whom will defend your position will happen. Do you have a system similar to Yelp that could recommend another psychiatrist?

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by glennk

Don't give up. Be persistent. Navigating and finding the right doctor whom will defend your position will happen. Do you have a system similar to Yelp that could recommend another psychiatrist?

Thanks Glennk, yes I do believe there is a system in place to ask to meet a different GP if I wasn't happy.

Tbh, I feel I don't have the energy to stay persistent and to prove to the doctors I really need help. One part of me thinks I can fight this on my own, like I have before. Then there is other part of me which is really fed up with this cycle and wants to put an end to it all with professional help.

My supportive wife thinks we should see a private psychiatrist even if it is going to cost us for a few sessions to get a feel for what they think.

I am not entirely sure though which direction to take.

[glennk]

Originally Posted by icreateidestroy

Thanks Glennk, yes I do believe there is a system in place to ask to meet a different GP if I wasn't happy.

Tbh, I feel I don't have the energy to stay persistent and to prove to the doctors I really need help. One part of me thinks I can fight this on my own, like I have before. Then there is other part of me which is really fed up with this cycle and wants to put an end to it all with professional help.

My supportive wife thinks we should see a private psychiatrist even if it is going to cost us for a few sessions to get a feel for what they think.

I am not entirely sure though which direction to take.

Im glad to hear you have someone supportive. With that said, your wife might want to attend your next doctor appointment to be your advocate. There is a level of skepticism amongst some of those in psychiatry. Having that second voice will give you that extra level of "push".

I'm not sure what power a GP has in Britain. Can they prescribe psych medications?

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by glennk

I'm not sure what power a GP has in Britain. Can they prescribe psych medications?

Yes, apparently so, he did say he could prescribe anti-depressants but said if I was indeed bipolar, then it could work in the adverse and hence didn't want to prescribe meds without a proper diagnosis.

[Wonderfalls]

Originally Posted by icreateidestroy

Yes, apparently so, he did say he could prescribe anti-depressants but said if I was indeed bipolar, then it could work in the adverse and hence didn't want to prescribe meds without a proper diagnosis.

So it sounds like he agrees you don't have a proper diagnosis and that it might indeed be bipolar. Can you at least point that out to him to spur him to greater advocacy?

[glennk]

Several studies have shown that antidepressants do little to nothing to help with bipolar depression. I'm on 50mg of Paxil and use it for anxiety. I've tried a higher dose, but still did nothing for the depression.

I'm thinking your GP could get away with prescribing an Atypical for a short period of time, without needing a psychiatrist. If you are having a hard time controlling your cycling, something like Seroquel XR (Quentipine ER) might be a good choice. Takes a few days to control mood, as compared to others (Abilify, Geodon, Latuda) that work within a few hours.

[Daonnachd]

I would be leary of depending on your GP for a diagnosis. He sounds like he's unaware of bipolar II or the nature of a spectrum as describing the illness.

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

So it sounds like he agrees you don't have a proper diagnosis and that it might indeed be bipolar. Can you at least point that out to him to spur him to greater advocacy?

Thanks Wonderfalls, good point! He did seem to agree that I was struggling with something. But also, I think he was being honest and saying that if he said the things I am saying to the psychiatrist, then they would most-likely refuse and that it could take months for a decision to come through. Either an appointment or a refusal I believe.

He said if the private psychiatrist does make a diagnosis, then he could use that report to refer me through and it should come through quicker.

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by glennk

Several studies have shown that antidepressants do little to nothing to help with bipolar depression. I'm on 50mg of Paxil and use it for anxiety. I've tried a higher dose, but still did nothing for the depression.

I'm thinking your GP could get away with prescribing an Atypical for a short period of time, without needing a psychiatrist. If you are having a hard time controlling your cycling, something like Seroquel XR (Quentipine ER) might be a good choice. Takes a few days to control mood, as compared to others (Abilify, Geodon, Latuda) that work within a few hours.

Thanks for sharing all that information. I will keep in mind for future reference when I eventually do get professional help.

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by vertigo

He sounds like he's unaware of bipolar II or the nature of a spectrum as describing the illness.

That was exactly my thoughts too, I may not be on the extremes, but I probably am somewhere in the spectrum.

Whilst you could see a psychiatrist if you went to A&E in crisis, it might be better to try something like this https://www.psychiatry-uk.com/private-consultations/. Good luck.

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by Little Cat

Whilst you could see a psychiatrist if you went to A&E in crisis, it might be better to try something like this https://www.psychiatry-uk.com/private-consultations/. Good luck.

Thanks Little Cat, that is useful information. Good to see you are from good ol' blighty

Yes, I am aware of the A&E option, but wasn't aware that was the case for mental illness situations as well and that they would have a psychiatrist. Thanks for this.

My GP said has pointed me to a private psychiatric clinic nearby and that he will leave a referral with them, so they are aware that I will be calling them.

[tecomsin]

As your GP said, it's important to be cautious with antidepressants if you may have bipolar disorder. Sometimes it really is better to 'do no harm'. A lot of GPs just throw ADs out like they were sugar pills so it is good you have one who is more cautious.

The first time I ever took an antidepressant I ran straight into a manic episode about a year later, also for the first time. (I was also using cannabis to self-medicate which also played a role I think). The psychiatrists said that the antidepressant 'unmasked' an underlying bipolar but I don't that I would ever have been so ill otherwise. I just remember feeling incredibly agitated for a long while before I lost my sanity...

The most important thing in my mind, which is not what happened in my case, as I was misdiagnosed initially with 'somataform disorder' for chronic pain by the first pdoc i ever saw... is to find a good psychiatrist... one with experience in bipolar and depression... someone who has good reviews, lots of experience and whom you can trust and get the right diagnosis.

Can you ask for lamactil from the gp?

When I was diagnosed bp2, they tried to put me on it multiple times. It is an anticonvulsant, so the gp might be comfortable trying it.

I just couldn’t take it because it gave me a bad headache; I couldn’t get past it.

[glennk]

They can give you a dose pack for the Lamictal. It will help you slowly get to level. I like the anti-seizure meds, as it didn't leave me groggy. Trileptal is another option.

Thankfully, there are lots of medication options out there.

Originally Posted by icreateidestroy

Thanks Little Cat, that is useful information. Good to see you are from good ol' blighty

Yes, I am aware of the A&E option, but wasn't aware that was the case for mental illness situations as well and that they would have a psychiatrist. Thanks for this.

My GP said has pointed me to a private psychiatric clinic nearby and that he will leave a referral with them, so they are aware that I will be calling them.

Welcome. I would advise against A&E unless you're absolutely desperate, the service (usually called liaison psychiatry) is often quite poor. Best thing sounds as if it's to go private, apart from which you will get more time to talk about things and get proper answers.

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by Little Cat

Welcome. I would advise against A&E unless you're absolutely desperate, the service (usually called liaison psychiatry) is often quite poor. Best thing sounds as if it's to go private, apart from which you will get more time to talk about things and get proper answers.

Thanks, I am certainly not in need of A&E at this moment. I will explore the private route for now.

I hope you find help......I guess the moral of the story is, no matter where you live, mental health care and workers are failing.

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

I hope you find help......I guess the moral of the story is, no matter where you live, mental health care and workers are failing.

Thanks ElsaMars. Yes, that appears to be the case.

[glennk]

BUMP...any updates??

[icreateidestroy]

@glennk - Thanks for checking.

I am still yet to make a private appointment. So effectively, no progress on seeking professional help part. I intend to do this soon though.

Although on my own, I am waking up at 5 AM every day and hitting the gym, have managed to do it for the last 5 days in a row.

I am also eating clean and have set sleep times. I toss and turn and have vivid dreams, but I am sticking to hitting the bed by 10:30 PM and wake up at 5:00 AM.

I am also eating clean.

The rest of the day is pretty much so/so and I still have varying degrees of down phases during the day, but I am just telling myself, I can do this and that I should stick to routine and exercise self-discipline, no matter how I feel.

I am also mostly off from social media/ news and youtube. I try and read a book or sit quietly thinking about my goals or changing my negative thoughts to positive ones or spend time with my little boy etc.

All of these changes have helped me cope over the last 2 weeks and I am hoping things will improve if I stick to this routine.

I am generally quite tired though, and I think it is because of the gym and the sudden change to eating pattern, going low-carb. Hopefully, it should improve.

[raspberrytorte]

I'm sorry you don't qualify, but what is NHS care?

[icreateidestroy]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

I'm sorry you don't qualify, but what is NHS care?

NHS - National Health Service is the de-facto medical care primarily funded by the tax-payers money run by the government in the UK.

People are free to get private insurance cover, which means they are eligible to be referred to private clinics and practices in addition to NHS care.

[glennk]

Originally Posted by icreateidestroy

NHS - National Health Service is the de-facto medical care primarily funded by the tax-payers money run by the government in the UK.

People are free to get private insurance cover, which means they are eligible to be referred to private clinics and practices in addition to NHS care.

Isn't the whole point of NHS is to avoid private plan costs?