[Miss Laura]

Been to see my Peer Worker today. She has said they are going to start doing phone consultations as of next week. Everything is shutting down. In where I see her I also see my Support Worker, Community Psychiatric Nurse and my Psychiatrist. So all those appts will be over the phone. My Therapist I haven't heard from since start of March I think the 5th. She was on holiday last week unsure about this week. My GP surgery is now closed and is only taking phone consultations if you call up you will be triaged and only seeing patients who really need to be seen.

Scotland isn't fully on lockdown but it's getting close. I think school's are coming off by Fri.

I'm stressing out. I've moved in with my parents. Honestly it's just mad. Still smiling as what else can you do. If I didn't I would cry

Hi Miss Laura. I think many of us are in your situation. My state in the US started a lockdown before Scotland. It's been a few days for many (not all). Luckily, my husband can easily work from home and has, at times, in the past. He's been home since mid last week.

I had a video session with my therapist yesterday. I was nervous about it, but it turned out fine. It was through a secure site specifically designed for healthcare-related video sessions. Not a Skype or Whatsapp. I will likely continue them weekly, until she or I decide it's OK to meet face-to-face again. As for my psychiatrist, I have not heard anything from him. I have an appointment with him scheduled for next Wednesday.

I need my psychiatrist to print out a prescription for me for Klonopin (a benzo/controlled substance). I switched pharmacies recently and they can't transfer that one. If we don't meet face-to-face, I still need him to print it out and get it to me somehow. He can call in any refills for the others. Really, Klonopin is the only one I am concerned about. I could have withdrawal if I run out. I had refills left on the old prescription at the old pharmacy. If they remain active there, I might get it there, but I'd have to pay 100% since that pharmacy is officially "out of network" as of April 1st. Hopefully it wouldn't be that expensive. I'd be at the mercy of that particular pharmacy, as far as price. I'll try to get Ativan filled there today, since that might still be possible, and covered. I think this will work out, but it is an example of a potentially dangerous issue because of COVID 19.

Stay safe. We'll get through this.

[bpcyclist]

My pharmacist was kind enough to let me fill an Rx early, so I only had to make one trip for two refills. Now, they say they will deliver. Not sure how they would ever manage that--they'd have to hire 50 people!

My pdoc is staying open for now and just doing as much preventative stuff as they can. He is a few years younger than me (early 50s) and healthy, as far as I know.

I am to see him next month, unless this psychosis gets worse again. I guess it is just one day at a time.

I went to my old pharmacy and couldn't get the Ativan filled. The pharmacist did say that my psychiatrist should be able to call in (or submit electronically) the Klonopin refills. The tech at the new pharmacy made it seem like only paper prescriptions for Klonopin were permitted.

My psychiatrist called my home phone when I was out running errands. He told my husband that the upcoming sessions will be telephone or video sessions. It didn't sound like pdoc was sure exactly what platform he'd be using, so I left a message on his voicemail mentioning the one my therapist used. We'll see what he chooses. He should likely be calling me back today or maybe tomorrow. My appointment isn't until next Wednesday.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Hi Miss Laura. I think many of us are in your situation. My state in the US started a lockdown before Scotland. It's been a few days for many (not all). Luckily, my husband can easily work from home and has, at times, in the past. He's been home since mid last week.

I had a video session with my therapist yesterday. I was nervous about it, but it turned out fine. It was through a secure site specifically designed for healthcare-related video sessions. Not a Skype or Whatsapp. I will likely continue them weekly, until she or I decide it's OK to meet face-to-face again. As for my psychiatrist, I have not heard anything from him. I have an appointment with him scheduled for next Wednesday.

I need my psychiatrist to print out a prescription for me for Klonopin (a benzo/controlled substance). I switched pharmacies recently and they can't transfer that one. If we don't meet face-to-face, I still need him to print it out and get it to me somehow. He can call in any refills for the others. Really, Klonopin is the only one I am concerned about. I could have withdrawal if I run out. I had refills left on the old prescription at the old pharmacy. If they remain active there, I might get it there, but I'd have to pay 100% since that pharmacy is officially "out of network" as of April 1st. Hopefully it wouldn't be that expensive. I'd be at the mercy of that particular pharmacy, as far as price. I'll try to get Ativan filled there today, since that might still be possible, and covered. I think this will work out, but it is an example of a potentially dangerous issue because of COVID 19.

Stay safe. We'll get through this.

Birdie, you have to have a klonopin refill! Somehow...without it, not only will you have severe withdrawal, but you can have seizures. Klonopin is the only drug with withdrawals worse than heroin.

Klonopin is a less expensive med than most psych meds. When I had to pay full price for it, it cost between $23 and $40.


btw, my pdoc has refilled Klonopin electronically.

[*Beth*]

My therapist is staying in her office unless the clinic closes. I am so grateful to her.


My pdoc has stopped coming in with absolutely no notice or explanation. Her irresponsibility is nothing short of shocking, especially because she is usually very reliable.

[Wild Coyote]

I haven't a clue yet as to how it will shake out with my pdoc. I think it's taking longer to get geared up for the transition, as practitioners licensed in this state had not been able to conduct any psych-related sessions by phone, Skype, etc, and expect any reimbursement, until now. Should be interesting.

Also, commercial insurers were asked to follow suit with allowing telemedicine coverage.. I am not sure if any have done so?

I hope everyone in need has their needs met.

Thanks for this thread, Laura!

Originally Posted by BethRags

Birdie, you have to have a klonopin refill! Somehow...without it, not only will you have severe withdrawal, but you can have seizures. Klonopin is the only drug with withdrawals worse than heroin.

Klonopin is a less expensive med than most psych meds. When I had to pay full price for it, it cost between $23 and $40.


btw, my pdoc has refilled Klonopin electronically.

Thanks, BethRags! I know how very important it is. My psychiatrist knows, as well. I've wanted to go off Klonopin in the past, and he pretty much said "No" because of the risks, even though I take a pretty small dose. I am certain he'll be able to help me with this. He will surely be able to just call it in to the new pharmacy.

I think it's horrible how some doctors and/or therapists are leaving patients in the lurch. I just can't understand. I think that as Wild Coyote wrote, in some states where telemedicine hasn't been allowed, it must now be allowed. The importance of it is painfully obvious. Doctors shouldn't just look at this as "vacation". Of course I'd understand if they, themselves, were sick, or an elderly family member was.

[~Christina]

I think this Pandemic has caught alot of providers with there shorts down Medical or Psych.. Yes there should have already been something in place.. Im certain everyone will be taken care of though.

I am not certain what my facility is going to be doing. I have not called as Im sure the phones are non stop, where I go covers the entire county. I am also limited as I cant answer a phone call due to lack of cell service and I can not do any kind of skype as my internet wont support it..

So I am trying to stay calm, I do need to call my pharmacy and ask about getting a bit early refill on Xeljanz. but that has nothing to do with them its on my drug plan through Humana, Hopefully they allowing for early fills..

[Miss Laura]

My GP surgery is apparently only doing prescriptions for your meds a week prior to them running out mines all run out April, May and June. So gonna call up tomorrow I hope. I need to definitely know. I'm just stressing out. I haven't heard from my Therapist so I have emailed her. I hate sounding needy

[Rick7892]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

... I had a video session with my therapist yesterday. I was nervous about it, but it turned out fine. It was through a secure site specifically designed for healthcare-related video sessions. Not a Skype or Whatsapp. ....

BirdDancer, thanks for sharing this! Do you know what the name of the secure site is? My new therapist (1st visit today!] is considering Skype. I could pass along a more secure site to her. She is trying to keep communication going for her clients.

Best!

@Rick7892 , my therapist used the site The Simple, Free, and Secure Telemedicine Solution | Doxy.me

She set up her provider account, and sent me her specific link (i.e. https://doxy.me/janedoe). I clicked that link a couple minutes before my appointment and entered the password she assigned for me (which was my name). She officially started the video session from her end when she was ready. [I was in a virtual "waiting room" briefly before.] That simple.

[Miss Laura]

Phew my Therapist Contacted me.... she is back in office on Monday after her break (I thought it was 1 week but it was 2 weeks ooops). The office building she uses is closing as of Mon. So it will be phone consultations and or video consultations. I'm so glad she is ok. I was really worried things were wrong with her. She says she is with her family so she is well phew!

[Rick7892]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

@Rick7892 , my therapist used the site The Simple, Free, and Secure Telemedicine Solution | Doxy.me

She set up her provider account, and sent me her specific link (i.e. https://doxy.me/janedoe). I clicked that link a couple minutes before my appointment and entered the password she assigned for me (which was my name). She officially started the video session from her end when she was ready. [I was in a virtual "waiting room" briefly before.] That simple.

BirdDancer, Thanks so much for this! I relayed it on to my therapist . They are scrambling with this situation, too.

One Day a Time (sometimes one breath at a time)

A virtual to all in a time of physical social distancing!

[Victoria'smom]

I'm canceling all appointments until at least mid April. we're going to call and see if we can get refills but I have no plans to go out until much later.

[Aviza]

I'm going online for therapy. Just saw my psychiatrist before **** hit the fan he put me at 6 months. My arms worker over the phone. My work is still open so I have a job to go to.

[Moose72]

My psychiatrist's office called this morning with a recording telling people to use their main number. That some case manager will be on call- not necessarily your own- and also call the main number for emergencies or after hours. So that's good at least.