I need some encouragment..

T got me in for a session yesterday, even though I wasn't scheduled this week. It was good to talk to him, after these stupid panic attacks have been coming daily. I finally gave him the green light to send a referall to an MD he refers out to so I can get on meds. So, one thing I have to do today is set up the appointment. It is scarying the heck out of me when I think about it.

The other thing, and the one I am most afraid of is.. He suggested I go to the urgent care where I have been getting most of my care (we don't have a primary doc right now). We actually know the PA there, so we feel comfortable going to him. But, T wants me to show up and tell them that I have been having panic attacks and ask for something fast acting while, I wait to get into the MD that he is refferring me too. I feel so weird about doing this.. Weird about everything from telling the receptionist I am there to talk about panic attacks, and then asking the PA for meds that I know some people seek out for non-legit uses.. However, I know that it could be a while before I get into see the MD, and I can't handle much more of these daily panic attacks. I can do this right???

Yes, you can do this. It will feel uncomfortable to talk to others about the anxiety, but that is what you need to do. You will just have to bit the bullet and do it. I'm not sure there is an easy way to do that. Just remember you aren't one of those people who is drug seeking rather than having a legitimate need. Go in with that in your mind. Offer your T's number to the doctor and fill out a release of information form if you are comfortable doing that. That will help support your need for medication and if the doctor has any questions about the legitimacy of your request, he will be able to double check with your T. Honestly, I don't think the doctor will give you any problems with this; it is mainly your fear, but perhaps that will help. Hope it all goes well for you.

You can totally do this. Would it help if someone went with you? Is there someone who could do that?

You can totally do this. You have a legitimate medical need. I too have panic issues and medication has been a God send. If you had a rash in a private area or weird bathroom issue, you may be embarrass to say so but you'd seek meds to clear it up. Same thing, there is no shame in seeking medical attention for an "ailment" that isn't visible to the naked eye. I gave my primary doc my T's name and number just to legitimize my need for the meds and after that no questions asked. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, the meds have cut my attacks down to nothing, I hope the same for you!

Thanks for the encouragment.. So, today I ended up mentioning it to the PA..

I ended up bringing my son to the urgent care today b/c I couldn't get him into his regular Dr. The one PA that my T suggested I see was there. So, I was thinking about it the whole time and almost didn't do it. However, right before we were leaving I just brought it up. Told him the situation. He said, I could come and talk to him either tuesday or wednesday and go from there. So, I didn't get an rx today, but at least I know he knows and that he is willing to talk to me. So, that part is almost done.

Now, I have to call the MD the T is referring me, he will be the one who be treating me long term for my meds.

Just called the other MD's office.. they were less than helpful. I called, the Dr. in the practice that I was being reffered to is not excepting new patients and the doctors that are, are booking into April. The lady asked me if that was going to be a problem? umm yeah.. lol.

So, I asked her to connect with somebody who handles the referrals and maybe she can get me somewhere, she wasn't at her desk.. so I left a message. Am I naive or if I have refferal doesn't that get me in quicker?? Or no? don't they keep some kind of open slots for stuff like that? And with how my T made it sound my panic disorder is severe so I would imagine he would mention that in referall. I don't know.. feeling discouraged now. It's been a long day.

I'm a PA at an urgent care clinic and I see patients who need anxiety meds every single day. Most providers have no problem whatsoever writing a short term Rx to get you through a rough patch. Please, please don't feel embarrassed about it. On the subject of medical referrals- all the referal means is that it's a doc your T has a past relationship with, it does not mean that he/she is the only person on the planet who can give you the care that you need. Call around, find a doc who has an opening and make an appt there. If you need a referal from your t for insurance purposes (which doesn't sound right to me), than go and ask him for one. Why wouldn't he do it? The goal here is to get you seen, not to line his buddy's pocket with a referral.

Thanks for the info.. My T was the one who suggested that he refers me b/c I don't have a primary right now. And he has a list of trusted Drs. that he ususally refers his patients to, I am sure I am welcomed to go wherever I want... Although, I do want a Dr, who I know is confident in rx psychatric drugs and will not just rx them and send me on my way w/o follow ups... b/c the lady who was my primary care did that last year. Said take this and that was it.. she didn't want to follow up, she didn't tell me to get thearpy or anything. I was thrown off by that. And anyways.. I wasn't in a place where I was ever going to take any meds then anyways. So, I am just a little nervous and leary of it all. I am however very encouraged that the PA was willing to sit down with me and talk to me next week!!

Well, this is just wrong. Any pdoc or family practice provider should know better than this. I'm glad you recognized that something wasn't right about it. This person is the minority, though. Keep your chin up and look after yourself.

I see an osteopath for primary care. A DO can practice like an MD. I am lucky to have found one who did his residency in a psychiatric hospital. So he's pretty knowledgeable regarding psychotropic meds. However, I did see a psychiatrist when I was on anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers a few years back.

Hope it all works out. I'm glad the PA will treat you for now!

((((((healed))))))!!!

GOOD for you for being brave and bring it up with the PA. I hope you're able to get the relief that you need while you wait for your "official" doctor appt.

My T had suggested I get something fast-acting for anxiety a couple of years ago, and I was TERRIFIED to ask my doctor. I mean, hello, I'm ANXIOUS! It was really hard. But once I got the meds, I was so glad that I did it. It was such a relief to have something I could take when my anxiety/panic got too bad. I couldn't believe I had suffered so many years without it!

Dealing with the medical establishment can be such a pain, but it sounds like you're doing a really good job.

Yes, you can do this! It may seem uncomfortable because you haven't taken this step before; however, once you get you meds you will feel much better. I had to do the same recently before going to the pdoc. My gp gave me a prescription for prozac to get me through until my appointment.
Bluemountains