The NHS is collapsing and my GPs seem to be insane

Posted , 8 users are following.

I was diagnosed bipolar in 2008, though it goes way back before then.  After a lot of prescriptions that did nothing, I eventually got 400 mg of quetiapine a day last year, and this has helped me to concentrate and so work, and also to sleep every night. This week, I ordered my monthly repeat prescription, but was told my GP would not authorize it until I made an appointment for an 'annual review'. After 2 days with no meds and no sleep, I eventually got the appointment made - it takes hours to get through to my surgery now, and you have to listen to horrible music and repeated messages for over an hour before anyone answers. I thought that the 'punishment' of withdrawn meds would be ended when I made the appointment as required, but my meds were still not at the pharmacy, so I called the surgery again, waited over an hour for a reply, and was told to call back because the doctor was busy. This has now gone on for 2 more days, and if I can get anyone to answer, they just tell me the doctor is busy but when he isnt busy they will ask him to authorize my monthly prescription again.  Now I havent slept for almost 4 days, I can't eat, and my head is racing with crazy weird thoughts. I'm so stressed out I am seriously thinking of going over to the rough part of town and buying some illegal drugs so that I can get some sleep ... WTF has happened to the NHS, how can they treat people like this? They know I can't sleep without the quetiapine which I am now dependent on. How can they cut off all your medicines because you hadn't made an appointment which they didnt tell you to make until they had stopped your prescription? Its now 4.30pm on Friday, and I have one hour left for the GP authorization to dispense my meds to arrive at my pharmacy ... if not, I have 2 more days going crazy with no sleep... looks like I am heading out for a drug dealer, at least they don't refuse to give you drugs because you failed to make some appointment you werent told about ... sorry for this rambling message, but my head is truly messed up; - how  can they treat people like this?

2 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Hi BadnewsBrain, have you got a cpn or care worker. How about contacting your psychiatric doctor. Withdrawal is awful and i fully sympathis. Hang in there and don't see a drug dealer as street drugs are not the same as prescribed.

    hope this helps. Lou x

    • Posted

      thanks... january drags, winter's dregs, and the weather drugs you like a storm-cocktail. onwards and upwards until the floor gives way again...

       

  • Posted

    You might find that a therapist/counsellor helps in the bad times. I do see one once a week when I'm doing badly. I helps deal with the idiocies of the NHS, among other things. He/she can usually offer suggestions around obstacle that those of us at a distance cannot. And it's helps just to talk to someone.

    google counselling directory

    You can see the specialisations of each counsellor. Chose Bipolar!

    • Posted

      thanks, but I have had counselling and therapy with several professionals, and it has all been fairly unuseful ... research into what makes psychotherapy and counselling effective - including studies of multiple variables - has typically found that the only significant factor is the individual therapist/counsellor, i.e. independent of the approach or therapeutic context etc, it seems that some people are just good at it while others are bad at it (probably most of them). My feeling is that I have only had crap counsellors and therapists to date, so either need to carry on trying new ones, or give up. Right now, I have given up.
  • Posted

    Twenty months ago i had  major cancer surgery , i am now stapled together inside; Sent home with a Caffeter, told i would get nursing care for a few weeks.  Could not get any help at all.  I suffered a dizzy spell, fainted and cracked my head on a wall, deep gash , blood everywhere. Ended up back in Hospital for nearly a week.  Consultant told me i would definitely get home nursing care, he had arranged it,  Got home told there would no help for me i would have to manage the best i could.  I phoned Surgery with 5 Doctors told no chance of getting a GP  visit.   At the age of nearly 80 i had to cope alone.  Dreadful experience, would not wish it on my worst enemy.   I have now fully recovered after much Prayers. To see a GP now there is a 5 week wait.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.