rafa
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Post by rafa on May 12, 2015 13:18:03 GMT
I'm sorry if this has been asked before, please don't slaughter me if it has.
I was diagnosed with ADHD last year by a private doctor and I'm on Dex and Pregabalin. Since about a couple of months ago, I couldn't afford to pay for private prescriptions anymore as it was costing me over £300 a month. My private psychiatrist suggested that he would fax over details of my meds to my GP so I could get them for free. The GP were fine to do that. But I had an appointment today with my GP and she said that they couldn't continue giving me my prescription through the NHS and that I would need to see an NHS doctor through a referral in order to get assessed for ADHD, and that she disapproves of the meds I'm on suggesting that I should have tried other things. Additionally she also questioned if I have ADHD as apparently I aced college with top marks, yet she brushed off the idea that I really struggled through college saying that it's normal to go through stress at college, and that everyone goes through the same thing and that she was worried they were giving me "speed" given that I'm normal. She's now given me until Thursday to either take her advice and get referred to the NHS which could take some time and have an assessment with someone who apparently has "no financial incentive", or I could continue with my private doctor and pay for my prescriptions. She said I can't do both.
I'm not entirely sure what to do now as after such a long time trying different medications and different doses, I've finally got to a point where I'm happy with my life. And now I have to decide to either go on the NHS and try different meds again, or try to find money every month to fund my medication. I'm quite frustrated by this and would really appreciate some advice on how to come to some sort of decision as I'm a bit lost right now.
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Post by Lesley on May 13, 2015 18:00:26 GMT
Hi, rafa. Welcome to the forum. I don't think we've slaughtered anyone yet - not while I've been looking, anyway. This sounds all wrong to me, but I don't have the time right now, or the facts at my fingertips to give you a complete reply (there are others around who are better at that sort of thing than me anyway). But to start the ball rolling - your GP is definitely out of order questioning a diagnosis made by a psychiatrist in an area in which she presumably has no expertise (I obviously don't know if your private psychiatrist is a specialist in ADHD, but at least they are a psychiatrist and she isn't. And presumably as you were paying you went to someone with relevant knowledge and experience). - she's totally wrong - as you probably realise, but if not you'll find plenty of relevant posts on the forum - to suggest that you can't do well educationally (or professionally) if you have ADHD. - and that remark about financial incentive is totally out of order. Got to go now - haven't said everything I meant to say, but may add more later if someone else hasn't already covered what I meant to add by the time I get back.
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Post by Lesley on May 13, 2015 22:13:49 GMT
OK, I'm back. And it's just occurred to me - if you do as she suggests and ask to be referred for an assessment on the NHS, what is she suggesting you do in the meantime? Is she willing to prescribe the medications while you are waiting for assessment, as long as you are doing what you are told, or is she suggesting that you come off medication which is obviously helping you for what might be a period of several months, if other people's experience is anything to go by? Have you talked to your private psychiatrist about this? Have they any suggestions? GPs often don't like to prescribe Dex unless it is under the (at least nominal) supervision of a specialist - for reasons to to with the licencing of it and responsibility if things go wrong. So it may be reasonable for her to ask you to see an NHS specialist who will take responsibility for prescribing. But it shouldn't be necessary for you to go down the whole assessment route again. I was diagnosed by (but didn't get medication from) a private psychiatrist, and then went back to my GP, who referred me to an NHS psychiatrist. The NHS psychiatrist looked at the private psychiatrist's report and based her own assessment on that and a conversation with me. While writing this I've come to the conclusion that, in my opinion, you should (a) say that you are willing to see an NHS specialist in ADHD (not just an NHS psychiatrist - it's important they have knowledge and experience of adults with ADHD). (b) say that in the meantime you want to continue on the medication prescribed by your private psychiatrist, which she has already agreed to prescribe to you - ask her to honour the agreement she made. (c) if she expresses any opinions about whether you have ADHD or whether you are on the right medication for it, point out to her respectfully that she is not a specialist in ADHD. (d) if she refuses to continue to prescribe, you need to take further action - and that's not something I have any experience of, so hopefully someone else will help you there. annie or @planetdave should be able to give advice. Good luck tomorrow.
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rafa
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Post by rafa on May 14, 2015 8:57:46 GMT
Hey Lesley, thank you for the reply and advice.
When I was at the GP on Monday, I did ask what would happen with my medication if I chose to go through the NHS, she said they'd keep me on them until I get my referral and the NHS doctor will look into it.
I really appreciate your advice. I will follow the steps you proposed as it seems like a good way to go.
In terms of asking for an NHS specialist in ADHD, is that something I'm allowed to ask for?
And yeah, I felt really uneasy at her suggestion that I may not have ADHD, it shocked me. I was hoping my GP would actually be support or even sensitive to the topic but she was surprisingly blunt - she wasn't being rude or anything but I just felt like she didn't understand my situation, and she completely ruined my day on Monday. When I got my diagnosis for ADHD it was such a relief that for the past 25 years I've struggled through life not knowing what was wrong with me, I didn't do my GCSE's, I didn't do A-Levels - I had to do an Access Course to get into Uni, and that was such a tough year for me. And now that I've been getting treatment and reading several books - I understand myself so much better, I finally know who I am. I was just really disappointed with my GP, didn't expect that at all. I may think about getting a new GP if possible as I'd be extremely uncomfortable seeing her again given her thoughts about my ADHD.
And thank you. I contacted my private doctor on Monday but he's in Germany - he's back today so hopefully I can talk to him before my GP calls. I'll keep you updated. Thank you again, you're suggestions have helped bring some much needed calmness.
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rafa
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Posts: 8
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Post by rafa on May 14, 2015 18:57:13 GMT
Update:
So I spoke to my private psychiatrist and this is what he advised: He disagrees with my GP, and suggested I should either change GP's, make a complaint, or seek advice from the practice manager.
My GP called me around 5pm, and asked me if I had made a decision, I said to her I'm willing to be referred as long as it's an ADHD specialist that I see. She said that the person who would see me is someone who's interested in ADHD and deals with the ADHD assessments and that the referral would take several weeks. Upon agreeing to this, she then went back on her word after agreeing on Monday that they would continue to issue me my medication, she said they won't be able to issue my medication on the NHS and I'd have to wait for the NHS doctor to assess me first - in the meantime I'm to continue to see my private doctor and pay for my prescription.
I'm really disappointed about this, my GP knew my dexamfetamine would run out today as I told her on Monday, and she said she'd sort that out today. I feel as if she's just left me out to dry. Even though she apologised several times on the phone, I couldn't help but feel the apology lacked any real remorse - she further explained that they only gave me the prescriptions in the first place as a favour. I'm thinking of changing GP's, but I'm afraid I might face the same issues elsewhere.
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Post by contrarymary on May 14, 2015 20:25:52 GMT
hi rafa it's a pain, but it is definitely progress and sounds as tho it might get resolved pretty soon. on the down side, you are highly likely to face the same difficulties elsewhere. GPs do not prescribe controlled drugs unless you have been assessed and treatment organised by a specialist in the NHS. they are not covered by their insurance and will not want to take a risk. on the up side, you have been referred to the person who does ADHD assessments and the waiting list has been described as weeks (rather than months or years!). many, many people are turned away by their GP, or have to go through a lot of hoops of local community mental health team - with distraction of "it must be depression/anxiety/you must try CBT/counselling" - or go to a general psychiatrist who may or may not refere them on for specialist ADHD assessment. it seems you have skipped all this and been accepted by the GP and referred direct to the relevant person. i would be rejoicing. it's a bummer that your meds have run out, but you are on the journey to what you wanted - to being able to get your meds on the NHS. it's a result
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rafa
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Post by rafa on May 15, 2015 7:12:41 GMT
Yes this is true contrarymary. I'm still quite positive actually. Had this sort of thing happened a year back I would have really been down in the dumps. These are good times for me, regardless of this problem I face with the GP. You are right, this is indeed a result
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