Lived Experience Forum

[Christheart]

I just spoke to the pharmacist about my options. I told her my medication isn't working  after 7 years of keeping me sane. I told her about my disordered thinking, intrusive thoughts and depression. She said it isn't likely another medication could be given to me to stabilise my mind, and my dose can't go any higher. I would have to change medications. Which would leave me basically, unable to do anything. I don't know what would happen, I would have to be institutionalised. I wouldn't be able to keep myself alive. I feel like all my hopes were dashed. My psych appointment is over 6 months away. And he probably won't be able to help me either. I feel like crisis point is moving closer and closer and I have no options. I can't live like this. I don't know what to do. I'm so scared

[hanami]

I'm so sorry you're feeling this way @Christheart .  It must have come as a shock to hear your pharmacist say this to you re your medication. My thinking is though that while they have loads of knowledge about medicines, your psychiatrist would know more about you personally and your medication history so they would be in a much better position to provide you with information.

I know that probably doesn't help much given that you can't get into them for 6 months. I recently made an appt with my psyche and had to wait for 4 months, however, they put me on a cancellation list and I got in last week. Are you on a cancellation list? Do you have another healthcare provider you could see in the meantime to maybe ease your mind. I know that feeling of your medication suddenly not working and it's awful, so I get how distressing it must be for you. 

sending hugs

hanami  💮

[Rhye]

When you say psych appointment @Christheart, do you mean with a psychiatrist? I ask because I think they would be the best person to get advice regarding your medication and personal circumstance. Is it possible to ring their office and ask for an earlier appointment? 6 months does sound like quite the wait.

[Christheart]

@hanami 

I've asked them to put me on a cancellation list. 

I'm going to the GP at 3.30 

I don't know if there is anything anyone can do to help me now.... I'm so confused. Why would medication stop working. It's not fair .... 😢 

I made mistakes when I was young, I used drugs that rendered me mentally ill... I found a medication that helped me recover, now it stops working... I don't know what to do... to come off this medication and try another would be so dangerous for me, and the health care providers don't seem to care, there seems to be no where to go, I was the one who had to go out of my way to find a psychiatrist online, myself, after my old one retired,

I don't know if there is hope for me. I might not be able to make it out of this one, this is very bad, I'm panicking 

[Christheart]

@Rhye yes...psychiatrist... 

I spoke to the pharmacist because they know a lot about medication, and I wanted to know what my options were..... 

I just emailed them about getting on a wait list. 

Thank u for talking to me in this crisis @hanami @Rhye 

[hanami]

I'm glad you've contacted them about getting on a waiting list. Honestly, every time I've been on a waiting list with a specialist I've always got a sooner appointment. There always seems to be cancellations. 

It really does seem unfair that meds stop working. And you start to wonder why. I have this issue with sleeping tablets - they don't work for me and I always think, oh maybe I did something wrong when I was young and killed too many brain cells and now meds won't work....Yes I go down that road of negativity so ensure I stop myself by saying they are just thoughts, not the facts. 

Keep chatting here, there is always hope for you and we are always here for you.

hanami

💮

[Christheart]

@hanami 

I emailed them about getting on a cancellation list again. 

I just don't know what to do

I've been sitting in my car for 45 minutes.  Waiting for it to be 3.30 to go into the GP. It feels hopeless to even be doing so though. 

[Christheart]

@hanami @Rhye 

It sucks to be MI and having a hopeless crisis at such a time as this. When so many other people in the world are too, there are not enough health care professionals, and too many sick people 

[hanami]

You're doing the right thing by seeing the GP. They can help. Talk to them and tell them how you're feeling. You can do this...we are here with you ❤️

[hanami]

You're not wrong there about needing more mental health professionals! I used to work in community mental health. Our psychologist went on mat leave and we could not get anyone to fill her position!