Help refused

[toosick13]

My psychiatrist has refused to treat my Bipolar II illness.  He refilled my antidepressants, but refuses to give me a mood stabilizer.  He knows I can't get an appt with another doctor any time soon.  I've tried all docs on my insurance; got an appt in Sept; asked for a cancelation or "urgent" work-in, without luck; gave me appt with different doc in almost 3 weeks.  Moods cycling; hypomanic 6/23-24; 44 hr. without sleep.  Now very depressed.  Family doc ordered Seroquel 50 qhs; is only a "sleep" dose, not mood stabilizer - ms would need to be increased daily to a max. dose.  50 mg did make me sleep 21 hr.  Need help; tried desperately, without luck.  I have a Mood Tracker on this site; gave it to psych 6/24; he put in my chart; also Sleep Tracker.

[Peter Forster]

At least in our state there are laws governing access to care that apply to insurance companies. The insurance companies, however, seem to rely on the notion that most people with depression are not able to be strong advocates for themselves (I hope I am being too cynical). You should check into the laws in your state that govern access. You need help and you have a right to help in a timely fashion, I believe.

[wineandroses]

You did not go into detail of his reasoning for refusing to treat you, can you expand on your post?  Thanks.

[Peter Forster]

I am glad that you have found competent help at last. I agree with Jaquta that doctors definitely need to be aware of their limitations and make appropriate referrals and I am surprised sometimes to find the idea of getting a "second opinion" not as widely accepted among psychiatrists as I would like.

[Jaquta]

Is good to hear that you're doing better.  Is it possible to continue to see the T with whom you had a good relationship?  I've had rather traumatic experiences with the mhs but I had a good T and that acted as a kind of buffer.  She spoke about how the system were projecting many of their feelings onto me.  The validation helped a lot.  It helped me to understand that the problem wasn't all with me but with the mhs too.
I think time helps to heal some wounds.

Pets are great but they can also be stressful.  I seemed to have inherited my sister's dog and it's picked up on a lot of my stress and anxiety.  Is painful and unnerving when it barks at everything.

Ditching your old psychiatrist seems to have been no loss.  I find that I relate better to health professionals who listen and treat me with respect.  I think doctors should be aware of their limitations and refer if need be.

[toosick13]

I'm doing better.  Finished 2 weeks of IOP; have seen new psychiatrist twice (officially severed relationship with previous psychiatrist).  Meds working well.  Now I need a new therapist.  My previous one, with whom I had a great relationship, works at the hospital in which I had a nightmare experience.  I made an appt. with one where I had IOP, but they won't take the insurance I'll have beginning in August.  So, have to start over again.  Oh, I got a loveable, smart little dog.  She's been great "therapy".  I would recommend a pet for anybody who loves dogs or cats.

[Jaquta]

And in others countries too.  I expect it must be difficult when under-resourced, etc.
In my opinion many of the systems don't work, adversely affect the patient and end up costing more in the long-term.  I wish my health care system was more functional.

[acesarp]

No offense but health care in the US is messed up...

[Jaquta]

I'm sorry it came to that.  Not sure it was a good thing or not you had limited meds.  Maybe appropriate treatment would have prevented the incident in the first place.

Perhaps being confronted by the staff meant that your asthma was in better control than you thought?

Victims often get re-victimized.  Hospitals often project many of their failings onto patients.

I am glad that you are now receiving appropriate treatment.  I also hope that your teeth can be saved.

Please, if you ever feel that desperate again, talk to someone.

[toosick13]

Too late; almost, anyway.  The night I posted last, I overdosed.  Obviously, am still here.  Spent 9 days in hospital; came out black and blue, with 2 loose teeth I'll probably lose.  Was refused med TX for asthma, pushed away nurse trying to take phone to keep me from calling daughter and was "taken down" by 4 male staff (I weigh 105).  Police and Co. prosecutor wouldn't take a complaint.  Attorney says nobody will believe me over staff of institution.  Daughter, attorney in another state, had to drive 200 miles to get me out of that hell hole.  Good news, I was started on a mood stabilizer, have appt with new psychiatrist 7/13, and starting IOP tomorrow.

[Jaquta]

I feel if anything that you are being too conservative.  The same applies to health professionals as well.  I have been waiting nearly two years for therapy.  Over a year of that time has been waiting for an independent specialist opinion.
At times I feel people take our vulnerability and use it to their advantage.  We appear to have a revolving door policy here and more often than not people walk away in frustration or because they become seriously unwell.

I went from three therapy sessions down to none (after may previous T left) and have been unsupported since and during cancer treatment and the death of a family member (they hung themself).

I often wonder what the role of the mhs is because only very rarely does it even seem that they help.

My perception may be a little skewed but I still believe I have valid concerns.

[toosick13]

He decided I don't have bipolar; just a personality disorder.  I've been dx'ed with bipolar for 131/2 yrs.  He had 5 yr. experience before this practice, and that was in the Air Force.  I don't think he knows what he's doing.