dental health

[Jaquta]

I was just wondering about my teeth.  I've read previous posts here and have had a previous question answered.  I perceive you as being sensitive to us and our needs.
Just generally issues with my teeth seem to dump me into a severe suicidal crisis.  I understand the emotional content needs to be discussed with a psychotherapist, etc.
My current concerns are about eroded teeth near the gum line due to brushing too hard, too often, etc and binge eating (often sugary stuff, etc) to compensate for the anxiety (relating to my teeth, etc).
Is that eroded part likely to get worse?  Are there things I can do to better protect my teeth?  My fear is that one day I will need dentures.  I would absolutely hate for this to happen.  The worst part would be losing my teeth.
My goal is to better manage my anxiety and therefore diet.  It's complex.  My teeth and health are suffering.
Do you have any dental tips or advice that may help me?  Any would be greatly appreciated.

[Jaquta]

Hi.
My GP has advocated quite vigorously for me but that hasn't translated into anything tangible (except for the paper trail and the voice messages left for him).
I spoke to my GP today.  He spoke to the Director of mh again and if the funding is approved then the director/ doctor doesn't have an issue with me being seen by an independent specialist.  My GP is away for two weeks and expects a response on his return.
Two weeks when I'm struggling now seems like a long time.  A seriously long time.
I told my GP I was prepared to make a formal complaint against the service.  He suggested I wait to hear back whether the funding for the independent review was approved or not.  I just feel so frustrated.  Two weeks for that.  If it is approved then another wait to see the specialist.  To me it just seems incomprehensible what they're doing.  I'm sure dentists are never that unreasonable!

The internet is probably the most accessible and practical resource.

I actually commented on a US doctor in my last post but then thought better of it and deleted it.
This doctor actually came to live here for good but got so frustrated with our health care system he left.  I don't know if that makes it any better or worse than your system.

I've taken up heaps of your time.  I'll send you a follow-up post about how things go if you'd like.  It won't be for at least another two weeks though.
I really appreciate your time and counsel but I feel I should allow you to focus on your forum.

J

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Ah ok.  New Zealand.  

I hope your GP can be your advocate in the health care system.  I assume its as confusing out here in the US and that sometimes its hard to navigate your way through.  If there aren't any support groups in your small area, is there any way for you to find a group possibly farther away?

[Jaquta]

It is frustrating, especially as that 'cure' or elusive something is most likely intrinsic.

I live in New Zealand.  Our health care system is largely government funded.
I have access to some of the local services.
The area I live in is relatively small and therefore doesn't attract the specialists who tend to gravitate more towards the larger centres.

The ironic thing is that if I asked I could possibly access a nurse, a social worker, a psychiatrist and a T but none of them actually help with my situation.
Doctors here only advocate medication or ect, nurses only monitor your mental state, the social worker is pretty inept as are the T's.
The T I was seeing said he was the most qualified to see me (he was also head of the psychology department) yet therapy with him was also contra-indicated (for many reasons, some being ethical).

I'm not aware of any support groups in my area.  The ones that I have tried to access say that their role is to support the family and not the individual.  ??
I have accessed support from Lifelink Youthline -a phone counseling service.  I have a good rapport with one of the guys there.  The person is good to talk to but it's not the same as therapy.  And this person only does duties occasionally.  It could be the same as seeing a dental hygienist versus seeing a dentist.  Not sure.

I'll wait and see if my GP contacts me.  He said he would try and speak to the doctor before tomorrow.
I don't think I've ever been well enough to make a formal complaint but maybe I need to revisit this.  I don't just think it's unacceptable to treat me like this but how many others are being treated like this too?
Maybe this could be a starting point?

I'll let you know if my GP calls or if the mhs write to me.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Hm.  Sounds like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.  It sounds very frustrating to want to be well but unable to find the help or "cure" you need.  

Well, I was thinking in terms of the US health care system.  It may be out of the system but there are support groups for people who may have behavioral or mental health issues to provide encouragement and remove that feeling of being alone.  

I'm not sure how the system is structured.  Are you living in the UK?  

[Jaquta]

Baby steps, right?  Like the journey of a thousand miles or the eating of an elephant.
I don't think the system want to admit defeat.  In the past they have just blamed me, the patient, and I have accepted that blame.  My last T said that it wasn't about me but the system and the clinicians within the system.
Other departments will refer.  I was referred for the breast biopsy and radiation.  I don't think the psych services take a lot of responsibility.  I don't think the system has a very good appreciation of its limitations either.
The doctor on the mental health expert forum/ emotional eating expert forum says that he is frustrated that he can't help me directly.  He says to look for that one doctor who can help me.
Usually it is mental health considered as being out of the loop.

ect -electroconvulsive therapy or shock treatment.  I haven't had it but being threatened with it wasn't very pleasant.

I spoke to my GP today.  He said he would contact the consultant psychiatrist who is also the director of mental health.  Basically it's amounted to being back in the same cycle.  There doesn't seem to be any way out of this mess.

So the long-term goal would be to get adequate support.  ??  If I felt I could change by myself I would do that.  It hasn't been terribly effective.  So then accessing that support, without doing myself more damage (emotionally or physically), would be key.  It's hard to access options when you aren't well either.

My GP goes away on leave for several weeks.  I've asked if he could contact me before then with feedback from the shrink.
My GP wants an independent psych evaluation from a specialist in the field I have issues with.

The only other options left are to make a complaint to the health and disability commissioner or to take the matter to my local member of parliament.
Maybe that's something I need to follow through with despite being unwell.

I've just pushed everything away at the moment because it's been too much for me to deal with.  I've been for a swim and a bike ride today but still don't feel very good.
Maybe those bone leeching ssri's wouldn't be such a bad idea. ??  I don't think ad's are the answer though.

Thank you for putting this problem into perspective for me.

J

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Tough situation. Its important to tackle big problems by breaking it down into smaller manageable pieces.  I'm not sure why they won't make a referral to another health care provider.  It seems like a pretty logical step to me because if I'm unable to treat the problem, I would definitely seek someone who can.  What does the advisor on the forum say?  I'm not as familiar with medical health and how it works.  Dental has its own structure and we're still a little outside of the loop so to speak.  

I'm also a little confused, whats a ECT?