I hope to find advice and what should I do? I need a specialist in psychiatrists I have been waiting in line at the hospital for more than 7 months to see a doctor, and I was surprised that my appointment is still a year and two months away, and my condition is getting worse
I suffer from chronic diseases and I suffer from memory loss. I hope to find a place that specializes in this field, which is the most annoying thing to me, which is short-term memory, which has gotten worse with the strong treatments I use. It doesn't matter if you have to pay money to book an appointment with a specialist doctor. Please accept my highest respect and appreciation
Mr ADEEB ALATAFI.
I hope to find a response from you 🤲🙏
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Yes dear, there are doctors, but after communicating with the hospital, they told me about my appointment in a year and two months, and I cannot wait. Now I am tired of booking an appointment with a private clinic if there is one.
Like I said your GP will have a list of reputable private specialists. They should be the people to point you in the right direction.
The only other option would be to Google clinics or specialists in your area. Not what I would feel safe doing. That's why I suggested a recommendation from your GP who is medically qualified. I hope you find what your looking for.
First of all, I want to say that it’s understandable to feel frustrated and worried about your current situation. Chronic pain, memory issues, and long waiting times for specialists can be incredibly overwhelming. Let’s go through your concerns step by step, based on the information you’ve shared, and explore possible solutions together.
1. Your Current Situation
From what you’ve shared, you are dealing with:
Fibromyalgia, causing widespread pain that often doesn’t respond well to a single treatment.
Sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, contributing to severe back pain and limited mobility.
You are currently taking:
Pregabalin, which doesn’t seem to be providing the expected relief.
Duloxetine 60 mg, which initially worked but has lost its effectiveness over the past three months.
Paracetamol, as a general pain reliever.
It’s common for people with chronic pain to experience a reduction in medication effectiveness over time as the body adapts to it.
2. Alternatives to Consider if Pregabalin and Duloxetine Are Losing Effectiveness
If your current medications are not working as expected, there are other pharmacological approaches worth discussing with your doctor:
a. Other Neuropathic Pain Medications:
1. Amitriptyline:
A low-dose antidepressant commonly used to treat chronic pain and improve sleep. It may be an option if neither Pregabalin nor Duloxetine are effective.
While it may cause drowsiness, this could be beneficial if pain interferes with your sleep.
2. Gabapentin:
Similar to Pregabalin but with a different mechanism of action. Some people find it more effective or better tolerated.
b. Medications for Inflammatory Pain (for Sacroiliitis):
While Naproxen was not effective for you, a rheumatologist may recommend targeted treatments such as:
Etanercept or Adalimumab, biologics often used for severe inflammatory conditions.
c. Combined Medication Strategies:
A combination of lower-dose medications may work better than a single one. For example, Amitriptyline alongside Duloxetine could target different pain pathways.
Suggestion:
Discuss with your doctor whether a personalised combination or alternative approach could better address your pain.
3. Accessing a Psychiatrist
Long Waiting Times:
It’s frustrating to hear that you have to wait over a year to see a psychiatrist, especially when your mental health is worsening. Unfortunately, long waiting times are common in the NHS due to high demand, but there are steps you can take to access help sooner.
Options to Reduce the Waiting Time:
1. Private Consultation:
If you can afford it, private clinics often have much shorter waiting times. You can use the General Medical Council (GMC) website to find registered psychiatrists in your area.
2. NHS Mental Health Crisis Services:
If your condition worsens significantly, contact your local NHS crisis team or call NHS 111 for urgent support. They may expedite your referral.
3. Speak to Your GP:
Request a reassessment of your referral. GPs can sometimes escalate your case if they consider it urgent. They may also suggest interim therapies while you wait.
4. NHS Psychological Therapies (IAPT):
While IAPT services don’t replace a psychiatrist, they can provide support for anxiety, depression, and stress management, which might help while you wait.
4. Managing Short-Term Memory Issues
Addressing Memory Decline:
Short-term memory problems can stem from factors like stress, medication side effects, or underlying health conditions. Here are strategies to consider:
1. Comprehensive Medical Review:
Ask your GP to rule out physical causes, such as vitamin deficiencies (B12, D) or side effects from current medications.
2. Cognitive Training:
Engage in brain-training activities or apps like Lumosity, which provide exercises designed to improve memory and cognitive function.
3. Daily Support Tools:
Use tools like task lists, calendars, and phone alarms to help remember important tasks and appointments.
4. Specialist Assessment:
Request a referral to a neurologist or memory clinic for a more in-depth evaluation if the issue persists or worsens.
5. Holistic Pain Management
In addition to medication, chronic pain management is often most effective when paired with complementary strategies. Here are some options to explore:
a. Physical Therapies:
Physiotherapy:
Helps improve mobility and reduce stiffness through tailored exercises.
Hydrotherapy:
Therapy in warm water is particularly effective for fibromyalgia, as it eases muscle tension and joint strain.
b. Psychological Therapies:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
Can help you manage the emotional impact of chronic pain and develop coping strategies.
c. Complementary Therapies:
Mindfulness and Meditation:
These practices can reduce stress and alter your perception of pain.
Acupuncture:
Some people with fibromyalgia find relief through acupuncture.
6. Next Steps Suggested
1. Speak to Your Doctor:
Request a full review of your current medications and explain your concerns about the lack of effectiveness of Pregabalin and Duloxetine.
2. Consider Private Options:
If you can, look into private consultations for faster access to psychiatric or specialist care.
3. Seek Support While Waiting:
Organisations like Mind UK or The Samaritans offer emotional support while you wait for professional help.
7. Conclusion:
It’s clear that your situation is challenging, but it’s important to remember that there are additional options and strategies to explore. Your struggles with pain management, memory issues, and delayed access to care are valid concerns, but with the right adjustments, relief is possible.
Make sure to continue working closely with your GP and consider seeking a referral to pain management or memory specialists. Remember, the final word will always come from a specialist who can evaluate your specific case in detail.
If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, please feel free to ask in this group. There will always be someone here willing to help or share their experiences. Wishing you strength and support on this journey, and I hope you find relief soon! 👍🙏💪
Comment: Everything that happened to me has been detailed and valuable advice is priceless. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. May health and comfort be with every patient.
Thanks goes to you forres18 for long lists of Advice and everyone. You have got a enough advice there. I was in your situation. My Gp reffered me to community mental health physiotherapist which is under Surrey and Borders. The therapist came to my house to assess me ×2 visits after the results of my blood test from Gp. After the second visit for home activities, she then referred me for MRI scan,then straight to the psychiatric consultant. Every thing started from March 2024, then I saw the consultant early September 2024. I am very fortunate in the area that l live. Your longer waiting may depend on your area. Did you go through this process? My Gp did not go through the hospital. This is to let you know how I got my diagnosed. After my diagnosis, the consultant stopped the Amyptripline and co_codamol and because he said those two can affect one cognitively and then placed me on venlafaxine.
The specialist that works with memory problems is a good neurologist. I am in the US but have been seeing a neurologist pretty much since 97. I was diagnosed with dementia when I was living in Wyoming. From there have lived in Florida, South Dakota and South Carolina but it wasn’t until I saw a neurologist in Rock Hill SC who said that I “was too young to be carrying that diagnosis”. So he sent me a a place that does neurological testing. Which the results were that seen in fibromyalgia. I had been tested periodically for the years before that. The last test was inconclusive showing memory deficits but I did better in the more complex or harder levels than I did in the less complex or easier levels. She said that my depression and high pain levels needed to be better controlled to get a more accurate assessment. I’m not sure if this is how things work in the UK but you mentioned about private pay so that might be the faster way to go. This would be my suggestion since you have another year and 2 months wait time.
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