I had a mental breakdown the other day and ended up in hospital because my medication regime was changed for no reason. As I have said elsewhere I take 2, 5 mg tablets of diazepam per week and have for a very, very long time with no problems. Yes I'd like more to enable me to get out of the house more, but I accept that this isn't likely - I can deal with it.No, it was decided that I have to front up to the pharmacy once a week to collect...2 tablets. Wtf ?
So mental health decided I had to see the drug and alcohol service and the latter could work with my doctor because *gasp* I take pregabalin as well.
So they 'closed my case'.
Drug and alcohol told me they couldn't do anything and had no idea what mental health were on about but maybe I could speak to my psychologist. He can't do anything either.
I can not, see another gp...that would be considered 'doctor shopping' and ALL drugs of potential abuse would be denied. I am not making a jest. The WILL do that.
To make things worse, I have started to get break through rls even with 300 mg of pregabalin. Last night I was up for hours with it.
Given the attitudes here, I would not bother daring to request opiate based medication as they are trying to phase it out except for end of life scenarios - yes even for bloody cancer they will recommend a course of cbt and exercise with anti depressants...
As for iron transfusions 🤣 !
And if you showed them the Mayo algorithm you'd be given short-shrift and shown the door. There would also be a note added to your file to say you were a 'troublesome' patient.
I have been told not to rock the boat.
I hate it here but can't leave.
Sorry I am so negative. I really can't find a way through.
Please note that I am in the most backward state in Australia. Things may be different in other states and countries.
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Thank you Joolsg and Sue. I just wrote a long reply and accidently deleted it. Duh.
It is very hard as I live in Tasmania. There are some other members on here who also live fairly near me, but I do not know their experiences, so I would not feel comfortable speaking for them at all.
I think part of the reason I am having such a diffulicult time is that the prescribing rules for ANY drug that can be abused, are very, very strict and the paperwork is a pain. There is an extremely strong movement in the medical/psychological field to move things toward the use of CBT.
As usual, the pendulum has swung too far.
(Oddly enough, medical Marijuana is freely prescribed along with anti depressants).
I am pretty sure I have mentioned that I am agoraphobic, but can get around ok in a very limited area, provided I know that I can have valium if I need it. I fully realise that yes, I do have a psychological dependence...but am not an addict - as I do not need to escalate my dose - and they KNOW that I don't because they can see it on the System. I did tell the doctor that my last dose was 12 days ago and he was insisting it had built up in my system. (I didn't say anything but was thinking, how come I am not shaking, sweating and writhing on the ground with withdrawal, then ?) So I am terrified I have a physical dependence. I get a huge bee in the bonnet about it all as you read in one of my replies last week re: dependence v addiction.
With most drugs here, the end decision lies with the Pharmaceutical Services Board (PSB) who are live-linked to all doctors and pharmacies. It seems be a mound of paper work involved.
I really cab't change doctors. I have only been seeing this one since around mid May . It is terribly unfair, but I face an enormous risk of bei g labelled a 'dr shopper' and thenI will be refused ALL and any drugs that might h ave the potential for abuse.
I am cross that there are all these arguements fir patient 'advocacy and autonomy' but if one does so, the risk of being labelled mentally ill and a trouble maker is very, very high.
And Yes, it ABSOLUTELY is gas lighting.
.
I really don't believe a doctor who us interstate is actually allowed to prescribe for me legally. Something similar to things being 'red listed' in the UK.
I will keep an eye out, because maybe one of the specialists will visit Tasmania.
I thank you Sue for going to the trouble of finding the doctors in Australia.
I cannot use it as I have quite a bad reaction, even to the supposedly 'Zero' thc strains. It is very unfortunate, but even the smell of it induces panic attacks. But I will ask about edibles though and just see.
It may be different in other countries but as a general rule here, it's not advisable to publicise which Australian doctors prescribe opioids. Reason being, people who use opioids illicitly will then start chasing opioid scripts from that doctor, and the doctor will likely then be monitored very closely by the authorities/ stop prescribing opiods. So, in the interests of RLS patients in Australia (and their ongoing ability to obtain opioids), it's probably best to private message the names of Australian doctors who prescribe opioids or other restricted drugs.
But he is not going to prescribe opioids to someone who doesn't have RLS and has not tried other medicines first under his care. He is a sleep specialist and I am sure he is very careful about who he prescribes opioids too knowing what you have said.
No harm done! I just want to make sure that Australian RLS patients can continue to access opioids without their doctors being spooked. I understand that some people (such as yourself) already have difficulty finding a doctor to prescribe what they need.
Do consider some recent advances in the treatment of mental health disorders with a ketogenic diet. This has been popularized in a book called Brain Energy by Chris Palmer. Study here...
I have utmost sympathy for you. The botch that society has made in its futile attempt to "protect" us from addicting drugs will likely take decades to unravel. And from your description of Tasmania, it seems that the devil himself is in charge of prohibitionist policies there.
Until the population in general is educated as to why Drug War propaganda is false, it will never end. People still think that allowing adults to purchase safe and cheap recreational drugs will make society less safe, when the opposite is actually true. A barrage of education is the only answer; without it, we will continue to fail.
Those in the "know" recognize that the real reason drugs are outlawed is to drive the prices so high that powerful people can amass incredible fortunes selling them.
Yes, some people Will become addicts, some will become dependent, but use responsibly, others will only use for s short term snd then stop.
It is this middle group that seem to suffer the most.
I think with me it is possible becsuse I have had an alcohol problem many years ago. I was self-medicating for panic disordercand domestic violence.
Also that my doctor doesn't know me. I could be spinning a yarn for all he knows and he jist has to be careful. Most of the doctors Who had known me for years were pretty ok, but they have either passed away or retired. The added fact that the pay for specialists here is lower than the mainland and they just don't want to be here..
The PSB really got involved as several opiate abusers were using xanax to get a high from their methadone, which killed quite a few of them and the state coroner madry recommendations re opiate prescriptions. Which the PSB overseas I don't need to use opiates yet. I hope I never need them
Don't get me wrong there are plenty.of people on them legally and have been for years, probably dependent yes.
But causing no problems
It is just that it gets harder and harder .
Of course the first recommendation for both pain and panic is cbt therapy. That can be good, but not always effective snd of course ssris which I am certain caused my restless legs in the first place..
I would rsther everthing was legal??, but with some controls, because there will alway be jerks who dealt to kids. Diversion is another concern here.
I can only say that so heartbreaking because you’re in a very tough situation. that’s clear and it’s just so wrong . I’m just stamping my feet it’s just not right. You just can’t get a break. I am so sorry. My mental health has been hurting
for the last few years also but I don’t have the issue you do and that’s the correct help from doctors. You are in my prayers, my heart go out to you. There is a miracle coming I believe for you.🩷
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