GP Consultations

[hollygolightly]

I have a supportive GP but from reading posts it seems like others haven't seen their GP's.

I just thought it would be interesting to see what people's views are.

[Matthew]

Interesting Poll, thanks Holly http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

When we had NFH couple no. 2 last year, they increased the severity, length and effects of my Migraines. I would normally envisage getting migraines only on average 2-3 times a year, not very often at all. They were more frequent when I was younger, but I can now stop most of them in their tracks (with medication) as I recognise the signs of onset. These are a hereditary problem.

So, between about September 2001 - February 2002 I was suffering many painful migraines (all having lots of different side effects) and smaller &#39;cluster&#39; type migraines on a daily level, ultimately linked to the stress and hassle of it all.

My GP is very good, I like his sense of humour and dry wit, and he prescribed Beta Blockers to help manage the condition - these pretty much worked. But thinking about it, not once did he mention counselling (I don&#39;t think I&#39;d have wanted it to be honest anyway but that&#39;s my personal preference) or any other form of alternative treatment, etc (e.g acupuncture, meditation and so on).

Different GP&#39;s are all so different in their approach - there doesn&#39;t seem to be any consistency or common approach sometimes. Sometimes it&#39;s what medication works best and is the most &#39;popular&#39; (for whatever reason) on the market, and sometimes certain GP&#39;s are reluctant to prescribe due to the cost of certain medications and personal preferences (e.g. they prefer a non-medication managed situation/solution).

[floricicia]

Dear Holly,
Yes;I agree with Matthew here.This is a crucial area of experience for most ,if not all sufferers from the scourge of anti-social or intimidatory behaviour and I have long been meaning to post another thread to explore it with those who feel they are able to share their experiences and perhaps give some support to those who are suffering.

I was diagnosed with &#39;generalised anxiety disorder&#39;;a condition brought into the open by an nfh experience some time ago and it has since haunted most of my daily life and the way I try to deal with it.

I too had (have) a surprisingly empathatic GP but he was limited in what he could do..I did however recieve a certain amount of counselling and medication and was encouraged to explore various alternative avenues of help with interesting if mixed results.

I would be happy to post more on this once my loins are girded...not quite sure where the best forum for it might be though Matthew?

[sallyanne]

as you all know about my chrismas from hell, my gp did offer me happy pills but i was so ill that i accepted them, it was a situation that it has been building up over the years and more recently ,specially since the birth of my children, (another sore subject with NFH, jelaousy), whats the world coming to? its ridiculous that our NFH are getting away with no only making our daily lives hell but our health.

I would deport them all to an island so they can all ******************, and live next to each other.

sallyanne

[hollygolightly]

I agree with all of you and flo, yes i think it would be good to look at further flo.

I am now feeling better prepared in myself. It helps not waking up with banging headaches, severe earache, chest pains and feeling at breaking point. Mild medication has brought me more clarity and has allowed me to sleep. I know it&#39;s not for everyone, but it has worked for me.

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

[Peter J]

When I was on pills a few years ago, I was issued with Selective Serotonin type drugs that worked wonders in helping me reducing the mental stress of my problems. I actually had physical effects of mild depression where I could feel my skin crawling on my back and shoulders - very scary. My doctor was very supportive with this and with offering counseling.

Yep, it certainly worked for me too.

Related Link... (http://www.treatments-for-depression.com)

~ Peter J.

[Matthew]

Interesting replies http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Just wondering (I haven&#39;t taken this) if anyone has had any experience in using the alternative St. John&#39;s Wort to successfully tackle depression?

[Matthew]

Definitely April.........nasty thing stress and stress-related conditions (e.g depression/anxiety, etc) - it creeps up on you, often without you spotting it.

Because as human beings we adjust to the stress, and balance it accordingly, we don&#39;t often see it until it&#39;s pointed directly out to us or way after the stress has been extinguished (e.g. looking back at a situation you were in say, 6 months ago).

Are we particularly bad in the UK at recognising our own stress levels I wonder? Is it a "grin and bear it" scenario for us brits - "keeping a stiff upper lip" and all that?

Maybe it&#39;s a mixture of all things? http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Matthew]

Yeah, definitely, people sometimes see admitting stress as a weakness, like they shouldn&#39;t have it or be experiencing it, etc.

Very interesting points, thanks April http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Are we all late owls tonight?&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/punk.gif

[Matthew]

I can be pretty nocturnal though I have to admit (just ask Beth&#33;), anyway I go off topic (sorry Holly, this topic is going all over the place and back again&#33;)....... http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Night April&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tooth.gif

[Indie]

It was being retired medically from my career early (in &#39;98) that did it for me initially. The NFH probs added to my stress/depression but I was already on pills by then so coped with it better that I would normally have. However I have still ended up shaking, in tears and downright angry&#33;&#33; How on earth would I have been if I hadn&#39;t&#33;

Anway, I am on low dosage Seroxat, and find them very good. I wanted to come off them after 2 yrs and try St John&#39;s Wort and I had read do much about it. Mmmmmmmmmmmm

Coming off Seroxat, mild dose or otherwise is not easy, and I still have not managed it&#33;&#33; The side effects are nasty, no matter which way I try. I have joined the Seroxat Group (altho not a participating member) that is complaining about Seroxat and its side effects. But one day I will manage to get &#39;clean&#39; (hehehehe) and will def try St Johns Wort.....

[Matthew]

Good Luck with the Seroxat Indie, I&#39;m willing to bet you&#39;ll manage it one day..................all good things come sooner or later http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

<big breath..........>

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUUUUU-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU, Happy-appy-haaaapy-HAPPY Birthday to you&#33;&#33;

<all together now.......>

And maaaaaaaany moooooore&#33;

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/birthday.gif

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, INDIE http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

I tried St.John&#39;s Wort for a few months, I can&#39;t say I noticed any difference. Although it is a natural remedy you should be aware of some side effects, e.g., it can cause skin problems if you&#39;re out in the sun a lot. I think if you suffer from asthma it can affect you as well. Best look it up on the net and check it out yourself.

Of course, come 2005 all our vitamins and natural remedies will be subject to EU controls. The drug companies don&#39;t like us spurning some of their toxic products in favour of something they (at the moment) have no control over.

Misty

[horsefans]

Hi Holly, Hi gang,

Cant put a vote on your poll because we&#39;ve never actually had to approach our GP with regard to our NFH problem and the associated stress/ issues that it brings.

However please do not take that as being a sign that we are not affected by their antics, we perhaps take strength in each other when the going gets tough&#33;

It is the constant "noise intrusion" that wears us down&#33;&#33; Always the noise&#33;&#33;&#33; The music , the door slamming, the shouting, it is always there we cannot get away from it&#33;&#33;&#33;

The door slamming has started next door (must be bed time for the brat) again&#33;&#33; Soon the TV will go up&#33;&#33; You can almost set your watch by them.

Oh for a night of peace and quiet&#33;&#33;

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[hollygolightly]

Yes, horsefans....peace and quiet....it is so nice when you get it isn&#39;t it (i.e when the nfh&#39;s are out/ or you are)? My nfh is still behaving (I can&#39;t get over it really&#33;)

The meds my GP prescribed have a mild sedative effect so really help me to sleep. (I suppose this could mean that my nfh is playing music at 3am but I&#39;m that zonked i don&#39;t wake up?&#33;) You just have to be careful with the old http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wine.gif as it doubles the effect&#33;

Peterj: i have had the creepy crawly sensation on my back, neck and shoulders and it is not very nice. Three suggestions i have for you:

Amitriptyline - prescription medication (helps muscular skeletal problems, is also an anti-depressant and has a mild sedative effect )
Arnica tablets - homeopathic remedy good for bruising
Chiropractor - i have seen a McTimoney chiropractor and the creepy crawlies did stop for a time

When I am very tense, the creepy crawlies always return.

[Matthew]

Originally posted by hollygolightly@Jan 16 2003, 12:09 PM
Amitriptyline - prescription medication (helps muscular skeletal problems, is also an anti-depressant and has a mild sedative effect )
Hope you&#39;re doing well Holly http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I remember Amitriptyline especially as I was prescribed that as a muscle relaxant to help ease my migraine attacks at the time of NFH couple no. 2 next door. It was reasonably effective, but a very mild, daily dose.

In combination with other medication (e.g. pain killers/analgesics) it was better. Amitriptyline has such a wide range of uses and applications, it&#39;s amazing&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Tannasg]

My quack just laughed. He was recorded doing so.

Unfortunately I can&#39;t use the recording because mot realising the recorder was activated, I didn&#39;t give him the stat. warning or it would be uploaded to my site&#33; - (I&#39;d been recording commercial calls with a pc co. who&#39;d been trying it on - and I was using a voice activated recorder I borrowed from my son when mine went toes-up - - but I called him - and got thru to him while the thing was still connected up (I was still waiting for the pc company to call back) so technically it&#39;s illegal. How sad. I certainly have every intention of explaining how it came to be made - as it is clearly between the two commercial calls (with warnings about the recordings) it&#39;s obvious how it happened - and seeing if I can use it even unofficially as it were, if I ever manage to get a complaint in about him - but now the CHCs are being done away with, Bristol have sacked their complaints person - so I&#39;ve got to do that myself as well as everything else - and it&#39;s miserable enough trying to cope with all this grief without proper medical care for the syndrome that&#39;s crippled me - or rather, the quacks allowed to cripple me . . .

[spinkysay]

I haven&#39;t had any medication. A few reasons; I avoid medics like the plague, couldn&#39;t discuss &#39;personal stuff&#39; with a GP in a million years and counting.
I don&#39;t think, even with all the stress, anxiety, anger, tears etc I&#39;m going through, that I&#39;m at the medication stage.
Also I like my brain to be sharp for what I do - even two Neurofens have an effect on me working&#33;&#33; Can&#39;t quite describe it except to say the the clearness goes, connections and thought patterns that should be clicking into place - don&#39;t&#33;

I&#39;ve taken sleeping pills, albeit herbal ones, but as for working the next day, it&#39;s a lost cause. So I use them sparingly.


Tannasg - as far as voice recording. I do interviews over the phone and use a speakerphone with a dictaphone at the side of it. It works perfectly. My dictaphone is a Sony mic n micro which is a small machine with a big microphone, it looks... er... keep this clean.. it looks... rude&#33;
But it&#39;s an ice breaker when I set it up to do an interview in the flesh - as it gets a few laughs&#33;

...You guys are my doctors at the moment, and I thank you for it....

Spinks

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

I&#39;m not at all enamoured of chemical solutions to outside problems. I have in the past had help from my GP but then she left and we have a new GP that I can hardly understand most of the time so I can&#39;t see me discussing my probs with him.

On another note, Spinky. I think I told you I live almost right next door to an airport and planes are taking off and landing all day which doesn&#39;t really bother me. But I thought of you on Sunday when a pesky little bi-plane spent almost an hour just circling overhead. It was so annoying&#33;&#33; A couple of days earlier one of those big yellow RAF helicopters flew right over the house. It gave me a little taste of what you&#39;re going through and you have my sympathy.

Misty

[spinkysay]

Thanks Misty. The bi planes - had one today in the field next door. The helicopters, they&#39;re called Squirells, black and yellow.
.......I just had to take &#39;five minutes&#39; away, put my hands over my eyes and try and blot out the image and thoughts that word now does to me, then come back and write this, as just thinking about them makes me feel angry and anxious.
I hope people who&#39;ve left messages for me on the members board read this as I can&#39;t even finish the story of what happened recently because I don&#39;t want to relive it. That&#39;s how bad I am at the moment.

Still, we had some good news today and I&#39;m trying to get on with work and put my mind on other things in my life.
It&#39;s tough, which is why I keep coming back here to catch up on everything with people who understand.