Treated badly by GP

[scotslady]

I am new to this site but have been on and off over the last couple of months so firstly before my rant I have to say a big thank you to all of you who contribute to this forum. It is a life saver for many people planning on emigrating including myself.

So my rant - here goes - I have an anxiety disorder which has me on daily medication. Before I emigrated I have to say the meds were controlling this disorder but since I came I think the stress of the big move is after taking its toll and I feel worse. My own doctor back home advised that this may happen and in the event of it happening just to go on Xanax tablets for a short time (anti anxiety drug)

So I went to a local doctor to explain the situation. Back home if I had bad periods my doctor would prescibe xanax for me just to calm things down. Personally, I hate taking medication but sometimes have no other option and to be honest it is always as a last resort that I take xanax in addition to my daily meds.

This doctor took a very judgemental approach. She told me in no circumstances woudl she prescibe xanax or anything like it as its highly additive. Like I did'nt know this. As I said to her it is not my intention to have to take them but until things settle down maybe it would be wise. She proceeded to give me a lecture about the people she sees that get addicted to these tablets. She also works in an addition clinic. I then asked her "So what do I do if my anxiety gets to an unberable point in the day and I am unable to carry out my job?". Guess what she said "What do you want us to do give you drugs to make you sleep for 24 hours" I was really upset by this and promptly left the centre. On reflection I regret not telling her what I thought of her doctor skills but to be honest I was so shocked by her treatment in comparsion to my lovely GP back home whom I really miss.

Would be interested to hear people's opinions especially if have anyone has been in this situation or knows of someone else in such a dilema.

I'm hoping I'll get responses as any post I usually read gets a lot of kind advice from members.

Sorry for the long rant.

[Arwen]

I am new to this site but have been on and off over the last couple of months so firstly before my rant I have to say a big thank you to all of you who contribute to this forum. It is a life saver for many people planning on emigrating including myself.

So my rant - here goes - I have an anxiety disorder which has me on daily medication. Before I emigrated I have to say the meds were controlling this disorder but since I came I think the stress of the big move is after taking its toll and I feel worse. My own doctor back home advised that this may happen and in the event of it happening just to go on Xanax tablets for a short time (anti anxiety drug)

So I went to a local doctor to explain the situation. Back home if I had bad periods my doctor would prescibe xanax for me just to calm things down. Personally, I hate taking medication but sometimes have no other option and to be honest it is always as a last resort that I take xanax in addition to my daily meds.

This doctor took a very judgemental approach. She told me in no circumstances woudl she prescibe xanax or anything like it as its highly additive. Like I did'nt know this. As I said to her it is not my intention to have to take them but until things settle down maybe it would be wise. She proceeded to give me a lecture about the people she sees that get addicted to these tablets. She also works in an addition clinic. I then asked her "So what do I do if my anxiety gets to an unberable point in the day and I am unable to carry out my job?". Guess what she said "What do you want us to do give you drugs to make you sleep for 24 hours" I was really upset by this and promptly left the centre. On reflection I regret not telling her what I thought of her doctor skills but to be honest I was so shocked by her treatment in comparsion to my lovely GP back home whom I really miss.

Would be interested to hear people's opinions especially if have anyone has been in this situation or knows of someone else in such a dilema.

I'm hoping I'll get responses as any post I usually read gets a lot of kind advice from members.

Sorry for the long rant.

If you genuinely have a problem with anxiety then you should get a copy of your medical records to indicate your problems. A new GP here has no indication of your medical history only what you tell them. A GP can't just prescribe drug for you because you say so. Get a copy of your medical records and you can get your prescription.

[Rosshf]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sounds like the GP could have been more diplomatic, but Arwen is quite correct -- given the nature of the medication and the fact that you are a new patient, the GP (with little info about your medical history) would be irresponsible and unprofessional just to write a prescription because of what you say. I understand that you know what you need and your GP back home (presumably on private prescription) would have provided it, but there are many people out there who would try to get hold of Xanax that aren't as sensible as you.
My suggestion would echo what Arwen said, show the GP your medical history and you might get somewhere. Sorry, it's probably not what you want to hear. Hope you get it sorted.

Ross

[scotslady]

Sorry did not fully explain myself. I did in fact show this doctor three pages of a letter from my own GP back home which quite clearly stated my medical history etc.

[Rosshf]

I guess there are some GPs who would never prescribe Xanax under any circumstances, but I'd have expected the GP to provide some sort of solution to your immediate problem. If your aim is to go to a GP and get Xanax without being open to an alternative suggestion then you might continue to find difficulty. On the other hand you could find another GP who is happy to oblige.

All the best
Ross