An update on various issues:
I saw the psychiatrist last Thursday afternoon. He’s happy I have no underlying psychiatric issues (clinical depression, etc) and has referred me back to my GP for further treatment. He’s requested that I come off the zopiclone (sleeping medication) and diazepam (anxiety med), which I have done over the last 5 days. I’m to remain on the citalopram ongoing as the anxiety element is having a positive effect.
For management of anxiety I’ve been provided with a thorough
information pack and have purchased a workbook to go through. I
understand, although the letter’s not been received yet, that I’m to
be referred for counciling for CBT. I’ll find out more during my next GP appointment.
I saw my GP today and while she’s pleased with the progress on the
anxiety front, she’s not happy with my sleeping schedule – I’m
averaging 3-4 hours a night, despite being in bed for 8-10. She wants me to continue with the citalopram for the next two weeks alone in an effort to improve my sleep, if that doesn’t work then she’s prescribed 10mg zolpidem which I’m to take occasionally if necessary. This should enable me to return to work at a functional level.
I requested to return to work this coming Monday, but she would like to give the meds another few weeks to start working properly. So I’ve been signed off for a further two weeks.
On the gastro front, I spent Monday and Tuesday at the Biolab clinic in London having lactose and lactulose tests done to assess bacteria levels in my gut. I get the results tomorrow at the London Bridge Hospital. If the results are abnormal, then long-term antibiotics can be prescribed to keep the levels down (and therefore hopefully the wind and other associated nastiness). If the results are normal, then we’ll move to MRI or other imaging techniques to scan the remainder of the intestine to find out what on earth is going on.
So it’s been a busy few weeks. Tomorrow I’m seeing the dentist and the doc and Friday I pick up my wounded soldier for the weekend. Until then, I foresee some Two and a Half Men in my future, and perhaps some more Modern Warfare 2.
February 3rd, 2010 17:34
God, once you’ve learnt that CBT = Cock Ball Torture, it’s difficult to unlearn :-/
March 3rd, 2010 23:29
[...] Bupa have denied me psychiatric cover (previously), and the NHS just provided me with a leaflet (previously), this is being paid for out of my own pocket. The initial consultation, which took around an hour [...]