Panic attacks, anxiety, medication and PIP

poppy123456

WF2k said:

Mine aren't online though.. I've checked! 

There's only a very limited amount of medical records available online. If you want to see them you have to request them, which is free of charge for digital copies.

[Deleted User]

@poppy123456 Yeah, I'm alright, I don't need anything at the moment, was just responding to Twonker and telling him mine aren't online. Only very limited things as you have said.

CockneyRebel

My surgery allows access to my full records on line. I had to produce 2 forms of ID for  security with a written request.

twonker

WF2k said:

Mine aren't online though.. I've checked! 

They will be online within the surgery where the doctors and nurses can access them and read up on your history. There is really no need for you to access them yourself.

poppy123456

They are not available unless you request them.

[Deleted User]

Hmm I don't know, someone on another forum said they could access theirs online through something that some medical centres are signed up to but I can't remember the name of it.

stonker01

My partners previous GP practice gave me a password for online viewing this was the practice manager.
The GP practice this time which has been our new practice printed off onto paper all of my partners records from the date she has been there with a list break down of all conditions and problems as far back as 1993.
A week later gave me a disc with a password on paper which is my partners entire GP records I've not looked at it yet so not sure how this way works 

KEE

Hi I recently got an award for PIP. Some points I was not awarded I am considering to request a MR. (I have posted a discussion on here on whether I should request as I do not wish to  have my money stopped whilst awaiting a decision).
 I just saw your discussion and thought it similar my recent application.
Amongst other illnesses I have I also suffer with severe anxiety and depression and find it difficult to be around people and rarely go out. 
I had evidence of a specialist stating this and that I take 150mg Sertraline. The DWP stated I am not taking specific anxiety tablets. Even though Sertraline is an SSRI which can help for both anxiety and depression (social phobia panic attacks, ptsd etc) So I am in the process of considering sending in a request for an MR along with the evidence and further information again.  
Hope your decision is good news.

KEE

@ilovecats I find it bizarre that I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression but given Sertraline 150mg as a medication. Which does not help me.

[Deleted User]

Have you told your GP? It's trial and error with meds. You need to find what suits you.

I don't take medication anymore after trying a lot of different ones, a psychiatrist advised me to stop taking them and then referred me for CBT, sadly that didn't help either! So I struggle daily with different mh problems plus fibro, I can't take tablets now anyway.

KEE

Thank you for replying both of you. I didn’t find CBT helpful so my Sertraline was upped to 150mg from 100mg. I will go back to GP. But think it’s unfair for a decision by DWP to state I am not suffering severe anxiety when I know I am and a MH expert has stated this is the case.

[Deleted User]

The same has happened to me and I've had different treatment, counselling, CBT, meds, even tried relaxation classes. Will probably have to do an MR when I get the decision.

KEE

Good luck 

sheZZa

@KEE
I read your other post. It is so wrong when the DWP penalise anyone who tries to help themselves and who try to cope without taking medication. You just can’t win. 
I’ve been mentally preparing myself for an mr. One minute I’m positive and the next I’m not. Good luck with whatever you decide.

sheZZa

@WF2k
Gone are the days when you could choose your gp and your surgery. After some of the stories I hear I know I am very lucky and fingers crossed it will continue that way. 

When I was first diagnosed with Bipolar my psychiatrist gave me a list of medications and their side effects and told me to read up on them and then choose which medication I would prefer. I did and chose Lamotrigine which I am still taking. However, after Christmas my mood really plunged and my psychiatrist suggested that I try Lithium which I refused. We then agreed that I would join a Bipolar Support Group and see how I was after that. The chap running the support group was rubbish and I didn’t get much out of it. I’m still taking Lamotrigine and am being supported by a Community Mental Health Nurse. If I need to change medication or see my psychiatrist the MHN will arrange it. I am always given a say in my treatment.

Also, I have all my medical records from my local hospital. I completed a medical request form and received my records a week later. I did not pay anything for them. It used to cost up to but no more than £50, but now there is no charge. 

[Deleted User]

I just don't think it's fair that people are judged by the meds they do or don't take, what type of meds they take and if they have input or not. Treatment doesn't work for all of us which I've found out myself over the past 25 years. 

KEE

So true and the DWP are not Mental Health experts

KEE

@sheZZa Thank you and Good luck to you too.

sheZZa

@WF2k
I totally agree with you. I also think you should not be penalised for trying to help yourself and manage your conditions.,Whenever I have seen a constant/psychiatrist they strive to help me understand understand my conditions and support me to manage them. It’s a shame the DWP do not take the view that even you are trying to help yourself it doesn’t mean that your have recovered from your illness. 

sheZZa

@KEE
The DWP are not expert in anything. I have been seeing various neurologists for a spinal headache. It has taken me seven years to find a neurologist who specialises in spinal headaches and is treating me accordingly. If neurologists could not find the spinal leak and understand the symptoms how on earth could an assessor write a knowledgeable and informed report?!