Agoraphobia and A&E

roiseanjoy
roiseanjoy Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
in Mental health and wellbeing
Hi all! 

I’m new here but thought this might be the best place to ask and find some advice for an issue I’m having. 

I was diagnosed with Agoraphobia around January after I didn't leave the house for 3 months following a huge panic attack and bout of depression. Since then I have not left the house except for basic medical issues. However the last week I've had some serious pain in my abdomen along with an overwhelmingly painful period and when I called my GP she said I needed to go to them and then likely on to A&E however due to my agoraphobia this was not possible so I didn't attend. Is there any advice that you could give to solve this problem? Thank you also so much! 

Roisean 

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,132 Championing
    Hi, are you able to have a home visit from the GP for the diagnosis?

    Sadly, there is no alternative if you need hospital treatment though.  I have the same problem, lots of physical issues mounting up, some of which should have been sorted 10 years ago now, but I can't even get to a hospital let alone get inside.

    Do you have any short term prescription meds for excess anxiety that might help get through a single event?  Something like diazepam for example?
  • roiseanjoy
    roiseanjoy Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
    Hi! And thank you so much for your response. 

    I am going to try to see if the GP will do a home visit but I do understand that if it gets to that point I will have to go to hospital. 

    I have propanolol but I have been told by my GP that they won’t prescribe anything strong unless it’s very specific circumstances. 

    Basically they often make me feel like I’m just fishing for drugs and so I feel anxious even asking for more help. 
  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    edited September 2021
    Hello @roiseanjoy and a warm welcome to our community.  I'm sorry you've been experiencing medical problems and I can imagine being agoraphobic presents additional challenges, as you describe, in accessing health-care :( 

    How are you today?  Did you manage to speak with your GP about the possibility of a home visit?

    If you haven't had any luck with that route, then perhaps try calling 111 for advice and to explain the situation.  If resources permit, it might be possible for a paramedic to come out and take a look at you.  How would you feel about that?  Also, is your GP helping in terms of getting support with your agoraphobia?  

    I hope you've had some success but if we can help, please do let us know.  Take care and fingers crossed for feeling better soon.
  • roiseanjoy
    roiseanjoy Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
    hi Cher, 

    unfortunately I wasn’t able to get an appt with the GP today at all and as my pain has eased a bit I decided against calling 111. However that is definitely something I will give a go in the future. 

    Unfortunately I have such a litany of health issues that the agoraphobia has taken a bit of a back burner to the rest of the problems despite it being a huge problem when it comes to accessing the help I need for other issues as well as access to work! 

    Thank you,
    Roisean 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    Hi @roiseanjoy :) I'm glad that the pain has subsided a bit, but please do make sure you get in contact with 111 or your GP if you begin to feel unwell again. 

    That's understandable, but of course it'd be good to try and get some support for the agoraphobia too. Have you been able to speak to your GP about other possible treatment options, other than the medication you've been prescribed? 

    Are you currently in work, or are you struggling to find suitable work at the moment? 
  • roiseanjoy
    roiseanjoy Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
    Hi Tori,

    Thank you and I definitely plan to contact 111 if the pain comes back.

    I am currently having my medication reviewed by my GP alongside the community mental health team with Agoraphobia and anxiety being a priority.

    I am currently on long-term sick as my job requires me to be in the clinic as well as doing duties that exacerbate my pain. I'm currently going through the process of dismissal but of course, it is taking a long time as the company wants to make sure they don't make themselves liable to problems down the road. I'm also applying for part-time and remote jobs in the hope that I can bring in more money as surviving solely on ESA and my partners wage is not working, 

    Thank you so much for all your help.

    Roisean

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