After seeing a Psychiatrist I was given the option of trying a new medication to help with the voices. To begin with the thought of more medication was miserable but then I decided it was worth a try. If there was something that could dull the voices then maybe i could concentrate more on my counselling and practice the things i learn there without getting distracted. Fingers crossed this would mean my non-epileptic seizures would decrease and maybe I could reduce my other medications. Yes, this is all a big MAYBE but i feel that i need to try. If it doesn't work then it doesn't work.
I spoke to all my doctors and was really glad that they put the choice in my hands instead of deciding for me.
Once I made the decision, I just wanted to get on and try it. The first couple of weeks are always nasty and i wanted them to be over and done with. Unfortunately, the doctors were incredibly thorough (blah!) and wanted to have meetings with me and do tests before they made any final decisions (OK fair enough). I waited and waited...and waited to hear more. The whole time I was just wanting to get it over and done with.
Eventualllly, I got a phone call from my pharmacy saying that my new medication had been waiting for me for 3 months and was i going to pick it up. Yes, the whole process wasn't exactly slick but finally i would get to see if it worked.
I am 2 weeks into taking the Sulpiride now and I am knackered! Thank goodness i'm not nauseous but i am spending most of my time sat down and i struggle even opening the front door. I think it maybe starting to work though. It's too early to make any statements but i feel that the nagging in my head has dulled a bit and sometimes I don't think about them at all. It could just be I am having a good few days but shall keep this post updated.
Friday 17 October 2014
Crisis!
Something that really frustrates me is that there is not enough emergency help for mental health problems.
If a person was to break their leg, they would go immediately to A&E. True, there maybe long waiting times but eventually you would get help. Sadly, however there is little help for having a mental health crisis. People can call the emergency numbers but unfortunately there is little to nothing they can do.
There is a Crisis line which is fantastic but they can only open certain hours. The problem with mental health breakdowns is that they usually happen at night. When I have had a crisis it has been at night when i am alone with my thoughts and there is no-one around to help.
Sometimes all you need is to talk to someone and at these times charities such as the Samaritans are invaluable. However, I don't think we should have to rely on them. There are other times when you need physical, face to face care, with a person who is trained. Hopefully at some point in the near future there will be a 24 hour emergency line for people having mental health crisis. This would also show that it is a problem that is beginning to be taken seriously.
If a person was to break their leg, they would go immediately to A&E. True, there maybe long waiting times but eventually you would get help. Sadly, however there is little help for having a mental health crisis. People can call the emergency numbers but unfortunately there is little to nothing they can do.
There is a Crisis line which is fantastic but they can only open certain hours. The problem with mental health breakdowns is that they usually happen at night. When I have had a crisis it has been at night when i am alone with my thoughts and there is no-one around to help.
Sometimes all you need is to talk to someone and at these times charities such as the Samaritans are invaluable. However, I don't think we should have to rely on them. There are other times when you need physical, face to face care, with a person who is trained. Hopefully at some point in the near future there will be a 24 hour emergency line for people having mental health crisis. This would also show that it is a problem that is beginning to be taken seriously.
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