Spoke to Doc - Prescribed something right away

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Hi folks

On Monday, I saw my doc about something physical, then I took the plunge and decided to speak to him about my other issues. I don't have a diagnosis and have never been identified/ assessed and have never spoken to a professional about this, although I've always had issues. My daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers last year and, when she was first identified as needing to be assessed for ASD, it dawned on me that this might explain a thing or two about myself. So, I told the doc about this, but I spoke about social anxiety first and he seemed to want me to stop talking before I got a chance to expand on other issues, e.g. sensory processing, co-ordination, concentration and cyclical depression. He homed in on the anxiety, even though I told him it wasn't really an issue for now, as I'm a full-time parent/ homemaker and can largely pick and choose the social situations I get myself into, although I did explain that I was worried about how I might be affected, once I did eventually go back to work.

He wrote me a prescription for propranolol and told me to try putting myself in situations where I would normally feel a little uncomfortable. I collected the prescription, but I haven't taken any yet. He also told me to make an appointment with the counselling service. I've picked up a leaflet about that, but I haven't made an appointment yet.

I'm not happy with taking medication, especially when I'm not really suffering with social anxiety these days. I really wanted someone to tell me I might have hit on something and deserved a specialist opinion. Does anyone have experience with counselling, prior to getting a diagnosis? Did this help? Did it lead to further investigations? It feels like I've hit a brick wall with this doc.

Thanks

Have you tried telling the doc what you actually want - a referral for an assessment of whether you have an ASD or not? If not, you haven't reached the end of the road with this GP yet.

That's exactly what I was going to ask. If you didn't specifically ask then he won't refer you. Also, even if you specifically mentioned AS but then rambled on about the traits (GPs are usually uninterested, they want you out the door asap) then he would have dealt with the bit he thought he could solve.

I wouldn't take the medication yet. Go back to specifically request a referral. Do the AQ10 and take it along, if necessary quote the Autism Act and NHS NICE guidelines, as you have a right to be referred onto the correct pathway. If there is no clinic in your area they have to refer you out of area. Don't be fobbed off.

To be honest, I don't have faith in him. I spoke to him about my sciatica and he decided to do a blood test (to check thyroid and for deficiences). He said he won't refer me for an x-ray and I will be referred for physio, if the blood tests are fine. This is even though I appear to have inherited my mum's condition, which could be made worse if physical manipulation is carried out without the structure of the spine being checked out first (my mum suffered at the hands of a well meaning osteopath, prior to her x-ray and MRI scan).

I didn't ask for a referral, as it was clear he had made up his mind. I got the feeling that he maybe didn't see the point of getting a diagnosis and that it was sufficient to treat problematic symptoms. I would go back to him, however, but I hope the counselling will be a step towards getting referred, but I'm not sure if this is the way things might work.

I really felt like I was being pushed out of the door, so I was trying to be as brief as possible, but he stopped me before I had a chance to speak. I rarely visit the doc, so they should know I'm not one of those time wasters. I spoke for less than a minute about my social anxiety and similarities to my daughter and he was already on the computer and deciding what to prescribe. I did want a referral, but I also like to let the doc feel like he's making the decision. I was holding back tears and felt my mouth drooping at the corners. When I get like that, any chance of me being assertive goes out of the window. Maybe I should take the meds and go in assertive next time. It's such a difficult topic for me to speak about and the only place I speak about it is here. My husband doesn't even know the fullness of what's on my mind.

There is a clinic that assesses in this area, so it's quite possible for him to make a referral, within the board.

Aww. I understand. I get this attitude from our GP too. Face-to-face is so difficult, and even if you have excellent reasons, they won't even let you speak, my GP just cuts across me in an irritated way (I will probably change doctors when I have less on my plate). Don't ever let them make the decision where you know what the likely cause is (obviously I don't mean so much for physical health complaints as they are obviously more likely to know with those) and have good reasons for your request. GPs are useless and clueless about autism. They will dole out pills to make their own life easier. Do the AQ10, you could even fax it to the surgery with a covering letter stating concisely what you want and arrange a follow-up appointment to actually discuss it and get the referral. In writing it's a lot harder to be fobbed off or ignored.

Best of luck, keep us updated of what happens.

Will do. Thanks.