u/Creative_Lime2752

42M, UK.

Writing this feels slightly awkward and difficult at my age, but I’ve realised lately that I actually don’t have that many people I properly talk to or chat with regularly anymore. And I suppose days like a sunday are perfect for that chat. So, eff it. I see this group a lot on my feed; it being all rather positive.

I work in Music making/scoring/producing/whatever for TV and films, foster old cats, volunteer as a Samaritan now and then, and spend far too much time talking about films, music and travel, bad and good.

Mostly just looking for someone around my age, pref female, who enjoys easy conversations and chatting about life, random thoughts, ideas or complete nonsense sometimes. Bit of dark humour thrown in also. That helps. But you can hate cats, music and volunteering, we can still talk.

If we sound like we’d get along, and be good mates, please DM? Ta.

Hi All.

I didn't really know what to put in in the title as such.

I am in a weird pickle. With the NHS.

So the quick of me, and the situation. I have Bipolar ii. I have the added anomaly of I was diagnosed in 2008, UNDIAGNOSED in 2011, then re diagnosed in 2016. I have been under my new GP for 4 years and decided to discuss a medication review for my BPD, as I felt the meds I have been on for 6 years were not helping as much as they did. My GP has no records of any of diagnosis. My records were not sent on previously. The local Mental health team denied the GP's initial referral on the grounds of evidence that I have any mental health issues/difficulties. I looked at the date on the referral and answer, it was the same day. Ok. I will try and get my records from the previous NHS authority, then they can see i have been on various meds over the years, but seemed to be stuck on one med now.

FYI, which muddies everything, I take the medication for Epilepsy, as I do for BPD. Which would be in my notes. Kind of split into 2 doses. It was the only thing that worked for both.

I have been trying for 5 months to get my records from my diagnosis and treatment. Not for me, just to be sent to the GP or NHS team over where I live now. I have a SARS and PALS Acknowledgement; all acknowledged in January. That's it. My emails (only sent 2/3 to check progress) are ignored. I really am unsure what else I can do?

In addition to the above. I decided to raise a PALS complaint with the local NHS Mental health team. Supported by my GP. My GP provided a second referral, to which they made some harsh and brash assumptions about me, based on no clinical evidence. No mention of BPD in my records - since 2023. Which is fair enough, but surely its easier for them to check than me? Also, casting doubt on whether I have it BPD; and the fact I was undiagnosed in 2011, means that I don't suffer from BPD, even though my diagnosis is coded into my record, and I still have evidence of 3 years of treatment and medication requests/changes. Also noted, as I take ADHD meds, Elvanse, that would make my mood "better" and denied the referral based on that alone. In my PALS complaint, I quoted "The NICE guideline CG185 on Bipolar Disorder states that individuals with bipolar disorder should have ongoing access to specialist mental health services and should receive regular reviews of their diagnosis, symptoms and medication. NICE guidance also emphasises the importance of reassessment where there is diagnostic uncertainty" - I am really reaching out through this to say if you don't think I have this, then please reassess me or at least support with my medication reviews.

Long winded, so apologies... but I am at a loss what to do. My GP won't re refer me now because of the previous replies. Nor do they seem arsed to get my notes either - even though I have discussed it with my previous GP and wants them to reach out for the notes. To which I am unsure if they have.

Irony is - the mental health team and offices are on my actual road where I live. I can see them leaving or arriving (not that I have looked!).

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.