sorry to 'butt in' but I just wanted to say that its great to hear a
postive story like yours. I'm just beginning doing voluntary work for
2 orgaisations relating to mental health, and it's great to hear that
you have found medication and some sensible care type arrangements
that are working for you, nice one ;-)


On Mon, 23 Jun 2003 07:50:58 +0000 (UTC), "debs"
<debs172@btinternet.com> wrote:

>I know 8 months is a major breakthrough. I was having mood swings almost
>continually for about 18 months.
>Although I miss the highs and yes I do get tempted to come off medication to
>get them back...the cost is too much.
>Because I have to have weekly prescriptions this involves going to see my GP
>very frequently. I have it written in my care plan that my GP can request a
>blood test at any time this means that I can't skip meds. It is my own
>safety net as the problem with this mental illness is that if I was slightly
>high I could stop meds without thought of the consequences. I would then
>have to go into hospital to have the meds started again. I also have a
>written agreement that if a support worker suspects that I have been using
>alcohol I will agree to be breathalized. The next agreement is that I will
>recieve in patient treatment if I fail the breathalizer.
>These were actually my own suggestions and although they are harsh on myself
>I feel safer this way.
>The great thing is though, although I have all these conditions built in to
>my care plan, I am feeling so well at the moment I am doing all the right
>things just to remain well and not to avoid hospital.
>
>debs

hi there

feel free to butt in if it was a private conversation I wouldn't post here.
Its great to hear someone getting involved in mental health. I did have
some voluntary experience with mental health once I was more stable but I
found that it was a bit too close to home and I couldn't move on from being
a patient.
I am involved in a program called 'care program approach' I have a team
consisting of my pdoc, GP, social worker, CPN and my husband......o yeah and
me too.
I have signed an agreement which enables each member of the team to freely
share information should they feel they need to. If one person feels uneasy
about my health then they will call one of the other team in to get their
opinion. It also means that my husband can freely approach any of the
support team and get information.
I feel that this works well and I don't get the feeling that anyone goes
behind my back. I am consulted about everything even if unwell although
some descisions may have to be made which I don't like if I am manic as my
judgement is not always good then.
Most things are decided on when I am well and I sign for changes. That way
I can't argue if I am unwell (well I do argue, but it gets me nowhere)
Although this sounds good now....remember it has been a long road to get
here. I like to think that there is hope for all sufferers of mental
illness and that with the advent of new and better meds all the time, things
are really looking good for the future.

debs

--
Illegitimi non Carborundum
"Dan Ballance" <DanBallance@noSpamexcite.com> wrote in message
news:g1ugfv857jqiedok2q8cr24ufgirmj6p29@4ax.com...
> sorry to 'butt in' but I just wanted to say that its great to hear a
> postive story like yours. I'm just beginning doing voluntary work for
> 2 orgaisations relating to mental health, and it's great to hear that
> you have found medication and some sensible care type arrangements
> that are working for you, nice one ;-)
>
>
> On Mon, 23 Jun 2003 07:50:58 +0000 (UTC), "debs"
> <debs172@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
> >I know 8 months is a major breakthrough. I was having mood swings almost
> >continually for about 18 months.
> >Although I miss the highs and yes I do get tempted to come off medication
to
> >get them back...the cost is too much.
> >Because I have to have weekly prescriptions this involves going to see my
GP
> >very frequently. I have it written in my care plan that my GP can
request a
> >blood test at any time this means that I can't skip meds. It is my own
> >safety net as the problem with this mental illness is that if I was
slightly
> >high I could stop meds without thought of the consequences. I would then
> >have to go into hospital to have the meds started again. I also have a
> >written agreement that if a support worker suspects that I have been
using
> >alcohol I will agree to be breathalized. The next agreement is that I
will
> >recieve in patient treatment if I fail the breathalizer.
> >These were actually my own suggestions and although they are harsh on
myself
> >I feel safer this way.
> >The great thing is though, although I have all these conditions built in
to
> >my care plan, I am feeling so well at the moment I am doing all the right
> >things just to remain well and not to avoid hospital.
> >
> >debs
>