I've "hadit"....

[jecsb4]

Hi All,

I don't think there is a proper forum for this, but I feel like I am under the gun from the VAMC!

I need help and advice, I have two issues I want to address:

I have some serious problems with my GI track and I have some sreious IBS-C issues. I think it may be a result of thyroid, and stress. So for the past 2 -3 visits w/my VA PCP I complained about this and finally on my last visit the Dr decided she was going to do one of those up close and very personnel exams and before I knew it she had her RN in the room, I am sure for protection as a witness. Well this would not be the first time I have had this procedure, but I was so taken back by it that I told them I could not go through with it….I guess I really didn’t want people of the opposite sex doing this. It’ funny now (but not then) because most of us x-mil had experienced numerous times of a total loss of privacy, but I guess this caught me buy surprise. So I said I really didn’t want to do it and no sooner had I said that the gloves were off! Then they said well we can’t force you and we will state that you refused. So is this a big deal? This health issue is not even SC. But they are making it sound like I was uncorporative. I guess if the Dr treated me like a real patient and said well..I think we need to do this because…but instead the Dr made a decision and had the RN in their ready to go I was the last to be informed. I guess it comes down to bed side manners. If my life depended on it, heck no problem…. So am I on the bad boy list? Any repercussions??

My other issue is I am SC for depression and a VAMC shrink has been bugging me for over 6 months to go to a weekly grieving group. Six months ago, I told the Dr I would try and go. Well one day I called the VA phone line for my APTs and I was scheduled for every session for over 3 months in advance! Well I know how the VA is when you miss an APT, so I cancelled every one, I never committed to go. Well a month ago, I got a message from the Dr’s assistant telling me about a improved NEW group…..I didn’t want to go but I went to one and a big 4 of us showed up. Anyway, I am not better than any other Vet, but I had zero in common w/ the other guys and I am not good at talking.

Anyway, I have been lucky and I am working, but due to me health and issesu beyond my control, I am barely hanging on to my job. Well I got a letter in the mail telling me they expect me to show up so the group can work! I do believe that these people need to show that they have an active group to ‘justify their jobs'. It seems that only 1 or 2 people show up. Why can’t they changer the time to 5 – 6 PM etc? Is it because they would have to stay late at work?

I am also fortunate in that a VAMC is in my town, however due to traffic, etc it would take 3 – 4 hours out of my work day each week. I know I can’t tell my employer that I need to go to a group…

I don’t feel this is right, I told them at my first meeting, I was under the gun at my job and I could not commit, yet then are doing this pressure tactic on me. I screwed up by going to that first meeting and now I am on the infamous "the list."

What are the repercussions if I don’t go??? Im SC for Dep, will it effect my future rating, etc.

I have nothing against these programs or the people that attend, but I am just trying to survive.

Sorry I can’t seem to write a more to the point post!

[Dale Jr. 8]

Pete,

How do you get around the shrink? I would like to be able to see only my PCP and not the shrink also. It doesn't make sense to see the shrink if your symptoms are controlled by meds. Seems like the PCP's should be able to write the scripts. I am told that the shrink has to write the physc. scripts. DJ8

[Pete53]

Pete,

How do you get around the shrink? I would like to be able to see only my PCP and not the shrink also. It doesn't make sense to see the shrink if your symptoms are controlled by meds. Seems like the PCP's should be able to write the scripts. I am told that the shrink has to write the physc. scripts. DJ8

I just sort of eased into it. I know that I pissed some of them off but honestly I got more help on internet than I was getting at VA. My suggestion is to ask the shrink that you are seeing to spread out your appointments so that they can help other Vets. I would not say I am cured buyt that you feel that you have gone as far as you can.

The rest of my story is it took years and a very candid discussion to get an agreement that I would go if I felt real bad but no more scheduled appointments. They never had a problem letting my primary Doc write the scripts.

[john999]

I do go and see my VA shrink every 3-4 months just to touch base and lodge a few complaints about my medications and side effects. I want to stay in the game. If they get bored I will tell them about recent alien abductions in my area.