ptsd Might Have To Go Fee Based Care

[purple]

This might be an impossible task; but I think I need to try it anyway...fee basis care for my PTSD. I've tried the new tdoc (therapist) for several sessions now and I can honestly say that the only thing she has accomplished is making me feel much worse. Last appt she actually told me that she isn't here to be my friend, she's here to be my therapist!!!!! She said this referring to comments I made that I didn't understand why I couldn't express to her the problems that come up in my day-to-day life that cause me huge stress.

Nope, she doesn't want to talk about that...she doesn't feel that is important at all. Here's a few of the major things just in the past 6 months:

-Car accident causing back injury, still have on/off back pain

-Major storm caused damage to my house (need new roof, new back fence, front awning and some siding missing)

--still waiting on some estimates and work to be scheduled

-Leak in bathroom...shower wall now tore down, needs re-tiled

-2nd car accident causing neck and head injury, still in treatment for neck injury, awaiting insurance settlement

--car not the same after this accident 3K worth of damage

-big time family issues and problems with ex-spousal unit

-youngest son just this weekend was punched in face by a friend; broken front tooth; now needs major dental work

-trying to get house ready to host family thanksgiving (my mom is driving me nuts over this)

But she refuses to talk about any of this......this is just some of the crap. She also hasn't scheduled me to see a doc for meds; knowing that I've been off meds (psych meds) since the med that the RN gave me made me ill (over a month ago).

And the new "women's group" is a mess.

She knows I'm actively suicidal in that I constantly think about it...have a plan, etc...but the RN and her both agree this is my "normal". I'm sorry, since when is that "normal"?????? They just don't get it!!!! I scream for help and they look the other way.

Do you guys think the VA will approve fee based care?.........or look the other way?

And no, I won't call the hotline #, they have caller ID and the first thing they do is look up your medical records and to me that is a HUGE violation of privacy rights....sorry, didn't mean to vent.

[john999]

It is possible if you make a big enough stink. I have been trying to get fee base for PT and so far no luck. You are really going to have to go to the higher ups to convince them you cannot deal with the VA system and need a private doctor. If you can show negligence you might have a shot.

[LarryJ]

Have you tried talking to your Primary Care Physician. That's what they are there for, to see that you are referred to the appropriate specialists. Just tell your "primary" exactly what you've just told us. And request a new/different therapist. I do not know if you are being provided group therapy.....but, I'm in two groups (pain management and a "men's" group) and we talk about just about everything you can imagine (including home/auto repair costs, etc., because these "things" lead up to more stress and more stress makes your existing pain level go up a couple of notches, also, hearing someone else vocalize makes me aware that I'm not alone in my plight.

[gp747]

wow young lady! i can feel the pressure inside you just reading your

post! you sure have a lot on you and you need someone to listen to

you right now. while i dont know anything about the fee based program

you are talking about, seems you need to slow down and do your best

to get the proper help you need. try to take one day at a time or if you

have to one hour at a time things will work out for you i am sure.

[purple]

John-if it's one thing i'm really good at it's making a stink at the VA...they don't like me much because i say what's on my mind.

Larry-my PCP is horrid. i'm trying to switch PCPs as well. he won't listen at all. hell, i can't even get an appt with him! (i'm on the "waiting list" now!) this new tdoc started a women's trauma group, however she refuses to moderate the group (she just sits there) and there are a couple members of the group who "take over" most of the group time....and nope, i'm not one of them, i'm pretty quiet in a group setting. the few times i have spoke up, i've been knocked down (told my opinion was wrong) and the group seems confrontational and the tdoc just sits there and does nothing. she is such a waste.

our group meets on mondays, but i'll spend all day tomorrow looking for dental appts for my son.

Skunk-i'm too the point each day just brings something worse. i'm tired of even getting up in the morning.

[gp747]

John-if it's one thing i'm really good at it's making a stink at the VA...they don't like me much because i say what's on my mind.

Larry-my PCP is horrid. i'm trying to switch PCPs as well. he won't listen at all. hell, i can't even get an appt with him! (i'm on the "waiting list" now!) this new tdoc started a women's trauma group, however she refuses to moderate the group (she just sits there) and there are a couple members of the group who "take over" most of the group time....and nope, i'm not one of them, i'm pretty quiet in a group setting. the few times i have spoke up, i've been knocked down (told my opinion was wrong) and the group seems confrontational and the tdoc just sits there and does nothing. she is such a waste.

our group meets on mondays, but i'll spend all day tomorrow looking for dental appts for my son.

Skunk-i'm too the point each day just brings something worse. i'm tired of even getting up in the morning.

well purple i know how it is when stuff piles up on you,and believe me. i could not make it through a confrontational group meeting. seems you might need some quiet time . you know relax for a while . my wife when tensions build up on her she will go to different stores and browse around just to get away you know. she wont buy anything but getting out for awhile helps her. think about what is most relaxing to you .and when you feel like it try to come up with a plan to deal with only one problem at a time. try to get that pressure down a notch or two. hang in there !

[yoggie2]

Purple, I attend a fee basis care for my PTSD. The problem is that I could not afford to travel to Indianapolis for treatment, so I get psychotherapy "fee basis care" in town rather than drive 150 mile a week and I need help badly, my Head Shrink at the VA approved it and I am sure you can do the same if you was to call and ask your psychiatric Dr to set it up....

Edited November 10, 2008 by yoggie2