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.

[Wings]

x

x

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Purple, I called my VA Fee Base Office, they told me to write a letter to them and explain why I wanted FB Care. It's been 6 weeks and all I get is, they will be making a decision any day now, yeah right. I've told them there is NO female therapists at their "VA Clinic" (2 hours round trip in the car). I told them the only way to even talk to a female therapist is to drive the 100 miles to the VAMC, Reno, over the Donnar Pass, alone in the winter. I told them I feel completely out of control, suicidal doesn't describe my pain.

I call them once a week to ask for a Decision. I'm going to keep calling and up the ante and tell them that I am going inpatient at a civilian facility if they don't approve the decision or give me an answer.

I should have sent the Request "certified mail" like all other VA communication AND, I should have sent it to the Doctor that has the authority to approve the request.

DON'T just send it off to the FB Office, like I made the mistake doing, find out the name of the person in AUTHORITY to address that letter too, and ask for a decision in writing BECAUSE like all other VA decisions it can be APPEALED, even VA medical decisions can be appealed. I'm really upset just like you.

Every time I get up the nerve to ASK the VA for some kind of service, they want to give me the run around. but I am desperate, so I will make some more noise.

It shouldn't be this hard to get something from the VA that thet are mandated to provide. So, either they HIRE a female counselor, locally, or pay for me to have one. This is insane. I'm sorry you are hurting. Maybe if we fight together, we'll have a better chance of getting what we need and desrve.

I'm sorry you are hurting, please hang in there and stay here with us. HUGS!! ~Wings

[purple]

wings-sorry to hear that you're going through the same shit as well. thanks for the good advice; i'll be sure to do just that. even though my tdoc is female....she's worthless. i'd love to know where the VA digs these ppl up from.

[carlie]

purple,

1) If your not doing well, you might be able to get a fresh start with

your meds and a different tdoc by going to the VA ER.

They have to let you see the POD. If you have old med containers

or pharmacy print outs I would take them with me.

2) Have you asked your new therapist just what the F issues she

feels discussing might be helpful ?

3) In the meetings would you be comfortable asking the therapist

why she isn't doing her job by actually facilitating the group ?

Why are certain members being allowed to own the group ?

jmho,

carlie

[hotcoffee2]

good lord woman. i got up depressed as all get out and feeling overwhelmed. AND then I read this. im sorry that you have had to suffer like this. i laughed a second or two at the woman's group leader that says nothing. when there was all that psycho babble years ago about becoming a fully integrated person. there was this treatment modality where the leader comes into the room and says NADA and then the dynamics are supposed to develop from there. all hell would break loose. i was always the one to reprimand the group leader if stuff wasn't handled correctly (i cited my BSW) but your story made me think of that and laugh.

the psych caseload here in maine is horrendous. can't see the person you are supposed to see and I

end up with some nut head that doesnt know my case. the pharmacist that assists psychiatry did tell me that I could see someone else and meds could be coordinated through va dept of psychiatry.

but i have medicare.....fee basis has to be requested by your primary care. i have felt so victimized by this system. but what i recommend might be constructive down the line. first go to the patient advocate and get them to write this stuff down for you. second as for a copy of the PATS report from the foia officer (the only person who can get it for you). this will or won't tell your story and will have the response of the care givers. then ammend your records--write your story down and have it added to your medical records. describe things as good or poor "standards of care" (this is also done through foia). your ammendment is either accepted or rejected. if rejected you are entitled to a hearing by the chief of staff. please excuse me---i must confess i havent done this yet and i have no bloody idea if it works. but it is outline in the vha privacy handbook if you want to review the steps.

i have tried everything...absolutely everything with the vamc knuckleheads. i wish you well and good luck. i'm about to post my woe after i finish this note, i hope it will help you get the care you need.

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.

[purple]

carlie-

the thought of going to the ER scares the shit out of me because it usually means an automatic admission. that's how they work at Dayton.

i've been asked by new tdoc to provide a list of meds i've already been on and side effects to give to the pdoc.....WTF? shouldn't all of this be in my medical records??? i can't possibly remember every psych med i've been on and all of the adverse reactions i've had. something tells me that RN person didn't keep good records....

as far as the tdoc...she seems to be starting over with me with psych 101 crap, doing the "let's identify your feelings" homework. oh bullshit. i even told her i've done this way too many times and she gave me the homework anyway. and in the group....she keeps emphasizing that this group is a peer-led group, that we are there to lead ourselves. so she doesn't do anything but listen.

pattik-sorry that you're going through all of this same shit also. seems to be a ssadly familiar pattern. i think that psycho-babble is right and that is all she knows.

right now my head is just spinning. spent most of the day with my son at the dentist and oral surgeon's offices. he is in for 6+ months of painful, intensive dental work all because that other kid couldn't control his temper!!! and i'm in for HUGE dental bills!!!! we are talking close to or over 2K!!!! 2K that i don't have. i still have a bathroom that is halfway tore up!!!

i just want to cry and scream and i don't know what else...i'm so done.

[Wings]

carlie-

the thought of going to the ER scares the shit out of me because it usually means an automatic admission. that's how they work at Dayton.

i've been asked by new tdoc to provide a list of meds i've already been on and side effects to give to the pdoc.....WTF? shouldn't all of this be in my medical records??? i can't possibly remember every psych med i've been on and all of the adverse reactions i've had. something tells me that RN person didn't keep good records....

as far as the tdoc...she seems to be starting over with me with psych 101 crap, doing the "let's identify your feelings" homework. oh bullshit. i even told her i've done this way too many times and she gave me the homework anyway. and in the group....she keeps emphasizing that this group is a peer-led group, that we are there to lead ourselves. so she doesn't do anything but listen.

pattik-sorry that you're going through all of this same shit also. seems to be a ssadly familiar pattern. i think that psycho-babble is right and that is all she knows.

right now my head is just spinning. spent most of the day with my son at the dentist and oral surgeon's offices. he is in for 6+ months of painful, intensive dental work all because that other kid couldn't control his temper!!! and i'm in for HUGE dental bills!!!! we are talking close to or over 2K!!!! 2K that i don't have. i still have a bathroom that is halfway tore up!!!

i just want to cry and scream and i don't know what else...i'm so done.

If I were you, I WOULD cry and scream! Find a place to let it all out!! The therapists used to tell me to "let it out" hardy har!! I have given them only an inch of my mind and watched their faces recoil in terror ;-(

Sadly, we are no lightweights for psychobabble. I am like, get real already!!

Have you thought about a law suit to recover damages for the dental work??? We could help you. ~Wings