ptsd Just Got Approved! Now I Want Outpatient Treatment. Screw Va Treatment.

[grove12345]

Let me share a bit first about my VA experience.

Iraqi war veteran 05-07. Got out of the military in 08.

Depression and ADD started to kick severally in around 2011. I was about 29 at the time, a full grown adult.

Started going to the VA for treatment. I was just getting worse and worse over the years.

Talked to my ex squad leader, suggested my behavior was linked to PTSD. Turns out half my platoon was diagnosed with PTSD (we had a really rough tour) and he suggested I go get help for it.

Now in my 3+ years of going to the VA for depression and anti social issues, NOT ONE doctor asked about my dramatic experiences (and boy did I have a lot). From psychiatrist to psychologist it seemed that they all steered away from asking about the war.

So I wrote to C&P, wrote them a nice gruesome letter. Got an appointment set in about a few months. In the meantime I figured I would get more evidence. Went to the VA PTSD clinic in Miami. Spoke to a social worker (who again never once asked about my traumatic experiences), all she wanted to know was if I was a danger to myself or others. Since I wasnt I got denied PTSD diagnoses. DAMN. I just screwed myself.

Still had my CP appointment set, thought for sure I was a done for. So I started off strong. I told her ALL my experiences for the first time since going to the VA, in full detail. She was a bit blown back by it all. Said most PTSD patients didnt experience a fraction of that, and my detailed memory was a good indication of PTSD.

In the end I got 50% disability for Depression (not PTSD) and 10% due to knee.

I honestly do not want to ever deal with the VA again. I want to see help (depression and PTSD) through a private doctor.

My only concern is Im sure in order to maintain my compensation I must present evidence of ongoing treatement. How do I present that evidence if I am getting help outside the system?

[carlie]

You can submit copies of your private medical records to VA if you want.

They can include those in your VA medical file.

Good luck on getting private (fee basis) mental health care.

You might want to check out your local Vet Center.

www.vetcenter.va.gov

[Mikemmlj]

Vet Centers are great!

[Vync]

Welcome to Hadit!

+1 about vet centers being great!

Your chances of getting fee based is better if you live further away from a clinic/hospital, but like Carlie said, good luck getting MH treatment.

Most important of all, don't give up!

[grove12345]

well I was thinking of seeing a private psychiatrist and/or shrink.

I just started a new job and the VA wont give me certain meds unless I go once every month. Which is kind of hard for me to keep to as opposed to a private doctor who can just write me up whenever I call. Basically less hoops to jump through.

What is this "fee based" thing you bring up?

Also can VetCenters see me on weekends or write me prescriptions?

Thanks guys for any help.

[carlie]

well I was thinking of seeing a private psychiatrist and/or shrink.

I just started a new job and the VA wont give me certain meds unless I go once every month.

That sounds a bit off. Most vets I know with mental health problems get plenty of happy pills

without a need for a MONTHLY visit. Did they give you a reason for this ?

Did you explain your work doesn't permit a day off each month for medical care ?

BTW - Check out FMLA for that.

Which is kind of hard for me to keep to as opposed to a private doctor who can just write me up whenever I call. Basically less hoops to jump through.

Believe me - we'd all like less hoops to jump through.

It's usually part of the process - like bacon and eggs.

BTW - in the mental health field - even private docs don't just keep refilling

RX meds without some visits and sometime some blood work.

If they do so, they risk the loss of their license.

What is this "fee based" thing you bring up?

Fee basis is private care that VBA pre-approves with an outside provider.

Also can VetCenters see me on weekends or write me prescriptions?

Nope - Vet Centers are not there to see you on week-ends or write RX's for you.

jmho - carlie

Thanks guys for any help.

[Mikemmlj]

My Psychiatrist wants to see me every month to. I think he wants that till he thinks I'm stable....Good luck with that!

[grove12345]

Thanks for the feed back. To get any useful info through official channels is next to impossible. So I can use all the help I can get.

Well I was placed on Ritalin and I wanted to move up to adderall for my depression/ADD. My psychiatrist doesnt have a problem giving it to me, but there are sooo many stages I had to go through before even reaching that level. Basically I had to take then reject about 4 different Rx. And once I do get it, I have to see my psychiatrist once a month. Doesnt sound bad (1x a month) but if I miss or they decide to reschedule the appointment I might have to wait another 2-5 weeks for a time slot that is probably right in the middle of the work day. Then on top of that I might have to make appointments to see a shrink (maybe 4 week wait)

Im pretty sure I mentioned about 5xs, to my psych, that I cant make it to the appointments the VA sets due to my new job. No one ever mentioned fee based option. Are you saying the FMLA can help me with finding the right doctors and get covered treatments?

Thanks for all the help guys. God bless.

[carlie]

Thanks for the feed back. To get any useful info through official channels is next to impossible. So I can use all the help I can get.

Well I was placed on Ritalin and I wanted to move up to adderall for my depression/ADD. My psychiatrist doesnt have a problem giving it to me, but there are sooo many stages I had to go through before even reaching that level. Basically I had to take then reject about 4 different Rx. And once I do get it, I have to see my psychiatrist once a month.

Doesnt sound bad (1x a month) but if I miss or they decide to reschedule the appointment I might have to wait another 2-5 weeks for a time slot that is probably right in the middle of the work day. Then on top of that I might have to make appointments to see a shrink (maybe 4 week wait)

Im pretty sure I mentioned about 5xs, to my psych, that I cant make it to the appointments the VA sets due to my new job. No one ever mentioned fee based option.

Yep - for certain drugs that sounds like the correct procedure.

Example - my pulmonary specialist feels a certain RX will be beneficial for me.

The VA won't provide (approve) that RX for me until they first verify that the less expensive

drugs won't work just as well for me.

So that means I must first be on trials of the less expensive drugs to prove they do not work for me.

Lab work is also needed to see if I have reached optimum therapeutic levels for each of these.

That's just the way it works.

IMO - this would not be something that would warrant fee basis services.

Are you saying the FMLA can help me with finding the right doctors and get covered treatments?

No - I am not AT ALL saying that FMLA would in any way at all, help you find doctors and / or

get any treatment covered.

FMLA could help you get time off work for medical appointments and help secure continued employment.

jmho - carlie

Thanks for all the help guys. God bless.