Feel trapped & living in fear

Being on I.B I'm aware that I will be getting moved onto ESA and will no doubt face this new medical in the near future.
I'm in no doubt that I should be placed in the 'support group' for ESA, but I feel terrified that I may be forced into the work related group due to poor information from my GP or my saying the wrong thing.
My last medical was in 1998 and since then I have never needed to attend a I.B medical.
I have accepted my illness and no longer see my Psychiatrist. I have a bipolar disorder but feel depressed most of the time and take antidepressant medication. I'm also very overweight, have diabetes and never leave my home unless I'm with someone and having an ok day.
I have learned how to manage some of my problems and have accepted what I can and cannot do. Unfortunately, my GP seems to know very little about my condition and how it affects me. He only ever mentions my weight and diabetes in the extremely rushed consultations I have had with him.
I now feel trapped and scared as I fear my GP will not be able to give a true report of how my illness affects my life. Currently, I'm making myself sick with worry and feel like I'm starting to mentally unravel again.
Do you think that paying for a doctor’s time (private consultation) may be a good option?
I feel that this may put my mind at rest as I would be able to talk freely without being rushed out the door and I would feel confident that a private GP would look through my records in order to give a true and factual report on my behalf.
I have never done anything like this before and I don't even know how or if a private doctor would see me about such a matter, but I don't know what to do for the best.
Has anyone got some experience of this type of thing?
Thank you for your time.

Expresso

I understand your concerns.

If you feel this way about your G.P. why not see him/her, and see how they stand in supporting you.

If you are not happy with his support, try another G.P. in the practice.

If neccessary change G.P. do you know some one who can recommend a more sympathetic one.

I changed G.P. practices 3 times when I first moved to this area, they can't stop you.

Also it may be useful to request a copy of your G.P. records you may be surprised what is written.

You simply sign a form at the practice, and pay a fee mine was £20, they then have 40 days. I received mine on a CD, with a password within 10 days.

hope this helps

bro58

Could you see your psychiatrist again? Ask for a care plan under the care programme approach (CPA)that includes coming under the care of the local community mental health team (CMHT). You'd then have some more reports to submit to the DWP come the time.

I have a very good relationship with my psychiatrist and social worker and I think this helps.

espresso wrote:

Being on I.B I'm aware that I will be getting moved onto ESA and will no doubt face this new medical in the near future.
I'm in no doubt that I should be placed in the 'support group' for ESA, but I feel terrified that I may be forced into the work related group due to poor information from my GP or my saying the wrong thing.
My last medical was in 1998 and since then I have never needed to attend a I.B medical.
I have accepted my illness and no longer see my Psychiatrist. I have a bipolar disorder but feel depressed most of the time and take antidepressant medication. I'm also very overweight, have diabetes and never leave my home unless I'm with someone and having an ok day.
I have learned how to manage some of my problems and have accepted what I can and cannot do. Unfortunately, my GP seems to know very little about my condition and how it affects me. He only ever mentions my weight and diabetes in the extremely rushed consultations I have had with him.
I now feel trapped and scared as I fear my GP will not be able to give a true report of how my illness affects my life. Currently, I'm making myself sick with worry and feel like I'm starting to mentally unravel again.
Do you think that paying for a doctor’s time (private consultation) may be a good option?
I feel that this may put my mind at rest as I would be able to talk freely without being rushed out the door and I would feel confident that a private GP would look through my records in order to give a true and factual report on my behalf.
I have never done anything like this before and I don't even know how or if a private doctor would see me about such a matter, but I don't know what to do for the best.
Has anyone got some experience of this type of thing?
Thank you for your time.

in most cases to see a GP private and have access to your NHS notes you need your GP to refer you

you can just register with a private GP but that would not give you access to your NHS records

based on what you have posted and taking into account the libconc want the DWP to bring in ESA move I dont IMO think you will make support your dr only talks about 2 things because in the short time he gets to see you he deals with the 2 things your in his opinion most at risk from

paying a gp private gives you one thing time ... he might still based on good practice aim in on the same two problems

going private without telling your gp means he wont have acccess to your NHS records and would have to take a full history from you... costs more but might even be better for you

you might be better off seeing a private Psychiatrist if you feel thats your main problem and the one that best gives you access to the support group

that would cost lots and depending where you live in the UK accessing without GP refer is difficult

Thank you all very much for taking the time to reply to my post.
I will discuss my situation with my GP and see if he will support me. I will also look at the other options outlined in the other posts.
I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks again.