The good news is that my doctor has agreed to share the care for any medication should I choose to go down that route. I’m not sure what options are available just yet, but the idea of possibly getting something to help with sleep is quite appealing. I’ve been waiting for the medication team to give me a call to discuss the different alternatives and what might work best for me.
Today, I’ve been reflecting on whether I really want to take medication. It’s a big decision, and it’s been on my mind a lot since receiving my assessment report. There wasn’t much in there that I didn’t already expect, but it still feels strange reading a report about yourself, seeing all those details laid out. It’s a bit surreal. I’ve been thinking a lot about whether I actually want to go down the medication route. Honestly, I want to explore it because one of my biggest issues is with sleep. My mind just doesn’t switch off, and it’s exhausting. On top of that, I’ve also struggled with binge eating for most of my adult life. It’s painful for me to admit that, but it’s the truth. From what I’ve read, the medication they’re suggesting could help with binge eating/impulsivity, which would be incredible if I could get some control back over that part of my life. So, I’ve sent off my payment and now just need to wait and see how long it’ll take them to get back to me with an appointment
One of the most frustrating parts of this whole process has been how difficult it is to get clear information about the costs. It’s like pulling teeth trying to find out how much the medication will actually cost. But I suppose that’s the private sector for you - nothing is given away without you paying first. So, I’ve decided to go ahead and book in for the full 12-week medication titration programme. If for some reason I can’t get medicated after that, I’ll at least get most of the £499 back. However, on top of that, I’ll have to pay for the medication itself, and that’s the bit they don’t really seem want to disclose until after you’ve paid for the initial session. Indications are that it will be between £80 - £100, depending on the dose. Roll on shared care and NHS prescriptions, if I am suitable for medication.