The NHS is ageist and refuses to help

[fitsw6]

What can I do?

 

Firstly...

At 33 I was told by a private dentist that I need to have braces on my teeth with surgery at a cost of around £10,000. Of course there is no way I can pay for that EVER!

 

I was also told that I am not covered on the NHS because of my age. This means that my teeth and mouth will continue to deteriorate probably ending up with me in much pain, losing most of my teeth and ending up with a fake mouth (all of which can be treated right now).

 

What can I do???

 

 

Secondly...

There is a big chance that I may have Aspergers Syndrome. My doctor is in agreement and is investigating.

 

Again, this has only come to light recently (as in not when I was a child). The NHS will not take me to get a formal diagnosis and I can not afford to do this privatley (a minimum of aroung £150 to get diagnosed with a clinical psycologist) and the National Autistic Society can not really help beyond what they already have (they just advise).

 

What can I do?

 

 

Both these 'conditions' affect me now and have for many years. At 35 years old the NHS has turned their back on me BECAUSE I am 35. My teeth can be fixed now and I can get the right help for my 'potential' Aspergers NOW. But they NHS say no!

 

What can I do?

[fitsw6]

ps.

 

If anyone has some good advice, please over explain. This will help me understand thanks

[poppynurse]

You could try asking for a referral to the dentistry department at your local hospital, your GP should be able to help here.

[Kurt_Hamster]

Secondly...

There is a big chance that I may have Aspergers Syndrome. My doctor is in agreement and is investigating.

 

Again, this has only come to light recently (as in not when I was a child). The NHS will not take me to get a formal diagnosis and I can not afford to do this privatley (a minimum of aroung £150 to get diagnosed with a clinical psycologist) and the National Autistic Society can not really help beyond what they already have (they just advise).

 

What can I do?

 

I can't help with the teeth problem, but I can offer some advice on the AS problem.

 

I've just been diagnosed with Asperger's at the tender age of 47. It was first noticed in me (after a lifetime of visits to psychologists and psychiatrists) about 3 years ago by my then girlfriend.

 

I went to my GP and told her. I explained my symptoms etc and she agreed that there was a possibility.

 

She referred me to the local psychology department. I had to wait 2.5 years as there was only one assessor and various other NHS excuses. But then I received an appointment. I saw a very nice psychologist who gave me 6 1 hour assessments. At the end he confirmed the diagnosis.

 

The upshot being that whoever told you that you can't be diagnosed under the NHS is talking BS.

 

Go back to your GP and ask to be referred for assessment. They can't say no.

[fitsw6]

2.5 year... OMG!

 

My GP did try to refer me on the NHS but he was told no. He is still following another lead up for me but this will take a while.

 

Patience is not a strong asset of mine lol.... but i wait... and wait...

 

Since persuing this I find that I constantly analyse myself. My thoughts, actions, manerisms... and compare them to everybody else. Is it AS or do normal people do/think/say like I just did?

 

Its so frustrating waiting - Am I normal or not?

 

Thanks for the advice

[emmaf01]

It seems to be occurring again and again. People are told that services are not available to them, only to find that other people (sometimes in other PCT areas) are able to access these services on the NHS.

 

I myself am beginning a fight for an operation which a consultant has said would be incredibly beneficial to my health, but my primary care trust(PCT) may refuse to fund.

 

If you can get a referral from your GP, try also contacting the PALS service at the PCT- they all have them!- who can help find out where the PCT has provision for the necessary service.

 

What I have learned in the last two years is that fighting, hassling and generally making a nuisance of yourself by phoning, writing, emailing until they will give you what you want- These are the only way to get the treatment you require from a PCT.

 

As a friend of mine said, "The squeaky door gets oiled first. "

 

So try squeaking!

[Kurt_Hamster]

2.5 year... OMG!

 

I was more concerned about a negative diagnosis than I was about the wait. It's very difficult to diagnose AS in adults.

 

My GP did try to refer me on the NHS but he was told no. He is still following another lead up for me but this will take a while.

 

What area are you in? Maybe

 

The National Autistic Society - ASPEN UK: Asperger Syndrome Professional Network UK could point you in the right direction for treatment.

 

The other thing to consider is requesting treatment/diagnosis outside your PCT catchment area.

 

Patience is not a strong asset of mine lol.... but i wait... and wait...

 

Since persuing this I find that I constantly analyse myself. My thoughts, actions, manerisms... and compare them to everybody else. Is it AS or do normal people do/think/say like I just did?

 

Its so frustrating waiting - Am I normal or not?

 

That's hard for me to answer as I've been like that all my life. The difference is I was doing it because I knew I was different but didn't know why.

 

You are doing it because you haven't been given a definitive answer and are trying to self-diagnose to a degree. You maybe best reading up on AS so you can at least have an idea of what it's all about. There's a rather basic, but understandable article on AS on Wikipedia Asperger syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Thanks for the advice

 

No probs

[fitsw6]

Thanks emma - persistance is a virtue in this case then

 

I have to say that the waiting for a formal diagnosis has got me quite down at times. I am very sure I have AS, as is my doctor but when I am with friends and Im having an AS moment (which are plentyful) I cant just say its because of AS because I dont have the diagnosis. In fact I told all my friends 1 night about this but it fell on deaf ears. Only 1 friend tried to understand.

 

I have talked to the NAS and they have helped all they can and given me details of who to contact. The nearest to me (I live in South Gloucester) is Kent which is a long way to go.

 

 

And I have analysed all my life - as many friends often tell me to thier annoyance - the only difference now is Im analysing with more understanding.

 

I am seeing my doctor this week and will bring up the points you made. See if I can make a few doors start squeeking!

[Kurt_Hamster]

May I take one of your comments to task. You don't have AS moments... you are AS 24/7