Online doctor visit for depression?

[steph96]

I keep hearing about hospital clinics offering e-visits. Do you know if they’ll likely prescribe antidepressants? I’ve felt like I’ve been on a downward spiral for about 3 weeks but the thought of having to physically go to a doctors office to sit there and wait in the waiting room and then wait in the exam room gives me so much anxiety. Add in the fact that my PCP office seems to only take morning appointments and I know I’ll cry so unless I want to go to work with puffy eyes, I’ll have to take an entire day off. In case you can’t tell, I have a lot of anxiety about this. Plus I don’t want to pay the $45 copay to only be told that they can’t help me. I know walk in clinics prefer not to (or can’t?) prescribe antidepressants so I’m not sure if the e-visits will be the same?

[coltsfan85]

Our teledoc service is primarily for colds, flus, etc but it does list what services they provide on the information card we got from work. Maybe the hospital e visit does the same?

I’m in the same boat looking for a new doc but also needs anxiety meds filled and I just don’t want to unhash all that at one appt. I’m considering finding a new doc and getting set up with a therapist and psychiatrist referral for meds and talk therapy. Cause I have all the time in the world (nope) but could probably benefit from another go at it (yep)

[cleo29]

I am not sure. I have only been prescribed some by a doctor and then they want to monitor you while on them. can you call the clinic and ask if their e-visits can result in a prescription?

[spindle92]

My Psychiatrist and therapist's office does what is called Telepsychiatry.
It is basically done thru Skype and then RXs are just electronically sent to your pharmacy.
I am not sure where you live but I would be more than happy to give you their info, just PM me.

[isabel]

I recently asked our benefits administrator for our EAP information and she accidentally sent me a flyer for a teledoc type service that was specifically for mental health issues. So I do think there are services out there for what you need.

I know you won’t have the exact same insurance as me, but it might be useful to see what it is and know what to ask for with insurance/benefits person at work. If you want me to send it to you, shoot me a PM.

[steph96]

spindle92 isabel I’d love to know more!

I have BCBS.

[Deleted]

My experience has been that telemedicine is more likely to be used as an option in rural areas.

But I want to offer a couple of constructive thoughts:
1) Your doctor is not going to tell you they can't help you. At a minimum, they're likely to give you a trial of a pretty standard SSRI like Prozac or Zoloft. Or you may even get a referral to a specialist.
2) Do you have something you can focus on in the waiting room? Like listening to music or a podcast? (If it were me, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on reading, but you may be different.)
3) Can you take a half day off work? Or can you just plan on going in late, with the plan to stop for a cup of coffee and a muffin afterwards? Maybe even scout out something funny you can listen to between the appointment and work to help you laugh. I completely relate to the crying, but I think you can deal with this if you are prepared.

It's good that you recognize something is off. I know that going in is hard - seeking treatment for my anxiety triggers my anxiety, so I get it - but it will be worth it, I promise.

[spindle92]

steph96 PM has been sent.

I just want to wish you good luck. I know how you are feeling and all the anxiety that can come with just picking up the phone to make that call. You can do it.

[Deleted]

I found this on the bcbs site

www.bcbsil.com/find-a-doctor-or-hospital/virtual-doctor-visit

[steph96]

Jun 7, 2018 20:39:01 GMT -5 @darkangel said:

I found this on the bcbs site

www.bcbsil.com/find-a-doctor-or-hospital/virtual-doctor-visit

I just logged in and apparently behavioral health isn’t available for me. 😢

[steph96]

I just checked my PCP’s website and at some point since yesterday evening, they had a 3:50pm appointment open up! Hallelujah! I also had to list what my primary purpose of the visit is, so that’s also a huge weight lifted. I’m going to try to follow @angryharpy ‘s advice about how to deal with the waiting room.

[onetruething]

Jun 7, 2018 21:00:15 GMT -5 steph96 said:

I just checked my PCP’s website and at some point since yesterday evening, they had a 3:50pm appointment open up! Hallelujah! I also had to list what my primary purpose of the visit is, so that’s also a huge weight lifted. I’m going to try to follow @angryharpy ‘s advice about how to deal with the waiting room.

[br


You’ve got this, girl!!! This right here is always the hardest part for me whenever things go off the rails. Sending you support and good vibes!!!

[Jalapeñomel]

Do docs prescribe antidepressants after the first visit?

I went to several therapy sessions before anyone diagnosed me, but this was years ago.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

[woodgnome]

Jun 7, 2018 21:08:48 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Do docs prescribe antidepressants after the first visit?

I went to several therapy sessions before anyone diagnosed me, but this was years ago.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

Mine put me on Celexa right away. However my personal experience was that a psychiatrist was much better at handling mental health than my PCP.

OP, good for you for scheduling the appointment. That's the hardest part. Hugs!

[lostrn]

Jun 7, 2018 21:08:48 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Do docs prescribe antidepressants after the first visit?

I went to several therapy sessions before anyone diagnosed me, but this was years ago.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

I've had luck with my PCP prescribing antidepressants at the first visit.

[peachy]

You’ll feel relieved as soon as you talk to your doctor...making and going to the first appointment is the hardest part in my experience. Good luck steph

[spindle92]

Jun 7, 2018 21:08:48 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Do docs prescribe antidepressants after the first visit?

I went to several therapy sessions before anyone diagnosed me, but this was years ago.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

Now a days (god that makes me sound so old) I feel like antidepressants are handed out like candy.

It is the ADD drugs that require more visits as they are a controlled substance.

[steph96]

Jun 7, 2018 21:08:48 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Do docs prescribe antidepressants after the first visit?

I went to several therapy sessions before anyone diagnosed me, but this was years ago.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

I’ve gone to 2 different PCPs who prescribed antidepressants the first time I mentioned it. With one of those, it was also literally my first time seeing him—he also made me schedule with a therapist for ongoing prescriptions.

[Shreddingbetty]

Jun 7, 2018 21:08:48 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Do docs prescribe antidepressants after the first visit?

I went to several therapy sessions before anyone diagnosed me, but this was years ago.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

Depends mostly on the patient. Some people really want to get on meds and others would prefer to try just therapy first and then there are those that want to do both. If I see someone who has situational depression I often will recommend just therapy to start with to help them work through whatever they are dealing with because of then that is more helpful than meds (sometimes both is better depending on how bad they are). If someone has  had “just” depression for a long time without any obvious triggers I won’t hesitate to start them on meds and then follow them sort of closely for the first 1-3 months until we get meds sorted out. I feel that most people on meds still should do therapy but not everyone is into that. 
Where i live mental health services are not always easy to get and seeing a shrink is really hard, even when people have private insurance. We just don’t have enough providers.

The one mental health place we have (this is for Medicaid and self pay patient) has telemedicine but you have to go to their office and do it from there. They just don’t have enough shrinks to handle to caseload.

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2018 21:00:15 GMT -5 steph96 said:

I just checked my PCP’s website and at some point since yesterday evening, they had a 3:50pm appointment open up! Hallelujah! I also had to list what my primary purpose of the visit is, so that’s also a huge weight lifted. I’m going to try to follow @angryharpy ‘s advice about how to deal with the waiting room.

You can do it. One step at a time. And I found that yes my dr did prescribe anti anxiety meds at my first visit, he did ask that I follow up with a psychiatrist though.

[isabel]

Jun 7, 2018 20:51:37 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Jun 7, 2018 20:39:01 GMT -5 @darkangel said:

I found this on the bcbs site

www.bcbsil.com/find-a-doctor-or-hospital/virtual-doctor-visit

I just logged in and apparently behavioral health isn’t available for me. 😢

Bummer. That's the thing that my benefits manager sent me.

I'm really glad you were able to get an afternoon appointment. You've got this.

[VillainV]

I’m so glad you got an appointment! Is there anyone you can take with you? Do you think you’d feel comfortable telling the office staff that you are experiencing anxiety over the appointment? My experience is that many will treat you with compassion (ie: ask if you would prefer to sit in the waiting room or exam room, check in with you more often, etc). Can you bring a book magazine to read while you wait? Bring a list of topics you want to discuss? All of these help me a lot.

[TrickyBob]

I am glad you found a later appointment. My PCP was the one who prescribed me my lexapro and she is the only one I have ever dealt with for it.

Good luck and great job taking the first step!

[shauni27]

Jun 7, 2018 21:00:15 GMT -5 steph96 said:

I just checked my PCP’s website and at some point since yesterday evening, they had a 3:50pm appointment open up! Hallelujah! I also had to list what my primary purpose of the visit is, so that’s also a huge weight lifted. I’m going to try to follow @angryharpy ‘s advice about how to deal with the waiting room.

I was in the same shoes as you a few years ago. It took me FOREVER to feel ready to call the doctor and make the appointment. Even scheduling it and saying what it was for had me burst into tears on the phone with the receptionist. But, as soon as I did? It felt like a weight was off my shoulders.

The appointment was tough, I cried a lot, it was awkward. but I left with a script for antidepressants and my life has been so much better ever since. I have had to adjust my meds a few times but man, it was literally life changing.

I tell you this as a positive anecdote that will hopefully leave you feeling encouraged. Good luck!

[followyourarrow]

I'm glad you have an appointment scheduled. I know it can be so hard. The first time I went to my PCP I was struggling so much I couldn't leave the house to get the mail, so going to an appointment for depression was SO hard.

[tacom]

Jalapeñomel I was prescribed Zoloft and a low dose of Xanax by my PCP the first time I went to her for my anxiety (though I had been under her care for about 2 years at that point). It had gotten increasingly worse and there were several environmental / situational factors (stressful fellowship, upcoming wedding, upcoming cross country move with job hunt) contributing at that time.

Steph, so glad you made the appointment. That’s a big first step. I hope it goes smoothly and you feel some relief afterwards.

[clippy]

Good luck, steph96! I'm so glad that you were able to get an afternoon appt.

[formerlyak]

Just wanted to give you support. About 6 months after my ex moved out, I lost it. Just couldn't get out of bed. My mom insisted I call my PCP. I told her I couldn't fit that in; I had stuff to do with my then 4 year old. She told me she would meet me at the office and get my son and take him to his activities that day. My doctor was wonderful. That appointment made a world of difference for me. I am glad you got an appointment. Who cares if you cry in the waiting room. Those people are mostly strangers anyway, so it doesn't matter.

Have a great appointment.

[foundmylazybum]

I just wanted to add that looking into appointment options and thinking of ways to handle your anxiety about the visit ARE steps forward towards help. You are already making strides which is awesome. Good luck and your appointment ::hugs::

[idahome]

Dealing with anxiety/depression is so hard. Glad that you were able to make an appointment at a time that works.

Be kind to yourself; you’ve been through a lot lately.