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Support Plan - How do you know?

martintheactor

In February, after getting a copy of the letter to my GP confirming the Autism Diagnosis I immediately made an appointment with the GP to discuss things.

The appointment was frustratingly unhelpful. It was basically 'try talking therapies' who locally don't cater to post-diagnosis or autism support in general. The doctor in question also didn't have much of an idea of what support groups or other things would be available.

As I think about it now, I'm wondering how would I know if that GP actually put a support plan in place?

I've not received any letters or other formal information regarding a requested support plan. Does this likely mean that I don't have one? Would any of you recommend that I send the form letter [https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/after-diagnosis/formal-support-following-an-autism-diagnosis] and make the request 'more official' than the in person question at the appointment back in February?

My instinct usually is just to tough through things, to just live with things, but I do have to admit that I find contacting and making doctors appointments a bigger thing than perhaps I should. It all feels like a lot. I have a sensitivity when it comes to needles or getting bloods drawn, so perhaps might be useful to have stuff noted? I'm also dealing with some ongoing pain and joint issues (into years of dealing with that now). Would a support plan factor this stuff in, or...

Basically:

1 - Is a support plan necessary?

2 - How do you know if one exists with your GP?

Thanks in advance folks

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Oh, I entirely get it. When I was on tour as an actor, vitamin D and other supplements were hugely important. I say fobbed off, because the Folic and D did very little to improve overall wellbeing. It helped combat fatigue a little, but did nothing for the pain.

  • in reply to martintheactor

    Lack of Vitamin D can be a big problem, it causes serious bone and joint problems. I was amazed after taking them for a couple of months how much better I felt, I felt 10 year younger and was able to move without as much pain, which given that I have osteoarthritis and fybromyalgia is quite a big thing.

    If you're having problems with your GP's is there another practice you could join instead? My GP's are great, but if people don't or won't tell them things like what support services are available, then how will they know?

    I found the local lot were more interested in making sure I had the right benefits than anything else, they say they were adults, but in reality I think they meant over 18's and not older people. They certainly couldn't cope with the idea of someone not being able to use digital stuff and join in zoom meeting and stuff, nor would they help me, they just continued my journey as a stray parcel, that ended with two women sat in my kitchen with a lap top telling me which two smart phones I could buy at either the local tesco or argos. I thought they were a complete waste of public money, the whole lot of them.  

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Yeah, the GP I saw didn't even know about the three social groups in my area. (Yes, I've been. No, none of them were really 'my thing'). So, yeah my GP is no different. They don't have a clue what services do and don't, should or shouldn't exist. That doesn't mean I'm going to give up though.

    As to the joints and suchlike, I've had blood tests and then been fobbed off with Folic Acid and Vit D. Zero follow-up which then translates into me putting off going back to the doctor because it takes way more energy than I feel it probably should. My hope is kinda that if at bare minimum I can get on record somewhere that GPs may need to follow-up, nudge, or encourage after sticking me with 90 days of supplements there's a small chance it might help.

  • I wasn't given a support plan, I guessed it was because of my age, the feeling seemed to be that I'd managed to 50 without help, so I'd be alright. I went to my GP a couple of years ago and said I felt I needed more help with ASC and all she had to give me was a referal sheet to a group covering North Wales, she said they'd come in a few days before. I duly filled in the form and sent it off, only to be contacted a few days later and told that they were allowing me to be accepted, even though I had filled in the wrong form, I told them they needed to take that up with the GP's not me. I didn't get the help and support I needed, the services are to fragmented and often short lived, none of them seem to speak to each other either, so your GP won't know if one exists, if you're thought to need one and possibly where to get one if you do need one.

    In short the systems a mess, good luck with it though. Have you had x-rays etc for your joints to see if you have arthritis or something?