"Lack of partnership between doctors and patient"

For almost two decades I have been taking a medication prescribed by my psychiatry specialist. I have had no problems and no hospital admissions during this time. My specialist has now retired from practice.

Major problems have since ensued with this medication which now has me at breaking point. I became a patient of the Tasmanian Health Service which is hellish to say the least. My medication has been made a schedule 8 drug and Mental Health Services as well as Alcohol Drug Services have bullied and forced me to taper off this medication. I am not listened to or respected as an individual person, untrue judgements are made. Conflicting information is given by specialists, e.g. stay on same dose for life, discontinue use. My opinion does not count in the system. The drug has never been abused by me and is tightly controlled; no evidence of misuse exists because it has never happened.

Recently I went to the pharmacy to collect the prescription only to be informed I was placed by the doctor on daily pick up, what a shock that was, no valid reason just the doctor asserting control holding me to ransom yet again, previously $5.50 for 30 days of medication now the whopping amount of $5.50 per day = $165.00 for 30 days also the doctor dropped the dose by 1 mg - from 3mg to 2mg.

I have already been unnecessarily suffering severe withdrawal symptoms which remain untreated and are serious. I feel this is an abuse of the doctor’s position of power and I believe unethical and unprofessional. I previously spoke to the doctor about lack of finances due to long term Disability Support Pension and my concerns were ignored. I have not received any treatment/support or information for withdrawal. I saw the doctor as they leaving their office and tried to communicate with them only to be fobbed off again, they have the power and control and is the designated prescriber but chooses not to listen to me, did the bizarre daily pick up prescribing behind my back without the professionalism to speak to me about why or if it was do-able and then to top it off gave me a treating ultimatum.

The doctor’s behaviour does not enhance or help my life or wellbeing I find it to be distressing and dangerous. I repeat, I have had no medication abuse ever and the doctor cannot even explain or tell me why I am being treated with such disrespect. It is like the doctor wants to create trouble and problems, becoming involved for some strange unknown reason. I have not done anything illegal or broken any laws. My diagnosed untreated major depressive disorder is worse due to the stress of this doctor’s unrealistic dangerous approach to not working collaboratively with me as the patient. It is obvious something serious is wrong with the doctor’s so called treatment ideas/approaches as my health continues to deteriorate. I believe the doctor has problems of their own that need to be addressed urgently for patient safety.