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paulford
Health Professional
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Posted: Thu Oct 23rd, 2008 15:05 |
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Dear Dr Marshall and Community,
I am writing to ask your help with what must be a problem for many 1000’s of people here in the UK.
As you are aware in the UK we have a national health service, the NHS, which is funded via Tax contributions and is effectively ‘free’ at point of delivery. I.e. there is no change for seeing an MD and a minimal charge for any prescription medication they might recommend. It is not legal to buy or sell prescription medication otherwise.
This wonderful service (and it generally is) and its practitioners must, of course, be guided by a governing body in the control of its medical standards and overall professionalism. Herein lies a great problem for those of us with conditions falling outside of the common-place or well understood;
I was diagnosed with CFS this year. I have been struggling with the various symptoms and their consequences for my social and working life for a number of years. While I am grateful to not have something worse, i am horrified to learn that the NHS does not recognise this condition as being medically treatable as its pathology and aetiology is unknown.
The view here is it simply is not ‘cost effective’ for the NHS to be, in effect, conducting research into this condition by allowing GP’s to follow your (or others) methodologies in treating CFS. Until NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence, basically the body which recommends which drugs MD’s can use) has published clear guidelines for MD’s re the treatment of CFS, the sole treatment allowed in the UK is a course of psychological therapy (CBT).
This financially prudent approach does little to alleviate my concern for my own health however and I’m not in the mood to be encouraged to just accept my condition. As I’m 40 I still hope to have an active and fulfilling life ahead of me and I reject totally the idea that nothing can be done.
I won’t trouble you with my condition in detail, but suffice to say i seem to be pretty typical given the other stories and case studies I’ve read here and around this site. Importantly, I have good reason to believe that I have a chronic infection, although weather it’s viral or bacterial I don’t know as the tests have been so minimal. I cannot really afford to see a private MD long term and have searched in vain for anyone in the UK willing to treat me using the MP or any other methodology.
I would be most grateful for any advice, practical information or contact information of any sympathetic GP’s (MD’s), treatment centres etc. For that matter, anything supportive!
Regards,
Paul Ford
MBA & MEd, CPsychol, CIPD.
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Julia
Advocate (on leave)
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Posted: Thu Oct 23rd, 2008 17:42 |
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Hi Paul, from a fellow-Brit!
It's certainly hard to find doctors in the UK who will prescribe the MP, but there are about fifteen of us currently posting on the MP sites who have managed it. Some, like me, have open-minded GPs prepared to prescribe it on the NHS. Others are paying a private doctor. Some I believe have had success with alternative practitioners.
There is a very short list of UK doctors who might be interested in prescribing the MP - post a request for it at REQUEST FOR DOCTORS LIST
Suggestions To Get Your Doctor On Board With the MP
Julia 
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Always consult a physician
Essential Info; FAQ; Julia's story
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paulford
Health Professional
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Posted: Thu Oct 23rd, 2008 18:38 |
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hi julia,
good to get a strongly positive reply. its what i was looking for
how is it going with you? are you doing the MP course in full?
pf
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Julia
Advocate (on leave)
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Posted: Thu Oct 23rd, 2008 18:53 |
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Paul, click on the blue link in my signature line if you really want my full story  I'm an old stager, living a full life thanks to the MP... just killing off a few last bugs 
____________________
Always consult a physician
Essential Info; FAQ; Julia's story
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paulford
Health Professional
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Posted: Thu Oct 23rd, 2008 18:54 |
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ok i missed seeing the link! will read..
pf
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