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Medical - Depression

B

BuzzLightyear

Newbie
Just looking for a bit of advice really.

Just about to finish my final year of undergraduate degree. It's been a stressful year, and I was feeling a little low in mood about various things mainly my studies and putting unnecessary pressure on myself. Naturally, I went to my Dr last Nov 2016 and regret this decision. He stuck me on Fluoxetine for 30 days and said it could take up to 8 weeks for them to be effective; but couldn't say whether it was depression or not because it is difficult to diagnose, with a view to having a two week review. I was also prescribed a small dose amitriptyline (even though it's an anti-depressant the small dose is for sleep 10mg, higher amounts are for depression) to help me sleep as I was struggling to sleep and it was affecting me attending my lectures. I took the Fluoxetine for about 3 weeks on and off (would ofte forget because I'm useless at things like that) and so since December I haven't taken them because I felt I didn't need them. I do not consider myself depressed, I was then just a little stressed, knackered and thought that Dr knows best!

After reading the medical exemption notes for the Royal Navy, I noted it states a 2 year clearance on depression and anxiety. When I rang my Doctor to see what I had actually been 'labelled' as he stated it was difficult to diagnose depression; it has been put down as depression and anxiety. In hindsight I was just being a bit pathetic and woe is me and now I fear this has come to bite my behind. I totally accept the Naval requirements on these issues as fair but just wondering what my chances are of applying before this two year clearance; if I was regular sufferer of depression and took the tablets continuously I would not consider applying at this early stage, however this was the first and only time I had been to the Dr about it so I'm wondering if it's worth putting a case forward? If not, I shall use the time in between to up my fitness levels so all is not lost.

Apologies for the long winded post.
Much appreciate any advice.

Cheers.
 
You'd probably fail with the medical side of things if it's definitely down in the books as depression, however you'd probably be able to appeal this and explain this situation. No guarantees tho, best of luck!
 
RAM28 said:
You'd probably fail with the medical side of things if it's definitely down in the books as depression, however you'd probably be able to appeal this and explain this situation. No guarantees tho, best of luck!
Click to expand...
As a matter of interest, from what perspective are you offering advice on this particular topic?
 
RAM28 said:
You'd probably fail with the medical side of things if it's definitely down in the books as depression, however you'd probably be able to appeal this and explain this situation. No guarantees tho, best of luck!
Click to expand...

I ultimately dislike the thought of 'appealing' their decision as I would not feel qualified to do so, I'd much prefer to give my side of the background story as to what led to the visit to the Dr as I'm sure, in my opinion, they'd agree it wasn't depression; stressed and overwhelmed with my workload more than anything.
If I have to wait for 2 years clearance I am happy to do so just wasn't sure if it was worth a stab.
Do they simply go off your medical notes alone or do they haul you in to discuss your medical notes during the medical eligibility?
 
Go and speak to your local AFCO, and take advice from the professionals, they probably will not be able to give medical advice, remember you are not commuting yourself to anything just making enquiries. The decision to go forward is yours but the final medical decision will be the naval medical board. Get all the facts then decide, don't stress over this it could be detrimental to your health?
 
I spoke to my local AFCO. I've been told to put an application in anyway, judging on my circumstances and I can appeal if need be and they, from a non-medical point of view, feel that it would get over turned as they've had situations like this before. So no one really appears to be concerned except me.

I've been to see my Doctor today about my medical notes. He says I'm not depressed, I never have been despite what the notes say and has put down on my medical notes that the primary diagnosis has since altered from November and that I haven't taken medication since December. He states that my situation was more 'reactive' to circumstances around my then situation rather than depression and has stated as such in my notes. He said the codes that have been used to diagnose depression are very lax and said he will confirm in writing if he needs too that there was no other suitable codes to use (I'm not sure what he meant by that?) but he will put a case forward for me if need be and would advise them that I've never been depressed and that SSRI were issued per locum (not even sure what that means either) and that it's typical of Dr's to prescribe them for low mood and not just for 'depression' (his words, not mine) but again they were not really needed for my circumstances; he seems to think it's not a problem and will not affect a career in the Navy. My concern is, it's not his final decision but I'm confident he will do everything in his power to help me out which is all I can ask for. So despite the original diagnosis which he says he cannot erase or tamper with (obviously) he has pretty much now refuted the original diagnosis.

Does anyone know how that stands from the MO point of view with the medical side of things.

I feel a little better but I know the situation is ultimately out of my hands and my Dr's really and what will be, will be.

Cheers.
 
your GP is on your side, all you can do is go through the process, no one on here is that medically qualified. It sucks when you have no control of your own future, press on and good luck.
 

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