The sun slowly rises over the properties tree line where I live. The southern rays quickly heat up this old concrete cinder block house. It’s nice this time of year when there is a chill in the air. I now call anything below 75 degrees a “chill” or “cold.” I still find that funny as a former Bostonian. After twelve years here in Florida, my body has adapted and now: I’m a cold weather wimp.
The weather is nice, and I find myself wanting to get out more. Though I don’t venture too far with my bouts of agoraphobia. This is now compounded with that fact that my truck is dying. Still I like to sit out and enjoy a cup of tea. That too is funny to me. Years ago, I would kick back a brew or have black coffee. Now I drink tea and not much; a few times a week. I find beer, coffee and even tea has an interaction with medication.
As you know (or you should be aware) if you are on any type of medication, there can be positive and negative interactions with food, drink, and other medications we may be prescribed. That is why it’s always a good practice to make sure you update the tech at your Behavioral Health and Counseling Services at your next appointment of any changes.
Mental Well-being: Leave a 30 day Window
Speaking about appointments, here at Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, Northside Psychiatric Services and Recovery Center Counseling Services: I got the best advice I when it comes to setting up my next appointment. Because unless I set it the day I’m in the office right then and there, I won’t set it. It is a very positive change; I’ll procrastinate, get side tracked or wait until I run out of meds. Here is the advice, and it’s good and so simple to remember. The staff person at the front desk told me that “the best way to remember when to set an appointment, so that I don’t run out of meds, is call them the day you get your last refill.” GENIUS! That way I have a max buffer of 30 days to be seen…No “YELLING – ugg! I’m down to my last pill and I NEED IT NOW!!!”.
Recall this point and you won’t need to stress out. For mental well-being: remember to call Charlotte Behavioral Health Care to give you a thirty day window of medication from your last refill and the time of your next appointment you are calling to make. (941-639-8300 #5) *Note: in some circumstances if you are an existing client, you may hit the option #6 and talk to your doctor ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) about issues with medications/prescriptions and/or concerns related to your case. https://www.cbhcfl.org/contact-us
You can sit in the waiting room and hope someone is late, but your wait could be extra-long. How does that expression go? “If you fail to prepare, prepare to sit a long-time in a waiting room.” That is why I’m writing this post right now, in a waiting room, for something I forgot about… At least,the sun was on my face for a bit. I wish I brought a winter coat. It’s like 72 degrees…It’s freezing!
Chato Stewart Consumer Peer Ambassador
PS: One final note –
Don’t expect the doctors to jump too high if they haven’t seen you in a while…NO ONE gets ANY MEDS sight-unseen! It’s policy and it’s a good policy! Besides, this is about Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery and “not slipping one over” on the good doc.