London Medical

[tigretigre 0]

Just got off the phone with my fella, who's back from his medical exam in London. He's pretty wiped out and feeling very discouraged.

He said that the doctor told him she was satisified that he's stable enough to pass the medical, but that she couldn't complete and process any report stating this unless she had a letter from his psychiatrist confirming it.

Furthermore, in addition to stating that my sweetheart isn't going to harm himself/others/property, the letter has to state that he won't need psychiatric treatment in the future.

#######? I didn't know that it was a visa eligibility requirement that you never need to see a doctor again. I mean, what physician is going to write a letter like that???? Is it possible that what's meant is that they need assurance that my fiance won't need institutional psychiatric care? That would make more sense, considering the whole public charge requirement. More sense than "I promise I'll never need to see a psychiatrist again."

He has a form to give to his psychiatrist requesting this letter, and requesting that the doctor fax it directly to the medical office, also sending a copy to my fiance. So he won't even be able to see it before it goes out, and make sure that it's going to be helpful. Not that it matters--they made it pretty clear that without this letter, they won't sent his exam results to the embassy. I'm drafting another note from me for my fiance to give to his psychiatrist, explaining that this letter is really important and they can't process his application without it (since this doctor so far hasn't been inclined to lift a finger to help my fiance) and telling the doctor to CALL ME if he has any questions. Yes, I am an angry Tigre now!

Can anybody think of anything else we can do to salvage this? Anything that might help? We are so tired, and it feels like the nonsense over my fiance's medical history will never end. Is this going to follow him his entire life, keeping him from doing things other people are allowed to do?

a weary and forlorn Tigre

[joseph22 0]

Hi tigre-

I am routing for you...hope everything gets sorted soon.

It sounds like a burden, but I'm sure you'll be fine cuz it doesn seem like your fiance is ultimately inelligible for any immigration rights. I'll be watching your case to see what happens!

I have a question for you...my fiance's medical is coming up in about 2 weeks time in London also.

She got some meds for panic disorder (well...was having some panic attacks) which a doctor at NHS prescribed. The doc said was just stress/anxiety induced..that she was totally healthy...she has never seen a formal pyschiatrist or psychologist..just the GP at NHS

...When/Will this come up? I know they'll probably ask if they are being treated during the questionaire part with the doctor. It seems like a minor issue, but do you think we better get a statement from the doctor who prescribed the meds (which were only for short term - but she is still taking)....or will it be ok just to explain?

We wont lie and say "no, never seen a doctor for anything".....

I know this case is probably minor, but we're nervous and you seem to be the closest person in the boat to us.

Edited August 25, 2006 by joseph22

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

J

He said that the doctor told him she was satisified that he's stable enough to pass the medical, but that she couldn't complete and process any report stating this unless she had a letter from his psychiatrist confirming it.

Furthermore, in addition to stating that my sweetheart isn't going to harm himself/others/property, the letter has to state that he won't need psychiatric treatment in the future.

Big deep breath and read what is in bold ^^^. It's going to be okay, she just wants confirmation that what she thinks or feels is true. There have been people on this board and some still here I think though I can't recall the names at the moment, who's spouses have had major heart surgeries. They too had to provide similiar letters, and obviously there is no way one could say they would never need more medical care. All of these have gotten visas! I think what she wants is that he isn't going to go on a killing spree, and end up on a psyche ward somewhere, which he isn't and you know this, he knows it and I am sure his psychiatrist knows it as well. Just because one seeks psychiatric help doesn't make them a total loss to mankind it only makes them human and every trained medical professional knows this.

Keep that chin up the best you can, this is going to sort out, and soon you will be together.

Hugs!

Bethanie

[TracyTN 237]

Well jesus. That seems stupid to me. How can someone (even a doctor) predict who will and won't need psychiatric treatment? I mean, anyone - even someone w/ no psychiatric history - may need treatment in the future, for any number of different reasons. Its like they want a guarantee of something that no one can really guarantee.

But, whatever, as we are made to jump through their hoops. I hope that his psychiatrist has done this sort of thing before and will know what to say that is both truthful and helpful. Seems like quite a conundrum to put someone in - doctor or no.

When is your fiance going to see the psychiatrist?

[no name 1]

Good luck tigre.

It does seem strange to write something like that though, as if that is possible to predict.

He'll be fine, it does sound positive!

[tigretigre 0]

Bethanie, I hear you, and I'm trying to stay calm and be reasonable. This would actually be good news if it weren't for the fact that his psychiatrist is such a poor excuse for a medical professional and can't be relied upon for anything. He's also been hostile with my fiance in the past, so we're a bit nervous about what he's going to write. We just don't trust him.

As I mentioned, I'm going to write a letter to the psychiatrist for my fiance to take in along with the letter from Knightsbridge. He's going to try to get this taken care of on Monday. In the letter, I think I'm going to explain to the psychiatrist that I realize he can't guarantee that my fiance will never need mental health treatment again, and that what they are looking for is a medical opinion that he will not need anything beyond routine mental health maintenance care, such as institutionalization or long-term hospital/home care. What do people think?

Joseph22, as for your fiance, I would say that it's best that you have a letter from the GP stating that your fiancee is taking meds for anxiety/stress, but is otherwise healthy and poses no threat to herself or anyone else. This is what's recommended for anybody with any kind of health condition--diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. But I don't think shg will have any sort of problem getting a visa because of it. Anxiety disorders are as common as mice, and your fiancee has no history of harmful behavior.

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

Tig know it is tough, keep as positive as you can through this. Try not to worry about what you have no control over, tough to do but I am sure it will all be okay. I was worried sick the past few days over not getting the visa and its all been fine!

[TracyTN 237]

In the letter, I think I'm going to explain to the psychiatrist that I realize he can't guarantee that my fiance will never need mental health treatment again, and that what they are looking for is a medical opinion that he will not need anything beyond routine mental health maintenance care, such as institutionalization or long-term hospital/home care. What do people think?

I think that is spot on.

[Lizzy 0]

Hi hon,

Im sorry to hear about this. If you cant trust what your fiances Dr will say, why not go private like i did. You then get to see what they write before they fax it.

Take care. Mx

[tigretigre 0]

Well, it took no fewer than three additional visits to the psychiatrist's office to prod them into action, but my fiance reported that his psychiatrist's secretary faxed the letter this morning before his very eyes.

He got to see the letter--it's not unequivocally positive, but the negative information reported isn't technically relevant so hopefully won't hurt us. Fortunately the guy did sum up by confirming the absence of harmful behavior for 2 years, and by saying my fella's mentally stable and has not been prescribed any medication for a long time. The panel physician said at the exam that she was inclined to give my fiance the thumbs-up, but was required to get this letter first, so hopefully she can now do her thing. We'll find out in about 10 days how it turned out.

Lizzie, you look beeyootiful in your wedding pics!

T

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks for the update, Tigre. It sounds like they were being honest in the letter w/out throwing him under the bus. I think that's the best thing that could have happened. I think you'll be fine.

[knowledge 0]

Well, it took no fewer than three additional visits to the psychiatrist's office to prod them into action, but my fiance reported that his psychiatrist's secretary faxed the letter this morning before his very eyes.

He got to see the letter--it's not unequivocally positive, but the negative information reported isn't technically relevant so hopefully won't hurt us. Fortunately the guy did sum up by confirming the absence of harmful behavior for 2 years, and by saying my fella's mentally stable and has not been prescribed any medication for a long time. The panel physician said at the exam that she was inclined to give my fiance the thumbs-up, but was required to get this letter first, so hopefully she can now do her thing. We'll find out in about 10 days how it turned out.

Lizzie, you look beeyootiful in your wedding pics!

T

Tiger, i was just reading today your thread!

[rebeccajo 14]

Sounds positive. Looking forward to a good result~!

[lisanne 0]

You guys are up for interview tomorrow!!!! Best wishes!!!!!! Let us all know how it goes.

[Lizzy 0]

Good luck hon, im wishing the best for you!