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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my Drs have deliberately refused to see me

118 replies

TheCatsPaws · 09/02/2018 19:16

Background: long term clinical depressive with severe anxiety. Occasional diazepam user. I have never abused or overdosed on diazepam, or any other drug. Was stable until I recently had four miscarriages in a row, which has caused me to develop flashbacks, nightmares and for my depression to come back.

I went to my GP last week for some diazepam and was told flat out no, as I am a “risk” Hmm I’ve used it for nearly 10 years, about three times a year. I was instead given Zopiclone, which caused a horrible hallucination of blood running down my hands and sent me hysterical (my DP had to restrain me).

I threw the Zopiclone out and used my last few diazepam these last few days. I ran out yesterday and asked for a telephone appointment. The Dr never rings. I ring up and tell them. They say I’m still on the list. I ring at 5:30 and they say I’m still on the list.

6 I ring and it’s closed.

Now I have no way of getting my medicine and I’m going to have fucking nightmares and panic attacks when I sleep. AIBU to think this was deliberate? They just don’t want to prescribe it to me for some reason.

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 09/02/2018 21:39

My DS2 is having a similar problem with one of the meds he takes for PTSD. It works really well for him and for some reason it's gotten on the 'shit list' here in the US. His practitioner has had to justify his continuing use and does extra paperwork to keep him on it. It's a shame that she has to go to the trouble and there are probably lots of practitioners that wouldn't.

Twoo · 09/02/2018 21:42

Poor poor you Flowers

I hope you find some inner peace soon.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/02/2018 21:43

Oh that is good news, Cats. Can you take someone with you?

NotReadyToMove · 09/02/2018 21:44

I fully agree with that. Please have someone with you and actually I would recommend your DH.
1- because he will know exactly what is happening to you and what has happened etc...
2- because he is a man and they are less likely to think he is over the top and Just an emotional person who needs to just get in with things.

Fwiw I have met two people recently who have been put on diazepam so not all GP will just say NO.

IvorHughJarrs · 09/02/2018 21:44

As others have said, doctors are told not to prescribe benzos, like diazepam or Z drugs, like zopiclone, other than for short courses. My GP suggested a "drowsy" antihistamine, like Nytol, if anything is needed for sleep but even that is not recommended for long term use

No excuse for not ringing back though. At our practice the pharmacist or nurse practitioner will ring you back if the GP can't

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 09/02/2018 21:49

Could they diagnose mirtazapin, which also has a sedative?

Riverside2 · 09/02/2018 22:04

Chicken I think that takes two weeks to kick in?

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 09/02/2018 22:07

Would it be easier to use an AD at all times?

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/02/2018 22:19

OP, looks like NICE guidance does support the use of hypnotics (benzodiazepines are hypnotics) for short term use in people with PTSD where sleep is a problem.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg26/chapter/1-Guidance#the-treatment-of-ptsd

Hope your appointment went well.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/02/2018 22:21

Caveat: Obviously you can’t be diagnosed by unqualified internet randoms, but you’re clearly suffering from the described symptoms.

MyDcAreMarvel · 09/02/2018 22:24

I am prescribed 14 diazepam a month, they are from psychiatry though.

Ravenesque · 09/02/2018 22:24

I am on AD and they don't touch anxiety/PTSD to the level that OP is at. They're great for bringing some sort of normality to my life, but when there is depression with added whatever, I need something else on top. With me it's anxiety, back spasms, and lingering PTSD which I didn't realise I had until my Neuro consultant diagnosed it. He is the loveliest doctor I've ever dealt with.

Anyway! OP, I really hope the appointment goes well and you get what you need.

Unicorn81 · 09/02/2018 22:28

Gp gave my partner diazepam after trauma with an op. I told them at the time it wasnt a good idea as he has an addictive nature. After a year on it they made him step down and go without and didnt sort out mental health referral in time. Was treated like a junkie by the gp which pissed me off as they gave it to him in first place. There are posters up saying they wont be putting anyone else on it so yeah something has happened to make gps stop this.

If you need it then you need it. Gp also fucks up prescriptions all the time. My partner is on a controlled pain killer and the doc fucked ip so bad at christmas my partner had no pain relief. Coming off it cold turkey is like coming off heroin, luckily we got nhs 24 gp to do a script then had to travel all over the bloody country to a pharmacy that stocked it.

restie · 09/02/2018 22:38

@ Catpaws - sounds horrendous what you are battling with.

The doctor could prescribe promethazine 25mg...that's what some of the residents are prescribed at the psyc unit where I work. It has a sedative effect and calms people down.

PennyDreadfull · 09/02/2018 22:54

How did it go OP?

TheCatsPaws · 09/02/2018 22:58

Thank you everyone. DP and I saw a lovely Dr who agreed I needed support and had prescribed me a short course of diazepam. I can’t pick it up tonight but from tomorrow I will be able to get it.

Thank you everyone Smile

OP posts:
Riverside2 · 09/02/2018 23:29

OP I am relieved for you.

Hopefully your regular GP will take this more seriously now. Flowers

JAMMFYesPlease · 10/02/2018 05:25

Just seeing this and so happy to see there was a positive outcome with ooh. I hope your regular GP bucks his ideas up to help you. Shane on the GPs that avoid their patients.

Sleephead1 · 10/02/2018 06:02

glad you got seen op I would make a urgent appointment on Monday and push for urgent referral as it looks like doctor's aren't going to prescribe for you i think doctors ade under big pressure not to now. and I don't think ooh will keep doing it. If you can see mental health and they prescribe this would stop the problem they may also be able to offer better alternatives. good luck

Sleephead1 · 10/02/2018 06:04

oh also chase up what happened to your call back and flag with practice manager as doctor's can't just ignore patients on their call back list!

Oblomov18 · 10/02/2018 06:40

I do think it's very wrong that the GP didn't call. I bet you they'll claim that they did!

MichaelFabricantsHair · 10/02/2018 10:42

Great news TheCatsPaws Flowers

TheCatsPaws · 10/02/2018 10:48

Thank you. I have decided I am going to put a written complaint on to my practise outlining that I am unhappy I was ignored and not spoken to.

Thanks everyone, I was panicking last night about this and the support was helpful

OP posts:
Anatidae · 10/02/2018 10:56

Christ OP that sounds really an awful experience. Of course you’re traumatised, of course you need proper help to process this.

I suffered from severe OCD and intrusive thoughts/visuals after my first. A six month course of psychotherapy was useful. Ssris were useful too.

When you do finally talk to the doctor ask what their plan for managing your trauma is so OK, no diazepam, but it’s unacceptable that I’m suffering g like this. how are you going to manage it?

Ball back in their court, plan of action.

GPS are very anti benzos these days. With good reason sadly but that’s no justification for not providing alternative support and help.

Riverside2 · 10/02/2018 11:34

OP I hope you won't mind me asking this question here as any answers might help you

I note that Anatidae says "GPs are very anti benzos these days. With good reason sadly but that’s no justification for not providing alternative support and help."

what would be the alternative for occasional severe anxiety? I mean a short term alternative, not all the long term stuff they seem to be keen to suggest. Just something you can take occasionally. What alternatives exist?

I have been looking online and reading a lot of how diazepam is an old med - does this mean there are newer ones that work the same way with less addiction risk, in the eyes of the GP? Tablets you can take occasionally instead of being stuck with a daily thing that has side effects?