To give to the doctor for diazepam for flying?

[eggsinonebasket]

I hate flying as I feel incredibly claustrophobic and panicky. I’m not worried about the plane coming down, just the general feeling of being trapped for hours with no space to move. Last year I had a three hour flight for my holiday, and had a horrible panic attack on the flight back. I just wanted to get up and leg it but couldn’t. My heart was beating at the same rate as when I am running, for the majority of the flight home. I’ve got another holiday in a few weeks, about a 3 hour flight again. Already worrying about feeling panicky.
I’ve tried rescue remedy, listening to calming music, etc etc to no avail. Would a doctor give me something to take to calm me? I also think that if I had something with me to take as a back up, it may work as a placebo effect. I just feel like a tit using precious GP time for this. Am I?

No, I don't see why you shouldn't go to the doctor for this.

But why did you book a holiday involving a three hour flight? There are plenty of places you could go to where you could avoid flying.

God I did! Best decision I ever made! Hate flying hate it hate it but will not allow it to stop me from going to the places I want to go to. I was faced with an 11 hour flight to LA solo and knew Valium was the only
Option. It helped. Massively. Wasn’t a strong dose, didn’t put me to sleep or anything but it helped! Very common - see your GP

I could have written this word from word myself, exactly the same OP, and yes i went to the GP and was given Diazapam.
They come in 2,5 and 10 Mg, i was given a sleeve of 2’s,
I take 2 tablets 40 mins before boarding and honestly they are amazing, they just chill you out, dont make you feel rough its hard to explain but i would definately recommend, i do not fly without them now.

Propranolol, a beta blocker, is your friend. It will remove the physical manifestations of anxiety but without "drugging" you. You can get it online, legally, from proper pharmacists by answering some questions about having occasional anxiety or most GPs will be okay prescribing it as it is a very safe medication as long as you don't have certain heart conditions. It works a miracle for me in similar situations. I take a beta blocker, an imodium and I'm ready to fly!

The doctor will give you diazepam no problem for fear of flying.

Go and get them!! I got some the other day as I am PETRIFIED of flying. Normally always go France for hols and ferry/drive.

But we are getting a paid for family holiday, which is an 8 hour flight. I was seriously thinking of not going. But the doc gave me 6 2mg of Diazepam. 3 there, 3 back IF I need them all.

Just having them has made me feel better and from what I've read, they really do work.

Following thread with interest as I would like to hear how it has worked for others.

Propranolol doesn’t agree with everybody, for flying I think you’d be better with diazepam but best to speak to the doctor.

My mum has had diazepam for flying before, this is something a doctor can do.

I have it for mental health problems, the 2mg are very mild and just one or two will help take the edge off and you won’t feel drugged, just chilled. It’s definitely worth asking. Also maybe look into hypnotherapy for the phobia, I had it for a phobia and was cured in one session, it was amazing.

You could even just get a telephone appointment with the gp, a face to face wouldn’t be required.

I agree 2mg are so mild, I have to have 5mg to see any impact but my anxiety can be bad.

I'd say go to the Doctor as I've done this in the past due to panic attacks etc. when flying. However, there is a fantastic hypnosis book on Audible. I've been using it when flying and now have no need as the fear is completely gone. Wishing all of you who hate flying, the best.

Do it. I get diazepam for flying I normally end up with enough to last me a couple of years then just go back when I need more never had a problem with getting it. I get the 5mg ones.

I always get diazepam or Xanax for flying! Works brilliantly and also knowing I have it makes me feel instantly calmer

It's interesting your GPs will hand out a class C willy nilly when I couldn't even get anything like this for full blown panic attacks tbh(!)

Xanax is what my doctor prescribed, and they worked very well. I'd asked him for valium, but he said I might lose a day feeling woozy with valium, whereas the Xanax wears off quickly. First fear-free flight ever

I get temazepam every year and I keep a supply in the house for emergencies too.

2 and 5 don't touch the sides for me, I take, 10s. I need them the night before too.

Pro tip: see the oldest doctor in your practice. They're often more relaxed about prescribing benzos. Your whippersnappers are all like 'have you tried hot milk and mindful colouring'.

All those lucky people on flights, chilled out and dozing? They've taken something.

@balsamicbarbara

Same here! My GP didn't even entertain the idea of prescribing diazepam when my anxiety was generally through the roof most of the time about 5 years ago.

I think my Dad got given 4 x 5mg when he had crippling back pain but they certainly don't like prescribing them at our local surgery.

Private doctors on the other hand will prescribe you pretty much anything you ask for :-/

In think GPs will prescribe it for a one-off, time-limited event, like a flight, but not for regular use as it’s so addictive.
I get horrible claustrophobia flying and have had diazepam prescribed - it makes a huge difference.

What’s the Audible book, Andromeida59?

Right balsamic? I was having serious problems when my mum was in the hospice and when she died - my GP told me to do more knitting. Should have said I was taking a flight.

I used to take propranolol for anxiety and panic attacks, and found they made no difference at all for flying. Maybe I was used to them as I was taking them every day already, but when I next fly I'll ask for something stronger.

I used to have to take huge quantities to fly. but over the past 8 or 9 years I have reduced it down to just 2mg an hour before take off.

what helped me to do this was knowing that I had it there. so I can do all the relaxation technique stuff and know that if it fails then there is extra help there in the form of tablets if I need it.

to those who think "well don't fly" it becomes a sort of battle - I wont let the fear win and I love to travel.

‘It's interesting your GPs will hand out a class C willy nilly when I couldn't even get anything like this for full blown panic attacks tbh(!)’

This is incorrect. A severe phobia is not ‘willy nilly.’ Diazepam are meant to be used for one off situation like a bereavement or a phobia such as flying. They are highly addictive and can not be used on a regular basis. This is why for something like a panic disorder they would not be appropriate hence your doctor not prescribing them!

/s*

You should definitely do it. My GP prescribes it for me. It’s the only way I can fly - I get very claustrophobic on planes too. The only thing I’ve found is that taking a larger dose gives me a cracking headache, but it’s worth it for not having a panic attack on a plane.

I'm not quite sure of the logic that the NHS should prescribe diazepam for flying when it doesn't provide travel vaccinations/malaria tablets etc. Both are costs of going on holiday and shouldn't be down to the NHS to fund