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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To give to the doctor for diazepam for flying?

50 replies

eggsinonebasket · 14/05/2018 07:48

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?

OP posts:

Cheesymonster · 14/05/2018 08:41

I take diazepam to fly and it works really well. My anxiety starts before I even get to the airport. My gp was very sympathetic. I hope you enjoy your holiday.

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 14/05/2018 08:41

Both are costs of going on holiday and shouldn't be down to the NHS to fund

People fly for all sorts of reasons. And just knowing you have a flight booked can make people with a phobia anxious for months in advance.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 14/05/2018 09:05

I think it would be fair enough to charge for it. But perhaps people would lie and say it was for the Dentist.

DSis used to take diazepam for long haul and gin for short haul but now flies without having had hypnotherapy. She doesn’t enjoy it, but it’s tolerable.

BodgingThisMumThing · 14/05/2018 09:13

I work in a pharmacy and we have had loads of prescriptions lately for 4 diazepam pills, and that’s it. I can only assume it’s for the flights there and back from a holiday.

jugglingsatsumas · 14/05/2018 09:13

I have to fly for work and couldn't do it without diazepam. I don't take it except for flying. I tried betablockers ince and had an awful, awful reaction to them. Thank god I tried them before getting on the plane.

PasstheStarmix · 14/05/2018 09:23

‘Both are costs of going on holiday and shouldn't be down to the NHS to fund.’

Is it though? People don’t always fly for holidays. They can fly to take care of sick relatives, funerals or all sorts of reasons. Are you going to start charging obese people and smokers for medical treatment? What kind of territory are you entering into with this flippant statement?

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/05/2018 09:30

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

Not necessarily true; I don't take anything before I fly, it just doesn't bother me.

I have no grudges against anyone who needs something to make it bearable; though! Do what works.

Onthewrongsideof30 · 14/05/2018 09:43

Talk to your dr about a small script. Some dr's won't prescribe it, period. My mum gets it when she comes to see me. She also refuses to fly anything other than business .... but I think that's just to wind my dad up. We live in OZ. Happy hols - OP! It will work a treat

balsamicbarbara · 14/05/2018 10:07

I tried betablockers ince and had an awful, awful reaction to them.

And people can have reactions to valium as well. But they won't prescribe you enough of those to sample any before the flight!

VickieCherry · 14/05/2018 11:32

I get anxious well before the flight - it affects me for about a week beforehand. I once had to cancel a driving lesson because I was flying a couple of days after and was such a mess.

Once I'm on the flight I'm usually ok (so long as there are no sudden noises or turbulence), but in the car on the way to the airport and particularly when we park, and then standing in the queue to get on, I'm often shivering, teeth chattering, feeling like I might be sick or pass out. Just thinking about it now makes me feel a bit weird. Last time I flew I burst into tears when we walked out onto the tarmac, and I always cry when we're landing.

If I want a promotion at work I will have to fly long-haul a couple of times a year. I know I simply can't do that job at the moment, which is hugely frustrating and really limiting - I would love the opportunity, love to travel, but a phobia of flying is stopping me.

FinnJuhl · 14/05/2018 11:57

VickieCherry I also missed out on work and life opportunities because of my issues around flying. Looking back, I can't believe I let it stop me. You have to try and think of the bigger picture.

The GP did offer something, but i used to get anxious and start having nightmares well before any trips, so I didn't think this would help.

The Allen Carr Easy Way to Enjoy Flying book really helped, once I finally realised I needed to do something about my phobia. It worked so well, I actually ended up comforting another nervous flier on one flight!

I haven't flown for ages and the worries have crept back in, so I really need to dig out the book and get on a flight...

GnotherGnu · 14/05/2018 15:02

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

There are some prices for Diazepam on the NICE website. I'm not clear if it's saying it costs 55p for one 2 mg tablet or 28, but either way if they charge the standard prescription price the NHS isn't doing badly out of it.

jugglingsatsumas · 14/05/2018 15:53

But they won't prescribe you enough of those to sample any before the flight!
I have never known a dr to prescribe only ONE dose.

KirstenRaymonde · 14/05/2018 18:09

GnotherGnu it’s 55p per tablet, that’s why it says ‘unit, 1’

I have it for regular use for anxiety, but regular for me is like 1 a week, if that, when things get particularly hard and my other coping mechanisms aren’t working. After 20 years of mental illness and very long periods on various heavy duty medications, now mostly in remission, this is what works best for me in consultation with the doctor. I don’t need something all the time, but do occasionally need something.

It can be very addictive and should be treated carefully, for long term anxiety a long term acting medication like an SSRI is generally a better option. The problem with having a benzodiazepine for generalised anxiety and panic is that if you have persistent anxiety you end up taking them a lot (I speak from experience here) which is more likely to lead to dependency. A one off like a flight is unlikely to cause that.

GnotherGnu · 14/05/2018 23:51

At 55p per tablet, if they prescribe four for a holiday and charge £8.80 prescription charge, the NHS isn't losing out here.

Andromeida59 · 15/05/2018 04:06

@somethingnasty it's "Overcome the fear of flying" by Glenn Harold. You listen to it for a few nights before you travel and you can once you're on the plane. The second part is a booster. It certainly calmed me down when flying until eventually (after about five listens), I just had no need for it. I can actually enjoy flying now. Would definitely recommend it.

WhereTheFuckIsMyFuckingCoat · 15/05/2018 04:36

I have diazepam 5mg tablets for long term anxiety and panic disorder. I also take other medications. The diazepam (like a previous pp), is only required for me 1-2x per week, sometimes 1x per month. It depends. But I also am phobic of flying. I fainted waiting for one flight, vomit and get diahrrea. I usually need 2x 5mg enroute to the airport, then as required until I land.

I'm in Australia, and my gp prescribes them in bottles of 50! I'm amazed that someone might only get 4. How are you supposed to know how they will affect you if you can't take it until the crucial time? And what if one doesn't have the desired effect.

I've never become dependent on them, and a bottle can last me anywhere between 4 months and a year. I literally couldn't fly without it.

PrincessoftheSea · 15/05/2018 04:41

I think its better to try other ways of conquering your fear. We live in prescription society.

ChangingStates · 15/05/2018 06:06

I went to the gp a few years ago for fear of flying- got offered diazepam or beta blockers- went with the diazepam because being a bit out of appealed, anything to get through the flight! I had no kids, with kids I'd probably have take beta blockers rather than diazepam. Anyway it was great, really helped me to care a whole lot less. Also happy to say that after using it for a couple of years I am now flying, including long haul, without it. Can't say I'm 100% relaxed but much easier than I was.

offupop · 15/05/2018 06:13

The doctor will usually prescribe diazepam for fear of flying. Just don't eat too much before you take them or they don't have the same effect

jugglingsatsumas · 15/05/2018 06:17

I think its better to try other ways of conquering your fear. We live in prescription society.
What makes you think we haven't? I have tried everything.

Skiiltan · 15/05/2018 06:17

Propranolol, a beta blocker, is your friend... most GPs will be okay prescribing it as it is a very safe medication as long as you don't have certain heart conditions...

Or asthma. Or diabetes. Or Raynaud's.

Skiiltan · 15/05/2018 06:25

The doctor will usually prescribe diazepam for fear of flying. Just don't eat too much before you take them or they don't have the same effect

...and don't drink any alcohol or you'll be a zombie.

...and don't even think about picking up a hire car at the destination airport. It could get you an $1,800 fine in California.

maggie222 · 15/05/2018 11:14

I remember my partner ringing the gp for some diazepam which he had previously for fear of flying. He experienced 2 bad flights when working in the Middle East and has been awful since. The days before we fly he is so snappy as he cannot think of anything else.

Last time he got the airy fairy gp who told him she refused his request and to try warm milk and bananas

This is the same gp who refused to believe blood pressure was anything to do with my stage 5 renal failure even though the hospital had me on 4 different bp meds to try and control it..she said if I closed my eyes and think of being on a beach with the waves lapping I wouldn't need the meds

He came off the phone gobsmacked, couldn't argue with her as he had no words, he made another telephone appointment with different doctor who prescribed them no problem. Crazy woman GP!

Eatalot · 15/05/2018 11:23

I had 5mgs. Was ok on way out flight was late. Small airport and very calm. On way back it was awful. Pills only made me feel physically drowsy. My head was still petrified. I was slumped like a dribbling mess while my head was screaming in fear. Vowed never again.

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