To directly ask doctor for diazepam?

[eggsinonebasket]

I posted recently about being petrified of flying and the general consensus was to go to doctor for something to help keep me calm (a flight last year left me in a claustrophobia-induced panic attack) i.e diazepam. I’m dreading the flight already but ironically im also anxious about speaking to the doctor about it - mainly because people have said not to ask for the drug by name. So what do I say instead? “I’m here because I’m flying soon and terrified, is there anything you can do to help?” I feel if I say that I risk leaving without anything. I’ve never taken any meds like this before and can cope with other anxieties day to day, just not when 30,000 feet in the air with nowhere to ‘hide’.
How do I word my issue without sounding like a druggie but also hopefully getting what I need?

I'd be direct. Explain the problem, ask what the doctor recommends. If they don't say diazepam, tell them that you have had it suggested it to you, and you would like to try it. GPs will only hand out a very few tablets at a time for this purpose, anyway - not much danger of becoming addicted on such a small number. And if you only want it for a couple of flights, explain that you are happy to have the smallest number that will get you up and down again without freaking out.

Honestly just ask for what you want. Beating round the bush will just waste time and doctors aren’t stupid. They get many patients pretending they don’t know the name of the drug they seek (hmm... I think it begins with t? Tam? Oh, tram? Is that one?) so faking naïveté will just make you look even more like a drug seeker!

Just be honest. You’re terrified of flying, really want to go, you’ve read that a low dose of diazepam can help with acute anxiety and would like three or four tablets if possible, one or two for each way, and that you’ve done your research and know they’re only a short term solution.

Most people seeking drugs want a prescription of them, a repeat. To take regularly. Requesting a few tablets for an acute situation will very much not make you look like a drug seeker I promise. Especially as the GP will be able to see you’ve never had them before.

Be direct, I've asked for 6 x 2 mg of diazepam in the past, 2mgs takes the edge off. Alternatively ask for slow release propranolol. It stops the precursors to a panic attack (don't know the science) start two days before.

My preference has always been diazepam as its short acting and tricks your brain into really not giving a toss whereas with propranolol your brain can still churn but you don't get the physical symptoms

Hope this helps I know it's awful

Be direct, Diazepam doesnt work for me and I have had panic attacks through it, but Temazepam does. The doc always looks at me sideways, but are happy enough with doing a small script just to cover the flights themselves.

I have been on EVERY course and tried everything, for some, drugs are the only solution!

I'm also petrified of flying and went to see my doctor too - I just explained the problem and asked for her recommendation. she was excellent and prescribed me 10 tablets of lorazepam (ativan)

I just requested a repeat for the next time I flew and nobody questioned it - when I'm only asking for 10 every few months it's clear I'm not abusing them.

HOWEVER soon I'm going to have to make an appointment and ask to swap to a different drug - I think my body is becoming used to them and I have to take way more to get the same effect 🙈🙈

Why are you worried about asking for them? It's really common for valium to be prescribed for plane travel. They just give a very small amount, 5 tablets max.

Be direct. Ive asked directly for diazepam, I only get two tablets each time I fly (for exactly the same reasons as you). Explain what you need them for. As long as you’re not asking for 12 for a flight and have been taking them for other reasons on a regular you’ll be fine

I agree with other posters. Be direct- sound like you know what you are talking about.

I have diazepam for epilepsy/anxiety. I get 12 at a time (2mg) and have taken one packet in the last 10 months. I think the GP is happy to prescribe because I went to him knowing about the dangers of it and 'prove' I'm not abusing them by the limited use of them.

I've been taking slow release propranolol daily for over a year now. Haven't had a panic attack since then. Can't recommend them enough.

I asked directly, doc prescribed me 12 x2mg to last for multiple holidays, I got a repeat the year after just over the phone but thankfully the fear seems to have passed so I didn't take them. Just knowing I had them eased the fear.

As others have said, be direct and state that you understand the risks, you foresee this as a one-off (or otherwise infrequent issue) and that you are happy to discuss alternatives if the GP would like to make any suggestions.

There will be some patients who raise a "red flag" with the GP but if you have your head screwed on, and you've not got a history of drug-seeking behaviour, I doubt a reasonable GP would have any issue with giving you an rx for this.