Doctor won't give me diazepam ..aibu?

[lucyhar]

I've been getting diazepam off my doctor for around 4 years now for when I have to travel by plane.
I normally get 7 tablets a year.
My doctor has retired now and I'm travelling to Australia in may to see my aunt and uncle.
I've just got out of the doctors (new doc) and he refused any.
Now I understand people get addictive but I get 7 tablets a year!
I have a massive fear of flying,I've tried CBT,hypnotherapy,kalms,I did a fear of flying course and nothing.
Before I was prescribed diazepam I didn't go on holiday for 7 years.
They gave me my life back (without being dramatic)
Aibu to speak to the practice manager?

Go to a different GP - are there others there?

I've had this problem. I have a certain phobia and diazepam is the only thing that works for it. I get maybe 10 pills every two years and that covers it. Yet every time I ask for more, they are cagey and warn about addiction. I've been using it for 10 years 5 pills a year I think we'd have seen an addiction by now.

GPS are under huge pressure not prescribe benzos though. But it's always the people requiring tiny amounts that struggle to get them.

No it's a small practice.
We do have a practice nurse.
I'm thinking of switching my GP to another surgery.
I just don't want them to think I'm switching because I'm desperate for diazepam
It's only 2mg as well but it helps me so much.

@Seline it's so annoying isn't it.
I literally take 1 a hour before I get on and 1 once I'm on ..then the same when I get back.
Last year I used it when I went to Spain and Dublin.

Surely they can see 7 pills a year or once nearly 2 years isn't someone addicted

Diazepam is not licenced for phobias. Try a fear of flying course.

The doctor is not unreasonable to refuse to prescribe you benzodiazepines so you can go on holiday, it's not a healthcare need. Why not go private?

@Reallyevilmuffin I've already done a fear of flying course,doesn't make a blind bit of difference.
I need something that stops my anxiety or I can't physically get on the plane.

@Bombardier25966 I have anxiety to start with but flying causes me panic attacks,I'm terrified of flying.
I think that is a medical need personally.

lucy it's really frustrating. Especially when you know there's an easy solution and you're being blocked from accessing it.

Sorry didn't spot that. Here's the full list why GPs should not prescribe diazepam for flying. Some do as it is quicker to sign than say no.

1. the use of any sort of CNS depressant during a flight will put the passenger at significant risk of not being able to act in a manor which could save their life in the event of a safety critical scenario (& there will be no-one else to do it for them - cabin crew are there to guide them & not do it for them); 2) the use of any sort of CNS depressant has potential to increase the risk of DVT - these drugs can induce non-REM sleep which tends to be of a type where the person does not move in their sleep, and therefore increases the possibility of sitting without moving for more than 4 hrs (the amount of time which has been shown to increase the risk of developing DVT whether in an aeroplane or elsewhere); 3) A paradoxical increase in aggression may be reported by patients taking benzodiazepines (see BNF) & therefore has potential to put other occupants of the aircraft at risk; 4) benzodiazepines are contraindicated in phobic states (see BNF); 5) for some countries it is illegal to import these drugs and so the passenger will need to use a different strategy for the homeward bound journey and / or any subsequent legs of the journey; 6) NICE guidelines suggest that medication should not be used for mild & self limiting mental health disorders; in more significant anxiety related states - benzodiazepines, sedating antihistamines or antipsychotics should not be prescribed; Benzodiazepines are only advised for the short term use for a crisis in generalised anxiety disorder (if they are having a GAD crisis they are NOT fit to fly & fear of flying in isolation is not generalised anxiety disorder). DOI - I am trained in aviation medicine.

Why it not a medical need if someone's phobia is preventing them from doing normal things?

Sorry I copied that, I am not trained in aviation medicine

It's just a contradiction when 1 GP had no problems with it and another won't.

I'm panicking now as I'm never going to be able to get on the plane without it.

Why it not a medical need if someone's phobia is preventing them from doing normal things?

Normal things would be leaving the house, functioning on a day to day basis, not going on a jolly.

The NHS is completely strapped for cash. Should they spend extremely limited resources on frivolities or on cancer care?

Just pay for a private gp appointment.

What is the reason for your fear?

You might not have a physical dependence on benzos but your reaction suggests you do have a psychological one, and that's not something the GP should encourage.

Have you looked into going private?

2mg diazepam is very likely having a placebo effect rather than any noticeable medical changes on your body or mind

Diazepam is not licenced for phobias
This is why. My GP is happy to prescribe for my fear of flying, but my renewal request was once reviewed by another doctor who initially refused until I explained the impact on my life. My last online request was approved immediately.

It is stupid to not prescribed for fear of flying because it falls under 'phobia' but is prescribed on much higher dose and for longer term for people suffering from anxiety.

I couldn't fly without it and not doing so would have a significant impact on my life.

Go to another GP who understands.

My indemnity organisation (insurer) won't let me prescribe it for the reasons described above. If something happens to you whilst under the influence of diazepam on the plane the travel company and you or your family would sue me for prescribing. And as we're not insured for it I would have to bankrupt myself to pay those costs. It's not worth it. Although I do have sympathy for your phobia, it's a risk the indemnifiers won't take. Stuff older GPs used to do doesn't mean it was ok unfortunately.

Where did you copy it from Muffin - it says "not being able to act in a manor" which is a huge red flag for a dodgy website!!

I see both sides. OP has tried other strategies to cope with her anxiety. However, diazepam is a highly controlled drug for good reason and it could indeed space you out so much that you're a liability in an emergency. Also agree that a private prescription, which will cost more, might be the way to go.

@Bombardier25966 I struggled with anxiety for years.
I've been one of the people who was scared to leave the house,scared to go to the shop etc
Cbt helped so much but flying is the final hurdle I can't get over.
No matter how much I try.

Really all of those can be easily countered?

1. OP has taken it previously so knows how she reacts. It's not a new drug for her.

2. not all flights are for longer than 4 hours so not necessarily relevant. OP can use flight socks.

3. Again she's used it before so would know this

4)lots of medicine is used off label

5. can easily check if the country OP Did travelling to is affected by this

6. you can't make a blanket statement that everyone suffering an acute anxiety episode is unfit go fly because everyone is affected differently

Oh I haven't had any for a few years as not flown but was planning on asking in the next 12 months...this is bad news! The last batch I actually had to take three back for disposal as they'd gone miles out of date! I get GP pressure etc but some of the things they do dish out on free prescriptions (stuff that's available over the counter for pennies, for example...) seems a bit illogical to not prescribe a small amount of a controlled drug to patients that have proven they can use them responsibly. I really don't think a 2mg diazepam would stop even the most petite of healthy adults from being able to help themselves in an actual emergency either so that seems overzealous (though don't doubt your info, @reallyevilmuffin)