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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctor won't give me diazepam ..aibu?

855 replies

lucyhar · 31/01/2019 12:45

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?

OP posts:
HarrietBasset · 31/01/2019 16:51

My husband has diazepam for flying. 6 tablets a year. GP prescribes a private prescription so no cost to NHS.

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 16:52

@aethelgifu you've really cheered me up...Thankyou ha ha
Thimble of Sherry Grin

OP posts:
HarrietBasset · 31/01/2019 16:52

ps. private cost is minimal about £9 I think last time

PCPlumsTruncheon · 31/01/2019 16:54

nobby I imagine that a large percentage of people my age are on regular prescribed drugs. Should I be banned from flying because I take ADs and meds for blood pressure? What about Metformin for T2 diabetes? Statins? Blood thinning meds? Opiate based painkillers? Medication for asthma or allergies? Angina meds?
Don’t make such ridiculous blanket statements.
There are constant jokes about gin and wine o’clock on here but someone who wants to take medication once a year for a medical condition (anxiety) is automatically labelled as a drug addict Hmm

ReflectentMonatomism · 31/01/2019 16:55

And I've just looked up the BNF entry for Diazepam (Medicinescomplete). It's indicated in the BNF for anxiety ("2 mg 3 times a day, then increased if necessary to 15–30 mg daily in divided doses") and the main warnings that are even remotely relevant to the OP are around driving or other skilled tasks. So we're now being asked to believe that the MDU would refuse to cover a doctor who prescribed a drug according to the BNF Hmm.

Seline · 31/01/2019 16:55

I'm Hmm at the suggestion of zopiclone. A doc prescribed that me instead of diazepam. Ended up seeing blood running down my hands and legs and ran at DH screaming that I was going to die, then fell out cold and woke up screaming.

Zopiclone is vile stuff, I flushed them.

Boredboredboredboredbored · 31/01/2019 16:56

Me too op. I missed loads of trips with my dc and family. I also did the Virgin flying without fear course and it really didn't help me. I was sick of driving all over Europe, and even had panic attacks at the tunnel. My world was shrinking. This tablet has changed all that.

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 16:58

My friend takes zopi and the first time she took it she was on the sofa..she tried to go to bed and her legs gave way and she was seeing images.
I like diazepam because I'm still me,I'm just me without having a panic attack

OP posts:
MinecraftHolmes · 31/01/2019 16:59

People get their arse totally out of kilter on MN about anyone who isn't as perfect as they are.

You mean like the GPs who have given the reasons why they personally wouldn't prescribe it to someone in the OP's position?

rolo1 · 31/01/2019 16:59

I know how terrifying real anxiety is, don't let them get to you.

As for saying your "jolly's aren't essential and don't need to be funded by the NHS" - that could be said for IVF, you won't die if you don't have a kid so get over it? ... No? Didn't think so. Hmm

I am in the same position as you with flying, and travel is my passion so I find it very upsetting. I don't take diazepam personally but do carry them in case of emergency but have never taken them. You will find another doctor who will prescribe them, so don't get too upset. However I think it will be really useful to work on accepting the panic. That's what I have to Do now. It's not easy, it doesn't always work but it does help. Good luck Thanks

Benzodiazepines are very addictive and dangerous drugs that used to be over prescribed so caution is important. But the same Could be said for antibiotics (immunity) and painkillers (addiction) case by case is important here.

Florasnotin · 31/01/2019 17:00

Just order them online.

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 17:01

You mean like the GPs who have given the reasons why they personally wouldn't prescribe it to someone in the OP's position?

It's never a wise idea to take internet sprites at their word. I'm actually an MP, you know. Or a lawyer. Or an actuary. Or an insurance broker.

Seline · 31/01/2019 17:02

There seems to be a problem with drugs where they're overprescribed and then to overcompensate they start taking them off everyone. There is a middle ground, prescribing to people who actually need them.

It's drugs that actually do the job that people have an issue with too. My psychiatrist made a spelling mistake on my Concerta and the pharmacy rang the home office Hmm

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 17:04

I like diazepam because I'm still me,I'm just me without having a panic attack

Yeah, see, I hate diazepam. I had a super bad spell of constant panic attacks and insomnia and I was prescribed 4 of them. Took the 2nd one of them and OMG! I still couldn't sleep but my eyes were coming together and I felt horrible. Never took the other 2, they're in a drawer somewhere.

itswinetime · 31/01/2019 17:08

Neither you or the doctor are being unreasonable. You want to go on holiday without anxiety. The gp doesn't want to prescribe a drug that is no longer indicated for flying and could cause issues for them professionally if any problems occurred. It's the old rock and a hard place. Neither of you a wrong but it doesn't mean there is a solution!

By all means search for a new gp and I hope you find one who will prescribe what you need. But lets not berate a doctor who is just doing their job and trying to avoid anything that jeopardise it! And to all you say you don't think it would It absolutely could and it's not fair to berate anyone for not wanting to risk that.

teenytinypontypine · 31/01/2019 17:09

WE'VE BEEN TOLD NOT TO DO IT SO I DON'T BLOODY DO IT.
Not sure I can make it any clearer than that. And, as outlined above, this has personally affected me too and so I don't fly. Perhaps if I really really felt the need to fly and didn't have time to do a course, maybe I'd take my chances with several gin and tonics in the airport. But that would be my personal risk, I wouldn't be asking my GP to prescribe me the gin and take that risk themselves. I don't really care if no one has been sued yet in this situation, I don't want to be the first.

Passing4Human · 31/01/2019 17:10

aethelgifu Thu 31-Jan-19 17:04:45
I like diazepam because I'm still me,I'm just me without having a panic attack

Yeah, see, I hate diazepam. I had a super bad spell of constant panic attacks and insomnia and I was prescribed 4 of them. Took the 2nd one of them and OMG! I still couldn't sleep but my eyes were coming together and I felt horrible. Never took the other 2, they're in a drawer somewhere.

Fish 'em out the drawer and send them to the OP? I'm KIDDING obvs. I mean there are now 4 GPs on this thread apparently reading this.

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 17:11

It's too bad you're not a bit closer to me, lucy, I'd help you out.

Seline · 31/01/2019 17:13

I have one diazepam left and I'm dreading using it as I'm worried I won't be able to get any more.

Anonanonanariston · 31/01/2019 17:24

www.pushdoctor.co.uk/how-it-works/prescriptions
For private prescriptions...

KonekoBasu · 31/01/2019 17:24

"Plus, indemnity insurance doesn't cover me to treat patients abroad, which diazepam taken on a return journey would be."

How does anyone who needs medication for chronic conditions ever go abroad then?

Motheroffourdragons · 31/01/2019 17:25

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ to protect the privacy of the user.

Flanuary · 31/01/2019 17:28

Anonanonanariston

One click from that link tells you they don’t prescribe diazepam.

Serialweightwatcher · 31/01/2019 17:31

I get a prescription for 15 x 2mg every so often (mainly because they go out of date) as I need to know I have them for anxiety (I know, it's complicated!) ... I once took valerian years ago (not since because I have a fear of meds now, including the diazepam but would use if desperate) and the quarter tablet I had (from Boots) was amazing - managed a school concert and felt normal. Basically, worth a try if you are unable to get hold of the diazepam because they have similar effect - just look up if you are on any other meds

ReflectentMonatomism · 31/01/2019 17:33

How does anyone who needs medication for chronic conditions ever go abroad then?

That's precisely why I think the GPs here, if indeed they are GPs, are making it up as they go along. The NHS website directs people to their GP to discuss and obtain anti-malarials. If these GPs are telling the truth, they would be operating illegally (it's now a GMC requirement to hold liability insurance, so if they knowingly prescribe without insurance they're acting outside their registration) to even breath a word about anti-malarials, because by definition that's treatment abroad.

And of course, if they are claiming a problem in this case is treatment abroad, what about plane flights within the UK? Does the alleged safety issue with such anti-anxiety drugs (all this tripping and falling) apply to train travel as well?

It's all sounds rather confused, to put it mildly. Nothing in the BNF. Nothing on the MDU website.

I don't have a dog in this fight, because I fly happily with no more than a cup of coffee if it's an early flight. But I do object to professionals dragging out an increasingly implausible sequence of "a man down the pub says it's 'elf 'n' safety, can't even play conkers without the HSE coming around" stuff.

If it's medically contra-indicated, fine. It doesn't say that in the BNF, though, there should be a citation for this advice. So far all we've got is some vague stuff about the "British Aviation Authority" (sic), which I guess is the CAA. I'm not sure why doctors would think the CAA can tell them how to prescribe, as they don't regulate, or purport to regulate, doctors.