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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:
Flashinggreen · 31/01/2019 17:35

I love the way people want to come on here saying how awful some drugs are. I’ve only recently taken zopiclone after years of insomnia with my GAD. I’ve found it brilliant. Better than when I was prescribed amitriptyline years ago which I managed to still stay awake all night with.

Do you have time to go back to the GP and discuss a private prescription or other options?

Becca19962014 · 31/01/2019 17:37

You aren't going to get diazepam prescribed online anymore - there was a massive investigation into meds that people could get online, possibly panorama last year, and diazepam was one of the ones they said was to be banned. So whilst people may have been able to get them online before this is no longer an option.

Romanov · 31/01/2019 17:39

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.
Yes, your missing a fortnight in Benidorm can be compared to infertility... Hmm

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 17:39

Yeah plenty of time
Not going away till may
I just wanted to be prepared

OP posts:
aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 17:40

I hear ya, Flashing.

itswinetime · 31/01/2019 17:42

if it was dangerous to take for flying then no doctor would prescribe it - whether NHS or GP.

But that's not true is it. The world is made up of individuals who have their own mind maybe some gps/drs feel they could justify the prescription if it was questioned others feel the must follow advise given. Some builders are happy to build extensions or loft conversions that don't meet planning regs because they havd always done it that way and it has always worked, others aren't. All professions have people who are prepared to take more of a potential risk than others. I think you will find going forward though there are less and less of those.

Grace212 · 31/01/2019 17:44

OP I forgot to add

I'm on the Patient Group for my GP surgery and this is an issue that needs to be raised periodically - now I think about it, it's probably been raised about 5 times in the last 5 years - lack of consistent prescribing across the practice - so if you can see someone else there, or even email them and say about the lack of logic, that might be worth a go.

Becca19962014 · 31/01/2019 17:47

Also, in my experience what helps one doesn't necessarily help another and that apples to drugs and therapies. Only the OP know what they've tried and found helps, or not.

Flashinggreen · 31/01/2019 17:52

I would rebook with another GP and be prepared to pay for the prescription drugs privately as the first thing to try. The drugs themselves won’t be expensive.

Seline · 31/01/2019 17:52

Romanov the point was to argue that you can't just claim the nhs shouldn't provide for non essentials when it does provide non essentials.

Howdoidothis4eva · 31/01/2019 17:53

@lucyhar, Why don't you just go back and say your anxiety is getting worse. Can you please have a prescription for diazepam. Don't mention the flying. Or try this approach with a private GP.

Motheroffourdragons · 31/01/2019 18:09

This reply has been deleted

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

TacoLover · 31/01/2019 18:11

I don't medically need to be able to walk around shops, I'm still on beta blockers so I don't have panic attacks when I do. Perhaps my GP should just tell me to shop online?

You honestly can't see how going to a shop is of a higher necessity than a fucking holiday?

Hope yours is helpful and understanding

You mean hopefully more willing to break the rules🙄why are you annoyed at a GP for following the rules, that's absolutely ridiculous.

SherbertMelon · 31/01/2019 18:13

yes..I don't want to take a random drug which I've never taken that can cause side effects when I've taken a drug for years which helps and causes me no problems

But it might be even more effective for you than Valium. How can you know until you try it?

Seline · 31/01/2019 18:14

People with mental health issues shouldn't be effectively banned from going on holiday.

Seline · 31/01/2019 18:14

How can you get more effective that it working and causing no problems?

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 18:16

The root of my issues is anxiety
My anxiety is triggered when I have to travel
Diazepam is perfect as it's short term solution for me and it works.
I don't want to take anti histamines

OP posts:
Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 18:18

A week before I travel sometimes more I feel scared and think about it all the time.
Till the night before it becomes unbearable
It doesn't just start the second I step foot in the airport.
The diazepam relaxes me the day before and I can think more rationally without my stomach churning and feeling ill.

OP posts:
Seline · 31/01/2019 18:20

Lucy some people struggle to accept there's not always a reason for anxiety. There's not always a tragic backstory or point of origin, some of us are just anxious.

TacoLover · 31/01/2019 18:20

I was so fed up of anxiety ruling my life

Why does your life revolve around holidaysConfused you're acting like this poor GP who is literally only following the rules of their workplace is ruining your life because it means you can't have a foreign holiday(even though there are many foreign countries that you can get to without boarding a plane...)

Grace212 · 31/01/2019 18:24

oh lordy

OP you've had some good advice

no need to explain yourself - try the other ways to get it prescribed and I hope it gets sorted and that you have a fab trip.

pollypwj · 31/01/2019 18:27

I totally agree with the decision to NOT prescribe. In the event of an emergency you may not be able to act as you would unmedicated. In a world of increasing litigation this is a responsible decision. If your anxiety is so crippling then don’t fly. Holiday in UK or go on a ferry / overland. If your anxiety was for an unavailable condition then I would be more sympathetic. This attitude isn’t typical of the self entitled demands on the NHS.

TooManyPaws · 31/01/2019 18:29

I am on venlafaxine daily for depression and anxiety. I also have diazepam "in case of need". Usually fourteen tablets lasts nearly three years. I don't get anxious about flying per se but I can get very fraught about packing, times of connections and so on. Does this mean that I shouldn't be taking an occasional diazepam to scrape me off the ceiling because I could be flying? I have them in case of need, just as I have steroids in case of need for my asthma.

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 18:30

@TacoLover if you bothered reading you would see I was acrophobic for over a year.
Was scared to even walk to the wheely bin.
I had no life,lost out on lots of things
Finally started to beat the anxiety and wasn't strong enough to face the whole travelling thing.
The diazepam gave me that back
You have no idea how bad anxiety has ruined my life.

OP posts:
Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 18:30

*agoraphobic

OP posts: