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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:
Banthesnow · 31/01/2019 21:00

Sorry meds, not drugs.

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 21:01

If you don't get the drugs what will you do?

Probably find a way to access the drugs from elsewhere. That's what a lot of people would do.

Butteredghost · 31/01/2019 21:06

The easy targets are punished yet addicts and people that abuse them wouldn't dare be challenged

Ain't that the truth. GPs do practice defensive medicine, but they also practice "path of least resistance medicine". Anyone going in making a big fuss will get a prescription written for anything straight away. Thousands of pointless antibiotic prescriptions are written daily!

GingerbreadBlob · 31/01/2019 21:07

I'm prescribed it for when I need it, on repeat. I've been using it for 20 years and not become addicted to it in that time. I know, if I take it when I don't need it, it won't work.

It's outrageous that you are not prescribed 7 tablets a year, IMO. I'd go and see another GP. The stress caused to you by flying, but being so stressed that it could stop you flying - it would impact your whole life, for the sake of 7 a year!

iamyourequal · 31/01/2019 21:08

Yanbu OP. Your doctor is being pretty uncaring. Clearly there is little risk in prescribing you a few a year- you are not popping them all on the one flight and endangering your health. I have been prescribed them occasionally by my GP so that I could get major dental work done without cracking up with anxiety and fear. They are tremendously helpful, placebo or otherwise. I’d ask for another doctor.

Banthesnow · 31/01/2019 21:12

@iamyourequal but surely the other GP will see the notes that their colleague has refused? OP I think you need a plan b just incase. Obv your not going to buy it off a street corner so you need to think about other options to get you through this so you can enjoy your hols.

CherryPavlova · 31/01/2019 21:14

It’s not something the NHS should be paying for but if you want it for your holiday, use an online prescription service. Most have very low thresholds for prescribing.

rolo1 · 31/01/2019 21:18

@Romanov I am not comparing the pain of infertility to a holiday, but the fact of the matter is neither are essential to live. Travel or children. People have different priorities and as someone who chooses to be child free I want my allowance of NHS funding spent on my mental health to help me do the things I choose with my life.

Same as an athlete might for a knee op due to overtraining and so on.

No one is more worthy for treatment.

And that is a separate issue to whether this is the right circumstances to prescribe this drug.

Fazackerley · 31/01/2019 21:20

ReflectentMonatomism yes, and isn't it odd that the so called GPS on this thread don't seem to understand that Hmm

Fazackerley · 31/01/2019 21:21

Ha ha so I now have to give up my job rather than take diazepam twice a year. I've heard it all now.

TacoLover · 31/01/2019 21:27

@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.

I did bother reading, I read the whole thread. I was saying that you are acting like the decision this GP has made(where they were literally following the rules, so don't know why you are blaming them) is having a massive effect on your life. Not going on holiday by plane is not going to have a massive effect on your life. There are many people in this world who cannot afford to go on holiday. They survive. There are also many foreign countries that you can travel to without going on a plane.

Obviously I don't know if it's possible for your family to visit you instead of you going to them or if they can meet nearer in Europe possibly but apart from the family issue there is no reason why not having foreign holidays would have a massive effect on your life. Disappointing, maybe, but that's what many people who can't travel abroad by plane or not at all deal with, and they get over it or holiday in the UK/take a train.

Tequilamockinbird · 31/01/2019 21:29

Blimey, I've just caught up with this. No wonder I can never get a GP appointment, they seem to spend most of their day on MN!

TurquoiseDress · 31/01/2019 21:33

YABU

You can of course speak to the practice manager about it.

Maybe go to see a private GP, if there is no other GP at your practice who will prescribe.

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

GPs are independent prescribers (as far as I know) and they do not prescribe 'on demand' but where there is clinical need, whilst trying to adhere to national guidelines

rolo1 · 31/01/2019 21:35

@TacoLover but who are you decide that travel shouldn't have such an effect on my life? It does, greatly. It inspires me, excites me, motivates me and formulates my hobbies in researching new destinations. I spend evenings planning my trips and itineraries and go without other non essential items to put money away for them.

With all due respect, who are you to tell me that's wrong?

rolo1 · 31/01/2019 21:36

@Tequilamockinbird GrinGrinGrin

Seline · 31/01/2019 21:36

So because some people can't afford it, people should be unable to due to their condition? Hmm

DopeyDazy · 31/01/2019 21:38

if I have to have dental treatment my doctor will give me a few. I hope she never leaves or ill be posting for help

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 21:38

Why should my anxiety stop me doing things I want to do?
If there's a drug out there that I need to take once a year so I can do this,why shouldn't I be able to get it?
There's no reasoning behind it..fair enough if it was banned but it isn't,millions are getting prescribed it daily.

OP posts:
Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 21:39

@DopeyDazy this lot will probably tell you teeth are a luxury ..you don't really need teeth do you?

OP posts:
Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 21:41

@Banthesnow without them I won't be able to go I don't think.
I really can't think of how I would get through it.
I know what I would be like and I can't do it.

OP posts:
Flashinggreen · 31/01/2019 21:42

Losing all your teeth only reduces your masticatory ability by 25% apparently 😉

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 21:43

@CherryPavlova why shouldn't the nhs pay for tablets to help with my anxiety?
When they've practically thrown beta blockers and numerous anti depressants at me for years.
Now I've found something that helps (7 tablets ) a year.
If someone was suffering with a bacterial chest infection they would prescribe antibiotics .
Yet a mental health problem doesn't warrant anything?
How?

OP posts:
Banthesnow · 31/01/2019 21:45

@lucyhar what if Drs did stop prescribing benzos? What would you do? What are you going to do if you can't get them?

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 21:45

@Banthesnow they are never going to stop prescribing them so it doesn't really matter.

OP posts:
highheelsandheadheldhigh · 31/01/2019 21:46

Have you tried phenergan? Fellow Diaz user (live in OZ) have a similar script pattern. Sometimes use it as an alternative, honestly I think it's better. You can get it over the counter !

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