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?

YABU. It's not medically necessary and I don't think it's even recommended in these circumstances. Doctors have to be very careful when prescribing these sorts of drugs.

Anyway, if you see a different GP they may give you some. Or pay for a private appt - you're more likely to get them. For things that aren't a medical necessity a private appt normally works best.

@jampasty totally agree - I feel sorry for the doctors tbh.

Really bizarre responses from some on this thread, but it's made an interesting read

That’s great Lucy.
Enjoy your holiday.

OP managed to get what she’s wa term, no doubt from a naive or complacent GP.
This thread as saddened and shocked me.
The total disregard expressed by some posters of the difficulties faced by medical professionals, trying to balance the demands of patients with the endless guidelines and ever-present threat of litigation - it has disgusted me. Such selfish self-centred me me me attitude, completely ignoring any attempt at rational discussion and explanation.
Having see this nasty attitudes, I am more determined than ever to only prescribe within guidelines in future.

@Mintychoc1 or a sensible doctor who clearly can see when they are being prescribed sensibly and for a reason they were intended (I.e short term anxiety )

@Mintychoc1 so because you don't have anyone agreeing with you,you will spit your dummy out and not judge on individual cases rather than "guideline"nonsense
Pathetic

OMG, lucy, you be careful now! The airlines are onto relaxed passengers! They might just start field testing everyone. Make sure you retain a solicitor beforehand, just in case you jump the shark in the airport.

no doubt from a naive or complacent GP.

LOL, and you don't have a nasty attitude to your own supposed colleagues using their own discretion and common sense when prescribing. Oh, the irony!!

*everyone

Oh, btw, I'm a solicitor, the head of GMC, the head of airport security at Gatwick airport and also the chief gaoler at a women's prison in the Middle East. I can promise you now, you take that tablet and you will pass through all these gates of Hell before crashing into the lowest circle.

"Or pay for a private appt - you're more likely to get them. For things that aren't a medical necessity a private appt normally works best."

• someone confirmed it's a controlled drug, private docs can't prescribe it as far as I'm aware.

My private doctor pushed me to an NHS GP to sign off my Migraine tablets as they are Codeine.

someone confirmed it's a controlled drug, private docs can't prescribe it as far as I'm aware.

Surely all qualified doctors have the same prescribing powers and it makes no difference whether they work in the private or public sector? Quite a few do both.

Hooray OP! Pleased you got sorted.

@lucyhar plenty of people have agreed with Mintychoc, which isn't surprising considering all she's done is state facts.

Is it so hard to understand why a doctor won't risk their career just to prescribe a drug that a patient feels they want? You were the one having a tantrum because you didn't get your way and ignoring all other suggestions, even things you hadn't tried.

I'm glad you got what you wanted but quite frankly, yes, I think your attitude was totally unreasonable

What a storm in a tea cup.
What kind of person do you have to be to start calling people nasty for wanting a perfectly acceptable medicine. And I say that as the head of development for the drug company that makes diazepam.

aethelgifu

or a sensible doctor who clearly can see when they are being prescribed sensibly and for a reason they were intended (I.e short term anxiety )

In what way can a doctor not be sensible for following the rules??? I despair. Why are you blaming doctors for not breaking a rule they have no control over

OP if you had taken the time to read my posts, rather than ranting about how the NHS wouldn’t dance to your tune, you would have seen that I have no problem with prescribing low dose occasional diazepam for air travel. I have done it many times in my 20+ years as a GP, and I am confident that in many circumstances it is perfectly safe.

But - and this is the area where you and your little gang of “pam lovers” seem to be incapable of rational thought - GPs are governed by guidelines these days. Gone are the days when we could prescribe according to our judgement. We are now told what we can and can’t give, and if we go against that, we are essentially practising uninsured, which is utterly insane.

I stand by my original assertion that doctors who prescribe diazepam for travel these days are either naive or reckless. Or haven’t seen the guidelines. I don’t like practising defensive medicine, but that is the climate in which we live, so it’s either that, or risking my career.

My livelihood is more important to me than your holiday.

So why did the private doctor prescribe it? And where Are these guidelines? And aren't guidelines just that - a guide? Not a rule that can't be broken? So how could a gp be sued over prescribing them?

you would have seen that I have no problem with prescribing low dose occasional diazepam for air travel. I have done it many times in my 20+ years as a GP, and I am confident that in many circumstances it is perfectly safe

@Mintychoc1 did you become a doctor to actually help people who are suffering with medical conditions?
You seem to lack compassion
Maybe your in the wrong profession
And in ref to your "Pam" lovers sarcastic comment ..unfortunately my anxiety forces me to need a little help now and again.
Would you be so sarcastic to those with arthritis who needed painkillers?
Doubt it

@Mintychoc1 so if you have no problem prescribing it for air travel ...what exactly is your argument here ?

Why is this hard to understand? Just because I think I am safe to do something, doesn’t mean I do it. I reckon I could make a phone call in my car while sitting at traffic lights without causing an accident. But it’s illegal, so I don’t do it. Is that concept so hard for you to grasp?

And yes, I have prescribed diazepam, many times, back in the days before it was advised against. But now the BAA have brought out guidelines, times have changed, rules are different, so my practise is different. It’s really not complicated.

And yes, I wouldn’t actually be arrested for prescribing against guidelines, so in that sense they aren’t mandatory. But we all know that insurance companies do whatever they can to avoid paying out, and medical indemnity is no different. If i prescribed against guidelines, and something went wrong, I would be thrown to the lions by my indemnity provider.

Please, use a bit of common sense and try to see it from the GP perspective.

@TacoLover there is no rules clearly ..or many doctors wouldn't prescribe diazepam
Diazepam is for short term anxiety relief which travelling/change of routine triggers for me
Which part of that is confusing you?

@Mintychoc1 so someone is coming to your surgery and is about to embark on a anxiety producing situation and asks for a short course (7 tablets or less) you would say no?

@PennilessPaladin you mean a drug diazepam (used for short term anxiety relief)
I was being so unreasonable asking for this for the exact reason it's prescribed?

Lucy I wouldn't bother. Some posters have got nasty and petty now they have been proved wrong (or misguided). Have a great holiday.