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?

The first world entitlement here is insane

MASSIVE LOLS

that is the most frothing mouth mumsnet ridiculous thing I've seen today

@Graphista I had problems for years with my periods,bleeding pain etc and was suspected to have endometriosis..but because I wasn't trying for a baby they wouldn't give me a laparoscopy.
So I suffered for years when I could have had a diagnostic lap and treatment

The overreaction (not to mention utter fabrication and bs!) on this thread is ridiculous. OP have a lovely and peace filled flight.

Is there anything stopping you getting a private prescription?

I'm not sure the taxpayer is liable for the drug in this instance?

Graphista I admire your dedication to writing posts longer than any I have ever seen before I must admit I've never actually gotten all the way through most of them

Also because they're "quoting" agencies that don't exist!!

'Acting in a manor' is my personal favourite! Awaits thread from poster claiming to be a GP after being expelled from a stately home for 'acting in a manor' inappropriately. 'I demand a refund of my entry fee!'

One time, we were at a festival on the grounds of a castle. My autistic son was behaving inappropriately, chancing entry to the castle, so my husband accordingly pulled him away to which a man showed up and said, 'It's okay, you can come in'. My h looked at the entry point, where they all smiled and nodded. 'But we haven't paid?' he replied. To which the man laughed, 'It's my house.' It was the duke himself.

I’m going on holiday and was at my GP to sort out my prescriptions. I am prone to infections, several have been life threatening, so I asked if I could have some antibiotics. I have been given a course of antibiotics when I went away some years ago. GP said no and explained why. I accepted this. When I go away - which is my choice - I may get an infection and it may take me longer than usual to seek medical attention. It’s not up the NHS to provide medication for my holiday, if they don’t feel it’s clinically appropriate.

Glad you got it sorted OP.

I would guess that a man would not have the same issue with a GP. Only guessing mind.

Anyway, I'd much prefer that a patient was prescribed a short course of benzos than to have to find the local dealer!

Surely a private appointment is worth the money in such cases if NHS docs refuse to prescribe due to NHS guidelines.

Oh and while I am at it, what DO they prescribe benzos for? Bad back, well go in on your hands and knees with spasm. Anxiety? Yep I am shaking with it now doctor having panic attacks every day. (not minimising panic, I've had it myself after Mum died), got a five day course no problem. My GP knows me and knew I needed help. Bingo, and they really did help get me through the funeral.

Seriously, what IS it prescribed for nowadays anyway?

But is a guideline legal anyway? It is just a GUIDELINE!!!!!!!!!!

Schuyler

Antibiotics and lots of other meds that are script only (not benzos or codeine though) are available over the counter in Spain. No problem.

The pharmacists there are second to none. Not saying pharmacists here are not bloody marvellous either, but they have a lot of rules to observe.

I bloody love the EU.

Fresh eyes process by the sounds of it! A GP will prescribe if they consider it appropriate. Often its how you present your signs/symptoms /dilemma to them, it's their diagnosis and decision not yours. Make it look as though they've made the decision and not you!

So true, nicoala. I love the EU as well! And Latin America and the Caribbean.

Not a good use of NHS money if you ask me. Why are drugs to enable flying prescribed yet spectacles and hearing aids are not. The latter are far more important for everyday living. No wonder the NHS is on its knees.

aethelgifu

Thinking of Venezuelans at the moment, what a nightmare. Sorry, you did mention Latin America. But V is probably considered to be South America. Sorry to take things off topic.

This is a reasonable request - complain to practice manager by putting it down in writing exactly as you said above. Your GP is being too cautious- he or she must trust that you won't abuse it. Good luck

There is a sad lack of empathy coming from some replies here, and some of the analogies are quite frankly a bit mad.

Personally, I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. However, the easiest course might be as some of the others have said and get a private prescription. They’re not terribly expensive or anything.

Score some on the black market - surely you’ve a friend who’s been prescribed for pain that will let you have some?’

nic, yes, V is considered S. America but still part of the diaspora. I haven't been there myself since the early 1980s and it was bad enough then . But yy, many drugs are available OTC from the chemist in L. American and Caribbean countries. Similarly, prescribed drugs are also often cheaper so more than a few who live in the US travel to such countries to have scripts filled.

And again, those who are manufacturing street drugs are not using mules to go to GPs to beg a few tabs of low-dose diazepam to do it, the tools of their trade are usually smuggled in from abroad and sometimes manufactured at home using some raw ingredients. Since many prescribed drugs have street value it's not a likely and ready source of raw materials to mass producers, as you know, so laughable that a person who goes to ask for a few tabs of diazepam once every few years will be yellow carded as a habitual street drug user.

Can't Rtft at the mo so sorry if repeating.

I use betablockers for this. It stops the 'flight or fight' response for me and no increased heartrate stops me having a panic attack at airport.

I take them only for flying.

nic, se habla espanol? I need to brush up! I used to be fairly fluent. I think there's a board on here for Spanish speakers, too .

(REFERENCE TO Really evil muffin)- OP I think these are the real reasons why you shouldn’t take it. Its for your safety and others on the plane. I had Tamezepam once in a flight from Canada- I was bang out all through the flight and no way could have reacted properly in an emergency! Never again,

The NHS has new guidelines for a lot of medications now. You might get them on a private prescription. But the best thing to is to find a CBT course either with the NHS self referral or online courses are available. I have Anxiety and have a self referral appointment with the NHS.

Sheffmum; Temzepam is a lot stronger than diazepam, and is prescribed for sleep; of course it will knock you out-that's what it's intended for.

@notstressedout CBT will not work for a fear of flying unless you can literally practice by flying every week and then continuing to do so.

When I suffered bad anxiety I saw a top psychiatrist at the Priory - he sorted all the other stuff out but told me to get Diazepam for flying as a fear of it was very hard to conquer and keep conquered purely for the reason it’s not something you do a lot.

He wrote a letter to my doctor that effect and I’ve got them ever since. About 15 a year.