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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:
alied321 · 02/02/2019 19:39

My friend uses this and it can be purchased over the counter at the chemist.

Doctor won't give me diazepam ..aibu?
cms1972 · 02/02/2019 19:53

"The NHS is completely strapped for cash. Should they spend extremely limited resources on frivolities or on cancer care?"

Fear of flying is not a 'frivolity' for some, and in any case, benzos are as cheap as chips. Anyone paying for their prescription (it's over eight quid now isn't it?) - will be paying more than the actual value of a few diazepams.

MinniesMum1606 · 02/02/2019 19:56

alied321 Valium can be purchased from the chemists in the UK?Confused

MinniesMum1606 · 02/02/2019 19:57

Sorry alied I thought you meant Valium, my mistake

DustyMcDustbuster · 02/02/2019 19:59

This surely is the most Mumsnet thread of Mumsnet. 😒

MinniesMum1606 · 02/02/2019 20:00

What does that mean Dusty? I’m new to Mumsnet so don’t quite get it!

DustyMcDustbuster · 02/02/2019 20:10

@Minnies Mumsnet threads are often derided for ppl posting about the most ridiculous things, and IMO that (& the replies) falls squarely into that box. Threads where someone is told (by a professional) X, yet they continue to argue Y... and everyone piles in with anecdotal evidence... shrug

MinniesMum1606 · 02/02/2019 20:18

Ahh I hear you Dusty

DustyMcDustbuster · 02/02/2019 20:40

@Minnies 😉

PengAly · 02/02/2019 21:21

Got up to page 26 and i couldn't read anymore. It is very sad the hurtful and offensive things said on this thread about GPs. All those that refuse to accept that: would you break rules in your jobs because someone just wanted you to? Would you risk never being allowed to work im your industry again? Having major financial loss and possible prosecutions? IT IS THE LEGISLATION. OP, you got lucky finding a GP who made that choice, but it was not the correct one. If you are going to post on an internet forum asking for opinions and advice, dont ignore and belittle those that actually give you the honest truth because you dont like it.

For those saying diazepam is harmless, my DH was given a small dosage when he got bad back spasms. He was told he couldnt work whilst on them nor could he drive...

Comeonchameleon · 02/02/2019 21:27

Oh @pengaly you should have carried on reading. You’d have realised there is no ‘legislation’ and the ‘doctors’ in this post were not.

Also you can’t drive after taking antihistamines and they’re OTC so not sure what point you’re supporting there

OdeToDiazepam · 02/02/2019 21:31

My favourite drug

Smotheroffive · 02/02/2019 21:33

So apparently, if you are absolutely terrified of flying (but, just because you want to?!?!?! despite having declared terror of it, still want to do it?!?!?wtaf?) that it causes acute severe anxiety (which is what it is prescribed for) 2mg apparently sorts it all out. Just get to fuck...that's just insane and not true.

A massive muscle spasm (back or neck say) needs more than one 2mg tab to relieve.

NHS simply is not there do that ppl can fly away on holiday. There are ppl that cannot go outside ffs!

If your family are aware of how shit it truly is to fly for you, then surely they visit you? Or you make your last flight and live with them!

Sorry, but the entitlement and doctor bullying on here is horrible to see unfold.

Surely you dont feel so entitled!

Placebo.

The difference with alcohol is the flight crew are aware of what's being consumed and in control of it, and it doesn't have the same effects as diazepam.

Use beta blockers?

Its not a threat to your wellbeing as its a non-essential choice.

Seline · 02/02/2019 21:33

What job does he do? I've worked while on diazepam

PengAly · 02/02/2019 21:36

@Comeonchameleon trollhunting is against MNHQ and just because you dont like or agree with what they said doesnt mean they are liars Hmm

My point was that its a drug strong enough that someone has to be signed off an office based job whilst taking (you seemed to have ignored this part of my post). This indicates that its a drug with strong side effects so it shouldnt be taken so lightly.

Either way, i'll leave you all to it. This thread is shocking in so many ways but I am going to report the trollhunting posts. As i have a lot of respect to the NHS and medical professionals in general. Its sad to see quite a few entitled people on here talk so badly of GPs.

Seline · 02/02/2019 21:37

Why was he told he couldn't work on diazepam?

Smotheroffive · 02/02/2019 21:37

Antihistamines are a completely different group of drug, but you'd know that.

Clearly diazepam is being abused.

PengAly · 02/02/2019 21:40

@Seline because of the side effects it would give him. When he was taking it he would be so out of it that when he woke up he didnt remember falling asleep there. Obviously this isnt the case for everyone but as the drug CAN have this affect on SOME people it should be taken seriously. I hope some of you dont bully GPs in real life the way you have been doing on here.

Seline · 02/02/2019 21:42

That's not the typical reaction to 2mg of diazepam though and obviously not what most of us who've taken it get. As I said earlier I've used it occasionally since my teens for panic attacks and never had this.

SusanneLinder · 02/02/2019 21:42

swingofthings No not scaremongering. You need permission from the Ministry of Health. You don't have to believe me, I have directed you to the UAE website.

www.government.ae/en/information-and-services/health-and-fitness/drugs-and-controlled-medicines/controlled-medicines-

PengAly · 02/02/2019 21:43

@Seline its possible. Thats my point but you all have already decided that if you dont like the truth than it must be a lie

Seline · 02/02/2019 21:45

No one's saying it's a lie were saying it's unlikely. I have a reaction to lidocaine that results in hallucinations and paranoia. Found it out once when I went to have some dental work done and I passed out, accused the dentist of being in the CIA, told him you'll never take me alive and ran into a wall and then out into a road.

Is this likely? No. The dentist had never seen it.

justtryingtogeton · 02/02/2019 21:46

@lucyhar

Hey lucy, I know where you're coming from... I use diazepam for flying too.

I recently downloaded fly and be calm, google it, it cost £27, but wow! It's definitely worked for me.

I have GAD, claustrophobic, I have ibs and don't want to get caught short so travel in general is an issue for me.

I've tried everything, and genuinely, this has worked for me.

If you have no luck getting the diazepam, I'd say give this a go x

PengAly · 02/02/2019 21:47

@Seline before he started taking them the GP advised of these strong side effects so cant be that unlikly if he got a warning beforehand? Obviously this was a sensible GP, unlike the one who prescribed the OP the diazepam for fear of flying.

Seline · 02/02/2019 21:51

Peng for 2mg? Is he known for being particularly sensitive to drugs?