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?

@MorbidlyObese 7 2mg tablets is nothing.
It's easy for you to say the GP has made the correct decision when it's not your life it's affecting is it.

Also 2mg diazepam doesn't make me drowsy in the slightest just stops me having a panic attack

You could try that Push Doctor app to get a private prescription. Not used it myself but friend said it's a revelation.

At the end of the day some will prescribe for an easy life. There are very unlikely to be issues. But as someone else pointed out, should there be an issue despite many GPs doing it no one will back them up, and it would likely be a career ending signature for them.

Also whilst the OP can go to the PM, as it is medication for travel the NHS complaints procedure would not apply as medication/consultations about travel are not NHS.

I used to be the same. I started using an audio book on Audible and it's completely rid me of me fear. I was having panic attacks before flying. Now it doesn't bother me. It is worth a go.

Please ignore the ridiculous posts about it being not a good use of NHS funds. If you listened to the posts on here about when it was appropriate to use the NHS you would only do so when you were literally dying. Of course it's appropriate. GPs often prescribe things to help people travel. I have difficulty sleeping and was prescribed sleeping pills for a long overnight flight.

Holidays are good for your mental health!

You can have a Skype appointment with a private GP who’ll send a private prescription in the post.

I’ve done it. If I remember rightly it was around £50

It's not just travel ..it's the anxiety travel causes.
So you could say it's being prescribed for anxiety
Anxiety is something it's prescribed for

Its frustrating, and in your particular situation it seems like a reasonable use - but GPs' prescribing habits are under strict scrutiny these days. I now have to sign a contract and have regular reviews for my drug for a condition that won't change. Its not that your GP thinks you are addicted, s/he is protecting themselves against liability.

@lucyhar just ask your normal GP for a private prescription. That's what I did.

Op have you tried propranolol? Stops the surging panic?

Really

1. and she's unlikely to be in one. But I can say from experience 2mg diazepam isn't going to stop you being able to react.

2. she could take half an aspirin then if she's worried about clots. Again though 2mg of diazepam won't knock her out

3. lots of meds in mental health are like this as often contraindicated for a comorbid condition.

4. it's worth knowing about I agree

5. depends on the person. Ive had panic attack on a plane

Look at a private online GP... unless it's on the controlled meds list ( I'm not sure - if so only NHS can provide it).

If that doesn't work ask to see another Dr at the practice

@GypsyRoseTea didn't like propranolol at all.
Won't ever take it again.
Caused my chest feeling tight and heavy.
Felt like I was going to pass out
Awful reaction to it.

Valium is cheap. Op knows how to use it safely. 2mg is a tiny dose.
There will be loads of people on any flight self medicating with alcohol or sleeping tablets, which won't improve their cognitive skills.

Why aren't you listening, OP? A GP has explained to you why she couldn't prescribe for you on the NHS. Go and sort yourself out a private prescription.

I've been a GP for over 20 years and was always happy to prescribe diazepam for flights. However, a year or so ago we got some advice from the British Aviation Authority that we shouldn't be prescribing it, because of the dangers of sedation. Now of course people can get drunk, take sedating antihistamines etc - various things - but this wouldn't be the GPs fault and therefore we wouldn't be liable.

Sadly in this age of litigation, all doctors are having to practice defensive medicine, or we risk losing our jobs.

why are you ignoring every suggestion to get a private appointment?

If you read my comments you will clearly see I've said im going to contact my local bupa

Also not everyone can pull out £70/£90 just like that.

@Mintychoc1 even if it's prescribed to treat the anxiety flying for me produces?
Surely that's classed as anxiety?

@MorbidlyObese can you tell me what these alternatives are?

If you can afford a flight to Australia you can afford a private prescription. Just look at it as an additional travel cost.

**Sorry didn't spot that. Here's the full list why GPs should not prescribe diazepam for flying. Some do as it is quicker to sign than say no.

1. the use of any sort of CNS depressant during a flight will put the passenger at significant risk of not being able to act in a manor which could save their life in the event of a safety critical scenario (& there will be no-one else to do it for them - cabin crew are there to guide them & not do it for them); 2) the use of any sort of CNS depressant has potential to increase the risk of DVT - these drugs can induce non-REM sleep which tends to be of a type where the person does not move in their sleep, and therefore increases the possibility of sitting without moving for more than 4 hrs (the amount of time which has been shown to increase the risk of developing DVT whether in an aeroplane or elsewhere); 3) A paradoxical increase in aggression may be reported by patients taking benzodiazepines (see BNF) & therefore has potential to put other occupants of the aircraft at risk; 4) benzodiazepines are contraindicated in phobic states (see BNF); 5) for some countries it is illegal to import these drugs and so the passenger will need to use a different strategy for the homeward bound journey and / or any subsequent legs of the journey; 6) NICE guidelines suggest that medication should not be used for mild & self limiting mental health disorders; in more significant anxiety related states - benzodiazepines, sedating antihistamines or antipsychotics should not be prescribed; Benzodiazepines are only advised for the short term use for a crisis in generalised anxiety disorder (if they are having a GAD crisis they are NOT fit to fly & fear of flying in isolation is not generalised anxiety disorder). DOI - I am trained in aviation medicine.

Well that’s gonna help with the fear of flying issue !