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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:
3luckystars · 31/01/2019 14:16

I take Xanax for flying.
Here it costs €50 for the doctor and about 4€ for the tablets themselves.

There is no way I would be able to get on a plane without having them with me. Sometimes I don't even need them, but I have them with me if I do. Even the days before the trip would be really bad if I didn't have them.

I understand completely, you don't need to explain why you are afraid, you just are and that is you. Can you get them elsewhere?

SuchAToDo · 31/01/2019 14:16

Op can you go for hypnotherapy to reduce/remove your phobia of flying

Or if you google online there is lots of natural alternative remedies for fear of flying that you could try

What is it that you are afraid of op?..is it the actual flying part or is it being enclosed for so long?..or confined to your seat ? Or being in a busy airport and not knowing where to go?...if you could narrow it down to what part actually scares you then you have a better chance of working towards overcoming your phobia

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 14:20

Christ on a bike, just use a private GP service online!

FFS all this tiff about addicts. Addicts use street blues. They don't bother going to a doctor unless it's Doctor Dealer.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 31/01/2019 14:22

Why should I have to suffer with anxiety around this when it can be treated?

Why should a GP ignore the advise of the aviation authorities and risk being struck off, losing their vocation, livelihood and reputation, so that you can go on a holiday abroad?

KonekoBasu · 31/01/2019 14:22

"And none of them really "help" anxiety as far as I know. The anxiety is still there. They just dampen the symptoms so you can get on with stuff."

The beta blockers do for me, as the feelings of anxiety make me more anxious and I get caught up in this vicious circle of ever increasing panic. The beta blockers break this cycle.

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 14:22

You don't have to explain why you're afraid or entertain all this guff about hypnotherapy and you don't deserve a holiday or any other of the sneery bollocks spouted off in here.

Thisnamechanger · 31/01/2019 14:26

natural alternative remedies for fear of flying

Alternative remedies? For panic attacks? Pull the other one. That's like trying to stop a juggernaut going 90 mph with an A4 envelope.

Seline · 31/01/2019 14:28

The real issue here is that doctors have to practise defensive medication. How sad.

BumbleBeee69 · 31/01/2019 14:30

I've been given phenergan before, it's very good OP.

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 14:30

SO true, Thisname.

RainbowInACloud · 31/01/2019 14:31

You need a plan in place to help you cope. You can do this I'm sure. Make little steps and things you can try to help with your anxiety. Before you go; practice breathing exercises - I don't mean once or twice but regularly so you can learn to control your breathing. Take a mindfulness course and practice it. No point reading these things once, they take a lot of practice. If these simple steps don't work, take a book on fear of flying like the PP mentioned. Again, read and commit to it prior to flying and use it on the flight. Other options- try distraction techniques- craft, music etc. Then maybe try a glass of wine (or 2 but no more) then have some phenergen in your bag as a last resort. You have the skills to manage this but it takes practice and commitment to doing so. Don't get hung up on blaming anyone. You can fix this. Good luck

Asdf12345 · 31/01/2019 14:34

It should be dressed that a private GP appointment is no guarantee the OP will get what they want. It is very unlikely indeed that the indemnity situation will be any different in private practice, and the guidelines from the aviation medicine lot are just as applicable.

Feel free to pay £70 for a private opinion but they may well agree that it is not an appropriate prescription to request.

CountessVonBoobs · 31/01/2019 14:34

It isn't about whether the OP deserves a holiday or not. Either everyone deserves a holiday or no one does. (And you can have a lifetime of holidays without ever getting on a plane.)

It's about dealing with what is, and about the fact that she is not entitled to have medical professionals risk themselves for something which is, in fact, optional. It's not a case of a GP being unreasonable. Based on what knowledgeable PPs have posted, a sensible GP is not going to prescribe her benzos for fear of flying. So, the question is how she plans to respond to that.

Miljah · 31/01/2019 14:34

So- would GPs prescribe a small dose to get someone through an MRI scan?

Our local Trust has a 'policy' that says that they shouldn't MRI scan anyone who tells them they've taken Diazepam or similar because 'the patient might lapse into unconsciousness in an unmonitored environment'...

However, in reality, I gather a good percentage of patients have already 'self-medicated' with Diazepam prior to their scans, and the staff appear to use their judgement regarding who they'll scan.

It's the raging drunks who get sent away!

Personally, I completely see the GPs' point but like many, I think it's a ridiculous ruling in the first place. I mean 2mg!!

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 14:36

@MinisterforCheekyFuckery so if people are prescribed diazepam for anxiety about leaving the house why shouldn't I for travel when it's anxiety that's causing it.
Diazepam is for anxiety
Doctors wouldn't get in trouble for prescribing it for anxiety on a short term basis

OP posts:
BroomstickOfLove · 31/01/2019 14:37

Shit. I didn't know about this change, as the last time I flew I had some left over from the previous prescription. My family all live abroad, and there's no way I can care for my kids on a flight when I'm panicking. I'm actually feeling such and shaky just thinking about it Sad

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 14:37

@CountessVonBoobs it isn't just fear of flying.
I have a long history of anxiety disorders to different degrees
My anxiety is out of control before I travel.
So the diazepam is for anxiety and doctors won't get in trouble for prescribing it for anxiety.

OP posts:
Lovemusic33 · 31/01/2019 14:38

There are other medicines similar to diazepam that you could ask for? Diazepam is the only thing for anxiety. I have been refused it before and given an alternative which has been almost as good (I prefer diazepam as it gives me no side effects once it wears off).

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 31/01/2019 14:39

so if people are prescribed diazepam for anxiety about leaving the house why shouldn't I for travel when it's anxiety that's causing it

Because they're not allowed to prescribe it for air travel! You've been told that a number of times but you clearly don't want to hear it.

Original poster
lucyhar · 31/01/2019 14:39

@BroomstickOfLove well according to the majority on here you either have to just suck it up in future or never travel on a plane again.

OP posts:
BlewGoose · 31/01/2019 14:39

The GP doesn't feel happy with it. No one can compel a GP to prescribe when for whatever reason they don't want to. I'm sure if you go private they will happily give you the 7 tablets. I really wouldn't sit in the emergency exit isle though. I understand you don't believe they have any effect on you but they really really do.

Flashinggreen · 31/01/2019 14:39

Why don’t you try the phenegran and see how it affects you in plenty of time before you travel? It may work for you, you may be pleasantly surprised.

I have GAD and I know it must be hard trying something else but you never know til you try.

BlewGoose · 31/01/2019 14:40

The only other thing the OP could try would be a referral to a psychiatrist from the GP. They might be happy to prescribe it or some other anxiety damping drug. Or the GP might give in when they realise they are going to cause a bigger bill with the referral.

Seline · 31/01/2019 14:41

This is an example of mental health not being treated seriously imo.

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 14:41

Jesus wept you'd think the OP was asking for IV fentanyl!

LOL @ 'aviation regulations', yep, they're really going to tox screen everyone to see if they've taken - shock and horror - 2mg of fucking diazepam before a long-haul flight. OMG, someone call the transport police, people using downers before flying are a serious security concern!

Good point, though, about finding yet another GP who assumes you're a benzhead. Put some feelers out so you find a good private one.