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?

Il just add I'm not wealthy in the slightest.
I work as a receptionist.
I've been saving for years to be able to visit my family in peth.
I never thought I would be able to do it with my anxiety etc so without sounding cheesy is a dream come true.
So if me wanting diazepam to be able to do it makes me a bad person then so be it.

*perth

Wow, that's 3 GPs who are now posting on this thread. I can't get an appointment with one in real life for two weeks, ironically to discuss my anxiety issues. Maybe I'll start my own thread here for advice...

OP, I guess the rules are the rules and it sounds like GPs can't prescribe for flying due to, all together now.... "indemnity insurance". I learned something new today at least. Private prescription or a psychiatric referral are probably worth considering like others have said.

I feel for you though OP. I'm at the struggling to leave the house level with anxiety at the moment. It's soul destroying. Actually 2mg of diazepam might help me getting to that doctor's appointment without having a panic attack in the waiting room (again). The idea that a dose that low would sedate you comatose in the heightened state of anxiety that you'll be at getting a flight, and I'll be at making it to the doctor's is laughable though I think.

It's also not your fault that the NHS is underfunded.

PPs have been quite clear that it is not a funding issue. It's based on an official recommendation about what's safe and appropriate to prescribe for air travel and an individual GP cannot go against this without opening themselves up to personal liability.

The responsible body is the aviation medical authority who made the recommendation, so lobbying should probably be directed their way.

Call them and say your back is gone
They will prescribe it

Also could you take phenergan instead

And re: the alcohol issue, drunk people are indeed a liability, which is why cabin crew generally won't serve you further or admit you on board if you appear drunk. But the critical difference is that you hold the liability for getting yourself drunk and it's your own survival which would be principally impacted in the case of an emergency, whereas the prescribing GP holds the liability if you are incapacitated by a prescription drug.

It shouldn't be prescribed either by a GP for an MRI (radiologist should sedate as per their own guidelines if indicated) or dental phobia (dentist can deal with phobia as per their dental guidelines).

Aye, it would be a profit for sure. If the NHS wasn’t paying for GP’s training and time and a fuck of a lot else.

@Passing4Human sorry your struggling with anxiety.
CBT really helped me.
I've been where you are and it's awful
Hope you feel better soon

Thank you, that's kind

How on earth do these celebs manage to overdose on prescription meds when I can't even get 3 diazepam

Blimey. Mumsnet can be so horrible. Why is everyone having such a go at the OP!!

I don't think anyone is intending to "have a go". People are simply trying to explain to OP the very valid reasons why her GP has refused to prescribe what she wants (which as clearly stated is nothing to do with NHS funding) but she is unwilling or unable to accept what they are saying. It doesn't mean that they lack empathy for the OP's situation or that they fail to recognise how debilitating a phobia like this can be. They're just stating the reality of the situation.

How on earth do these celebs manage to overdose on prescription meds when I can't even get 3 diazepam

You can get your hands on anything provided you have enough money to do so.

Yeah they can be prescribed for anxiety only it's getting rare these days with younger doctors due to potential of abuse. I PM'd you OP. Older doctors are more willing btw.

A lot of people have had a go, Minister, telling her she's wasting NHS time, she shouldn't be going on holiday then, loads of nasty character assignations.

The airline crew should refuse to serve an antoxicated passenger. I know someone who was refused boarding to their plane as they were too drunk (after check in so they had to wait for their bag to be removed from the plane before it could take off). So I don't think it's the case that it's fine to drink on a flight.

And re: the alcohol issue, drunk people are indeed a liability, which is why cabin crew generally won't serve you further or admit you on board if you appear drunk

Well having seen alcohol served to drunks on planes many times (especially on flights where it isn't free) I'm guessing staff don't always get the memo either.

However the point remains - the advice says "any" CNS depressing substance should be avoided, not "CNS depressing substance is ok until you look drunk". So strictly the airlines are providing a drug which is known to be a hazard when flying.

Its inconsistent - either CNS depressants are an issue when flying or they are not.

Similarly the same drugs which are not allowed to treat short term anxiety are used by people who fly whilst on diazapan for longer term anxiety. I'd like to understand how that can be the case.

I always give the same advice on these these threads, which is to see the oldest doctor in your practice. The younger the doc, the less they like giving you benzos.

2mg! You are kidding me. I need 20mg starting the day before flying. I'm not scared of flying, I'm phobic of it. I have no rational fear, my whole body starts to freak out without my brain telling it to.

I got them last summer for flying so I don't know when the rules changed, or perhaps they haven't in Scotland?

I do sympathise with OP though, phobias can be enormously hard to shift. It might well be that the diazapam is a pyschological crutch rather than a medical one but it doesn't make it any easier to do without.

Try cbd oil or edibles?

Maybe they have changed the rules - after all you aren't supposed to be drunk, maybe they class sedatives in a similar vein, ie you should be alert. I get you though, I'm terrified of flying. I was physically sick coming back from a long haul flight in August and to my shame I ducked out of going back there for a party next week which my husband is doing alone.

I'm a GP and I have a phobia of flying. In my 20s I used to get a few 2mg diazepam to use for flights. It helped. I used to prescribe it for others with fear of flying. Now the guidance and rules are changed, and I don't prescribe it any more and I wouldn't dream of asking my own GP for it. I haven't flown for 3 years now, partly due to this issue. We get the ferry to Europe or Ireland or have UK holidays. At some point I'll get round to a fear of flying course. In the meantime, non-flight holidays only. I appreciate you have more invested in this as you are planning to visit family, but the fact remains that long haul travel is not an essential of life and certainly not something I would risk my registration on. Sorry.

If you do try something besides diazepam, make sure you try it a few times before you go.

FWIW I get random attacks of what I call the "Shivers" and we do just that!, 2 mg of Diz stops it within a couple of minutes and it happens around once or twice a Year this past year didnt happen at all. don't know what cases it either neiher does GP but there we go.

As to taking it and being drrugged upon an Aircrafat the effect on most all at that level would be insignifacnt, in fact if drugs were a problem aboard a commercial jet they'd be breathalising people at the door rather then selling them a decent drug onboard called Alchool but of course they make some money on leagised drugs;)

Pity re your fear of flying. If you have a moment have a google on the saftey performace of Quantas and perhaps Emirates.

Also does anyone here know of any fatilities on either Ryanair or Eastjey in all the years they have been in operation and look at all the aircraft movements they do every day!

The google fatal accident rates on UK roads.