To think the doctor shouldn't refuse me my medication?

[lisaboob]

Hi,I've been a long time sufferer of anxiety for over 10 years.
A lot better now but still really anxious before a big event or a event that's out of my comfort zone.
My doctor prescribed me diazepam 2 years ago (28 tablets ) and they've just ran out.
Went to GP today and said no ..and offered me anti depressants.
I refused and left with nothing.
I use half a tablet before a big event etc hence why they lasted 2 years
Now I have things coming up this year and I'm going to have to cancel now.
Aibu to think this isn't ok?

swing sorry

"The day before I feel sick/I start analysing every possible thing that might go wrong.
I worry I won't sleep then I don't sleep.
The next day I feel exhausted and start thinking my panic attacks will start etc etc "

This sounds like exactly the kind of thing CBT and self-calming techniques were designed for - this is Rumination.

So you wasnt diagnosed 10 years ago with anxiety, by your doctor?

10 years ago is a long time.

And yes everyone experiences different levels of anxiety, that is exactly my point. Everyone has anxiety, it's a completely normal thing, but people like me who have a diagnosis of generalised anxiety and social phobia need medical intervention to control it, or therapy.

OP doesnt want to take anti depressants and by the sounds doesnt want to try therapy either. OP isn't helping themselves, sedation tablets are not for generalised anxiety which OP claims they have, but then contradicts themself by claiming they only have it before an event.

Sedation is meant as a one off tablet to relax sometimes nerves. We prescribe oral sedation to our patients before treatment after a consultation to assess whether they are suitable.

I think it would help to know what event OP was going to. Because if it's a job interview she just needs to get over it, nobody should be taking sedation for a interview, meeting, conference or gig.

If shes flying for a holiday then yes, they can give her sedation if she is a nervous flyer, but it's to the discretion of the doctor. They are trained to assess whether it is necessary to give someone drugs.

the short of it is OP is treating a sedative as a happy pill. Which it isn't. Theres a big difference.

"Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative that may sometimes be used as a short term treatment during a particularly severe period of anxiety "

"This is because they can become addictive if used for longer than 4 weeks. Benzodiazepines also start to lose their effectiveness after this time"

"You should avoid these activities during treatment"

So OP, you shouldn't be going to whatever event while taking this medication anyway. You shouldnt very using it for more than 4 weeks and you've been using it for 2 years.

Get some proper help.

References from NHS.

I hope you're making some plans to deal with your anxiety op.

After reading the whole thread I am shocked at how easy I've had it regarding Diazepam.
It was me who asked to reduce the dosage as I was becoming zombie like I suppose and it was done very slowly and I got down to just 1 tablet a day of 2mg, 3 years ago.

I then was sexually assaulted at work and started taking 2x2mg daily and that was me, put repeat in, pick up the next day no questions asked.

If I can stop taking this after 5 years of continuous use then I'm sure you can too. I feel a bit jittery today if I'm being honest but I have techniques to deal with that.

Please do not seek to buy this on the internet op, you won't know what it is for sure. I watched a Panorama documentary not long ago about this and it's not safe at all.
Good luck

Not read the whole thread yet but pre op I was given midazolam just before the op and it really helped

@Shortandsweet96 it would be 4 weeks continuous use not on occasion

@Shortandsweet96 I'm treating it as a pill to help deal with my anxiety which is what it is prescribed for

It isn't prescribed in that way anymore though, that's the whole point.

I'm relieved that there seems to be a change of attitude and they're no longer being prescribed willy nilly
I totally agree with that. I think some GPs were handing th over like paracetamol and that is wrong, but that doesn't mean that all prescription of it is wrong.

And I really don't get the 'get antidepressants instead' when this would mean a stronger daily dose for potentially years compared to a low dose of diazepam occasionally.

I was on prozac for 3 years in my 20s, didn't really questioned it. The side effects were not nice at all, and like many coming off it was horrendous in various aspects. I would have to be severely depressed to go on them again. The idea of taking them to prevent the potential of panic attacks 3 or 4 times a year seems ludicrous.

GPs need to use their personal skills to assess who is safe to take valium at a low dose and review them annually if required rather than saying no to every patients because it makes their life easier.

‘ I don't take it every month.
July last year ..I had to go to my sisters wedding as bridesmaid
I took 1 the night before ,1 on the morning and one as the wedding started. Then none for months.’

I c&p OP’s statement above to comment & then read @TheNanny23 very helpful posts & comment above about triple dosing, & I would add that you triple dosed your usual dosage within an 18 hour-ish period. Still think that’s OK ?
For a wedding? With friends & family? That’s some hefty anxiety.
Which I assume - & I am no medic - means that you have some underlying everyday anxiety & that maybe a low level daily medication may be more effective. It can take time to find the right medication & dose to hit the sweet spot where of the benefits outweigh the side effects. Some people get this right first time, others it takes a few goes.

I suggest you book a double appt with the GP. Check with reception if any of the GPs specialise in mental health. I would not expect a quick consultation with the duty doctor to have the absolutely best outcome for me, walk-ins are great for prompt solutions to straight forward matters. More complex matters need time & rapport to tap into the best of the GP.

Please give the GP another go.

For a wedding? With friends & family? That’s some hefty anxiety
Its amazing how judgemental posters are or either totally clueless. The fact that something doesn't make you anxious doesn't mean that someone who does has an overall anxiety problem.

Someone I know is petrified of blown up ballons. It make no sense to me at all, it is just ballons after all. Sadly it triggers horrible fear in her. Going to parties is horrendous for her as she is always afraid there will be some. She avoids most parties but want to be there at family reunions etc... If she doesn't go to parties, she is a very happy person with no anxiety at all. If she is invited to one that she wants to go to or fell like she needs to be at, she becomes a nervous wreck. She's tried hypnotherapy and cbt but she still cannot enjoy herself at all at these events as constantly on the look at for balloons even when she's been told there would be none. Taking a couple valiums means she can make it to thesecparties/events. Nothing more. Thankfully she has a very understanding and competent gp who has no issues prescribe her some for these events.

"Someone I know is petrified of blown up ballons."

That's a specific phobia though which is a bit different.

YABU

The GP does not simply have to prescribe whatever each patient is asking for- I appreciate that in your situation, you have been taking it over a long period of time etc

Maybe the guidelines have recently changed or they had some sort of audit within the surgery or local area and there is now a drive to reduce prescribing these types of medications?

At the end of the day, the GP is responsible for every drug they prescribe, they would not be 'withholding' it from you just on a whim

If you build rapport with your GP & given your previous experiences with meds, you could ask to see the Community Psychiatrist, who will have the time & expertise, for a more detailed examination to support you towards a sustainable outcome - meaning that your full medical history will be taken in to consideration, particularly the triggers for the onset of anxiety x years ago (illnesss, life event?), possibly get the meds right first time thus more likely to follow a treatment plan.

‘For a wedding? With friends & family? That’s some hefty anxiety
Its amazing how judgemental posters are or either totally clueless.’

I am neither judgemental or clueless.
The point I am making that for a relatively safe life event, e.g. a family wedding, to take three doses the OP must be feeling some hefty anxiety. I have made no judgement or statement that a family wedding would not cause anyone anxiety.

Indeed, in my same post I stated an assumption that OP has low level everyday anxiety, which OP affirmed in a post about that time. I am not clueless.

@UniversalAunt the dosage for anxiety is 2-3 mg 3x a time ...increased to 15-30 my daily in divided doses.
So I wasn't over any limit per day.
6 mg is what I took over 18 hours ..
I was the bridesmaid and it provoked a lot of anxiety.

@MontStMichael he already takes epilim along with other epilepsy tablets but that doesn’t stop the absences or the warnings and when he gets warnings he has to go to bed otherwise he will have a fit. We know all about the epilepsy tablets and what he can and can’t take to keep it under control he’s had epilepsy since he was 16 he can’t have his tablets messed with because that can make him ill. He was prescribed diazepam many years ago and he only ever took one when his head went funny so that he could go to bed and sleep but he wasn’t taken off them a few years ago and he now has nothing that he can take when he gets his warnings so he can still be suffering with the warnings the next day.

I can second the CBD oil, can link to a reliable, regularly outside lab tested one that is excellent quality at a reasonable price if anyone is interested.

I bet most of the people here who are spouting that diazepam is the anti christ etc have never experienced anxiety that effected them

You’re certainly wrong in my case.

I’m signed off work with anxiety at the moment and l am rather cyclical about diazepam. It’s only strictly for short-term use and is quite dangerous when used / prescribed inappropriately

Cyclical = cynical!

OP I have (diagnosed) GAD, Social anxiety and health anxiety for 27 years to varying degrees. In my early 30’s it led to agoraphobia which thankfully I pulled myself out of.

You are understandably (to me at least) angry and scared your crutch has been taken away from you.

CBT didn’t work for you but can I suggest a book or two that might? First one is Dare by Barrie McDonagh. There is an app you can download with recordings that reiterates the Dare steps to allow anxiety rather than fighting the feelings that will only exacerbate the fear. It sounds as though you mostly have it under control at this stage so you’ve got the know how and strength in you to beat it for good.

The other book is based on CBT but makes more sense to me than talking therapy ever did. It’s Feeling Good - the new mood therapy by David D Burns.

Anxiety is exhausting!

I bet most of the people here who are spouting that diazepam is the anti christ etc have never experienced anxiety that effected them

Sorry but that's bollocks. It has got sweet FA to do with not believing patients, or not realising how serious anxiety can be. It's about the risks of prescribing outweighing the benefits.

Same with chronic pain - it's real and it's awful, but doctors are increasingly realising that we have harmed people by letting them get dependent on painkillers that actually don't work well for chronic pain and that are horribly addictive.

The medical profession - and drug companies - carry a huge responsibility for letting prescribing get out of hand. It is not the patients' fault - it is ours. But all we can do now is to try to stop any more harm being done and help people who have become psychologically or physically dependent on medication to get off it.