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?

Did you see the GP or just request a repeat prescription? If it was the latter they absolutely wouldn't prescribe it if you've not been reviewed for it for 2 years

@pisspawpatrol I've tried propranolol and didn't agree with me and it's no where near as effective in my opinion for anxiety

How do you get a private prescription?

and FFS don't take advice from the internet about cannabis. Speak to a medical professional about actual medical alternatives.

Have you tried anything else? If you can find a GP with a specialism in mental health, you will probably get a much better idea of the medications available. There are also other types of beta-blockers that might not have the same effect.

Have you also tried therapy? Don't underestimate CBT, CFT or EMDR methods.

I'm sure I've read this thread before.

Have you tried other forms of therapy other than medication?

If it's just for these one-off events, could you investigate some kind of behavioural therapy or breathing exercises to help you calm down?

Tried all sorts of therapy but unfortunately nothing helps me.
I'm having a laparoscopy soon and was hoping for them to take before that.

Well you've been told no OP so you have to look at other options. There's no point in batting away any suggestions that are made because ultimately, it's something else or nothing.

This is terrible advice but I've found that cocodamol helps my anxiety. You can buy it over the counter. I always take a couple before I fly because my knees and hips get sore, But I also have anxiety and being in a confined space with lots of people scares me. When I take it I also feel relaxed, You have to be careful with cocodamol as it can be addictive if used for more than 3 days. I've also used CBD for anxiety but never tried it when I fly.

What happened when you tried CBT?

2mg of diazepam is so little it’s pretty much placebo.

And yes doctors are rightly much more cautious about prescribing benzodiazepines.

In fact if you’re halving it you’re only taking 1mg at a time.

Essentially - you believe you’re taking a drug that controls your anxiety - that’s what’s really having the impact imo.

My dentist prescribes 2 tablets of tamazepan for dental anxiety which is similar to diazepam. Would your GP not give you this or something like it?

I'm having a laparoscopy soon and was hoping for them to take before that

I can't imagine for a second they'd allow you to take them for that. Partly through being NPO for however long before, and also because it may affect the drugs they want to use

Beta blockers may help with anxiety for flying.

Sorry just saw your update re beta blockers

He's just following current prescribing guidelines OP.

Why not give the SSRIs you were offered a go? Citalopram is 1st line for anxiety so it seems silly to discount it without even trying when it's the best medication available for anxiety.

Just because it's also used as an antidepressant doesn't mean it wont help your anxiety. SSRI's arent just antidepressants. They are also used to treat eg. bulimia and menopausal flushing.

Try for 6 months and see.

@lisaboob 1/2mg is most likely a placebo effect. As for your laparoscopy, I'd speak to your gastro doctor as I've definitely seen benzos prescribed before procedures such as colonoscopy (not the same, I understand but they are used for anxiety around medical investigations)

Just saying no you can't have that any more and sending you out the door with nothing is neither a solution nor acceptable

The GP didn't do that. S/he offered an alternative, which the OP chose not to accept and, from the updates, the OP has also been offered other options in the past.

OP, talk to the anaesthetist about your anxiety before your laparoscopy. You would not have been allowed to take your own diazepam before surgery, even if the GP had prescribed it. But anaesthetists are very used to dealing with anxiety about surgery - it's only natural, so please don't feel embarrassed. They would much rather know, so that they can help.

OP, the fact that you are so anxious about not getting this one specific medication when there are numerous even non medical ways of dealing with anxiety which can be explored is an indication that actually you are dependent on them even if it’s just on those limited occasions and is valid reason for not wanting to keep prescribing them.

Added to which, the dose is so small as to not be effective and as such you should be far more receptive to non-medical means of dealing with the anxiety.

Have you looked at CBT? Meditation etc? Not just as a one off and concluding that it doesn’t work so you’ll have another pill, but in terms of a longer term solution?

The prescription guidelines have changed for very valid reasons and as such you are left with the alternatives of either finding an alternative solution or not taking anything and living with the anxiety.

I have propanadol too and it is very good

Have you tried CBD oil? I know people that suffer with all sorts of health problems, including anxiety that have started to use it, and it's made such a difference to their day to day lives. You can get it from the High Street (Holland and Barret) or online, it might take a while to get your daily dosage right or right strength of bottle, but it could be a life changer, without resorting to pharmaceuticals.