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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

280 replies

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 15:33

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?

OP posts:

reluctantjogger · 27/03/2019 17:24

Sorry OP YABU. 28 diazepam over two years is a LOT. That's more than one a month, and if you're taking half tablets then you're using an 'emergency' product (on average) every fortnight.
Could the doctor refer you for CBT instead, to help you manage crisis moments? It's hard work but can be truly effective.

Original poster

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 17:25

@Prequelle 28 in two years isn't long term tho Is it.
One a month is short term use clearly
If it was taken daily for 2 years then I can understand

OP posts:

Prequelle · 27/03/2019 17:25

I'm talking about how 'it works for you' is a ridiculous notion when being able to have a benzo before a stressful event would work for everyone. I'm sure many people would be quite happy to be able to do this. They feel anxiety in these situations too and would benefit.

Original poster

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 17:25

28 tablets every two years is a lot?
It's 1 a month

OP posts:

mirime · 27/03/2019 17:26

StormTreader

28 in 2 years is a little over 1 every month, it sounds like they've become a bit of a crutch for you for any situation that you feel might be stressful.

I take a lot more Propranolol than that, took it today because I had to go into town and I know from previous experience that triggers anxiety. Presumably that's a crutch as well?

OP you are not being completely unreasonable. Your GP should have discussed the options properly rather than just offering anti-depressants. If they were SSRI's that does seem overkill for something you need help with about once a month, if it were amitriptyline though it may be worth a try as you seem to know when you'll need to take it in advance. I didn't like the amitriptyline but I did sleep well after taking it, so it did have it's positives!

Original poster

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 17:27

All my gp ever has wanted over the years is to get me on AD
Sertraline /fluoxetine
I don't want that in my body

OP posts:

Sidge · 27/03/2019 17:28

You’ve been taking on average more than one a month. That’s fairly regularly.

It would be better to find another way to manage regularly anxious situations than using diazepam.

Original poster

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 17:30

Not as regular as taking a A/D daily
I would rather 1 a month diazepam
Than putting that in my body

OP posts:

LaBelleSauvage · 27/03/2019 17:30

MaxNormal doctors (including me) don't agree with you.

OP side effects generally last 1-2 weeks not 2 months, and some people don't experience them at all. Have you tried them before?

Original poster

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 17:32

I tried sertraline about 4 years ago.
Had insomnia ,shakes vomiting ,diarrhoea for 4 weeks ..I stopped after 4 weeks as I was a mess and felt dreadful
Never again

OP posts:

Justonemorepancake · 27/03/2019 17:32

Yanbu. I use them just for flying. I would write a letter to your GP and if that fails buy them online.

LaBelleSauvage · 27/03/2019 17:34

If you had a bad reaction to sertraline i can't imagine your GP would offer you that again. What did they offer?

Ihatehashtags · 27/03/2019 17:35

Yeah all of thebenzodiazapines are very rarely prescribed now because they are highly addictive. I find it interesting you don’t seem to want to treat your anxiety any other way but you’d rather drug yourself before events you might find stressful. You obviously like the calming semi euphoric feeling of diazepam. I think what the Dr is getting at is that if you were treated with antidepressants you wouldn’t be getting anxiety at those events. Give it a try.

NoSquirrels · 27/03/2019 17:38

The comparison between antidepressants and benzos is not valid though.

One is designed to be taken regularly.

One is designed for emergency crisis use.

You have been regularly taking one or two a month for 2 years. That’s long-term.

Once or twice a month is a lot of stressful situations in your life, apparently.

Hence the advice you’re getting for other ways of managing it.

pootyisabadcat · 27/03/2019 17:38

It will be a GA. I assume the OP is worried about pre-op anxiety.

She'll be nil by mouth/fasting for hours, though, so not able to take an oral diazapam close enough to it to have any effect. They can also give you sedative pre-operatively once your cannula is in.

Justonemorepancake · 27/03/2019 17:38

I'd rather thrice a year dose of diazepam than a long term course of anti-d's...

Justonemorepancake · 27/03/2019 17:39

Ah- mis-read the one or twice a month. I would look for an alternative in that case.

lexiconmistress · 27/03/2019 17:40

I get incredibly anxious about anything to do with health. Before my last (completely routine) procedure I lost a stone through worry. I would love a stash of just in case valium for that, and flying, and all the other stressful situations that are part of everyone's life. But my GP would never prescribe an antiquated, hugely addictive drug and instead booked me in for CBT. I now have the emotional toolkit to deal with my anxiety and I'm incredibly proud of myself. So why didn't CBT work for you?

HildegardCrowe · 27/03/2019 17:40

YANBU. 28 2mg tabs over 2 years is nothing and you're much better off on this amount of Diazepam than SSRIs which can cause all sorts if problems. My poor brother's life has been ruined because he can't get off Paroxetine and SSRIs don't work anymore for me. My GP is happy to prescribe Diazepam for me (5mg) perhaps once a year when my anxiety is really bad and my brother gets prescribed it too. I wonder if you could try another GP?

Original poster

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 17:43

@lexiconmistress unfortunately CBT doesn't work for everyone.

OP posts:

Prequelle · 27/03/2019 17:43

Once a year is different from OP wanting a supply that she has 1-2 times a month. That's long term use of a benzo.
It's for crisis use. If OP is having 1-2 crisis a month then her anxiety is not managed.

LaBelleSauvage · 27/03/2019 17:44

Think the issue is that the OP takes it once or twice a month, not once per year.

Diazepam is okay for a one off but not as a monthly/fortnightly medication.

In this circumstance it makes sense the GP was trying to find a longer term solution.

NorthEndGal · 27/03/2019 17:44

Here the thing, you are saying there is something at least once a month that you need it for.
That says you really aren't doing so hot every day, and maybe you need to consider that perhaps you may be helped by being on a regular, daily med

Prequelle · 27/03/2019 17:45

In fact no, OP says she halfs the tablets. So that's 56 incidents of needing a benzo.

Original poster

lisaboob · 27/03/2019 17:45

1 tablet once a month is hardly a supply.
Also it's not one a month that's a average.
It could be 4 one month the day before a event then nothing for 3 months.

OP posts:

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