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Original poster

To be concerned about friend and diazepam

48 replies

MaskellEtt · 20/02/2021 02:28

She lost her husband in horrible circumstances 3 weeks ago. Really awful.

We took her to the GP 24hrs later because she was in such a state; hysterical, in shock, zoning out and not communicating with anyone.

Her GP put her on diazepam 15mg 3 times a day. I’ve taken them myself so I know how good they are for short term anxiety and upset.

But we are at the end of her prescription now and the GP has renewed it for another month. I work in healthcare and know from listening to the doctors how addictive benzos are. She is doped up and drowsy most of the day. I was hoping they would reduce it today but he gave her another 4 weeks on the same dose.

The last thing she needs on top of all of this is an addiction to diazepam. Would you be concerned about this or just think in the short term it doesn’t matter and can be dealt with later?

OP posts:
user1473878824 · 20/02/2021 02:30

I think when you advise her about her upcoming addiction you should show her your medical degree.

Original poster
MaskellEtt · 20/02/2021 02:34

Not sure I would need to go to university to know that taking benzodiazepines for more than a few weeks is addictive.

My 10 year old could Google that for you

OP posts:
HeyDuggeesCakeBadge · 20/02/2021 03:00

OP I would have the same concerns but her GP obviously still thinks she needs them. GPs do not prescribe controlled drugs easily so I think you are probably worrying unnecessarily and I wouldn't say anything as it is still so raw.

MoreRainbowsPlease · 20/02/2021 03:05

I think you are right to have those concerns. Most GP's I know do not like to prescribe benzodiazipines as all, and if they do it is a months worth and not 15mg tds. Would she consider taking a lower dose? I do think benzos are a very helpful job short term, but I would be worried about her becoming dependant on them especially as it can happen very quickly.

YouWinSomeYouLoseSome · 20/02/2021 03:18

Oh gosh your poor friend. Can't offer advice but sending my love.❤

DeeCeeCherry · 20/02/2021 03:31

She's been bereaved. Unimaginable how she must feel. I should think her GP knows her story and how to treat her best.

It will be a long time before she feels ok again and if she does become addicted, weaning her off will be GP's role; I'm sure s/he will know what to do.

1forAll74 · 20/02/2021 03:47

When I was in a state with some trauma many many years ago, a friend called the doctor round. The doctor wrote out a prescription for a weeks supply of diazepam, just seven tablets, just one day, and told my friend to watch me take one tablet, and take the others home with him,and bring me one tablet round to take each day,in case I took the whole seven tablets all at once.. I used the seven tablets, and that was that, and fought through my extreme anxiety and trauma myself, as don't like medication.

frasersmummy · 20/02/2021 03:57

Oh my goodness your friend will be in deep shock.
She is seeking help from the right place

The last thing she needs is you questioning her right to take the help offered by her gp!!

zeddybrek · 20/02/2021 04:05

They are really addictive, I had them once for severe anxiety before uni exams. I think you are being s good friend although she is going through a lot. I would suggest you mention a lower dose when the current ones run out.

I was given 3 tablets and took them in quarters and I still remember how different in they made me feel. And I totally get why people get hooked on them.

maras2 · 20/02/2021 05:33

Are you sure about the dose?
15mg TDS sounds way too much, I'm surprised that the pharmacist didn't query it.

Notimeforaname · 20/02/2021 05:37

Jesus christ thats a lot. 45mg per day??..I would be concerned too but this doctor hopefully knows what they are doing and will take her off them gradually.

But don't say anything to your friend.
She does not need to hear this.
She is too busy just trying to survive right now. Just be supportive and keep your eyes peeled.
I know a lady who perscribed benzos..she stopped taking them abruptly and had a seizure.

So just check that your friend is still taking them as prescribed. Dont worry her about anything.
I hope she will be ok soonFlowers

Notimeforaname · 20/02/2021 05:39

*Who was prescribed benzos

GaspingGekko · 20/02/2021 06:14

Yeah I would be worried. I took them for severe back pain a few years ago. 15mg once a day I think. I loved them, to a really worrying level. I can see why they are so addictive, I fortunately only took them for a short period but even then the doctor was quite keen to limit my exposure and only would do it as a temporary measure awaiting other treatment.
The length of time your friend is being prescribed them for seems quite long.

Keep an eye on her, it's great that she has a friend who is looking out for her. The doctor probably knows best medically, but you know your friend. She's going through a lot right now but the last thing she needs is an accidental addiction.

sammylady37 · 20/02/2021 06:38

The doctor probably knows best medically

probably?

The person with the medical degree probably knows best medically rather than some non-medically qualified person??

ColdCottage · 20/02/2021 06:48

Having taken them a number of times for back pain they are super addictive as many sad news stories show.

I was told to only take them for 3 days at a time to avoid addiction. I usually find drugs don't really work that well for me so am given higher doses (I was driving on 8 50mg of Tramadol a day with no issues where most people would be half asleep). Diazepam feels so good, I totally see why it's addictive.

Drugs do effect you differently I've been told by medics when there is extreme need, it's the period where the need drops that you need to look for and stop. Very hard to judge.

Perhaps suggest your friend has weekly check ins with surgery to see when she should reduce dose. Also ask for a doctor at the surgery that specialises in addiction.

GaspingGekko · 20/02/2021 07:02

@sammylady37 Yes probably.

We all react differently. Some people could take that level of diazepam for a long period and be fine, others won't be. Doctors don't have the time to get to know patients to fully understand their needs in a 10 minute appointment.

Doctors aren't some all knowing monolith of knowledge. Some do the basics of their job and the minimum required by the patient others provide excellent care. That's why we go for second opinions when it comes to major decisions. Two doctors we've visited for my DS have highly different ideas of what is necessary and what is not necessary (or even appropriate) for him.

In the OPs case she is better placed to spot signs that her friend is not acting herself, beyond the obvious reaction to the death or her DH. The doctor can very easily miss signs that the OP will likely pick up on.

bobbiester · 20/02/2021 07:16

15mg 3 times a day is a very large dose for someone to start on. It is very unusual to be prescribed a dose that high initially and for such long period. Could she possibly have already been taking diazepam and the GP just increased the dose?

2mg taken 3 times a day would be more common to start with.

After a month or two on a dose like that she will certainly experience withdrawal symptoms if she stops suddenly. It will be critical that she tapers the dose gradually rather than stopping suddenly.

Restlessinthenorth · 20/02/2021 07:23

Addiction specialist nurse here. Benzos are extremely addictive, and frankly, hellish to get off. She's on an very high dose there. She must be permanently sedated. Is she living alone? No chance she will be drinking alcohol too?

Sorry to say from bitter experience that it is not uncommon for GP's to make an absolute mess with these meds. Either stopping them abruptly or equally sticking on repeat or relenting to patient requests to stay on them (very few people want to come off them in the early days). Some of the posts on here that simply presume that GP's get it right without question are extremely naive. Look at "prescribed harm" forums and your eyes may be opened. Equally, I am not criticising the doctor here, as it's impossible to know all the details or the plan from the internet.

I think it's difficult for you to know what to do best to help here. Is your friend taking anyone along when she goes for GP review who could maybe ask some appropriate questions?

lonelySam · 20/02/2021 07:24

I was prescribed oxazepam for severe anxiety / shock once. I had to see an out of hours GP who prescribed 10 tablets to me (lowest dose) and told me to go to my regular GP. I was also warned about addiction risks.
Regular GP prescribed 90 tablets in one go, mentioned nothing about addiction and when I called to say I was having suicidal thoughts after them, the GP said 'that's all right, I'll give you some more' and prescribed another 45 with an appointment in two weeks' time.
So... You are right to be worried. Benzos are super addictive, mainly because they make you feel so good. I am not surprised at all that people get hooked up on them. Your friend probably needs psychological help as the benzos will only mask the symptoms and not deal with the root cause.

sammylady37 · 20/02/2021 07:43

[quote GaspingGekko]@sammylady37 Yes probably.

We all react differently. Some people could take that level of diazepam for a long period and be fine, others won't be. Doctors don't have the time to get to know patients to fully understand their needs in a 10 minute appointment.

Doctors aren't some all knowing monolith of knowledge. Some do the basics of their job and the minimum required by the patient others provide excellent care. That's why we go for second opinions when it comes to major decisions. Two doctors we've visited for my DS have highly different ideas of what is necessary and what is not necessary (or even appropriate) for him.

In the OPs case she is better placed to spot signs that her friend is not acting herself, beyond the obvious reaction to the death or her DH. The doctor can very easily miss signs that the OP will likely pick up on.[/quote]
It’s the ‘probably knows best medically‘ that I had an issue with. The doctor definitely knows best medically, though that doesn’t necessarily translate to overall, as there are many individual factors

Mustardfan · 20/02/2021 07:45

I too would be extremely concerned about this, and I too think that doctors don’t always get these things right. Benzos are extremely addictive and I think your friend needs to come off them, before she develops a lasting addiction. She will need help to face her emotions around the bereavement. You sound like a very good friend to her.

GaspingGekko · 20/02/2021 08:05

@sammylady37 I think you misinterpreted my post then. I didn't mean the doctor knows better than the OP medically, I meant that the doctor is probably doing the right thing and that most other doctors would agree with their course of action.
But my point was that doctors mess up, that you can't blindly believe that every GP deals with every patient and situation in the correct way.

When I was prescribed diazepam I was warned of the dangers and told that generally back pain is the only reason they should be prescribed, that they should be avoided for anxiety etc.

StrikeWhileTheCoffeeIsHot · 20/02/2021 08:07

Blimey that's a huge amount and I think you are right to be worried.

I take diazepam. 10 (2mg) over a 3 month (ish) period. Its a glorious drug and I can see why it could become so addictive.

HikeForward · 20/02/2021 08:24

Are you sure it’s diazepam? 15mg seems an unusually high dose unless she was taking them previously and he’s just increased it?

I’d assume the doctor has a plan to wean her off them. They are commonly prescribed to help people cope with short periods of extreme stress or while they’re being titrated up on another medication eg an SSRI that takes 3-4 weeks to work.

I’m surprised people are saying they’re ‘glorious’ tablets 😂 I used to take 10mg for phobia of flying (it was essential travel for work mostly) but they made me feel so grumpy and irritable! GP said that’s a common side effect. I used to feel nauseous too, they’re a muscle relaxant so can cause heartburn.

I know physical dependence can develop but presumably her GP doesn’t plan to keep her on them long term and will reduce her dose gradually.

RaidersoftheLostAardvark · 20/02/2021 08:56

If she seems sedated then the dose is too high- and that is a high dose for someone who hasn't used them before. I'd talk to your friend and see if she can reduce to twice daily, or call GP to ask for a lower strength tablet. You could call the practice and express concerns about her being sedated- they will note your concerns but can't discuss with you.