To ask my GP for diazepam?

[KevinTheKoala]

I'm going through yet another really rough patch, probably the worst in about a year and while I'm taking venlafaxine I still feel like I just need something to soften the impact at the moment. I have taken 10mg diazepam before but for pain and so I know I can function on it, I never experienced the 'high' feeling that everyone said I would, it was just easier to deal with the pain. I understand that it's addictive and I wouldn't want to take it long term, I just feel like I can't cope with life at the minute.

I've had multiple rounds of councelling, talking therapies, CBT etc. They haven't worked for me. I don't know how likely it would be that I would be prescribed it but what is the worst that could happen if I asked for it outright? Could they put a note in my file that I'm a drug seeker or something? (I'm not I'm just aware that it is a strong drug and that there is potential for abuse).

I doubt they'll think you're a drug seeker if no prior history of that, but I also seriously doubt they'll prescribe diazepam, most likely propanolol if you're struggling with anxiety.

I think GPs are wary, but will usually prescribe a few Diazepam. On the other hand, my son's psychiatrist prescribes it regularly for my adult son's high anxiety.

They’re very unlikely to give you diazepam, but may well be able to help in other ways (adjusting your venlafaxine dose or referring you for more specialist help), so it’s still worth contacting them if you’re struggling.

A friend of mine is going through a mental-health crisis at the moment and has been prescribed a limited amount of Diazepam. So GPs will prescribe it for short-term use.

OP they may give you a very short term prescription for it but its extremely unlikely to be at the dose of 10mg. Most likely 2mg or 5mg at most. I have needed it short term and have been prescribed it but for acute/ disabling anxiety not to take the edge off so to speak.

I struggle to get it in spite of my psychiatrist’s requests so I think you might be fighting an uphill battle with your GP. No harm in asking though, if they put a note on your file that you’re a “drug seeker” does it really matter? It won’t be supported by any evidence at all - you’re asking once not repeatedly.

I’m sure I have been written up as some kind of junkie by my GP now. When I ask for diazepam or sleep aids - that my psychiatrist has asked them to prescribe - I get a lecture about how this isn’t the right way to manage my issues (it is, it’s being done under medical supervision after we’ve tried all the alternatives) and that I need to get a grip. Always by text message or email so I can’t explain. They do also give me small amounts though so that’s something (though I’m told to take up to 20mg in a day so it doesn’t last).

Just to be clear when I say take the edge off I do mean I am spending the majority of my days actively fighting off suicidal thoughts - I'm genuinley struggling not just slightly anxious. I do know that asking for diazepam for mild anxiety would be overkill. I was under a psychiatrist but they haven't contacted me for months so I have no idea if I'm still supposed to be under them. The only reason I am still here at the moment is because my children need me but I'm not being a good parent right now and I need something to help me with that. I know I can't say too much here. I just don't want them to tell me to self refer for another lot of talking therapies to be on the waiting list for another 12 months for something thta won't work.

Diazepam isn't that good for anxiety, particularly in low doses. You'd be better off with Propranolol which does actually help with the physical effects of anxiety which can also help the mind relax as well.

Diazepam isn't that good and is addictive. Anyone who prescribes it to be taken on a regular basis is acting irresponsibly. There are better medications out there now anyway.

You poor thing, how awful. Please please please contact the psych you were previously under the care of, ask for an urgent assessment. You’re in crisis and you need immediate help. Speak to your GP, talk to family, get it out there that you are suffering and you need empathy, compassion, medical and emotional support.

Your Venlafaxine dose needs reviewing as well.

I too think you need to contact the psychiatrist you were previously under and ask for an urgent callback wrt suicidal ideation.

Don’t just ‘ask for diazepam’ - tell people about the suicidal thoughts. That’s a crisis situation.

Please don’t not ask for help because you’re worried about the ‘wrong sort of help’. That’s your mind trying to sabotage things.

I think it's worth chatting to your GP and asking. I've been prescribed a short dose of diazepam in the past by my psychiatrist in the past to help manage extreme anxiety.

My doctor is great and will prescribe 12 lorazapam and 14 Zopliclone for my anxiety. I only ask for them every three months or so just so I've got them in case I need them. The Lorazapam is brilliant if I'm really anxious and the Zopliclone stops me waking up in the night panicking. Its def worth asking them.

My dh was given it during a crisis bit 5mg dose. Several times a day

It does sound like you could do with the help of the crisis team again.
Can you try ringing your community team and let them know about the suicidal thoughts? Or your gp.

As others have said, they are highly unlikely to give you diazepam. I suffered a pretty major trauma and still wasn't allowed it. Like you, I was/am on Venlafaxine. What they did do, is give me Mirtazipine. The 2 work together in a unique way and I'm not exaggerating when I say it changed my life. I will say, the initial idea was I was supposed to taper off the Venlafaxine and switch to Mirtazipine but, when I told the doctor how good I felt on the 2 together, he let me continue.

I was given a weeks worth of diazepam a couple of years ago but that was for a specific, short term situation that was causing massive anxiety (I’m on long term medication for anxiety and depression)

I don’t think the GP would give it except for very short term use (which is a shame because i bloody loved it! Like you, it didn’t make me high it just made me feel what it must be like to not have anxiety)

You need to get back in touch with the MH team.

I have propanol which help massively

I can’t take propanol because of asthma, the pharmacy gave me 10 mg diazepam x8 whilst Tamazepam wasn’t available.

I asked four some after my GP gave my 14 2mg tablets .
I had to pay for my counselling then she retired and hadn’t advised another one - thanks not.
AXA with only pay 8 sessions & if you need more they May leave you have more.
And possibly counselling ive had cbt it didn’t do anything for me.’
Its hard to get GP appointment I tried E consult it was full so no way of contacting GP Im deaf & can’t telephone its a right bad idea.

Unless you've had it prescribed for this problem before and refer to that, it might be seen as unusual that you think you need it without medical knowledge.