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Original poster

Dr refused anti anxiety meds

256 replies

anxiousflight · 12/09/2023 18:01

Long history of depression and anxiety, it is mostly under control but something can set my anxiety off and I'll be bad for a couple of weeks.

I've recently moved drs surgery as moved house and my old GP would always give me about 10 diazepam or lorazepam a year, to help me through anxious periods.

I hate hate hate taking off on a flight and this has triggered my anxiety the past couple of weeks as I fly tomorrow first thing.

I booked an appt with new GP and first appt available was yesterday, the duty Dr said she was not happy to prescribe any diazepam as if there was an emergency I wouldn't be able to get off the plane??? I said, they help me rationalise and keep calm, they don't knock me out. She wasn't happy so said she'd get my actual GP to call me today. The receptionist called me at 4pm and said that my GP isn't happy to prescribe them either. Not happy that I was promised a call from my GP but she avoided the conversation and asked the receptionist to call me so I couldn't speak to anyone medically trained to help me. My medical records are there for drs to see so I cant understand at all why they couldn't issue me a small prescription.

I can't take propanalol due to an adverse reaction with my asthma a few years ago. So now I'm stuck without anything at all and I'm so panicky, I leave my house at 1:30am tomorrow morning.

Does anyone know if I call 111 will they be able to prescribe anything?

OP posts:
Datgal · 12/09/2023 18:39

The Dr gave me diazepam for fear of flying recently. She explained that 'they' didn't want to these days for phobias. But I just said it works. It's what stops me leaving the airport. I'm disappointed for you.

Anothershitusername · 12/09/2023 18:40

I was given 14 of them ,when I asked for something to get me through a funeral..
I didn’t take it in the end ,as I tried a practice one and it knocked me out ..
and I’m a big girl ,they definitely wouldn’t of got me of a flight if I’d taken one to fly ..
but that doesn’t help the op ..
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t let you have one ,when you have had it before and you know it works for you …
id ask round friends to see if anyone has one they could give you

Icepinkeskimo · 12/09/2023 18:42

Ring 111 or get a private prescription OP absolutely farcical for the GP to refuse this prescription. You’re presenting anxiety, you have a history of this, and are certainly not addicted all of which can be assessed from your medical notes.
NHS inexperienced GP’s at their absolute most incompetent, another idiotic box ticking exercise.

bluejelly · 12/09/2023 18:43

Please keep persevering with the therapy, maybe trying a different kind. Airlines run specific training for nervous fliers which might help too.
I had a terrible phobia about going on the underground and i avoided using it whenever I could, even if it meant walking miles/waiting for buses. CBT totally cured me and now I use the tube without a second thought.
You can overcome this Flowers

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:44

Sapphire387 · 12/09/2023 18:38

Argh, that is awful.

Everyone saying it is so terribly addictive - no, not always. I took it every day for a year when my former partner was dying. Weaned myself off (my own decision). It was fine.

I am not saying everyone will be ok with it, just demonstrating that some of us are.

I had it on an 'occasional use' basis for a few years afterwards but haven't taken any in years now.

It really helps me. I think it is awful they won't prescribe it. Any chance of changing GP? Not for now, I know it is too late, but for future occasions?

They can't predict who will or won't become addicted, so their 'solution' is to refuse it to everyone pretty much. Changing GP is unlikely to help as this seems to be a top-down policy, unless you happen on a very brave one. GPs are simply doing what they're told. It would always be possible to go abroad to a less nanny state healthcare system to get it, or some private psychologist would probably be willing to do it. Individualized healthcare for those who can afford it. Some kind of CBT course and an SSRI or something for everyone else.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 18:44

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:19

Do you know anyone else with anxiety who might have it prescribed and could give you one to get you through the flight? You'll have to sort out some other solution long term from the sound of things as you've fallen foul of a change in policy. You'll find it difficult to find a GP who'll treat your response to diazepam or lorazepam as an individual.

Show quote history

That would be illegal

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:45

bluejelly · 12/09/2023 18:43

Please keep persevering with the therapy, maybe trying a different kind. Airlines run specific training for nervous fliers which might help too.
I had a terrible phobia about going on the underground and i avoided using it whenever I could, even if it meant walking miles/waiting for buses. CBT totally cured me and now I use the tube without a second thought.
You can overcome this Flowers

She's flying tomorrow morning.

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:46

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 18:44

That would be illegal

Show quote history

You know what should be illegal? Doctors refusing this specific woman the specific medication at the specific dose which she has requested in the specific circumstances here. But there will be no consequences for them, of course.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 18:47

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:45

She's flying tomorrow morning.

Show quote history

Then she will either have to not fly or attempt to fly.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 18:48

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:46

You know what should be illegal? Doctors refusing this specific woman the specific medication at the specific dose which she has requested in the specific circumstances here. But there will be no consequences for them, of course.

Show quote history

You can't just go to the doctor and expect them to give you exactly the medication you ask for

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:49

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 18:48

You can't just go to the doctor and expect them to give you exactly the medication you ask for

Show quote history

Fortunately that's not what I was suggesting. Reading isn't your forte is it?

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:50

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 18:47

Then she will either have to not fly or attempt to fly.

Show quote history

Whatever would the OP do without such assistance. I'm sure she feels a lot better now. Seriously, if you have no empathy and don't understand anxiety there are other thread you can go be helpful on.

Dawsonsfleek · 12/09/2023 18:52

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:46

You know what should be illegal? Doctors refusing this specific woman the specific medication at the specific dose which she has requested in the specific circumstances here. But there will be no consequences for them, of course.

Show quote history

What a clown comment.

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:52

A few people here have been prescribed them recently, so there may be hope with just a change of GP OP.

wannadisc0 · 12/09/2023 18:53

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:53

Datgal · 12/09/2023 18:39

The Dr gave me diazepam for fear of flying recently. She explained that 'they' didn't want to these days for phobias. But I just said it works. It's what stops me leaving the airport. I'm disappointed for you.

Edited

Glad you got a good one. Hope it stays that way.

RedToothBrush · 12/09/2023 18:54

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:31

I absolutely don't care. What other help is anyone offering her that's going to get her through tomorrow? None.

Show quote history

By the OPs own admission she's had this issue for years.

She isn't so impaired that she is not going.

And her comment about 'nothing else taking the edge off' suggests an unhealthy level of dependency already in order to travel.

OP needs to find a long term solution rather than taking an easy option on this.

It ISN'T essential medication. It's medication to facilitate a non essential life style. That's reason enough not to prescribe.

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 19:00

RedToothBrush · 12/09/2023 18:54

By the OPs own admission she's had this issue for years.

She isn't so impaired that she is not going.

And her comment about 'nothing else taking the edge off' suggests an unhealthy level of dependency already in order to travel.

OP needs to find a long term solution rather than taking an easy option on this.

It ISN'T essential medication. It's medication to facilitate a non essential life style. That's reason enough not to prescribe.

Show quote history

Wow, that's really vicious. I hope you're not controlling anyone's access to medications but of course there are medical professionals with your attitude to mental health unfortunately.

RedToothBrush · 12/09/2023 19:03

The guidelines have changed for a reason and it's been known for a long time how addictive it is.

It's good practice. Its not vicious.

Doctors should be behaving professionally. And it's not professional to be offering 'quick fix solutions' for air travel.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 19:04

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:49

Fortunately that's not what I was suggesting. Reading isn't your forte is it?

Show quote history

Doctors refusing this specific woman the specific medication at the specific dose which she has requested in the specific circumstances here. why should this be illegal?

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 19:05

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 18:50

Whatever would the OP do without such assistance. I'm sure she feels a lot better now. Seriously, if you have no empathy and don't understand anxiety there are other thread you can go be helpful on.

Show quote history

I have anxiety myself. So don't tell me I don't understand anxiety.

Clymene · 12/09/2023 19:05

It's not vicious. It's factual.

I've been on a plane with a friend who took a diazepam. We had to get off because of engine failure and he was so out of it, we had to virtually carry him off.

Never again.

Tortiemiaw · 12/09/2023 19:09

That's interesting. I always ask for it pre dental work and get 10 each time - 3 times this year. I had a chat initially and explained my terror and since then have had a repeat when needed.

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 19:09

RedToothBrush · 12/09/2023 19:03

The guidelines have changed for a reason and it's been known for a long time how addictive it is.

It's good practice. Its not vicious.

Doctors should be behaving professionally. And it's not professional to be offering 'quick fix solutions' for air travel.

Doctors are, at least in theory, supposed to treat the actual patient in front of them, not simply follow guidelines like mindless robots. This particular patient is not remotely addicted and is in zero danger of becoming so at a rate of 10 a year. Not did she actually need to be prescribed 10 today. 1 or 2 would have sufficed.

And the risk of addiction is not why they refused. You're not reading properly. They were refused because the GP 'thinks' that 'if there was an emergency I wouldn't be able to get off the plane'. This is not even following a guideline. This is just being incredibly stupid. This woman has taken maybe 10 of them a year for a long time. They do not cause sedation in her (as they don't in many, many people). So she was refused treatment for a completely irrational reason due to two GPs' incompetence and lack of professional ethics. She was also refused treatment of any kind, by the way, it's not as if they provided her with some kind of alternative option. This is not professional behaviour, to put it politely.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 19:09

Tortiemiaw · 12/09/2023 19:09

That's interesting. I always ask for it pre dental work and get 10 each time - 3 times this year. I had a chat initially and explained my terror and since then have had a repeat when needed.

That is needed for a medical procedure