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AIBU?

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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:
Nohj · 12/09/2023 20:15

@polly I’m now convinced you can’t be a serious poster- so many of my service users feel stigmatised by words like that and you are perpetuating it- and then claiming on the other hand to be supportive of those with mental health difficulties.

Weathergirl007 · 12/09/2023 20:16

I have very recently and there were no issues at all.

Nohj · 12/09/2023 20:20

With kindness, guidelines changed for good reason, because of untoward incidents and even deaths. The GP cannot take your word for it that all will be ok and as a PP said they would be putting their career on the line. I’m amazed anyone does it to be honest as the potential professional consequences for the doctor are very serious.

Also with kindness, I appreciate you say you have a history of anxiety and depression, and you should be able to access treatment for that in the NHS. However fear of flying is not a medical disorder and is not even covered by the NHS Gp contract- they have no obligation to offer you anything. It is regarded as a lifestyle choice.
If you were phobic you wouldn’t be able to contemplate it.

Best of luck with your flight and remember it’s safer than getting in a car!

Clymene · 12/09/2023 20:21

Lbw89 · 12/09/2023 20:03

To be clear, BNF guidance explicitly states benzodiazepines (including diazepam, however low the dose) are explicitly contraindicated in phobic states (for example, fear of flying). The GP is being asked to prescribe something directly against guidance, moreover their indemnity (medicolegal protection) is null and void when the patient is overseas. So despite the low chance of any issues (and they do happen) you are asking a medical professional to put their career on the line and prescribe directly against guidance, with not a legal leg to stand on risking legal action against them by the airline should there be an issue outside of the UK on a return flight- because you want to go on holiday.

Just reposting this

Weathergirl007 · 12/09/2023 20:27

I’ve read these posts with interest. I have been with the same GP since I was a child (I’m 40 now) and we have a good doctor / patient relationship. I only need the very small prescription on the few occasions that I need them. Most recently for my flight I just called the receptionist to explain (no appointment required) and the 4 diazepam were sent to the pharmacy for collection after GP authorisation.

cardiganboo · 12/09/2023 20:29

@Pollyputhekettleon eventually got CBT but it took so long i was put on sertraline. Which really, really done the trick!

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 20:30

Weathergirl007 · 12/09/2023 20:27

I’ve read these posts with interest. I have been with the same GP since I was a child (I’m 40 now) and we have a good doctor / patient relationship. I only need the very small prescription on the few occasions that I need them. Most recently for my flight I just called the receptionist to explain (no appointment required) and the 4 diazepam were sent to the pharmacy for collection after GP authorisation.

Don't go around telling people in real life. You could get her in trouble with the busybodies.

Weathergirl007 · 12/09/2023 20:31

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 20:30

Don't go around telling people in real life. You could get her in trouble with the busybodies.

Show quote history

🙈

Lbw89 · 12/09/2023 20:34

Weathergirl007 · 12/09/2023 20:27

I’ve read these posts with interest. I have been with the same GP since I was a child (I’m 40 now) and we have a good doctor / patient relationship. I only need the very small prescription on the few occasions that I need them. Most recently for my flight I just called the receptionist to explain (no appointment required) and the 4 diazepam were sent to the pharmacy for collection after GP authorisation.

To be honest a lot of this relates to the age of the GP and the climate in which they trained (yes I’m medical by the way). Unfortunately a totally different environment now, risk of litigation so much higher and much more emphasis on evidence - based medicine as opposed to ‘I’ll do it because I’ve been doing it for 20 years’. Not saying I agree with it exclusively but yes, whilst your doctor should absolutely be working with you to achieve the best care, contrary to what a previous poster implied it’s absolutely not OK to expect them to put their career on the line with the ethos of ‘patient knows best’. I should also say the issue isn’t with benzodiazepines per se, it’s the indication in this situation.

Weathergirl007 · 12/09/2023 20:42

Lbw89 · 12/09/2023 20:34

To be honest a lot of this relates to the age of the GP and the climate in which they trained (yes I’m medical by the way). Unfortunately a totally different environment now, risk of litigation so much higher and much more emphasis on evidence - based medicine as opposed to ‘I’ll do it because I’ve been doing it for 20 years’. Not saying I agree with it exclusively but yes, whilst your doctor should absolutely be working with you to achieve the best care, contrary to what a previous poster implied it’s absolutely not OK to expect them to put their career on the line with the ethos of ‘patient knows best’. I should also say the issue isn’t with benzodiazepines per se, it’s the indication in this situation.

Show quote history

I would never want my GP to put their career on the line for me. Im assuming that they just understand my medical / MH background and risk assess that there is low risk to prescribe me with a very small amount of diazepam on the rare occasion that I need them? Risk is calculated by likelihood and consequence. 4 diazepams once a year for flying and 2 diazepams once per year for an MRI scan I would say is low risk for addiction?

LondonQueen · 12/09/2023 20:45

They're very strict on prescribing benzodiazepines now. Whilst it's not ideal, it can't be helped. Did they offer you anything else? I know propranolol (beta blocker) is often pushed as a safer alternative.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 20:45

ladeluge · 12/09/2023 19:29

When and for whom ARE benzos prescribed by GPs?

I had them for extreme post natal anxiety while the anti depressants kicked in

bellac11 · 12/09/2023 20:46

Reading this with interest because a friend of mine always gets diazepam for flying

I dont need sedatives for flying but I do have panic reactions to a particular thing and I have bought propranolol online before so I have enough indoors to keep me going for quite a long time. I only need it a few times a year, certainly not worth going on anti anxiety medication full time for.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 20:47

Clymene · 12/09/2023 19:39

Just a reminder that holidays via plane are not compulsory. If you believe you need addictive drugs to be able to cope with the flight, trains, cars, ferries and buses can get you to multiple destinations.

Holidays are not compulsory either.

Tbf did the OP say it was a holiday? Maybe someone's dying and she wants to see them?

GiveYourHeadAWobble · 12/09/2023 20:49

LondonQueen · 12/09/2023 20:45

They're very strict on prescribing benzodiazepines now. Whilst it's not ideal, it can't be helped. Did they offer you anything else? I know propranolol (beta blocker) is often pushed as a safer alternative.

Propranolol is helpful for some, but for other people it does absolutely nothing. It was useless for me.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 20:49

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/09/2023 19:47

Just a reminder to all those with mental health problems, you are as entitled to go on holidays as anyone else, to go on flights, and to do anything else that causes you mental health challenges. You are also entitled to decide for yourself with the help of doctors how best to treat and manage your mental health so that you can live as full a life as possible.

Show quote history

No one is entitled to a holiday on a plane. Its not a human right

SomeCatFromJapan · 12/09/2023 20:50

They definitely don't make you groggy at small doses. I took 2mg before my final exams. It just slightly took the edge off the nerves so I didn't mentally blank and lose the first half hour.

It would in no way whatsoever have impaired my ability to disembark from a flight. I'd have been more impaired from a g&t.

Quisquam · 12/09/2023 20:51

When and for whom ARE benzos prescribed by GPs?

Epilepsy - they are a wonder drug for that. Weaning people off them is not difficult either, with the right advice! IMO, coming off SSRIs is dreadful, way worse!

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 20:53

SomeCatFromJapan · 12/09/2023 20:50

They definitely don't make you groggy at small doses. I took 2mg before my final exams. It just slightly took the edge off the nerves so I didn't mentally blank and lose the first half hour.

It would in no way whatsoever have impaired my ability to disembark from a flight. I'd have been more impaired from a g&t.

That was you. Not everyone reacts the same way

Vettrianofan · 12/09/2023 20:53

RedToothBrush · 12/09/2023 19:18

The doctor doesn't know how the patient will react.

They have a duty of care to the public and patient in this respect.

It's not just the patient who might be at risk of someone is drugged up on a plane. It could affect other passengers and flight attendants.

Knowing that's what the patient wants the drug for, it would be potentially negligent to prescribe in this situation especially given the guidance.

Imagine there is an incident. Patient can't get off the plane quickly and blocks the passage way resulting in deaths or injury. Autopsy comes back saying on sedative no longer recommended was partially responsible.

Who is then liable?

The doctor can not reasonably be giving these drugs for this purpose with that in mind. It's unprofessional and dangerous.

In another scenario, it might be reasonable to give the drug for anxiety. But not this one.

OP needs to properly address the problem.

Show quote history

I agree, a tub of Kalms from the pharmacy would suffice, not POM.

Greenfishy · 12/09/2023 20:54

This reply has been hidden

This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

SomeCatFromJapan · 12/09/2023 20:54

That was you. Not everyone reacts the same way

OP has also had then before though.

SomeCatFromJapan · 12/09/2023 20:56

@anxiousflight If you can source some passion flower/passiflora, I find it works about as well as low dose diazepam to cut the nerves. It's genuinely surprisingly effective. Valerian is good too but that is better.

DonnaBanana · 12/09/2023 20:59

A good first generation antihistamine can get the same slightly sedated calming effect btw it’s why they sell them as flying sleep aids in American airports but you can rustle them up here as well

Loomy · 12/09/2023 21:01

There’s a difference between anxiety and phobia. They sound the same in a lot of ways but as others have said there’s a big difference to the sufferer. That said, I have never been prescribed for either. I don’t want to rely on medication if that makes sense so I try and control both with mind over matter with varying success.