to wish I'd never been given diazepam?

[ihatebeingme]

I was prescribed diazepam two years ago, following a horrendously traumatic year on the background of complex trauma in childhood.

I was seen by a CMHT which included CPN, support worker, psychologist, and a psychiatrist - and repeatedly told to take 3x 2mg daily. This went on until about April this year.

Since then I have recovered hugely. I'm working full time, I am much calmer and more in control. But I am still prescribed diazepam. I'm aware it does nothing now, it's placebo, and I've got myself down to about 2-3mg per day.

I moved house in May, new GP surgery were appalled and not comfortable prescribing so want me to withdraw. Withdrawal programme means I take 2mg morning, 1mg at night - BUT they will only give me 7 x 2mg tablets at once, meaning I only have enough for 3 days.

Each time I run out, I have to ring my GP, tell them once I've ran out - and wait 72 hours for a new script to be done.

Fine, except I'm not allowed to go cold turkey as nurse practitioner said there's a higher risk of severe withdrawal and said it's not safe to do that.

I don't know what to do. I have half a tablet left just now. Have started skipping bedtime doses. Have told my GP I need another prescription today - 'pharmacist will call you later, we aren't sure what to do.'

I don't know what to do either. I'm panicking, I work in healthcare and I'm spending all day every day terrified my work will find out.

Why are you terrified your work will find out? You were prescribed the meds and are taking it as prescribed. You haven't been abusing your prescription. There is nothing for them to find out.
And how would they find out? We aren't allowed to look at each-other's medical records. And GP is not allowed to supply them with this information, not even on request (not that they have any right to request it) without your consent.
The setup for your prescription is not workable, though. I would make an appointment with the GP to discuss how they propose you go forward when you are only given 72h medication and, effectively, need to request prescription as soon as you collected the previous one. You also need to have a clear plan outlined for how your doses will be titrated down, the frequency with which they will be reduced and what is the ETA of being diasepam-free. I think the current system is ridiculous as it, effectively, encourages you to stockpile medication.
A pharmacist will be able to give you more information on what are the risks of stopping with a small dose you are currently on. You may be below the "danger zone" already.

You are doing the right thing. It is extremely difficult and I suppose the reason they do short term prescriptions is to remove temptation of increasing the dose, although it's clear you are very committed to getting off them.

As above, work will not know unless you choose to tell someone there. They have no right to your medical information unless you consent for it to be shared.

You sought out appropriate help for your condition, it is unfortunate that the help came with side effects including difficult withdrawal from it.

That said, what health care workplaces should do and what they actually do are very different things so I understand your concerns.

Keep going, despite it being a pain now, it will great when they are in your rear view mirror.

I've found in a similar situation that the way forward was to contact the practice manager.

Be simple and factual.

Dear manager,

I was prescribed x mg as x dose by x surgery in 2022.

I received x support and managed to decrease the dose to xxxx by April 2024.
I moved in May 2024 and joined your surgery.

The GP xxxxx wants me to reduce my dose until I no longer require diazepam. I am in agreement with this.

My prescription is 2mg am and 1mg pm. So 3mg per day. I get prescribed 7x2mg tablets (14mg) this lasts 4 days and a morning dose.

I fully understand the reasoning behind the limited prescription dose but the problem occurs as outlined below.

I can only request a new prescription when all the tablets have been taken. I have been informed that it takes 72 hours to distribute the new prescription.

This will leave me vulnerable and at health risk. The reason my dose has been decreased as it is is the risk of withdrawal is high.

I want to work with the GP to be able to completely stop taking diazepam whilst protecting my health.

Please respond immediately (as I have no pills currently) as to how you are going to meet the need as outlined above and ensure continuity of prescription during this process.

Thankyou

Xxxx

Good luck

Yes, it’s not workable in the long run. I’d be happier getting a longer supply
but speaking to someone on the phone more regularly
while withdrawing or something, or even if I could get a full
week’s worth. I’m effectively now on 2mg a day for the last
few days anyway, it’s just worrying me that I’ve only got
1mg left presumably to last me until the weekend.

GP surgery said it’s fine for nurse or pharmacist to manage, actual GP isn’t involved
i don’t think.

You're on a tiny dose now, not high enough to constitute a physical dependency. I'd just follow the GP's protocol (you must be very near to complete withdrawal) and put it from my mind.

Well, tell the surgery GP definitely needs to be involved because the nurse said she is not sure what to do. You need to make an urgent appointment. The mind website also advises to call 111 for emergency prescriptions. Worth a try on this occasion as they can make a GP appointment on your behalf.
Ultimately, you need a clear plan of action and a schedule which outlines exactly how the medication is tapered until you are no longer required to take it.
I am aware that when tapering medication, it is better to take smaller regular doses than a larger dose with a longer gap. I am not giving you medial advise but if I were in your situation and if the solution wasn't reached, I would be inclined to take 1mg twice a day, rather than 2mg in the morning and then nothing. Yes, effectively, it would mean I was stockpiling medication as I would still request a prescription every 4 days but I don't see any other option if they are not prepared to offer a resolution.
ETA: did I get it right that you made plans to withdraw in May? It's been 3-4 months, I would have expected you to be off by now if they actually gave you a sensible tapering schedule. You need to press for it.

Maybe change GP