Private diazepam prescription?

[pogglewump]

Hello everyone
I have a very stressful situation coming up that will last for ten days , that I can’t get out of and really can’t face. Does anybody know if it’s possible to get a short term private diazepam prescription in the UK? I know it’s not ideal. If you know of a GP who will do this, or even if it’s possible, I would be very grateful for your advice.
thank you so much

Lots of mums sadly never came off it.

I used to work in an area where one surgery had been notorious for handing them out to women like smarties.

You would see elderly women, all with the same shattered personalities and families who were scared of prescription meds because of what they had seen growing up with their mum.

It was awful.

Hi, I’ve googled this and it seems like an option. Is it helpful for anxiety though or just sleep?

I get diazepam prescribed for occasional back spasms, so you can get it prescribed. I do sometimes have to go through quite a lot of questioning when the packet runs out (usually after around 14 months). GP's don't like prescribing it but I'd have thought for a short term thing then they'd surely consider it.

Yes it works for anxiety, I have taken a small amount prior to going to a dental appointment as I'm phobic. I felt far more relaxed!

Thank you GentleSheep, this seems like a good solution in that case

Does this mean it isn’t already on your records and you haven’t already had it? If that’s the case, and you do get prescribed it, be careful. I had a paradoxical reaction and it made me anxious beyond my control and very agitated. I was luckily in hospital at the time and it’s a known possible consequence but it was probably the most alarming 24 hours of my life.

i was prescribed it for situations that I find extremely challenging. I rarely take it but would rather take a one off sedative than take anti depressants all the time. I hope the drs trust me enough . My dad became addicted to Valium and it took years for him to wean his self off them.so I know the dangers. I agree with the poster who recommended Promethazine it’s particularly useful for sleep.

Yes its helpful for anxiety not just sleep. I have it, and Lorazepam on repeat prescription for MH reasons. I take less lorazepam because I have the promethazine.

NHS only gave it to me days after a bereavement, and even then it was just 4 x 2mg! It didn't even help me sleep or do F all for me as it turned out. A complete tool of a GP gave me a lecture for 30 minutes straight on the phone, while I cried, having not ate in days, or slept. Honestly, you'd think he was prescribing ecstasy. Disclaimer: I was on no other medication, and no history of drug abuse!

Try private op, not sure what their rules are, maybe you could get a telephone consultation, or query if it is something they give in advance?

They don't give it for back pain any more, they gave dh a strong anti inflammatory/alternative. You must have a good GP, if this is happening now.

I had it prescribed as a one off by my consultant for an MRI, no questions asked.

I actually opted not to use it, but it was no problem having it prescribed.

But 10 days really is too long and is setting yourself up for dependence. Realistically, you need to find a better solution, whether that’s pharmaceutical or otherwise. Hypnotherapy is actually incredibly effective for dealing with a short term specific situation that causes anxiety (it’s what I used for my MRI), but you do need to plan ahead a bit as you need at least a week or two of regular practice.

You do realise that it’s against the law to give prescription medication to anyone other than the person it’s prescribed to - god forbid anything happened you would be in serious shit for supplying

My husband has a serious phobia about dentists. He was swallowing handfuls of pain killers and I eventually got him to a dentist. I'm pretty sure it was diazepam that the dentist prescribed to actually get him in for treatment. It got him there but OMG his behaviour was terrible, wanting to fight people, talking rubbish.

Never again, I can't cope with it.

Actually it’s very addictive and when doctors were handing it out like sweeties, there was a lot of addicted people (lots of elderly ladies who were prescribed it when their husbands died).

I get it prescribed occasionally (every couple of years) for acute back problems, but only as I can no longer take anti inflammatories. Whereas my husband gets refused diazapam but I think that’s because he takes other drugs.

It’s a wonderful drug and I can absolutely see why people get addicted to it. I liken the effect to somebody surrounding my brain with the most comfy cushion ever. I’m quite pleased my GP only prescribes enough for 3 days.

Yes I quite likely do, although I don't always speak to her, last time it was the pharmacist. She asked quite a lot of questions with a couple of cautions but I'm always calm and explain exactly why I need it and why I am taking the lowest dose possible (which isn't a daily thing btw - that wouldn't be good at all). They can see how little I am taking by looking at my prescription record. I am however aware I may be denied it eventually but I am hoping there will be a suitable antispasmodic available. Anti-inflammatories don't work for back spasms, I should know!

Yes

I get it prescribed regularly 🤷‍♀️

You can go to a private psychiatrist e.g bupa, Nuffield. It will cost you though! Probably I. Region of 2-300£

I have had it a few times and I must say that I'm shocked that there are any circumstances in which a short-term prescription of diazepam would create an issue for anyone whose medical records had to be checked. Surely, provided it was prescribed appropriately it would amount to disability discrimination to view someone less favourably as a result of their receiving such a prescription?

Can't remember how many I was prescribed but my rule of thumb when I had it was NEVER to use it two days in a row and to keep it for the times of most dire need.

A ten-day use wouldn't work. By day two or three you would receive no benefit from the correct dose. It would only help you if you upped the dose. This is why it is so severely addictive.

Exactly. It's a Class C controlled drug.

I get it prescribed. Never had an issue.

Please no one believe the posts that say there is no significant risk of addiction. Sure, there is little risk of developing a full-on addiction these days, precisely because docotrs are so careful about limiting the amount prescribed. But in the days when this class of drugs was handed out more readily loads of people became dependent. And this will still happen to people who access it from careless private sources. Sure, not everyone, but do you need a 100% chance of a very bad outcome before you stay clear? I don't think so.

Even if you don't become dependent, there is a full-on certainty that the drug will only help you for a couple of days unless you are VERY disciplined about takiing it only rarely. The good effect drops off like a cliff.

Hi, OP. We've now moved your post to our Mental Health board as we thought that was a better fit than AIBU.

I think it's irresponsible and should be taken down. It encourages supply of a Class C drug.

It infuriates me that diazepam is not prescribed as an ad-hoc aid more readily to help with severely stressful situations. I have been prescribed it as and when I need it, for over 20 years and have zero issues with addiction. I can go months without it. Never take it on consecutive days more than once for 2/3 days max. Also 5mg is a dose that actually works (I’m quite petite), not the paltry 2mg that some of my friends have been offered for caring and emotional upheavals, including deaths of parents, suicide of parents; the list goes on. Always, we seem to be palmed off with anti depressants. They are no good to me with the massive adrenaline surges I have to deal with - followed by total insomnia. I equate the calmness of a 5mg tablet to a large glass of red wine. If I had been unable had it to have it in my lifetime, I would not have flown anywhere with my family, not been able to breathe through panic attacks or attend medical appointments or events that involved facing my repulsive, bullying, narcissistic, vile antagonistic exH, by having to be in attendance for my DC’s significant events growing up - thank God they are adults now and the last thing I’ll have to face is potentially two weddings, and his interference when GC come on the scene. Has to be involved in everything - I rue the day I met him. That man nearly drove me to suicide, so thanks to diazepam, and one very understanding GP, my now adult kids, still have a mother. We aren’t all junkies who pretend we’ve lost our prescriptions.