Benzos...

[temperancebrennan]

I went to my new GP today & was given a maximum of 9 tablets of 2mg Diazepam for a lovely cost of £7.85. It was only due to be having a mini breakdown that he reluctantly gave me the 9 tablets.

It is this particular doctors surgery policy to "not prescribe benzodiazepines". After 5 years of panic attacks (for no reason) & countless antidepressants & beta blockers (that didn't work), being given Diazepam was an absolute godsend. Now, the doctors won't prescribe this to me.

Does anyone know of anything else that works the same? The other "less addictive" benzos that I have been told about in the past are still not able to be prescribed to me at this surgery.

[alankay]

Seriously with the attitude docs have in the UK for benzos I'd see if you arrange a visit to France as they are more liberal with these(I don't know if you can change docs over there). I thought EU residents could use other EU countries docs. I know it's nuts to have to do this but if you've tried all the other ways a benzo is indicated for severe anxiety if you just use sparingly and be aware you need to be careful driving until you know how it will effect you.
Seeing a psychiatrist might be what you have to do. I would insist and even see one one the private side if you can. I'm disgusted as patients are made to suffer when the issue of benzo misuse was largely a product of docs being too liberal with these in the 60's and 70's. Yes there needs to be restraint and monitoring but these should be rx'd for severe anxiety. Here in the US I just see my GP and he's if fine with refilling low/moderate amounts of valium if he sees I understand, as a veteran anxiety patient, how to use these just as needed only. PM me any time and I truly feel for you. Librium, clorazpate and serax might be options for the GP to be asked about as they also are effective for anxiety and a tad less habit forming. Alankay

[Illusionist210]

I would actually go to a psychiatrist that deals in medicine than go to a regular GP. Asking for any kind of Benzos throws a red flag in the air and they automatically assume you just want them to either sell or abuse it. This is what an actual Psychiatrist told me. Which is stupid because sometimes Benzos is what you need to calm yourself down quickly so that way you are able to focus and deal with the situation at hand. Then again I'm no doctor, but I still would check out somewhere else that WILL prescribe them.

[temperancebrennan]

Thanks for your responses.

I have only ever been given small amounts of 2mg Diazepam. Never anything higher. I think 28 tablets is the most I've ever been given in one go & that amount lasted me around 3 months. I don't believe that I'm at risk for addiction with that. I've had 1 tablet left for over a week.
I only take one if I feel an attack coming on so I don't have to leave work, as before I was having to leave work any time I had an attack because they would take hours to calm down enough for me to function properly.

I think I'm going to look into finding another practice that will be able to prescribe them as they are the only thing that I know work for me.

[alankay]

Yes that's probably your best bet to try first and, yes you are using them properly if that much lasted you that long. Less than 10 per month and that's showing very good restraint. Let the new doc know this is severe anxiety and you understand therapeutic use of these meds(as a "fire extinguisher" of sorts), use the minimum only when needed and you know how they effect you. Let them know you faithfully tried AD's and beta blockers as well to no avail. Also tell them you understand they need to follow your use and have no problem coming in as they see fit.
If you've had psychotherapy let them know that too for sure. If not see if that can arranged as it's always best to work on "that end"(the purely psychological)too. I hope you get a good doc to rx enough and develop a trust with you. Alankay

[temperancebrennan]

Thank you! I'm glad someone understands where I'm coming from.
I told the GP every single medication that I have been on previously, but he didn't take that in to consideration because he didn't have my records from my previous doctor.
I'm going to make a formal complaint about him I think. I don't like to do it, but he sat there while I cried & offered nothing more than "I'll see if I can find you a number for a self help company" (who I told him I already call).

[Ahlstrom]

Some doctors just straight up suck. I was luckily able to get klonopin prescribed to me because my heart rate was reaching 130+ for 6 hours on end when I was on some weird medication.

Benzos are absolutely amazing, but are very sinister in how their addiction works. It's a real subconcious addiction... not like most drugs. I still take klonopin, lately once daily because for some reason I'm having a load of panic attacks but with some tapering off of them and willpower I can go a couple of weeks without taking one.

Good luck! If you get some just remember to take them only when you're for sure about to have a big panic attack and to use them as a crutch til you can find something else that works equally or better.

[blondieqtpie]

Benzos have Always worked best for me... But they are addictive ... And I find sometimes you need to take more for the same effect ... Which is how addiction goes... So you need to be careful. Klonopin works best... Second I Ativan , which is not as fast or long lasting nor is as addictive. I go off and on ssri's ... But benzos seem to stay... I like how I can take one and get results quickly.
And for prescribing ... Maybe you need to find the right doctor who understands you and your needs.

[temperancebrennan]

I saw another doctor today. With the same outcome. They would not prescribe me a single diazepam.

I ended up storming out. Not because he wouldn't give me diazepam, but that he also would not offer me another solution or option. His "solution" was to tell me in a couple of days if they have my history from my old GP. I really don't think that's good enough, yet I don't know what else I can do.

I have 7 tablets left & I start a new job in 2 weeks. I cannot have time off work if my attacks start. I also won't have anything that I can take to stop them in their tracks.

I'm freaking out now because I don't know what other options I have.

[alankay]

Was this doc on the private side or within the NHS? It indeed sucks but I have read in the Ireland and the UK(been to Ireland several times) that getting an honest(proper medical use) rx from a doc on the private side it much easier that via the NHS. Thank doc Heather Ashton. She likes to paint with a broad brush(and never had a panic attack I bet) for her own notoriety by villainizing benzo's and doc that rx them not matter how appropriate for the patient.
Anyway the doc should review you records so he might have rx'd after seeing them as I bet you haven't used a ton in the past...just a fair amount for anxiety. I am sorry. Alankay

[Lin]

My psychiatrist allows me 16 mg of diazepam a day and I have been on that dose for over 2 years. My friend's psychiatrist only allows her so many over month. I think it depends on your psychiatrist. Mine says that since my depression and anxiety only lasts while I have a hormone imbalance and I don't have an addictive personality he is not worried about me on big dose for a long time. But he knows I will have to take while and care to get off them.