I have struggled for most of my life from early teens to now aged 55 female with severe anxiety. I had a severe breakdown 15 years ago and diazepam literally saved my life. Before being prescribed them I lost weight weighing 5 stone 10 pounds they were the crutch I needed to bring me back from hell on earth. I still struggle on a daily basis with severe anxiety but when and if I muster up the courage to visit the doctor they are so anti diazepam. I am made to almost beg for them they just say go to counselling. I have been to so many counselling sessions, relaxation, yoga exercise (I also have a very loving and supportive family) but everyday is the same waking to an awful feeling of nerves I think it's so cruel to make anyone suffer the way I have to and it's not fair to my husband and family I have very poor sleep as well. Please tell me why if there is a tablet that can relieve my symptoms why can't I have them I just don't understand why I am made to suffer in this way it's a poor quality of life for me . I understand everything there is to know about diazepam but after reading and responding to this website I hope someone can help.
Why are most doctors anti diazepam ?
Question posted by juju55 on 14 Nov 2012
Last updated on 2 December 2020 by Bub bella
19 Answers
Am the same
Have anxiety and depression
For years
Recently mypanic attack started
Doctors will not prescribe me valium/diazepam
I find it very effective
I think they monitor doctors prescribes
All the best
I am in the exact same position you are and your story sounds like mine. I am turning 49 this year I've been struggling for over 30 years and nobody wants to help me. I have seen so many doctors and counselors and therapist specialist are only two I've given me Valium and it wasn't even for my mental health it was for physical pain. So even though I had 5 days of bliss and happiness instability have everyone around me saw a new better happier me and they all agree that is a miracle drug I cannot get it for the life of me.
A sad truth of the matter is that pharma companies are driven by profit, Yes Diazapam is an old drug and as such the formulation has been released into the public forum ergo it is no longer a molecule that holds a copyright to a specific drugs company.
Newer medications designed to treat related symptoms still hold trademarks owned by big pharma and many MDs and their related healthcare services are on commission from such drugs corporations.
Diazapam is a very effective treatment for a number of acute neurological conditions in which a short acting medication is an appropriate solution, yet Doctors are very keen to put the patient on regular long-term medication, this is in part due to the notion that a patient on long-term treatment brings in more profit than one who uses an occasional rescue medication (such as Diazapam)... Food for thought!
I am in a similar situation. Ativan ( aka lorazepam) is the only drug that helps me. It helps me sleep, function, it controls my seizures, and I've never had any side effects from it. But they won't give it to me. My life has been miserable since I was cut off of it about 2 years ago. They want me to take all kinds of SSRI's, which can also cause seizures, sleep disturbances, and dizziness. I don't need any more useless drugs in my system. I have seizures. They are very frightening. Ativan works to control seizures. When will the medical community accept that? What harm has ativan ever done to the world? Honestly, where are the facts about this question? I need something that I know, from first hand experience over many years, WORKS. I never want to have another seizure.
I agree totally with you I feel the same exact way
I have been prescribed valium for 5 years and recently haven't seen my psychiatrist so he won't write me for it and I've been having panic attacks everyday and he wants me to see a counselor 3 times before I see him.how can I wait that long,I can't this anxiety is the worse its ever been and its eating me up
Idk if it's to late but I might be able to help your problem ?
Valium is an old drug, but it's the best. I've used it for 25 years. I've taken it every other day for weeks, and I've gone 6 months without taking it at all. I've tried many other drugs for anxiety and none compare to diazepam for taking the edge off smoothly without side effects. Pharmaceutical companies are interested in making money so they want to sell you new drugs. I think it's a shame that doctors will prescribe inferior drugs and compromise a patient's quality of life in order to score some kind of kickback. I've switched doctors several times because they were either too unethical or too naïve to prescribe the best medication.
Hi I've had my doctor since I was a child and whenever I speak he never takes me seriously tonight I took diazepam and it is exactly what I needed and I'm on Lexapro which is awful for me I need help I don't sleep at night because I have severe hyper tension do you think.i should change doctor someone that doesn't know me or tell my doctor what is really the problem. To his face?
The doctor wouldn't give me Diazepam so I asked him what other muscle relaxants there were and he prescribed me Baclofen. It can be taken long term. It works ok for the anxiety makes me manage it a bit better, it takes away those racing thoughts in your head and does take away the tension in the muscles. I'm a bit picky because I loved the sedation from Diazepam. I suffer from Health Anxiety, constantly worrying 24/7 about myself. I thought I had brain tumours, heart problems, diabetes etc. At the moment I am obsessed about seizures, this one annoys me the most because I have a fear of losing control of my body. I have never had a seizure in my life but I am completely obsessed about it ever since seeing a girl have a fit on a bus one day, it was really scary. I'm trying some hypnotherapy soon I hope that helps.
Only thing bad about Baclofen is that it has bad withdrawal symptoms unfortunately but it doesn't have the side effects that antidepressants have. Antidepressants may not work for everyone they ruined my life. Citalopram has left me with tinnitus in my right ear, Prozac left me in hospital with muscle spasms, Effexor left me with Restless Leg Syndrome and made my anxiety severe. My anxiety was mild before taking antidepressants, they made it 100 times worse, any time a doctor tries to prescribe me antidepressants I tell him "no way am I taking that crap" and get angry about it. So ask the doctor about Baclofen, it's worth a shot.
Hi stevefriel, it sounds as if you have OCD, which I'm sure you know. Since you can't take the antidepressants which help OCD, there is a cure, but it is mentally painful. It is called flooding, and a knowledgeable psychologist or psychiatrist can help you with that. In a nutshell, it is facing your fears, without giving in to them. FI, if you have fears about airplanes, they would take you on an airplane. There is a long process before you get there, but it does work. It just takes time. I feel that is better than relying on medication the rest of your life. But then again, it is your life, and it is what you feel will help you the most.
I have slee, issues (like many people). Go to sleppingtablets.com. (purchaes there myself, sevice is excellent, diazepam came in 3 days.
Hi juju, I feel for you. If diazepam helps your severe anxiety, than by God your doctor should prescribe diaz! Have you asked for ativan? It stays in ones system for a longer period of time, and has a much lower rate of addiction probability.
I also suffer from anxiety, my doctor prescribes xanax, which works great.
Perhaps a psychiatrist would be much more likely to prescribe one of the benzodiazepams for you, as they are the experts, maybe even diazepam.
IF you have any history of addiction, your psychiatrist (if you decide to go that route) may be hesitant to prescribe a benzo, which has already been indicated here.
I wish you the very best and do make an appointment with a psych doctor, NOT a psychologist, as they cannot prescribe medication, at least not in the United States. Perhaps they are able to prescribe in the UK, though.
Good luck to you,
Mac
Adivan don't help they make you more nervous and giggery
Jidery I meant
Are you living in America I live in Derbyshire. England I asked for sanex he said don't perscribe them in england is these true my doctor doesent care that the impression he gives me sertraline today 50mg iv had six today there rubbish
I get the impression that you are not from the US. Where you live, do you have a choice of doctors that you can see, such as a psychiatrist? They would be the best doctor to help you with the anxiety. They know all the medications concerning brain problems, as GP's are very limited in those matters. I do hope that you find the peace that you are looking for!!
Terribly sorry msfino, as I didn't have the time to read other answers, I said veritably the same thing. Quoting you was not my goal, promise!
Your friend,
Mac P.S. juju, I also think it's quite cruel to deny you the very medication that you need!!
Great minds think alike :-)
Aye, E, they do indeed!!
I agree that you should try clonazepam/klonopin, it is helping me. Maybe they will feel better about prescribing this for you. I also think you should check around for a good psychiat
rist who will be understanding to you. Best of luck!
hello juju55,
I have to agree with all my family here at drugs.com, diazepam... alot of doctors are trying to avoid prescribing not just diazepam, but any sort of benzo for they can become habit forming and they are highly abused etc... there are other meds that doctors are prescribing other then benzo's to treat anxiety such as paxil, vistaril, and so many more..and also when u go into a doctor's no disrespect, and u ask them for something specific like diazepam, especially if it isn't in your chart they look at you as a drug seeker, it's sad but there are alot of people that do and make it hard for the one's who really need it, just like alot of my friends who need pain meds, people r going and getting meds and selling them or whatever and then other people who have severe, and I mean severe ligitimate ongoing chronic pain have to suffer because of this... so u see they r not just singleing u out...
if I were u I would just see a psychiatrist, tell them how severe it is if u have been on diazepam before and can prove it to them meaning if it's documented on medical records u might want to bring it and maybe that might help... other then that, I would just see what your psychiatrist says... good luck, I no it is not easy... I have panic/agoraphobia, and was up all night with my heart in my hand from panic, that God I see my doctor again next week... I WISH U NOTHING BUT THE BEST...
Hello juju55. Most all of the benzodiazepines carry thier share of luggage and there for I recommend you stay away from this family of drugs and suggest Paroxteine/Paxil. Regards pledge
diazepam is a very old drug. my daughter suffers from some very serious mental conditions so i know the road your on. here is a good one that works for older and younger. its called visteril. my daughter takes 50mg as she needs it.
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, diazepam, doctor, female
Further information
- Diazepam uses and safety info
- Diazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Diazepam (detailed)
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