GP reluctant to give meds for my anxiety - why?

[Moonstruck]

I have been off alcohol for over 3 years which I used to alleviate severe anxiety/panic for many years, resulting in severe damage to my body. (I have an underlying genetic condition unknown to me all my life - my mother died from it when I was a child). Grog will kill me if I go back to it, so I won't.

My GP thank God, prescribes a mild sleeper - I simply cannot function without some sleep - which I have never abused, making them last a long time. Some days my anxiety is through the roof....I've felt a panic attack coming on while driving.

I have asked several times for something to help me, or just have on hand during the day if I need it (I would not abuse it) but she refuses. She says "It is easy to become dependent on them - they can be very addictive, so I am reluctant to do so"......my life has taken some severe blows over the past months (hence seeking support from BB who suggested this Forum which has been a great decision).

Recently I have begun dipping into my sleepers to curb severe anxiety during the day because I have nothing else. I often read here about your reactions, lowering or upping doses, feeling better, and in general discussing your "meds". And I think "How come they have some meds to help them...and I don't?"

It would be SO EASY to walk into the club, plonk a couple of $ down and get a wine or a beer!! The bar attendant would not say "you can get dependent on this stuff - I don't think I'd better give you any", would she? Surely my GP can see meds would be the lesser of two evils?

I have an appointment tomorrow, before my psychologist appt...and I will ask AGAIN. I have mentioned to my psych that I need some during the day - she said to talk to the GP also warning "You can become very dependent on them"..YES, I KNOW THAT!!

Some forum members will advise telling my GP that I dip into the sleepers during the day but I am scared to, in case she takes THEM away too! Maybe seeing another GP? - how can I just walk in, a complete stranger and ask for meds when that GP would know nothing about me or my medical history? He'd probably say No also - as I could easily be a "doctor shopper" or something.

When I ask my GP tomorrow I don't know whether to be casual about it."Oh by the way can I have.." as I don't want to sound desperate (which I am ) and beg and plead for some, like a crazed addict!

What will I say? Why are some members on here allowed to have meds for help and I'm not? love to hear your views Moon S

[Music_Freak]

My doctor has said that to me a lot too, which I have accepted lately because they have given me certificates to exempt me from Centrelink obligations, but I can certainly understand your frustrations.

Have you gotten a second opinion from a different GP or a psychiatrist?Maybe GP's are just more hesitant all round...I would suggest trying every single natural therapy you can think of and then asking your GP again, you never know, something might work.

Good luck 🙂

[topsy_]

Hello Moonstruck,

It's a bit confusing, isn't it? Some groups of drugs do make you feel dependant on them - the benzodiazepines especially. They seem to work at the beginning but over time you have to take more & more to achieve the same result.

I'm surprised though that there aren't other classes of drugs that could be used. My daughter takes a tablet daily that can be prescribed for depression and/or anxiety. With that in mind, I can't help wondering if you could ask to see a psychiatrist. They're the ones with the medication knowledge. Benzos are very old drugs & there are a lot more modern drugs now without so many of the old side effects.

That's just a thought. I hope things work out for you soon. Take care, Lyn.

[JessF]

Hello Moonstruck, I know I've put my two cents in on this before, and I expect my opinion may not be welcome, but I believe it's worth saying again because I fear you're still in denial about this, in my view.

Your GP is probably unwilling to prescribe you an addictive medication because of your history of addiction. And given that you are already lying to your GP about your sleeping pill use, this is probably wise.

Medication is not the cure-all for anxiety any more than alcohol is. What it comes down to is learning coping techniques for when the impulse strikes. I imagine that the same feelings that used to have you reaching for the alcohol are the ones that are making you feel you need to have medication to cope as well. Are you working with your psychologist on coping techniques? How is that going?

All that said, Lyn is correct and there are medications for anxiety that aren't addictive, but they won't give you the 'instant' relief that sleeping pills or benzos do. And they work most effectively in combination with good therapy.