more bad news: just had phone call from... - British Heart Fou...

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Dogloverxthree profile image
36 Replies

just had phone call from GP!!!! Tells me the tests I’ve just had it’s Neurophysiology not good it seems signals not getting through to my feet and legs, neuropathy in feet uncomfortable and getting a wobbly on the old pins so now I’ve been referred to neurology I’m giving up. Told her my anxiety levels have peaked and I need help asked for a weeks supply of diazepam just one a day to get calmed down and was told point blank practice doesn’t prescribe them as to addictive but wants to put me on long term anti depressants which are additive THE B****Y Worlds GONE MAD and that’s what they’re doing to me and your supposed to be calm and stress free with heart disease fat chance

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Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree
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36 Replies

Hello :-)

I am sorry and I know how it feels when one health thing appears after another and it does get you down

I have diazepam I am allowed up to 3 a day just 2mg I very rarely take that many though and I am very cautious knowing they are addictive but a short course of them I am not sure would get you addicted but different Doctors different rules and I know a lot are reluctant to prescribe them

Only other option even though getting through might be hard is if you could get to speak with a Doctor and they will prescribe them just a short course :-) x

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to

Doctor point blank refused I told her I would look on internet still wouldn’t change her mind, they just want you to be dependant on anti depressants I feel so bad tonight my heart is going haywire and there’s a long night ahead to try and get through who wants to exist like this

in reply to Dogloverxthree

Hello :-)

I am so sorry your Doctor refused as well like I said different Doctors have different views on these meds

Please though do not buy any of the internet you never know what you could be getting sent you no matter what it says

At the moment I know things seem bleak I have so many bleak days myself and when I do I have to just take an hour at a time to get through it but we do :-) x

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to

going to try local Chinese practitioner see what he can offer.totally peed off with doctor. Wish g p could suffer 24 hours of what we suffer then they might be more sympathetic 😩

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to Dogloverxthree

does it really matter if I became dependant on diazepam at my age if it improved my quality of life for a short time

in reply to Dogloverxthree

I have said that to my Doctor before regarding side effects from tablets that she should try them :-)

That might be a good idea you have had if you go let us know how you get on :-) x

Tay99 profile image
Tay99 in reply to Dogloverxthree

Hi there ask doctor for lorazipam instead these are what my doctor calls cleaner tablets than diazipam but do the same thing they are prescribed a lot now for anxiety .

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to Tay99

thank you but she said no except for anti depressants

Czech_Mate profile image
Czech_Mate

Please read carefully what BK has written. She knows what she is talking about.

I just wanted to say that I'm listening.

Callie456 profile image
Callie456

I wonder if you could see another gp for a second opinion. I'm sorry you're going through this 💖

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to Callie456

all doctors in practice have decided not to issue them for mental health PRACTICE POLICY!!!!

Callie456 profile image
Callie456 in reply to Dogloverxthree

Oh that's terrible. I don't know how it works where you are, but can you travel out of area to a completely new gp practise? Or is video telehealth possible? Hopefully the neurologist will be helpful when you get an appointment with them.

Are there any pain clinics over there who help people with chronic pain conditions? Or can you see a pain specialist dr privately?

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady

consult another GP, you might get different answers 💗🙏🏼

I’m currently in a stew because my GP’s keep say consult my cardiologist who I have to see privately 😤 S have NO local support

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady

Essential Lavender oil can help but if in bath only 3 drops. Camomile tea.

Breathing Exercise for P/AFFind a comfortable chair, place feet on the ground, close your eyes, breathe normally.Start by scrunching your toes, and let go.Tense your calves, let goTense your bottom, let go Tense your arms, let goThen your hands and fingers, let go.By doing this you can see and feel what tension and relaxation feels like.Next, breathe in through your nose to expand your belly for the count of6, hold the breath, breathe out of your mouth like you’re blowing through a straw for the count of 8.Keep doing the breathing for as long as you wish to help relaxation.You need to concentrate on the process which can stop you from thinking aboutYour P/AF©️Angela Rawlins 

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to LaceyLady

thank you, I have. Just been on a course with the chronic pain clinic which I was sent to due to damage from my bypass surgery, unfortunately I cannot tense and relax as both my legs and feet go into severe cramps and I do the breathing exercise

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply to Dogloverxthree

Cramps can be a lacking of magnesium, may be you need a check on that.

Sljp0000 profile image
Sljp0000

I was told I couldn't have long term antidepressants with my heart and lung problems and was given Diazepam, a box of 28, to take sparingly and only when necessary. I've had 3 in 2 months. I really don't want the addiction of those adding to my problems.

I would ask for a second opinion at your GPS practice. I really don't believe they don't prescribe these drugs or something very similar to help calm you. Have you had a lot before? Maybe they're worried about you getting addicted? It wouldn't be a terrible place to be on top of your existing health conditions.

Take care xx

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to Sljp0000

no 10 in a packet years ago for anxiety before having MRI and other tests and the last two went out of date, doesn’t that prove I’m not likely to become an addict !!!!! But they won’t listen they would rather see me dependant on on anti depressants

Sljp0000 profile image
Sljp0000 in reply to Dogloverxthree

Please don't worry about Anti depressants being addictive because they're not these days.

Cee-Cee1 profile image
Cee-Cee1

What a horrible situation to be in, Doglover! I sometimes think GP's treat us like children (well, depending on the GP that is). I can't see why they can't trust you enough to know that you're more than aware that Diazepam is addictive and that you won't over-indulge in them, then offer you anti-depressants instead! GRRRRR - Carol ( ps - My niece bought my 91-yr old Mum - before she passed away - some sort of CBD oil one year as part of her Christmas pressie - she said it really helped and I re-christened her the 'old hippy'! 😀 She thought that was hilarious.) Might be worthwhile talking to a proper herbalist for some sort of plant-based remedy for anxiety - just a suggestion.

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to Cee-Cee1

thank you for your reply, I did buy the oil very expensive and never felt any different, things are just getting worse the anxiety just takes over your whole being

Cee-Cee1 profile image
Cee-Cee1 in reply to Dogloverxthree

Ah well, at least you tried Doglover - I can't think of anything else to suggest but just want to wish you well and hopefully you can get some sort of help with the medical problems sooner rather than later. Carol

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

I wish I could even get a referral to neurology. 10 years now of peripheral neuropathy in feet and hands; steadily getting worse. Now very unsteady on my feet and falling a lot but all I got offered for the numb hands was physio; feet get ignored. Do take up the appointment. Neuropathy won't usually kill you but it can badly affect your quality of life. If they are also painful then a pain clinic should be able to help with counselling and treatment of anxiety.

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to Qualipop

the head physio referred me for neurology about 3 +years ago as he was concerned then about my spine, legs ,and feet but they disagreed about it without even seeing me , now I’ve had the tests and it proves he was right, but as I’ve said before they look at your age not the quality of your life, but I will put up with more pain but just want this awful anxiety to go

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Dogloverxthree

Yes sadly age does come into it now but it never should.

wischo profile image
wischo

I am 72 and been on Diazapam now since 1977. To the best of my knowledge they have not done my any harm and I am on 10mg once daily since then. I do not feel addicted or otherwise impared by them and do not even notice if I forget to take them. They have gotten a lot of bad press in the last decade especially as they are frequently abused by idiots that would abuse anything labelled as a drug. See another GP as they were and are a life saver for my ongoing anxiety and depression. I never found antidepressants to be any good and you still have to taper off the dose so they are no real safe alternative.

WardijaWardija profile image
WardijaWardija in reply to wischo

When did you last have a medication review ?

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to WardijaWardija

last year review, but haven’t had Diazepam prescribed as regular meds just when I was going for MRI OR TESTS I WAS APPREHENSIVE and that was a few years ago but I am going through a very bad time in my personal life and cardiac health and finding it very hard to cope and just asked for a little help to ease this awful fear and panic so I can get some mental piece before it’s to late

WardijaWardija profile image
WardijaWardija in reply to Dogloverxthree

Thanks for sharing that with me, but my posting was actually for someone else, WISCHO.But no matter, we're all in this together. 🌼 🌼

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to WardijaWardija

whoops must have pressed the wrong reply button not very clever when it comes to tech, it’s a. Miracle I get on site at all 🤪

wischo profile image
wischo in reply to WardijaWardija

2 years ago, my GP can see no reason to stop Diazapam at this stage of my life as it apparently suppresses ectopics and had this verified by my cardiologist. Not advising people to do what I do just airing my experience with this medication. I occasionaly get annoying SVTs and my cardiologist told me to take a diazapam and a 1.25mg bisoprolol and it should ease it. Only did it once and it seemed to work. (doctors differ and patients die or so they say). Just saying what works for me as there appear to be a lot of people on this forum who seem to despise taking prescribed medication!! and I for one trust the medical profession more than newspapers and propaganda. If I have any side effects that wont go away I find they always find a suitable alternative.

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to wischo

I take 2.5 bisoprol daily and AE doctor when I was admitted for AF said an. Occasional diazepam might help and to speak to my doctor!

wischo profile image
wischo in reply to Dogloverxthree

Explain that to a different GP, and also tell him how you have been feeling. I feel nobody should suffer with severe anxiety and beyond doubt Diazapam ease anxiety. It probably is addictive so stick to whatever dose your GP prescribes if indeed he does.

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to wischo

no chance, hell will freeze over before they agree, and can’t change doctors practice as they are are all going in under one umberella severe many have retired and practice has closed down shortage of GPshere

1234_6 profile image
1234_6 in reply to Dogloverxthree

Is there a walk-in Doctor's Clinic where you can go private for a one off consultation to see if you can get the medication you want or something similar prescribed to help you calm down? I know in London (pre covid) there used to be some ... often advertised at the train stations around £30 a consultation.

I have no knowlege of the medication you refer to, but i know from experience anti-depressents can take weeks to start working & that some of them aren't always as good for anxiety as GP's think they are, and even that some of them can sometimes make anxiety worse, however they might still be worth pursuing if you can't get the meds you want, as the right ones can assist with ongoing anxiety but it's a bit of trial and error to see which ones are right for you.

Someone suggested breathing techniques which you say you do already. Meditation and mindfulness techniques might also help? Only other suggestion is to try to immerse yourself in an activity to the extent that you are either concentrating on it or lost in enjoying in doing it to the extent that it enables you to switch off from your worries for a little while. Anything that helps you to switch off for just a little while might assist in calming your anxiety a bit, without needing to revert to any meds.

I wish you all the best.

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

I’m so sorry to hear your news and that you’re feeling really overwhelmed and struggling.

Remember, you’re not alone, we will be here for you and you’re welcome to vent to me any time!

Am I remembering correctly that you live alone? Have you got a trusted friend who might be able to come and stay with you for a few days to cheer you up?

I know it’s easier said than done but you need to try and calm your body and your mind. At the moment, you don’t know exactly what is going on and that limbo feeling can be incredibly scary; I empathise with what you’re going through. It’s ok to be frightened or feel worried and that’s a perfectly normal reaction to the news that you’ve received.

Well done for coming on and sharing your feelings with us, that’s an incredibly brave thing to do.

Sending strength and best wishes to you !

Keep us updated with how you’re doing please

Soap 🧼

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