ongoing saga with GP

[Elsie77]

Another refusal to see me face to face, I-even told him how badly the lack of sleep is affecting me - his email reply was “that must be very frustrating “. He has said he can’t prescribe Gabapentin enacarbil for my transatlantic flight because it’s not on the prescription list, even though it is licensed for use in the uk. He has agreed to give me a limited once off prescription for diazepam to help with the adjustment to the time difference. No suggestion on when to take it! Help please on that. Good news I have an appointment with a Neurologist at Leicester General hospital on the day before I fly out . There is a sleep clinic there as well that mentions RLS as well. Has anyone been there?

[Dotmowatee]

I'm afraid your GP is way off the mark. I have had no problem getting gabapentin, pregabalin or oxycodone. Diazepam makes my legs worse. Hope your neurologist is better informed. I have also had an iron infusion. I would insist that you see another doctor.

[Jumpey]

I would see another GP.As to diazapam it is quick acting in about 30mins.It won't stop symptoms but is sedating.

[Memmy]

Why don't you try otc codeine and paracetamol from Boots and see if it helps for the flight. I'm afraid gabapentin didn't help me but codeine really helps.

[SkyCop]

Wow, your Doc is really mistaken. Gabapentin is so safe that you can take it in large doses without harm. It's non-addicting, accepted legal everywhere and I even took it for many years as an international flight attendant during flights I worked. But he has no prob prescribing valium which is addicitng and common in overdoses? What's wrong with this dude?

[SueJohnson in reply to SkyCop]

It's not actually advised for pregnant women.

[Elsie77 in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue, I’ve got the diazepam but GP has written “not on flight “ on instructions, is this normal?

[SkyCop in reply to Elsie77]

A ton of frightened flyers are prescribed valium for their flights.... not sure why your doc would be opposed to you having it. .... I've had a few medical emergencies onboard with passengers who combined valium with alcohol. But if that was his thought maybe he would have said just don't combine with booze.... I dunno what he is thinking.

[SueJohnson in reply to Elsie77]

That is strange. Never heard of it.

[Hidden in reply to SkyCop]

I think we need to be careful with blanket statements around drug safety, especially in regard to pregnancy.

Certain drugs are only recommended in pregnancy where the benefits of taking them outweigh their known or unknown risks (eg if one is epileptic and relies on the medication to avoid life-threatening seizures). Alpha delta ligands (such as gabapentin and pregabalin) are one such class of drug.

Many of the studies looking at drugs and pregnancy look at the immediate effects of those drugs on the fetus / newborn / young child, but don't necessarily follow the individual over their life course monitoring for neuropsychological impacts.